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PHOTO COURTESY LIONEL MENCHACA
Lionel and Roy (above) providing vocals during an August performance at the Gatesville Country Music Hall of Fame. After the
show, Buddy (below) was presented with the Master Guitarist Award and both Lionel and Roy were surprised with honorary
inductions to the Hall of Fame.
an acoustic guitar and began teaching the D.C., Canada, Nova Scotia and Kuwait. so many musicians enjoy playing with
basics. Musical talent seems to run in the In Aug. 2004, Buddy’s musical talent Buddy?
family since Buddy’s dad and uncle were was recognized, and he was inducted
self-taught, and Buddy discovered he too into The Western Swing Music Society Roy Gollahon married young and worked
had a God-given natural ability to play. of Seattle Hall of Fame, followed by full time in a Fort Worth, Texas auto parts
In the 1960s, Buddy played with several induction into the Western Swing store to support himself and his new bride.
bands. His greatest thrill was playing Society of Sacramento’s Hall of Fame in To earn extra money, Roy would spend
for stars such as Loretta Lynn, Carl Oct. 2007. More awards followed, and on weekends playing with a band. The pay
and Pearl Butler and Charlie Pride as May 7, 2016, Buddy received the “Living was very little, and often venues had such
he shared his musical talent in venues Legend Award” from the Cowtown Society rough clientele that the band would play
throughout Texas, Alabama, Washington, of Western Music. Is it any wonder that behind a cage made out of chicken wire
to prevent injury from tossed beer bottles.
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG PHOTO COURTESY LIONEL MENCHACA From 1960-64, Roy played with a band
called “The Intruders” who enjoyed nicer
locations with better pay.
Roy eventually went back to college
and received degrees in history and
kinesiology. He became a high school
American history teacher and a baseball/
football coach and retired in 2002.
When he and his wife, Pat, moved into
Sun City Texas in 2003, Roy became
more involved with the guitar. Through
accidental encounters and unexpected
hookups, Roy was introduced to Buddy
in 2006. The two jammed for several
hours, and Roy didn’t have to be asked
twice to join Kountry Kombo. “It is quite
an honor and compliment as a musician
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