Thank you Dean for posting this. I have been a fan of Bugs from way back in the Fort Worth Cellar Days when he played with Mouse and the Traps. Got to see him live a few hundred times over the years lol. I was at Mother Blues one night when someone in a gorilla suit came in and sat a few feet in front of Bugs. Put a smoke in a long cigarette holder.Lit up, leaned over and tried his hardest the whole show to make Bugsy laugh. Bugs was so into the music he never once reacted. To this day I think it was John Nitzinger. I last saw Bugs a few months before his passing. I had moved away from Dallas.And had been in Arkansas for 20 years. It was 10 o'clock on a sunday morning at a casino in eastern Oklahoma. As soon as I walked in the door I had two thoughts almost at the same time.There is never a band playing here this early on a sunday. And damn if that doesn't sound like Bugs Henderson . I walked over to the bar area where the stage was and there he was. Was like seeing a old friend after so many years. You see I never knew him on a personal level. I had talked to him only a few times over the years. I teared up and just stood there . Rooted in place and took in music. I got to meet and talk to his wife that day. Turns out the band was doing a audition that morning. I went to the casino manager who was running the audition and ask him .Don't you know who that is? Why are you having him try out? You should just hire him while you have the chance. Poor guy looked at like I was crazy and went back to listening to Bugs do his thing. Found out from his wife that they were leaving for a Germany in a few days to play some club dates and were just there to try and set something up for when they returned, Sadly I didn't get to talk to him that day. I had to work later that day. I did get to sit and watch the magic for a few songs. Just that one last time. I got the sad news a short time later. Broke down and cried that day . Listening to Bugs play had been a huge part of my life. I will always miss him. at least me still have his music. Thank you again Dean for letting this old man ramble and relive one of my fondest memories . I have never shared this story with anyone and it feels good to be able to tell it to someone that knew him. I never knew this book was out there. Going to try and find a copy right away.
I mean EVERY word about Bug's Henderson. The cassette off the radio in 1985, after church that night... changed Everything about The Guitar to me. . Randy Ballard Beggs OK 🎸
Thank you Dean for posting this. I have been a fan of Bugs from way back in the Fort Worth Cellar Days when he played with Mouse and the Traps. Got to see him live a few hundred times over the years lol. I was at Mother Blues one night when someone in a gorilla suit came in and sat a few feet in front of Bugs. Put a smoke in a long cigarette holder.Lit up, leaned over and tried his hardest the whole show to make Bugsy laugh. Bugs was so into the music he never once reacted. To this day I think it was John Nitzinger. I last saw Bugs a few months before his passing. I had moved away from Dallas.And had been in Arkansas for 20 years. It was 10 o'clock on a sunday morning at a casino in eastern Oklahoma. As soon as I walked in the door I had two thoughts almost at the same time.There is never a band playing here this early on a sunday. And damn if that doesn't sound like Bugs Henderson . I walked over to the bar area where the stage was and there he was. Was like seeing a old friend after so many years. You see I never knew him on a personal level. I had talked to him only a few times over the years. I teared up and just stood there . Rooted in place and took in music. I got to meet and talk to his wife that day. Turns out the band was doing a audition that morning. I went to the casino manager who was running the audition and ask him .Don't you know who that is? Why are you having him try out? You should just hire him while you have the chance. Poor guy looked at like I was crazy and went back to listening to Bugs do his thing. Found out from his wife that they were leaving for a Germany in a few days to play some club dates and were just there to try and set something up for when they returned, Sadly I didn't get to talk to him that day. I had to work later that day. I did get to sit and watch the magic for a few songs. Just that one last time. I got the sad news a short time later. Broke down and cried that day . Listening to Bugs play had been a huge part of my life. I will always miss him. at least me still have his music. Thank you again Dean for letting this old man ramble and relive one of my fondest memories . I have never shared this story with anyone and it feels good to be able to tell it to someone that knew him. I never knew this book was out there. Going to try and find a copy right away.
I mean EVERY word about Bug's Henderson. The cassette off the radio in 1985, after church that night... changed Everything about The Guitar to me. . Randy Ballard Beggs OK 🎸
Bugs, that's all To be said.....
Bugs Is Due ALL... Yet, the Big record companies... missed the boat. Bugs Henderson., THE Guitar 🎸 IST...