The Silver Eagle

R. L. Jones · Post by **R. L. Jones** » 28 Apr 2003 6:38 pm

I was wondering how many of you rode with a band on the bus , the sliver Eagle?

I was told a story about the seat in one bus blew up, sending the driver against thr roof. It broke his back.

any one ever hear about that ???

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 28 Apr 2003 7:01 pm

"...and I'll ride the Silver Eagle to the last town on the line, railroad ties are not, my friend, the only ties that bind...".

Kinky Friedman

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 28 Apr 2003 7:09 pm

Nope...no "Silver Eagle".

I did my little bit o' touring in a converted 1949 "Brill" (an old post-war passenger bus...like those old Greyhounds used in the Humphrey Bogart movies).

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 29 Apr 2003 4:30 am

We have an '89 Silver Eagle, type 15. The driver's seat never was a problem except that it became a bit uncomfortable after the driver's dog (the band mascot) chewed up the seat cushion a bit.

The bus is going up for sale. We replaced it a couple of weeks ago with a '94 Prevost.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn http://www.kevinfowler.com

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 29 Apr 2003 6:38 am

I did 6 tours to Nevada in the 80s with Ira Allen. His (own) bus was a '53 Greyhound. Ira loved that bus, but the first few trips it needed some sorting out.

On the first one, the noxious exhaust should have gotten us pulled over--but didn't. It was November, the bus heater didn't work, so we "wore" our sleeping bags. I still remember late-night conversations with guitarist Roy Harris, his nose and eyes barely visible as the old freezer went down the highway.

But we made the gig.

The next trip to Mesquite, we pulled out of a truck stop in Tucumcari . . . and ground to a halt. Rear end. Hadn't been lubed--apparently you have to unweld a plate to do it.

Luckily enough, a guy there said he'd fix it up with a new pinion. We left it, bought a Cherokee, and squeezed in drummer must have weighed 275), with just enough instruments to play the gig.

An hour later the Cherokee had lost its tranny. We pulled into a town, rented a U Haul, and dumped the Jeep. Roy and I rode in the back of the U Haul, with the gear, to Mesquite. We made the gig. Later, on a day off, Ira and I drove a borrowed car to Tucumacari and retrieved the old bus with its new rear end, hightailing back to Mesquite--in time to play the gig.

Quite a collection of experiences; but the bus did look good the first time, idling there in the moonlight, some band logo on the side. Ira loved it.

And we always made the gig.

Chris
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Chris Brooks on 29 April 2003 at 07:39 AM.]</p></FONT>

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 29 Apr 2003 12:45 pm

Hey there Glenn,
That's the SE200 I sold you in those pictures, no? I hope you are enjoying it. That is one rad western shirt you are wearing, hard to find those in these parts. Looks like you all are very popular down Texas way. Cool looking Emmons and a Prevost too, huh?
Keep on pickin' indeed,

Gerald

Tom Mortensen · Post by **Tom Mortensen** » 29 Apr 2003 4:35 pm

Ahh....The Silver Eagle.
One night on this earthbound bird and all of your clothes and bedding smell like a diesel mechanic

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tombleu.com

R. L. Jones · Post by **R. L. Jones** » 29 Apr 2003 7:29 pm

Now , for the rest of the story ,the guy told me. He was in real bad shape, back ,broken , jn the Hospital, The makers of the bus proceeded in cutting the bus into 4 pieces , loaded it on a truck , hauled it to a remote location and proceeded to bury it. Friends of his were video taping all this, They apparently were trying to hide the evidence,.

Well he survived the ordeal, 8 back surgeries, later, and a few years , he `s doing O K ,

Some one of you should remember this , It`s been a long time now.

R. L.

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 30 Apr 2003 4:31 am

Gerald, yep that's the SE200 you sold me. I'm lovin' it. What a sound!!!! I've been wearin' the "rad" er "trad" western shirts for several decades. Hopefully, they'll last a bit longer as they're harder than hens teeth to find here in Texas, too. (Too much of that "Brooks & Dunn" designer crap in the stores). Thanks for the complement on my Emmons and our Prevost. Both make touring an enjoyable experience.

Tom M.: SHHHHHH!!!!! Not so loud about the smell from Silver Eagles. No one's 'sposed to know 'bout that.....

Thanks again for the "SunSlip". You rule, dude!!

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn www.kevinfowler.com

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 30 Apr 2003 7:19 pm

Here's what's left of my last Eagle: http://www.markvanallen.com/photos.html
click "rigors of the road"...

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C'mon by and visit!- www.markvanallen.com
My Bands: Sugarland Kate and the Retreads Kecia Garland Band Shane Bridges Band Dell Conner Blues Band