Former band members send in comments about the Battle of the Bands Reunion

Hi Annette,
Here is a photo of Sammy Thomas and yours truly taken at the WBTM battle of the bands reunion 2002 at the crossing. Sammy was the drummer for the Imperials after Johnny Johnson left in the mid 1960's. Of course I played bass for the Imperials during the early to mid 60's. The battle of the bands reunion 2002 was the first time Sammy and I have seen each other since the Viet Nam era. I've talked to several of the guys, and we plan to get as much of the original group together as possible for the 2003 reunion. Of course the "brains" behind the great sound we use to have, Johnny Towler, is still incarcerated, but we look forward to Johnny's return in 2006. If everything works out, we'll play next May with as many members as possible. Thanks. Mickey Brafford, originator and founder of The Imperials.

 

Annette, 
you are doing a great job with the web site.  The pictures of the Battle of The Bands are especially meaningful since it will become a part of history for area musicians.  We have lost two of the best musicians ever to hit a stage any where, George Parrish and Lonnie Woodall.  I have seen both perform and they were truly great in their own right. 
 George was the ultimate showman and Lonnie the envy of most every guitar player ever to see or hear him perform.
 
Keep up the good work.
 
Bill Buckner                                 

 

Doug,
 Hi man. Charlie Gentry recently pointed me to some websites containing the old band info from Danville from the 60's and 70's (e.g., WBTM's  Battle-of-the-Bands site, Wayne Womble's site, etc.). Wow. I didn't know anybody still CARED and certainly didn't know this stuff was on the web! Man, that seems like long, long ago, and far, far away now. I'm glad to get to revisit some old memories...it's hard to even remember  them across all that's happened since! And, it was more darned fun than just about anything I'm done since, too (being young and ignorant didn't hurt).  I still play acoustic flattop (bluegrass flatpicking and some contemporary  praise music). I'm in Evans, GA (just west of Augusta) for the past 16 years.

Steve Scearce

 

Hey guys;
This is one of the best ideas to come along since the '60's. 
    I knew most of the guys in these bands and probably sold many of them their first instruments.  I ran LEED'S MUSIC CENTER  in Colllinsville and Martinsville and opened the first Leed's in Danville.  David Cook was the manager.
    This web page brings back so many memories.  It's great. We are all a few years older now but  ain't it great to be alive and to have "MEMORIES".   
  From 1957 to 1970 I also had several bands but we played mostly the "older " folks places.  Moose Clubs, Elks, Shrine, etc.  I booked many bands over the years including Gene Rumley and the Team Beats and others.  My wife and I will be there Friday night with bells on.   I hope the turnout of alumni is big.  It will be a challenge to see just how many faces we can remember after all these years.  Some have changed drastically, others never seem to age.
 
Bill Buckner

 

Remembering the days of the "Battle of The Bands" Friday May 3rd at the 1st Crossing Event WBTM's Sunday Night's Beach & Motown  Show is sponsoring a reunion of members from Danville's many bands of the 1960's era. Some of the guys have expressed the desire to perform again. So if we are lucky we'll get to reminisce the days and nights of the Coke Plant, 360 Drive In, The 18-30 Club, and the Rathskeller  just to name a few.

 

 

 

 

 

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