| Bobby Durham | |
|---|---|
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | Country Music |
| Labels | Capitol Records, Hightone Records |
| Associated acts | Bakersfield sound, The Crickets, Billy Mize, |
| Website | Bobby Durham Official Website |
Bobby Durham (b. 1942 [1]) is an American country musician associated with the Bakersfield sound. His hits include Do You Still Drink Margaritas; Playboy; Let’s Start a Rumor Today and the classic song penned by Merle Haggard My Past Is Present.
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Durham first performed professionally at age 11, appearing on Billy Mize's TV show. He performed on local shows such as Town Hall Party, Trading Post, and Cliffie Stone's Hometown Jamboree, and in 1953 he joined Cousin Ebb's Squirrel Shooters, which was the house band for the Pumpkin Center Barn Dance. Following this he played with Jolly Judy and the Go-Daddies and with Gene Davis's Palomino Riders.
In the 1960s Durham signed to Capitol Records and released several singles, including his take on the Merle Haggard song "My Past Is Present". In 1965 he was nominated for Most Promising Male Vocalist for the Academy of Country Music Awards and again in 1966 as Most Promising Vocal Group for a duet recording he did with Jeanie O'Neal. In 1968, he released a self-titled album, which was produced by Chet Atkins.
Later Bobby joined The Crickets, onetime backing band for Buddy Holly; He would spend the next five years touring with them.
After his tenure with the Crickets, Durham began working in Las Vegas in 1972 and performed there for 11 years, operating a nightclub in Colorado Springs during 1975-78.
In 1983 he returned to Bakersfield, California to take care of his family. He released an album that featured the song Do You Still Drink Margaritas, the song became another hit and reached number 1 in Australia. He was invited to play on the bill at The Grand Ole Opry in 1984. He took his Mother to the performance. "That was the thrill of my lifetime," Durham says. "I just wish my daddy had been around to see it."
In 1987 Bobby signed a deal with Hightone Records and released Where I Grew Up. Distribution of the album was also picked up in the UK by Demon Records. The album went Gold and featured the songs Playboy and Let's Start A Rumor Today.' written by Wayne Durham.
Bobby has recorded his latest CD Last of the Golden Era, which released in 2010. He continues to make appearances including at Buck Owens's Crystal Palace with his band The Durham Band. August 24, 2010 was officially marked "Bobby Durham Day" in Bakersfield, CA for his contributions to the Bakersfield Sound; they held a celebration and concert at the Buck Owens's Crystal Palace.