RIP C Buggs Coombs

Passing on this sad news….C. Buggs was always very kind to TCB — he loved and believed in good music. He always took the time to send encouragement this way. He’ll be missed.

We were all heartbroken to hear that good friend and lifetime musician C. Buggs Coombs died of natural causes on Thursday, September 27 at his home in Lawton, MI. Perhaps most known for his work with the Tone Chaperones, Buggs had recently begun playing with the Bronk Brothers.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 5 at the Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church from 2-3, with a memorial service beginning at 3. Following the memorial service, all musicians are encouraged to come to the Old Hat Brewery and Grill to jam in his memory.

Here’s our review of some of his music:

The Tone Chaperones, home-based in Michigan, are a fine example of what’s right these days with country music. They’re willing, ready and able to carry the banner of traditional country music, whether its with original compositions or those of their heroes.

The title of the band’s Drinkin’, Lyin’ Cheatin’, Cryin’ & Sometimes…Dyin’ album says it all. While radio reduces any substance left in mainstream country to mush and fantasies, the Tone Chaperones still deliver country music in its original packaging, tossing political correctness to the wind.

Consisting of 15 original songs by the band’s vocal lead C. Buggs Coombs, the album is backed by the Tone Chaperone’s band of honky tonkers: Larry T. Bell, Ian Fyvie and Jim (The Undertaker) Murphy.

Highlights are plenty when you get an album packed with real country music like this one. The band covers all the bases they promise in the title while also managing to salute a couple of compadres in the midst of it all. Hey Rosie, a plea for membership in Rosie Flores band is honky tonk gem and I Know Who I Am is a thoughtful, compelling tribute to the memory of Waylon Jennings.

The Tone Chaperones have done and impressive job of proving you can take country forward and still look back at the same time. If tear fallin, heartachin’ honky tonk is what you’re looking for, this band’s a great place to start.

*****

Harlan Howard passed away almost a year ago and while the country music industry barely blinked an eye there were countless others that knew exactly what a tragic loss his passing was to country music.

Harlan Howard has been the standard that many a songwriter have measured themselves against. It’s somehow so appropriate that the first tribute comes from a band of roadhouse troubadours who play night after night in honky tonks and bars driven by little other reason than the love of the music.

Sitting down and sifting through 1000’s of Harlan Howard songs must have been both a delight and a challenge. Picking only twelve seems an impossible feat but the band somehow ended up with a balanced mix of some of his most familiar classics along with a handful of obscure gems.

Titled simply ‘Thank You Harlan Howard” the band pays homage to the legendary songwriter. This time around The Tone Chaperones include Marty Koviak on vocals and guitars, replacing Ian Fyvie.

Even the most casual country music listener is bound to find something familiar on this album. Included are Pick Me Up, a mega hit for Charlie Waller in 1958 and Excuse Me (I Think I’ve Got A Heartache) and Above and Beyond which Buck Owens took for a rides on the charts in the days of when Bakersfield honky tonk ruled the airwaves.

While Harlan Howard is responsible for some of the most memorable lyrics heard over decades of country music, the band’s instrumental rendition of I Fall To Pieces closes the album highlighting his gift for writing brilliant melodies as well.

With Harlan writing songs for 62 years there’s certain to be a few that have slipped quietly by. The Tone Chaperones dug deep into Harlan’s treasure chest and found some great ones, their selections demonstrating Harlan’s ability to adapt and make his mark through country music’s many changes and shifts. You Oughta See Grandma Rock, written in the early days of rock n’ roll celebrates the fun Harlan could have with a song:

Well, out sits granny, old and thin
Ain’t had a kiss since I-I don’t know when
She grabbed a stranger passin’ by
Said let’s go daddy before I die

Also included is The Blizzard which was recorded by Jim Reeves in the days when countrypolitan was the king. Listening to this album not only accentuates his great career but the hole that his loss left in country music. The Tone Chaperones tribute gives comfort that although Harlan’s gone he’s left more than a lifetime of music to remember him by.

Laurie Joulie Take Country Back January 2003