daily grist; one man with conviction will overwhelm 100 with only opinions. Winston Churchill
My buddy Ray Park had a great sense of humor and was always pulling jokes on me every chance he got. He told me a great story one time about a gig he played in Southern California while living there. For a number of years Ray performed with his band at Knotts Berry amusement park and the producer of a major daytime soap opera saw him and his band perform and really like them, and as a result he hired Ray and his band to perform at a cast party at the end of a season’s taping. He said it was a real fun time for the band and the cast members of the soap opera really enjoyed the music.. Ray told me during conversations with the cast he says I have no idea who you people are because I don’t watch soap operas, but do you know WHO I am?. Ray had a pretty healthy ego , and when they admitted they didn’t know who he was, he informed them that he was one of the best known fiddle players in bluegrass music. And he was that without a doubt. That became a standing joke between he and I and whenever we met, one of us would invariably say; do you know who I am? Well, I told that to tell you this.
Just like all highly talented performers, Ray loved signing autographs for his fans and our mutual friend Jack Sadler ( CBA member number three ) knew that and used it to pull a classic joke on Ray one time. Here’s how that happened. Jack was visiting with Ray at his home one time and they went up to have lunch together, and Jack said the restaurant that they went to was really busy and they had about 30 min. wait so Jack went to the hostess and asked if they could be seated in a secluded spot or booth, so that Ray would not be bothered with autograph seekers, and Jack pointed him out. The hostess graciously said no problem I’ll take care of it for you. In about 30 min. they were seated away in a secluded booth next to the kitchen door. Jack excused himself to use the restroom, and found their waitress, and gave her $20 to ask Ray for his autograph. So the stage was set for a great joke and here’s how it went down; Jack said when the waitress approached their table, she got a look of surprise on her face, put her hand over her mouth in mock surprise, and said, are YOU Ray Park? I just LOVE to hear you play the fiddle ! ! Ray allowed as how he was who she thought, and thanked her for her kind comments on his fiddle playing. She then asked for his autograph to which Ray gladly obliged. Jack said Ray’s face lit up like a neon sign while signing that autograph, and all during the meal he could hardly keep from laughing out loud. Later that day at Ray’s house, Jack said Ray just could not get over the waitress asking for his autograph, so Jack said I’m not surprised, because it cost me 20 bucks for her to ask you that ! Ray said what ! ! It was then that Jack told him the rest of the story, and naturally the air turned blue due to several cuss words from you know who !
That event turned out to be a source of humor for all of us for many years to come. Every once in a while Vern would ask Ray; do you know who I am? To which Ray would always reply; hell yes I know who your hillbilly A – – is ! ! We all agreed with Jack that was the best money ever spent . Good memories with good friends from good times long ago.
