The great Johnny Cuviello, drummer for Bob Wills, Buck Owens, and many many more players from Bakersfield/Modesto/central California, passed away at the age of 97.
Johnny, predominantly a jazz and swing drummer, was immortalized by Bob Wills with his recording of "Texas Drummer Boy," featuring several drum solos interspersed with steel guitar rides by Herb Remington.
Johnny became a familiar figure in the Texas swing music scene here through the efforts of Barbara Martin and others, bringing him from CA a few times a year to celebrate his birthday, and have him sit in with various bands. This he loved and enjoyed to the max. He was still playing strong and taking lessons well into his 90s.
I took him into the studio in 2003 and recorded two songs with him (My Mother's Eyes and TDB), with Pete Mitchell on guitar, BB Morse on bass, and Bobby Flores on fiddle. Johnny Bush was a studio guest, because he realized the significance "Cuvie" had to music we love and revere.
The man lived a full and beautiful life. We should all be so lucky. Play on, Texas Drummer Boy.
