Each year as the new year rolls around I think of my friends, the original Neal sisters and their little brother Bobby Neal. He lost his life on New Year’s Eve 1985 along with Ricky Nelson and other members of the Stone Canyon Band in Dekalb, Texas when their plane went down in flames due to a faulty heater.
Bobby Dale Neal was born July 19, 1947, in Parkin, Ark., to Jessie and Lillian (Shelton) Neal.
He had six sisters, Lois Hale and Wilma Irvin, both of Osceola, Paula Hill, of Ward, Ark., Sammie Byrd, of Cabot, Ark., Marilyn Britt and Shirley Woody, both deceased, and one brother, Jimmy Neal, of Union City, Tenn.
In June 1958, the family moved to Cooter, Mo. Bobby graduated from Cooter High School in 1965.
He was married to Phyllis Haynes and they had two children Samantha and Jody. The family made their home in Blytheville.
When Bobby was just a young lad his daddy made him a guitar out of a washtub and strings to teach him how to play the instrument. Bobby never had professional music lessons - his talent was God given. He could play any instrument he picked up.
When Bobby was about six years old he won $50 at the 4-H Fair in Batesville, playing and singing Hound Dog.
When Osceola had a bowling alley, Bobby and his sisters would sing on Saturday nights, along with Sam Hidgon and Jessie Grimes. Bobby also played some at the Rebel Club with Charles Griffin.
Bobby also was a big Beatles fan and would often sing and play their music with his sisters, Paula and Sammie.
Bobby went on to play lead guitar on several records with Freddie Fender, Sawyer Brown, Mel McDaniel, Shiloh, Charly McClain, Billy Swan, Narvel Felts, Bill Haney and Jerry Jaye.
In 1966, Bobby was drafted in the army and spent the year of 1967 in Vietnam.
In 1979, Bobby began his career with Ricky Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band.
Today, Bobby rests at the Dogwood Cemetery in Blytheville. His tombstone is adorned with the image of a guitar, which he loved so much.
Bobby never met a stranger and he is loved an missed by many.
May this community never forget his contribution to the world of music.
Sandra Brand is the editor of the NEA Town Courier and The Osceola Times. She may be reached by phone at 870-763-4461 or 870-563-2615 or by email at brand@osceolatimes.com.