By Kris Smith
Moe Bandy, known for his tremendous popularity during the outlaw country movement during the 1970’s throughout the mid 80’s, will make an appearance on September 7 at the Corsicana Palace Theater.
Born in Mississippi, the Bandy family migrated to San Antonio when Moe was only six years old. During high school, he was a broncobuster and bull rider throughout his teens and gave little interest in his musical talents.
Sheetmetal worker by day, Moe Bandy began his country music career in nightclubs all over southern Texas, landing a one-time deal with Satin Records in 1964.
By 1972, after self-financing a session with record producer Ray Baker, Bandy released a new record, which had no sales. Just a year later, Bandy and Baker released ‘I Just Started Hatin’ Cheatin’ Songs’, which was Bandy’s first selling album.
By 1975, Bandy released a host of singles, including ‘Bandy the Rodeo Clown’, penned by Whitey Shafer and the Corsicana’s own, Lefty Frizzell. After signing with Columbia Records that same year, the major chart topper ‘Hank Williams You Wrote My Life’ earned his first ACM award for Most Promising Male Vocalist Award.
Just before the turn of the decade, Moe Bandy released ‘It’s a Cheating Situation’ with recording artist Janie Fricke. The duet earned the duo a Song of the Year Award from the Academy of Country Music. Continuing his successful pairings, Bandy collaborated with Joe Stampley with the legendary hit ‘Just Good Ol’ Boys’ and the top ten hit ‘Holding the Bag’.
During the era of dancehalls and beer joints, Bandy solidified his place in Country Music, all the while his heart still beat for Rodeo. “My favorite song to perform is still ‘Bandy the Rodeo Clown’, it has my name in it.”
The pair will soon celebrate 40 years of the ‘Just Good Ole Boys’ release with a tour. Bandy stated, “Joe and I still have some great times. It’s a fun show – Moe and Joe and all of that crazy show.’
Bandy continued his streak of great collaborations with Judy Bailey and Becky Hobbs, before reconnecting with Stampley in 1981 with top hits – ‘Hey Moe, Hey Joe’, and continued with the 1983 parody ‘Where’s The Dress?’. Ultimately the duo was sued by 80’s star Boy George of Culture Club fame, but that just seemed to fuel the popularity of the tune earning multiple awards.
Bandy has had a steady line of solo hits as well, including hits such as ‘Rodeo Romeo’, ‘She’s Not Really Cheatin’ (She’s Just Getting Even)’, and ‘Till I’m Too Old to Die Young’.
Bandy has been celebrated throughout his career, even performing his 1988 hit ‘Americana’ at George Bush’s Presidential Inauguration and the White House, twice in 1989.
Lucky Me, his autobiography, released in January 2018, is a compilation of experiences – both good and bad – battles with alcoholism to performing at the White House.
Get your tickets to this show at The Historic Corsicana Palace Theater, they are likely to sell out prior to the show. Leah Blackard, Executive Director of Navarro County Council of the Arts, stated, “The Palace Theatre is excited to have legend, Moe Bandy back on our stage. We think he is the perfect artist to kick off our summer of outstanding programs in downtown Corsicana. We hope everyone will come shop, eat downtown, and enjoy fantastic concerts at The palace!”
Moe stated, “I am really looking forward to having fun with the crowd in Corsicana!’
