Bob Bone

Heaven needed a fiddle player, so on Wednesday, September 30, God called Bob home. He passed peacefully about 1 pm, with his wife Bobbie by his side holding his hand.
Until his retirement, Bob worked for 33 years as a sale representative for General Electric and later, for Black and Decker. As most of you know, though, Bob's love was his music. Bob taught himself to play the fiddle when he was 8 years old, and he spent the rest of his life expressing himself through bow to fiddle.
Bob's illustrious musical career includes so many talented artists with which he felt truly honored to share the stage. Though Bob began his career as a very young man, some of Bob's accomplishments include the following:
In 1964, Bob played with Willie Nelson on a 3-concert tour. Bob also became the leader of the house band at Panther Hall, appearing on their weekly TV show where he backed stars such as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Jeannie C. Riley, Jeannie Sealy, Charlie Pride, Wynn Stewart, and numerous other artists. In addition, Bob occasionally toured with stars such as Loretta Lynn and the Wilbur Brothers.
In 1965, Bob joined Tony Douglas and the Shrimpers, working with gifted musicians such as Maurice Anderson, Chuck Jennings, and Harlan Powell. In 1966, Bob played the Big D Jamboree in Dallas.
In the `60s and `70s, Bob played with the legendary Bob Wills on several occasions, notably as special guests on the Bill Mack Show. That same year, Bob formed his own band and began touring with Bill Mack as the Midnight Cowboys, where they backed artists such as Tanya Tucker and Charlie Walker.
In 1976, Bob began playing with Jerry Max Lane and his band. They made appearances in Phoenix and San Francisco, and they played a concert at the 10th Annual World Championship Chili Cook-Off in Los Angeles, CA.
In 1979, Bob formed the Country Four and played at the Grapevine Steakhouse until 1981.
From 1981 to 1989, Bob worked with Dick Hammonds, who formerly fronted Ray Price's band.
In 1989, Bob worked some with Hank Thompson. In July, 1989, Bob began working as the band leader at the Cattle Baron Steak House in Ft. Worth. The band, known as the Cattle Baron Cowboys, won the 1991 MCMA band of the year award, and Bob was runner-up as fiddle player of the year. Bob left the Cattle Baron in 1992.
From 1992 to 1994, Bob was the band leader for the Texas Opry in Weatherford, TX.
From 1999 to 2004, Bob played the annual Billy the Kid Festival, Hico, TX.
From 2000 to 2003, Bob played at Ernest Tubb Record Shop in the Ft. Worth Stockyards.

In 2005, Bob played the VIP Opening of Cabela's in Fort Worth.
In 2006, Bob was inducted into the Cowtown Society of Western Music Hall of Fame.
Bob most recently played at the Stockyard Station in Ft. Worth. In addition, he worked as a member of Chuck Curtis' Western Swing & More Band, Durwood Strube's Best Texas Band, and the Texas Express Band.
Bob also played numerous special annual events, including:  The Weatherford Peach Festival
The Mineral Wells Fall Festival
The Annual Tribute to Bob Wills, with Leon Raush and Durwood Strube.
Until his recent illness, Bob continued to play with noted musicians such as Dick Hammonds, former front-man for Ray Price, and Albert Talley, president of the National Steel Guitar Association and member of the Nashville Country Hall of Fame. On Sunday, October 4, Bob will be formally inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame in Sacramento, California. Bob is survived by his wife Bobbie, several children, grandchildren, nieces,  nephews, and many loving relatives and friends.
Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel is taking care of Bob for now. You can commune with each other and swap stories of Bob's many antics on Friday evening from 6-8 pm. Final services to celebrate Dad's life will occur on Saturday at 10:00 AM at Harmony Baptist Church. Bob will be laid to rest at the Tin Top Community Cemetery ... a small country family, fitting for him to watch the clouds and the cows.
Bob held many roles in his life, but within them all was the consummate entertainer and showman. He will be fitted in his fiddlin' finest, and we invite you all to do the same.