December
I'm not doing a
show in December
so I'll post
this picture.
Merry Christmas
and Happy New
Year.
(Please note November's news below
which is newly posted
) |
Christmas
Memories
Loretta and Narvel
A Happier, healthier Christmas - 1993
This photo was
taken by our
son, Bub. He was
killed in a car
accident Sept.
14, 1995. Sept.
14, 2010 was the
15th anniversary
of his death. |
November
November 11th
was my 72nd
birthday. I
spent it at home
with Loretta.
Thank you for
your cards and
calls. It was a
perfect day.
November 19th I
played my 5th
annual concert
at the Collins
Theater in
Paragould, ARK.
This time we had
the biggest
crowd the
theater has had!
Most of my other
shows there had
been sell outs.
This time every
seat was full
including the
balcony. They
brought out all
of their folding
chairs, others
stood! Our MC
was Terry Wood
from 95.9 The
Wolf in
Jonesboro, ARK,
which is north
east Arkansas's
top classic
country station.
Terry tells me
that I'm their
most requested
artist
Terry sang a
song in the
opening set of
our show,
nailing, "Can't
Help Falling in
Love" with a
high power
ending, like I'd
never heard on
this Elvis
classic. Gary
Prince and Sugar
Creek did their
usual great job
on their opening
show plus
backing me. The
crowd gave me a
rounding
reception. They
gave me standing
ovations on my
70's country
hit, "Somebody
Hold Me", "My
Prayer and
"Funny How Time
Slips Away". I
called Terry
Wood back on
stage to duet
with me on
"Johnny B.
Goode". A long
autograph line
awaited me in
the lobby as
Huey's Record
Rack opened.
They were mostly
from north east
ARK, some from
St. Louis and
some from Hot
Springs. They
included the
former
California
Representative
of my Fan Club,
Ruth Burks and
her husband,
Royce.
Loretta has a
balance problem
and has had
several hard
falls this year.
I've been taking
her to the
neurologist in
hopes of finding
a way to help
her. An MRI of
her brain
reveals that
she's had a mild
stroke. An x-ray
o her spine
shows that after
2 back surgeries
there's only one
disc that hasn't
been used. Her
terrible case of
osteoarthritis
has caused her
spine to curve
to the left then
back. The
doctors feel a
combination of
the 3 is causing
her balance
problems. She
hopes her pain
will go in
remission.
Please remember
her in your
prayers.
As for me, I had
a double hernia
surgery in Feb.
of '09, my right
side was
operated on
again in May of
2010. In August
of '10 anther
hernia popped
out right above
it. I've worn a
truss to keep it
in since. My
shows have been
close enough
together that I
won't have time
to have another
surgery until
after I play my
FL show on Jan.
15th. I plan n
having it done
the following
week. I'll then
take Feb. and
March off. That
should be enough
time for me to
heal then get my
wind and voice
back for April.
|
Narvel in Concert
Country Gold Fest
Wild Rose Casino
Emmetsburg, Iowa - Oct. 16, 2010
Photo courtesy of Wade Olson
T. G. Sheppard, Narvel, Gladys and Leroy
Van Dyke
Emmetsburg, Iowa
Oct. 16, 2010
Photo courtesy of Bev Mackey
(click on
photos for larger view) |
October
October 2nd I
did a show at
the Rock and
Roll Highway 67
Music Festival
in Pocahontas,
ARK. This show
was in honor of
one of the all
time top country
songwriters,
Bill Rice who
was also a part
of the show as
was Mickey
Gilley and J. R.
Rogers. Though
it was a cold
night the crowd
gave us a warm
reception. Bill
Rive introduced
me on stage.
Double Edge did
a great job
backing me. I
called Bill back
on stage to join
me on "Drift
Away". He had
produced my 1973
hit record of
it. The crowd
blessed me with
a standing
ovation then a
long autograph
line at Huey's
Record Rack.
Oct. 9th I did
my 8th annual
concert at the
Riverview
Amphitheater at
the lady Luck
Casino in
Caruthersville.
MO. We had a
beautiful
afternoon for
this outside
show overlooking
the Mississippi
River.
Management told
me that some
1,300 fans
attended. Double
Edge did their
usual great job
backing me. The
crowd blessed me
with a standing
ovation then a
some two hour
autograph line.
Most were from
MO, TN and ARK
but the long
distance
travelers were
my friends
Harold and
Martina all the
way from
Germany! Huey
was sick so my
daughter, Stacia
and her husband,
Danny sold my
CDs. Other
family members
there included
my sister,
Ogareeda and her
husband, Walter,
my niece, Lecia
and her friend,
Leland, my
nephew, Billy
Joe and Lady
Sissy plus my
cousin, Donald
and his wife,
Sandra. We'd
made the drive
to both
Pocahontas and
Caruthersville
in Loretta's
white Lincoln
Town Car.
Oct. 16, I was
one of the
artists on
Country Gold
Fest at the Wild
Rose Casino in
Emmetsburg,
Iowa. The other
artists on this
show were Leroy
Van Dyke and T.
G. Sheppard. We
did a matinee
and a night
show. Every now
and then what I
feel is a magic
show happens...
this night show
was magic! The
ballroom was
full, the crowd
was wonderful,
The Auctioneers
did a great job
backing all
three of us.
Leroy introduced
me and the crowd
gave me a
standing ovation
when I walked on
stage then one
on each song I
did and another
as I left the
stage! Long
autograph lines
awaited in the
lobby. They were
from Iowa,
Minnesota,
Illinois and
Nebraska. They
included long
time friends,
Wink and Diane,
Jerry and Bev,
Manley and
Benetta plus
Wade and many
more. Huey and I
made the 1380
mile round trip
drive in my
white Dodge
Caravan.
A Post Script:
All artists I
worked with this
month did great
shows. I enjoyed
my visits with
them.
FInal Farewell:
George Richey,
my cousin, Jack
Felts, our
nephew, Mervin
Plummer, friend
since 1953, Sam
Maudlin. |
Narvel in Concert
Midwest Country Theater
Sandstone, Minnesota
8-7-2010
Photo courtesy of Bev Mackey
(click on
photo for larger view) |
August
August 7th I did
a matinee and a
night show at
the Midwest
Country Theater
in Sandstone,
Minnesota. Each
crowd gave me
several standing
ovations. Fans
from as far away
as Dover,
Delaware, South
Dakota and
Thunder Bay,
Ontario, Canada
came through my
autograph lines
when Huey's
Record Rack
opened after
each show. The
Midwest Country
Band did a great
job backing me.
Each show was
taped. Some of
the songs will
be shown on the
Midwest Country
Show on RFD-TV.
Singers on the
opening sets
were Sharon Lee
and Melanie
Rosales. Huey
and I made the
1,720 mile round
trip drive in my
Grand Caravan.
On the way home
we had two flats
within 200
miles. Some kind
people came to
our rescue and
helped us with
the first one.
It was 100
degrees on a
black highway
when we had to
get the spare
out from under
the van, break
the hot lug
bolts loose and
change the
wheel. It was
1977 the last
time I had to
change a tire on
the side of the
interstate.
August 18th I
was one of the
artists on the
Country Gold
Show at the
Missouri State
Fair in Sedalia,
Missouri. Other
artists on this
picture perfect
show were: Leroy
Van Dyke, Moe
Bandy. Steve and
Rudy Gatlin,
Helen Cornelius,
David Frizzell,
Jimmy Fortune
and Gene Watson.
We sung our four
songs each. The
Auctioneers did
a great job
backing each of
us. Missouri
Governor and
Mrs. Jay Nixon
came to our
artist waiting
room to meet us
as did Roy Blunt
who is running
for the U.S.
Senate and State
Rep. Billy Pat
Wright who was
in the National
Guard with me in
the 1960s.
Former Missouri
Secretary of
State, Judy
Moriarty came
through my
autograph line
with one of my
CDs and game me
some kind
compliments.
Huey and I made
the 693 mile
round trip drive
in Loretta's
Town Car.
|
|
|
|
Narvel in Concert
Rogers Theater, Poplar
Bluff, MO
March 6th, 2010
Photo Courtesy of Leonard Fulbright
(click on
photo for larger view) |
July
July 17th I did
a concert at the
Dixie Carter
Performing Arts
Center in
Huntington, TN.
This was my
first show since
my Hernia
surgery of May
25th. For some
reason I could
barely talk when
I awoke from the
surgery. I've
remained hoarse
ever since.
Thankfully I got
through my show
and hit all my
notes. The near
sell out crowd
blessed me with
a standing
ovation. In the
audience was my
sister, Ogareeda,
her husband,
Walter, my
niece, Lecia and
her friend
Leland. Long
time fan club
members Ruth
Bryant and Time
were there as
were the girls
from Tupelo. My
friend since the
60s, Jimmy Busby
who is a fine
singer was also
there. Double
Edge did a great
job backing me.
A long autograph
line awaited me
in the lobby at
Huey's Record
Rack. Kelly
Green had
introduced me on
stage with a
great
introduction The
show had been
broadcast live
on the radio as
the "Fun on the
Farm Jamboree.
This was a 323
mile round trip
drive.
July 24th I did
two concerts; an
afternoon and
night show at
the Texas Opry
in Weatherford,
TX. Huey and I
made the 12 hour
drive down the
day before. I
was afraid my
voice may not
hold up for the
rehearsal plus
two concerts.
Thankfully it
did though I
could barely
talk after the
the last
autograph line.
International
Rock-a-Billy
Legend, Mac
Curtis was on
the first half
of each show.
The Texas Opry
Band did a great
job backing me.
The crowds at
each show gave
me standing
ovations. Tom
McConnel, who
had promoted my
hit records in
the 70s was
there for both
shows with his
lady friend,
Carole. We went
to supper
between shows
and had a good
visit. Long time
fan club member,
Faye Huffman was
there all the
way from Baton
Rouge,
Louisiana. Her
sister-in-law,
June was with
her. A lady came
through my
autograph line
and told me she
was the long
distance
traveler to my
show, all the
way from
Tuscaloosa,
Alabama. The
next day Huey
and I took a 12
hour Sunday
drive back home.
This was a 1207
mile round trip.
Final Farewell:
Jimmy Dean, Judy
Lynn, Fred
Carter, Jr.,
Manuel Hammon
Hi There!
I just wanted to say that I recently saw Narvel in Weatherford, Texas a couple of weeks ago. What a great concert he performed in light of his recent surgery. Narvel is such a genuine person and he can still belt out his famous songs! I wish he could come to Texas more often. I will see him every chance I get. Keep on Trucking Narvel! Your the Best!
Shannon Yarbrough
Dallas, Texas
|
|
|
|
 |
June
I've spent the
month of June at
home recovering
from my hernia
surgery of May
25th. The first
three weeks were
pretty rough -
I'm better now
and must get my
voice in shape
and my strength
back for my July
shows. Thanks
for your cards
and calls. I
look forward to
being home with
Loretta on her
Birthday, July
3rd.
Note:
I have added more
information to my
February News which
names others who played
in my band.
Photo:
Narvel Felts Homecoming
American Legion
Malden, MO
Dec. 6, 2003
Courtesy of Faye Huffman
(click on
photo for larger view) |
|
|
|
Narvel & Marty Raybon
Choctaw Event Center
Durant, OK
Oct. 18, 2008
Photo courtesy of Royce & Ruth Burks
Marty was lead singer of Shenandoah who
had 26 country hits including the #1
hit, "The Church on Cumberland Road" and
four more #1 hits between 1989 and 1994.
(click on photo
for larger view)
|
My plans were to
leave May and
June open to
have hernia
surgery. It was
scheduled for
May 4th but was
rescheduled for
May 25th. This
still gives me 7
1/2 weeks
recovery time
before my next
show.
I was home with
Loretta on
Mother's Day. We
enjoyed the
visit from our
daughter,
Stacia. That
same weekend the
episode of
"Country Family
Reunion 2010"
with me singing,
"Somebody Hold
Me" was shown on
RFD-TV. All the
legendary
country artists
in the studio
plus the band
and vocal group
gave me a
standing
ovation. What an
HONOR!
The following
weekend, Midwest
Country was
shown on RFD-TV
with me singing,
"Pink and Black
Days", "I'm
Gonna Be Strong"
and "Kiss-a-Me
Baby".
I got word the
other day that
Terry Wood, who
hosts the, All
Request Lunch
Hour" on
"Classic Country
95.9 The Wolf"
in Jonesboro,
Arkansas had
three requests
from three
different
listeners for my
records during
the first
fifteen minutes
that the lines
were open. They
were for,
"Somebody Hold
Me", "Lonely
Teardrops" and
"Reconsider Me".
I'm told that
Terry plays one
of my records
almost every
day.
Many pictures
were taken in
Spain last month
but none have
been sent to me
so I've included
one I could
find.
Final farewell:
Johnny Maestro,
as lead singer
of The Crests.
He sang "16
Candles" and
their other
hits.
|
Narvel in Concert
Rialto Theater
Morrilton, Arkansas
March 27, 2010
Photo: Faye Huffman
Read Faye's Review of the show
here
(click on photo
for larger view)
(
Backstage
Carl Mann, Narvel Felts, J. M.
Van Eaton
International Rock-a-Billy Hall
of Fame
Jackson, TN, April 10, 2010
Photo: Rod Pyke
Courtesy: Essie Shell |
April
Remembering
Narvel
"Bub"
Felts,
Jr.
April 1st would
have been our
son Bub's 46th
birthday, but he
will forever be
31.
Rockabilly
Fest in
Jackson,
TN
April 10th I was
headliner at the
Rockabilly Fest
2010 staged by
the
International
Rock-a-Billy
Hall of Fame in
Jackson, TN.
Other artists
there were Carl
Mann, Little
David Wilkins,
Eddie Bond, J.
M. Van Eaton, Os
Rebels (from
Brazil) and Wade
Jackson. Bands
were Double
Edge, who did
their usual
great job
backing me plus
Red Hot & Blue.
The show was
outside, the
weather was cold
but the crowd
gave me a warm
reception with
standing
ovations. They
were from
Tennessee,
Missouri,
Kentucky and
England. An
autograph line
awaited at
Huey's Record
Rack.
Valencia,
Spain
April 15th I was up
early to make the 2.5
hour drive from my home
to the Memphis Airport.
On my way, I heard on
the radio that because
of a volcano eruption in
Iceland, airports were
closed and passengers
were stranded from
Scandinavia to France.
When I checked in at the
airport I was told that
the flights to London
and Paris were cancelled
but not those to Madrid.
I flew to Dallas,
changed planes, flew
through the night to
Madrid, changed planes,
then on to Valencia. I
arrived at 1pm on the
16th; my guitar did not!
Jackie, who would
interpret for me and
drive me around met my
flight. We had to wait
in a long line to find
out about my guitar. I'd
have to personally
return at 5pm and endure
another long line to
claim it. I was in Spain
to headline the
"Valencia Hall Party"
Saturday the 17th. Among
the other artists and
bands performing on the
festival were Levi
Dexter (from the USA),
Dimaggio Connection
(From Italy), Loveless
Cousins and Earth Angels
(from Spain) and Small
Town (from Portugal).
The promoter expected
1,000 to attend but 600
were coming from other
countries across Europe
whose airports were
closed. At the show time
400 fans standing in
front of the stage gave
me a rousing welcome.
Most of them were from
Spain. DImaggio
Connection did a fine
job backing me. I was
given an encore. An
autograph line awaited.
One man had a copy of my
Mercury Record, "Cry
Baby, Cry" which had
been released in Spain
in 1958. I had never
seen this Spanish
Release.
After a late Saturday
night Sunday was a day
to rest and repack.
Seventeen airports had
now been closed in
Northern Spain plus many
more across Europe.
Those from Italy had to
return by ship. Those
from Germany were
stranded, as I was
afraid I would be.
Monday, the 19th I
was up at 5:30am. My
flights to Madrid,
Dallas and Memphis were
scheduled to go... 27
hour later I was back
home. My guitar didn't
make it till three days
later.
Back Home
April 20th my sister,
Ogareeda had to have the
aortic valve in her
heart replaced. She is
recovering well.
I was on RDF-TV
across North America
each week in April. On
the 10th I sang three
songs on Midwest
Country. They were,
"Funny How Time Slips
Away" "Drift Away" and
"One Run for the Roses".
I was on Country Family
Reunion each Friday. The
23rd I sang, "Drift
Away".
My recording, "Before
You Have to Go" went to
#3 on the Hot Disc Chart
across Europe, Australia
and New Zealand.
I was home with
Loretta for our 48th
Wedding Anniversary
April 30th.
|
|
|
|
 |
On Saturday
March 6th I did
a concert at the
Rogers Theater
in Poplar Bluff,
MO. This is some
40 miles from my
home. I'd last
played this
theater in 1957.
I told this 2010
crowd, "I hope
you don't wait
53 years to have
me back... I'll
be 124!"
It was full in
'57 and on this
night in 2010 it
was sold out;
1046 people!
This show was
opened by the
Moon Pies who
did a great job,
as did Ralph
Innes as MC and
Double Edge who
backed me. The
crowd blessed me
with with
standing
ovations after
"Danny Boy", "My
Prayer" and
"Funny How Time
Slips Away". A
some 2 hour
autograph line
awaited me in
the lobby at
Huey's Record
Rack. Several
had been my high
school
classmates, some
had been my
National Guard
buddies. Most of
this crowd was
from south east
Missouri. Some
were from St.
Louis, some from
Illinois, some
from Arkansas.
March 27th I did
a concert at the
Rialto Theater
in Morrilton,
Arkansas. Not
long before the
show time a
really bad storm
came through
with dark
clouds, pouring
rain and hail.
This kept many
from that area
from attending.
Many from far
away had bought
tickets in
advance and had
already traveled
there. A good
crowd awaited as
Double Edge
opened the show
doing their
usual great job.
After the
intermission
Bandy introduced
me. The crowd
gave me a
rousing welcome.
They blessed me
with with
standing
ovations after
"Reconsider Me",
"Danny Boy", "My
Prayer" and
"Funny How Time
Slips Away". A
long autograph
line awaited me
at the edge of
the stage as
Huey's Record
Rack opened.
Through it came
friends and fans
from Minnesota,
Ohio, Louisiana,
Texas, Oklahoma,
Kansas,
California,
Missouri and
Arkansas plus a
lady from
Yugoslavia who
said she listens
to my music
every night.
Final Farewell:
Jimmy Minor, who
had been my 1957
& '58 publisher.
He also recorded
for Mercury and
United Artists
as a singer in
the 1950s.
Photos:
Narvel on Stage
Rogers Theater
Poplar Bluff, MO
March 6, 2010
Courtesy of
Leonard
Fulbright
|
|
|
|
 |
Our daughter
Stacia's
birthday was
Feb. 3rd. Our
granddaughter
Nicole's
birthday was
Feb. 6th. As I
didn't play a
show this month,
I'll take you
back in time 50
Years Ago.
Back in
Time -
1960
Though I spent most
of 1959 playing the
Canadian show club
circuit, I would end the
year and see the new
decade in at Pop Werners
in Malden, MO. At the
end of '59 my band "The
Rockets" went their
separate ways. Bass
player, J. W. Grubbs,
stayed with me. Matt
Lucas joined us on the
drums.
Other
musicians who were in my
band and toured with me
part of 1960 were: Bob
Halley (Piano and Bass),
Jerry Ran (Lead Guitar),
Jack Adkins (Bass) and
Huen Hubbard (Rhythm
Guitar).
1960 started
with my record,
"Honey Love", on
Pink Records
getting national
radio play
across the USA
and Canada. It
would go on to
make the
"Billboard Pop
Chart". MGM
started calling
from New York
saying, "Look
what you're
doing on that
little label,
think what you
could do on
MGM!." I made
the mistake of
going to New
York and signing
with them. They
would keep me
under contract
for two years
and never
release a
record.
I
also signed with a top
New York manager, Don
Seat. He put me on his
system with all my
earnings being deposited
in a New York bank with
my name on it. Two of
three signatures were
required to write a
check, with mine being
one of them. The others
were Don and his
accountant. This was
where they could pay my
bills while I was on the
road. I was given $100
per week allowance plus
a credit card to pay my
road bills. Don felt he
could break me through
as an actor easier than
he could as a singer so
he sent me to Betty
Cashman Drama Studio for
two months.
We'd played two
months in Canada
prior to this.
After four
months on the
road, we were
really looking
forward to
getting back
home to
Missouri. Don
told me to stop
by his office on
our way out of
town and be sure
to wear a tie.
He wanted to
take me to lunch
with the head of
Desilu. When I
showed up
without a tie
(which was
required to get
in the
restaurant) it
made Don mad. He
said, "Forget
it!"
We
made the 27 hour drive
back home in my red '60
Buick convertible. For a
couple of months we
played dates in
Arkansas, Missouri and
Illinois. My daddy made
the drive to Nashville
with me to record a
session for MGM. He
really enjoyed that
session. Don Seat flew
down to be there. We
were then back on the
road for two or three
months to Canada and New
Jersey. Mama let me know
that my car payment and
credit card bills were
not being made as she
was getting notices on
them. At the end of the
tour I went back to New
York, went in Don's
office and told him it
was over. He said, "You
can't leave. You owe a
lot of money to the
IRS." I paid him enough
to settle that. He said,
"If you'll stay I
promise you a part in a
movie. They're casting
for it now!" I said no
and headed back to
Missouri broke. Uncle
Sam would soon beckon.
Back to 2010:
Final Farewell
to Dale Hawkins,
Rockabilly
Legend, "Suzy
Q".
|
|
|
|
Legends and Memories
Leon Everette, Narvel Felts,
Ronnie McDowell, Ronnie Dove,
Billy Joe Royal
Memorial Auditorium,
Spartanburg, SC
Feb, 22, 2009 |
January
Happy New
Year! Hope this year and this
decade will be kind to you and
yours. As I review this month,
all the months of 2009 are being
moved to the archives on this
web site. Each month of
2009
can still be found there. It is
the best month by month review
since my newsletter ended in
2005. I even take you back in
time to 1959 and 1979 plus
there's a rare 1957 photo.
Now to
January 2010: On the 16th I did
my 10th annual concert at the
Florida Sunshine Opry in Eustis,
FL. With Ray Price performing 30
miles away I was afraid I
wouldn't have a crowd but I did!
People came through my autograph
line from Canada, Delaware,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri,
Minnesota and Florida. When one
couple came through, she told
me, "I was one of the Teenie
Boppers that mobbed you in
Flint, Michigan in 1957!" The
Sunshine Opry Band did their
usual great job backing me. The
crowd gave me standing ovations
after my 1970's hits,
"Reconsider Me", "My Prayer",
and "Funny How Time Slips Away".
I'd gone through the hassle of
of flying from Memphis to Tampa
and back on this trip so I could
be home two extra nights.
Driving to the Memphis Airport
Friday I heard Terry Wood on
95.9 "The Wolf" radio play my
record, "My Prayer" from
Jonesboro, Arkansas. I rented a
car in Tampa and drove to Eustis
and back. This was the first
show of my 54th year of touring.
The 21st I
was in Nashville to be one of
the artists on the filming of
"Country Family Reunion 2010".
We filmed the last four shows of
a thirteen week segment that
will start airing on RFD-TV on
March 5th. This show is hosted
by Bill Anderson. About 25
gather in one room. Bill asks us
questions and each sings a song
or two. I was there with country
legends Jimmy C. Newman, Jim Ed
Brown, Duane Allen, Moe Bandy,
T. Graham Brown, Larry Butler,
John Conlee, Billy Grammer, Jack
Greene, Jan Howard, Johnny Lee,
Charlie Louvin, Melba
Montgomery, Ray Pillow, Charley
Pride, Jean Shepard, Jeannie
Seely, Rhonda Vincent, Gene
Watson, Stonewall Jackson,
Little David Wilkins, The
Whites and Shelly West. I sang a
song on two of the shows, one
was "Drift Away" and the last
was "Somebody Hold Me". At the
end of it, all the artists, the
Carol Lee Singers and the band
all gave me a standing ovation!
What an honor!
Final
farewell, to all those I knew
along the way: Willie Mitchell,
R & B legend, "Soul Serenade",
Carl Smith, Country Legend, "Hey
Joe", and Pug Thrasher, friend.
|
|
