I’ll bet if you look really hard In every
little community around the country you’ll find an obscure thumb picker
that’s been greatly influenced by Chet – that, in return, influenced
and taught other young guitarists – that have gone on to their own
greatness. The "teacher of teachers" – so to speak.
We lost one of the great ones up here in West Virginia and Ohio this
past Sunday (4/20/03) when our good friend and mentor of many pickers, Bob
Mowery of Parkersburg , West Virginia, passed away. He will be missed by
many that he left his passion of Chet’s music with.
You ask anybody in Columbus, Ohio, "Who 'round
here plays like Chet?" and
the resounding answer is - Terry Efaw. (Chet even asked Terry to come up
on stage and play with him one time when he was putting on a concert,
here.) You ask anybody in south-east Ohio the same question, and everybody
will quickly reply – Charlie Berwinkle.. As teenagers, both of these
fine players had heard of a guy in Parkersburg, WV that "played like
Chet" and they made every effort to find rides to his town to have
him show them "some stuff." Many pickers have followed in their
foot steps. Bob Mowery was that guy's name – and, what a fine player and
gentleman he was. And, every day of his long life was dedicated to the
playing and teaching of Chet’s music.
We were so fortunate that Bill Powell, superb classical guitarist from
Parkersburg and initially taught by Bob, was able to drive Mr. Mowery the
long distance from Parkersburg to Columbus to attend many of our Ohio
Fingerstyle Guitar Club Pickin’ Parties in the last few years. Bob loved
our get togethers hearing all the Chet pickin’ going on, seeing all the
guitarists that he’d influenced over the years all in one spot – and,
most of all – pickin’ a few for us. And, we loved seeing and hearing
the local legend play. He was one smoooooth player - that loved every note
he played.
Bob will be greatly missed by many. May he rest in peace.
Palmer Moore
.