Mari Lynn, Citra, Florida

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 6 Aug 2020 9:35 am

Hi,

I recently purchased this beautiful 1953 Fender Dual 8 Professional from my friend Mike Boulware of B-Side Vintage here in Gainesville (a great store!).

Does anyone out there remember Mari Lynn? She was from Citra, Marion County, near Ocala.

It's a great guitar, and I'd like to know more about her. Have Googled and tried ancestry.com without results. Of course, it's tough without a surname.

There is an opera singer by that name on YouTube, who wore Dolly Parton-esque wigs!

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Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 17 Aug 2020 1:16 pm

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 17 Aug 2020 1:46 pm

Jonny Bondz may know about her. With his music store (in Wildwood) and all his band playing around the area he may have some info.

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 17 Aug 2020 1:53 pm

Thanks Jack. Johnny Bondz is high on my list. I hope to get down to his store this week.

All the best to you and yours,

Bob

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 18 Aug 2020 2:14 am

FWIW he spells his name "Jonny". For a long time I thought it was "Johnny" till his wife, Sue, corrected me.

There was another steeler in Citra. Don't remember his name but he came to a couple of our steel jams at Catfish Johnny's in Lake Panasoffkee. Been at least 10 years or more since he was there. He and Bondz were old friends.

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 19 Aug 2020 6:40 am

Hello Jack,

I went to Bondz Music yesterday. Jonny was not there, but I emailed him this morning and will follow up with a phone call. Thanks for the reminder to ask him about the fellow in Citra.

I also stopped by a couple of music stores in Ocala, with no results. Discouraging, but I'm not done yet.

Thanks for your suggestions.

All the best,

Bob

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 21 Aug 2020 11:10 am

Hello Jack,

I spoke to Jonny Bondz today. He had no recollection of Mari Lynn, and his musician pal from Citra, Randy Rowe, is deceased.

I am suspecting more and more that Mari Lynn was not in Florida during her heyday, and moved here later in life. She may not have gigged much once she moved to Florida. The guitar and case are in remarkable condition for being 67 years old, which reinforces that line of thinking. But that's just a guess.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 21 Aug 2020 12:04 pm

Randy Rowe was the guy I was thinking of. Didn't know he had passed. Thanks for the update.