THE BIRTH OF
Lloyd Llove
Lloyd was enrolled at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and became a father to Keeley Watts on July 20, 1969. Although he had not actively participated in music since September of 1968, he continued to play privately at home and write his own compositions. He continued this manner of musical existence until he elected to move from Lubbock, Texas, back to his home town of Plainview in 1971.
He hooked up again with his brother Dennis and started playing with him in local venues on Friday and Saturday nights. In 1975, Lloyd copyrighted his first two original songs, "Feeling So Blue" © 1975 and "You'll Never Lose Someone" © 1975. They were typical sad country bar-room tear-jerkers. Dennis assisted Lloyd in recording the compositions at Harold Franklin Studios in Lubbock, Texas, on the record label, "Uptown Downtown Music." The recording produced an "A" & "B" side for a 45 rpm record. "Feeling So Blue" © 1975 was the "A" side of the record; and side "B" was "You'll Never Lose Someone" © 1975. The single was released regionally in the panhandle of Texas and only received a modest amount of air time.
Lloyd and Dennis played for a number of different groups and did so until 1976. Early in 1976, Lloyd went to Nashville, Tennessee, and recorded an LP album entitled, "Leaving Caroline," at Music City Recorders. This was the same recording studio that Elvis Presley had used prior to signing with RCA. Session musicians included a host of Nashville's finest, including Bunky Keels, who played the piano for Jim Reeves. D. J. Fontana was Elvis Presley's old drummer. Dale Sellers was the lead guitarist for the "Hee Haw" television show. "The Sound 70 Singers" were the back-up group for the television show, "That Good Old Nashville Music." The album was released nationally on "Adonda Records."
It was a different form of music in this era and was tagged as "progressive country." It was a forerunner of music performed by Charlie Daniels. The music terminology had changed, and country music had opened its' arms to the new form of country. The song, "Morning Breaking Over California," from the album, charted and made the play list in several major radio stations in Reno, Nevada. Another song, "You Sure Wear My Memorial Well," charted and made the play list at KBOX Radio Station in Dallas, Texas. The album's success in these two markets was truly an inspiration for Lloyd. He contacted his long time friend, Don Dean, Jimmy Dean's twin brother. Don set up an appointment for Lloyd to meet with the country music legend in the offices of The Jimmy Dean Sausage factory, in Plainview. The meeting was very casual and productive. Jimmy Dean assured Lloyd he would assist him upon his return to New York. The meeting concluded when Jimmy Dean told Lloyd, "When the country and western dog comes to town, one of two things is gonna happen. Someone is gonna get bit or someone is gonna get screwed!" Within 30 days of leaving Plainview, the brothers, Don and Jimmy Dean got into a disagreement over the operations of the sausage factory. Their feud ended up going to court and a disposition was lengthy process. Jimmy Dean never again contacted Lloyd or provided any form of assistance. This once glittering hope of having a large break, disappeared because of the sausage war. Funds for further promotion of the album were limited; and, at home, Lloyd's two daughters, Keeley and Sheila, were an underlying reason not to travel and promote the album. In essence, the album withered and died for the love of his family and his other responsibilities.
Lloyd continued to play with brother Dennis on Friday and Saturday nights. This cycle continued until Lloyd's first marriage ended on, September 1, 1978. Shortly, after this time, Lloyd elected to begin performing as a solo act. He started playing at the "Y'all Come Back Saloon" in Plainview, Texas. He continued his weekly performances there until he moved to Slaton, Texas in the early part of 1979. Lloyd had accepted a position as a banker, in Slaton.
Shortly after his move to Slaton, Lloyd was on outing with a fellow banking friend named, Don Preston. While drinking at the "Plaid Door," in Lubbock, Texas, the owner was talking about needing entertainment. Lloyd's friend, Don, jumped up and said, "I am sitting with one of the best entertainers in Lubbock!" The surprised owner, Dorothy Heath, came and sat down at their table. Both were wearing their nice bank suits and it was obvious the Dorothy was surprised and believing she had encountered two well dressed men and obviously neither of them even remotely appeared to be a musician? Upon Dorothy's further questioning and indicating this was a joke; Don said, "He's got his guitar in the car and I'll go get it." Don jumped up and left, later returning with Lloyd's guitar. For the next three hours, Lloyd played at the table. Afterwards, Dorothy asked him to start playing on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
The Wednesday night "Plaid Taco Party" was an instant success. It was an evening where the "Plaid Door" provided free tacos and Lloyd opened the stage to anyone who wanted to play or sing. Every Wednesday night one would find a large audience of Lloyd's fans. His underlying base fans were banking friends and other acquaintances. Many surprise guests showed up for the event. One of the "Cricket" members from the Buddy Holly days came often. Certainly, Lloyd's brother Dennis, was not a stranger either. After playing several weeks at the Plaid Door, one Monday morning, the bank president asked him to come into his office. Upon going there, the bank president asked Lloyd if he was playing at the Plaid Door in Lubbock. Lloyd asked the president why he would ask him this question and the president said, "I saw your name, Lloyd Watts on the marquee." Lloyd told him, "Yes." The bank president said, "We do not loan money to musicians in this bank. You need to decide if you want to remain a banker or if you want to be an entertainer." Lloyd was shocked and said he would let him know his decision.
That evening, Lloyd called his mother, Ramona. She stated that music had always been a part of Lloyd's life, something he dearly loved. She asked him, "Why don't you change your name, call yourself, Lloyd Llove!" This would not be the last time Lloyd was influenced by his mother. Upon her advice, Lloyd changed his name and continued playing at the Plaid Door. Lloyd continued to play, although his name change did not fool the bank president. However, it did pacify him and allowed Lloyd to play his guitar and sing.
It was at the Citizen's Bank of Lubbock County that Lloyd renewed his friendship with Don Caldwell. Over the years, Don had established a small recording studio in Lubbock called "Don Caldwell Studios." Lloyd became Don's banker. In addition to his studio, Don had created a monthly playing venue in the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. It was know as "The West Texas Opry." Don needed to improve and upgrade his studio and approached Lloyd with his loan request. He desired to upgrade from a four track studio to a 50 track. The loan request was large; but, Lloyd went out on a limb for Don and gave him the funds to improve his studio. It is noteworthy that Don worked with the second generation of "The Maines Brothers;" and, Don was their studio of choice when they were given a major recording contract.
"The West Texas Opry" became a popular a monthly family event for residents of the high plains of Texas. It got so popular that Don came into the bank one day and informed Lloyd that he had been approached by someone interested in buying it. By this time the opry was co-sponsored by several Lubbock businesses and KLLL Radio Station. Lloyd asked Don what was the financial offer. Upon learning of the amount, Lloyd asked Don, "How much money do you have in it?" Don responded and said, "Hardly none." Lloyd advised him to sell the opry and retain a consulting position. Don took Lloyd's advice and sold the opry to his uncle, Cecil Caldwell. The opry continued its' successful run. Lloyd was asked to perform and made an appearance on "The West Texas Opry," January 14, 1984. It is noteworthy that Don worked with the second generation of "The Maines Brothers;" and, Don was their studio of choice upon being given a recording contract. Don currently is involved with the "Cactus Theater," a newly acclaimed successful venture. There have been articles in "The Texas Monthly Magazine" about the Don Caldwell and "The Cactus Theater." Don still retains an interest in his studio but leased it out. Lloyd takes pride and the success of his friend, Don Caldwell. Who knows where Don Caldwell would be today, if that moment in time had not happen when he renewed his friendship with his banker/musician friend, Lloyd? And, what would be happening today in Lubbock, Texas, in the entertainment district?
Lloyd periodically frequented one of Lubbock's hot Sunday night clubs called, "Stubbs BBQ." Every Sunday night was open stage night. One could never tell who might walk through the doors. The club was known to draw traveling entertainers. Tom T. Hall, Joe Ely, and many other nationally recognized names took stage at "Stubbs." So did Lloyd and Dennis, on numerous nights. Tom T. Halls, song, "The Great East Broadway Onion Championship of 1978" was the result of an incident at "Stubbs BBQ." Late one night Joe Ely and Tom T. Hall decided to play a game of pool in the back room. The pool table was missing the white cue ball. Someone brought an onion from the kitchen and the game was played using the onion. Stubbs, the owner, invariably moved his business to Austin, Texas. Although Stubbs died several years ago, he continues his legend with his "Stubbs BBQ" sauces, found throughout Texas and other areas on the grocery shelves.
Lloyd moved north of Norman, Oklahoma in the later part of the 1980s. He spent two and one-half years serving as the Mid-west Regional Vice President for Briercroft Savings and Loan Association out of his Oklahoma City office. His music was still lived within him; but, needed an outlet for its' expression. He learned of the Oklahoma "Marlboro Country Music Talent Search" and entered it. Lloyd was selected as one of the ten finalists in the State. Although Lloyd did not win the contest, Lloyd was the only solo artist selected, and of the remaining other 9 finalists, all were full country bands.
Lloyd continued to be a banker and play his guitar and write music from 1978 through 1994.
Click here to see photo slideshow of 1971-1979
