Buddy Simmons--Portland 1950's-60's-70's

Eddie D.Bollinger · Post by **Eddie D.Bollinger** » 24 Sep 2002 8:00 pm

Does anyone recognize this name?
Buddy Simmons was a steel player for some
time and eventually became a D.J. and
promoter. I have some old pictures of
Buddy with George Jones, Carl Smith,Ray
Price, and BUCK OWENS. He helped to bring
country music to the Portland area.
Buddy Simmons is also one of my favorite
uncles. Uncle Buddy is retired in Portland
and is doing very well. His stories
keep me spellbound.

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Eddie B.
Carter D-10
8 & 2many
msm@tycom.net

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 24 Sep 2002 9:46 pm

Your UNCLE BUDDY Simmons......was bass player/vocalist in the Tommy Kizziah and his West Coast Ramblers Band way back when I was just a youngster. He lived in Salem, OR, with his wife and two young sons, I believe it was. This was the second band I played in and we did some really knocked out 3-string swing stuff in the area's largest, most popular public dance hall (no alcohol) and over Radio KGW.
The band consisted of Tommy, Buddy, Eddie Zunk, rythym/vocals, Johnny Reese, drums, Ed Whitaker, fiddle, and a lovely red head named Evelyn on steel. She got married and retired from music leaving the opening for me.
I saw Evelyn a couple of years back at a retirement gathering for Ed Zunk, since deceased. Tommy's gone too, as is Ed Whitaker.
I saw Buddy about 1.5 years ago and he appeared (sadly to say) to be in failing health. I used to ride to gigs with Buddy in his big old Lincoln. He used to bombard me with hours long talks about "Positive Thinking" and for a long while, I tho't he was nuts. I later learned the value of his teachings.
Buddy went on to host his own group "The Drifters" or something like that.
Yes sirreee. Those were the good old days.

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 25 Sep 2002 4:03 am

His sons Donny and Larry are still very active in the music scene in Portland, "thay been playing since theys babies". Larry worked with Ray Stevens for a while but came back to Portland after a few successful years in Nashville.

Buddy was the man for years around here, this was way way back when Ray was just a little kid.

Larry Behm

Eddie D.Bollinger · Post by **Eddie D.Bollinger** » 25 Sep 2002 4:16 am

We stay in contact with Larry,Don,
Uncle Buddy and his wife,Opal.
Our musical family is far reaching.
Thanks for the replies.

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Eddie B.
Carter D-10
8 & 2many
msm@tycom.net
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Eddie D.Bollinger on 25 September 2002 at 08:22 PM.]</p></FONT>

Eddie D.Bollinger · Post by **Eddie D.Bollinger** » 25 Sep 2002 7:28 pm

I believe that Willie Nelson was once part
of the West Coast Ramblers also. Mr. Montee
or anyone else, is this fact or false?

EDB

------------------
Eddie B.
Carter D-10
8 & 2many
msm@tycom.net

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 26 Sep 2002 9:23 am

Eddie.......I'm unaware of any such fact. Willy was DJ'ing at Vancouver, WA, KVAN Radio along with Ann Jones of King Records. I did play one gig with Willy at the Jantzen Beach Paladeum (sp?). I recall no stories of Willy even appearing with the West Coast Ramblers, but then again, I could merely be uninformed.