Bun Wilson

B. Greg Jones · From: Middleport, Ohio USA

Long time entertainer and friend, Bun Wilson, passed away Sunday morning. I had the pleasure of working with Bun at Renfro Valley for 12 years. Bun was a great comedian and could make anybody laugh and crack up weather he was on stage or off. I am not sure how long he performed as the comedian on the Renfro Valley Barn Dance though as he was there before I started. He would also close the show with a gospel number with the band backing him. Bun was the drummer for Ernest Tubb around the 59'-60' era. He was later on Ernest's show in the late 60's and did his comedy routine there. If any of you had been to Renfro Valley in the last 25 years, you were sure to see him. He was a great entertainer, singer and most importantly, my dear friend. He's in a better place now. Rest in peace my friend. Oh yea, he LOVED steel guitar. I can still hear him saying " Pick it Runt!!!"

Greg

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

Sad news. I had the pleasure of working about a half dozen shows with Bun. A lady had put a fund raising show together that played about a half dozen towns in NE Tennessee. Bun was the star, we were the backup band. Technically, I did work the shows, but in reality, I never got to play for Bun to sing. The first show, he asked us if were were union and we said no. Bun would not let us play a lick. We just sat there and laughed at his jokes. When he sang, he just used his rhythm guitar. I always wondered what the audience thought of this arrangement since we played about 45 minutes prior to his appearance as the opening act.

I respected his sticking to his guns and doing what he thought was the right thing. But from a practical standpoint, it didn't make sense to me. Here we were in small towns in NE Tennessee with a paying audience who I felt were getting short changed just because of some union rule.

Bun was a funny man, no doubt. I used to watch him on the ET show all the time. I remember one time Bun had a graph chart that he said showed the good and the bad parts on the weeks previous show. ET looked at the high point on the graph and asked if that was when he sang a certain song? Bun said no. Then ET asked about another song, Bun said no. Well, that high point was me, wasn't it? Bun said yes.....It was when you dropped your guitar pick into your shoe and had to take your shoe off to retrieve it. Best part of the show that week, according to Bun.

I have thought of him many times over the years and wondered what ever happened to him. Renfro Valley is only about 3 hours from me. I would have went and seen him had I known he was appearing there.

Rest in peace, Bun and to quote Bob Hope "Thanks for the memories."

Karol Wainscott · From: Kokomo , Indiana

Bun was a great entertainer . I sen him many times at Renfro Valley. Miss you there too Greg . You did some pretty fantastic steel work. I was there abour a month ago . The place sure is not what it used to be by far. I guess we get tuned in to the regulars we seen for so many years and no on is ther we hardly recognize any more.

Michael Breid · From: Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

Our AF of M was sooo weak,(How weak was it?) It was sooo weak that the scabs were making twice union scale, so we all started working for them and not renewing our union cards. The local eventually folded. They couldn't keep up with the scab prices, and playing with scabs you didn't have to pay "work dues" everytime you booked a gig, set up the equipment, and performed. Your God given right, but you had to pay the union to do it. If you've got a strong union who works for you..good! But if you've got a "give us the money and get lost" union like we had I suggest you find a better local or go rogue. Bun was a classic and I hope he's found peace. Keep 'em laughing Bun.

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