In Memory – Three Area Greats
This summer will mark the 30th and final year for my country band, High Ryder. Anyone who knows me knows that music has been a huge part of my life.
When I organized the band in 1994, I followed the advice of fellow entertainer Johnny Andrews: “Surround yourself with the best musicians you can find.”
So my “jam” band was started with area legends Slim Jones and pedal steel guitar virtuoso Chuck Rhodes.
Another member, and one of the subjects of this tribute was my nephew
Terry Hall, whom I watched as a youngster, standing on a five-gallon bucket so he could reach the neck to play my upright bass. Terry grew into a brilliant musician with perfect pitch and was in demand by many local musicians.
With young, talented vocalist Hoj Fabian and Terry’s driving bass licks, the band developed what the late George Puskar deemed a “contemporary country” sound.
Terry was proud to call himself a “mill hunk,” having followed his father into the mill at Homestead Works. But he was exceptionally talented in many crafts, including woodworking. After 10 years in the band Terry had to take time off due to health problems. When he returned to playing he was in demand with bluegrass and country bands where he played through failing health until his death.
He was replaced by the second musician of this tribute and another great bassist, the late Jimmy Howell. Jim was apprehensive at first but when he saw how well the band felt the music, he soon was providing the strong bass line that is the band’s signature sound. He could also wail Hank Williams songs like no other. Even while fighting serious health issues, Jim’s constant smile and off-beat humor kept the band relaxed. When Jim passed away, his son Tom, who was at that time our lead singer, could not continue in the band.
The third musician in this tribute, the late Ted Kozar was another multi- talented musician who could play several string instruments as well as the harmonica. I played in several bands with Ted, including New Country Edition, Just Plain Country and The Traveling Road Show.
Ted and I were friends and jammed together years before the High Ryder Band. He and Terry Hall were, like me, fans of the great guitarist Chet Atkins and were the only bassists who wanted to play his songs.
Ted combined his musical talent with his contagious sense of humor. His go-to song of the 60’s was “Another Cigarette.” In the 80’s, his booming versions of “Elvira” had everyone singing along. His musical background was in pop music, and he played orchestral chords on the guitar with ease.
Bass players, and to a lesser extent drummers, are really unheralded members in most bands of any type; but their necessity of keeping the beat, emphasizing parts and giving drive to the music correctly cannot be overstated. Percussionists also share this importance, but some drummers become well known. That fame hardly ever happens to bassists ( Paul McCartney, Randy Meisner, Roger Waters and Timothy C. Schmidt are the exceptions.)
But without the invaluable friendship and incredible musical talent of Ted Kozar, Terry Hall and Jimmy Howell in my life, a lot of joy and a lot of great music would have been missed. As friends and fellow musicians, they were three of the very best in every way!
Roy Hess Sr. is a retired teacher and businessman from Dawson.