Bobby Hicks

We miss you and we think about you and we thank you for all the happy Days you shared your extraordinary talent with us. Gloria and Bobbie, Asheville.

My Mother reminds me often of how Bobby was with Carlton Haney and visited us when my Dad's group was playing at our home. I was a toddler in the early 1950's and didn't remember it but later took fiddle lessons from Bobby at the old Music Barn in Greensboro. Dad would never stop talking about Bobby's fiddle playing. Bobby kept two extra items in his double fiddle case I remember, a picture of Emily Lou and an old Carlton bumper sticker. I had been a guitar player but played most string instruments. The time with Bobby learning his methods and style was the most eye opening experience ever for me in music. I was his last student in the evenings and sometimes followed him to his home after class and listened to his stories. Bobby was the most brilliant musician to sit around and listen to while he played fiddle as only an expert like him could manage. You didn't just listen, you had to play something also. My most memorable moment was during a lesson at the barn. I (sort of) played fiddle, Bobby played guitar, and Marvin Hudson, (co-founder of the Marlen Steel Guitar Company I had known my whole life) played banjo. I will never forget those evenings being around such talent, and never forget the legend I had known while watching, and listening to his career.

During PBS Festival years ago, old clips of the Grand Old Opry were shown when Bobby was with Bill Monroe. The story was that Carlton Haney helped Bobby get started with Bill as the bass player, however in at least one of those clips he played banjo, and of course later became the fiddle player. His ability in and with music was just amazing.

So sorry for your loss. I have not seen my Uncle Bobby since 1986.

Cathy: So sorry to hear that Bobby passed away . I only found out when researching the devastation of Hurricane Helena in your area.
Lois Veldhoff Anthony
We met in the campground Lebanon TN

I almost moved to Marshall to hear Bobby at Zuma. /really salt of the earth kind of guy.

I don't remember first meeting Bobby really, I was 2. My Dad was a fiddler that grew up with Carlton Haney and he visited with us then (early 50's). Mom still remembers Bobby being with Mr. Haney. In the late 1970's when Bobby had moved back home he taught lessons at the old Music Barn in Greensboro. I was his last evening student and would stop by his house occasionally, heading home myself. I had grown up around a lot of great musicians but was in awe at how Bobby could play any instrument he picked up. One of the last memories of lessons attended I ran into Marvin Hudson, co-founder of the Marlen Steel Guitar, and also an old friend of Dad's. For that lesson I played fiddle, Marvin played banjo, and Bobby played guitar. As I struggled and we took a break Bobby struck off on a Red Hot Picker lick by Jerry Reed. It was one of those times you never forget as a musician when a master holds the instrument as few can, which for him was many. He was the truest musician I'd ever known.

We will all share grief with the family. My deepest symphaties and condolences to the family, and all the music world over our loss.

I first met Bobby Hicks 12 years ago at Zuma. He touched my life with his music and continued to enrich my life every week for 12 years. He is a great loss to the world of music, especially his brand of Blue Grass.

Great musician,

It was such a thrill to get to see this true legend of the bluegrass community play fiddle at Shindig on the Green. I was standing beside a legend and watching him play for free. He would always accommodate a requested song and seemed to genuinely enjoy hanging out and playing there. He will be missed by so many and I feel truly blessed to have seen him play so many times.