Rock from the earliest days...

Mallette · January 27, 2019

Two good friends, in their 80s. One deaf, the other profoundly deaf. But they hear themselves and one can hear well enough to still work with the other. Pat Cupp is a legend in Europe as one of the fathers of Rock and Roll. He's best known here in his hometown as having subbed, along with another local by the name of Carl "Cheesie" Nelson for Elvis when his car burned 20 miles from Texarkana in 1955. When Elvis got there he was not upset, but very impressed. Pat's career was short circuited when he signed a contract that committed him to performing with R&B bands. A lawyer told him the only way he could get out was to join the military. He joined the Air Force the next day and by the time he got out the rockabilly period was over. He is not in the least bitter...one of the happiest men I ever met, as is his friend Jimmie Allen who turned down an offer by Louis Armstrong to play in his band. Jimmie and Pat played together locally for 30 years. Jimmie still plays with a local jazz group, the Bryan Foreman Trio. This is going to be a lot of fun! They will perform at our March 30th event. https://www.facebook.com/txkrhmc/

Should have mentioned that this is at the Arkansas Municipal Auditorium. One of the best histories as it pertains to its role in rock is here http://scottymoore.net/texarkana.html

But it also hosted many others like Louis Armstrong, Mae West, the big bands, etc. Extraordinary history in there. Pat said today they'd probably awakened a few ghosts...