Richard McCroan- Acoustic Rythm and Lead Vocals,
James Smith- Bass Guitar and Harmony Vocals,
Bobby Hibbitts- Drums and Harmony Vocals,
Jerry Matheny/Glynn Fleming- Lead Guitar and Harmony Vocals,
Gary Carpenter- Pedal Steel Guitar
Bobby Clause - Sound/Production.
and.....a very special thank you to Bob Barnard, First Bank Celeste and Barry and Sharon Sparkman, Northview Investments for all your support and Friendship!
Influences
Bobby Smith, Gary Stewart, Faron Young, Wendel Adkins, Johnny Bush, Johnny Paycheck, Buck Owens, all RCA artists from the late sixties and early seventies, James Smith, Todd Clayton, Charlie Shearer, Gary Hogue, Joe Bielinski, Eddie Rabbitt, Joe Stampley, Bobby Borchers, Jerry Matheny, Bobby Hibbitts and all the Country Blues, Glynn Fleming, Donnie McDuff, Junior Knight, Mel Tillis, Al Green, Moe Bandy, Larry Franklin, Gary Carpenter, James Pennebaker, Ray Price, Darrell McCall, Tony Booth, Curtis Potter, Conway Twitty, Mickey Newberry and every single singer and musician I have had the pleasure of meeting, playing with or listening to along the way.
Sounds Like
Dallas, Texas early to mid 70's Country House Bands at The Longhorn Ballroom, The Western Place, Deb's Danceland, etc.
Started career in 1978 with Charlie Shearer and the Lonesome Outlaw Band. Charlie was a childhood friend who along with James Smith on bass guitar and Greg Arnold on drums had been playing together for a couple of years at the Big G Jamboree in Garland, Texas where Richard grew up. Continued playing acoustic rythm guitar and fronting the band for Charlie Shearer until Charlie's retirement from nightclub performances in 1992. Was house band at various Dallas, Texas area clubs during that time including The Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, Texas, The Wagon Wheel Ballroom in Princeton, Texas and the Ranch House in Wylie, Texas. Steel guitarist during that time included Todd Clayton from 1979-1982, Chip Horner from 1983-1985 and Gary Hogue from 1986-1992. Other noteable band members during that time included Larry Franklin, Jim Belkin, James Pennebaker, Dale Morris Jr. and Rick Solomon on fiddle. Glynn Fleming, Jerry Matheny, Donnie McDuff and Dwayne Phillips on Lead Guitar and Junior Knight, Gary Carpenter and Willie Kalusa on steel guitar.
Along with James Smith and Greg Arnold, continued present day band after Charlie's retirement. Todd Clayton, who doubles as an airline captain, moved back to the area and began playing Steel Guitar again along with Gary Hogue, Junior Knight and Gary Carpenter as well as recent appearances from Tommy Detamore and Johnny Cox. Bobby Hibbitts began playing drums in 1998. Jerry Matheny and Glynn Fleming have played lead guitar since 1992 along with a special performance with Marty Stuart in 1996. The band has also been the backing band for several recording artists during this time including Gary Stewart, Hank Thompson, Tony Booth, Buddy Owens, and Tony Douglas.
In 1992, Richard also began working with RCA recording artist Gary Stewart. Richard worked full time for Gary Stewart from 1996 - 1998 as Booking agent, Artist manager and Band manager and has continued to head Texas Entertainment Management since 1979.
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