ROOTS of Country Music

The Professional Work of Bobby Austin

Bobby Austin was an accomplished West Coast singer and songwriter, with a pleasant voice. Bobby made his first brief chart appearance in 1966. The song that brought him into the national spotlight was Apartment #9, which was named Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music that year. Bobby recorded for Tally Records, Challenge Records and Capitol Records and placed singles on the Billboard chart from 1966 through 1972.

Robert Allen Austin was born on May 4, 1933, in Wenatchee, Washington. After working in local bands, Austin moved to Los Angeles in 1955 and soon gained footing in the local country music scene. His first professional recording session was with the small Sundown label in 1958. Two years later, Bobby recorded his single, 'Polynesian Baby on Challenge Records. Austin subsequently joined label mate Wynn Stewart's band and played bass on recording sessions for Buck Owens.

Bobby played bass guitar in Wynn Stewart band and he was with Wynn when he setup residence at the Nashville Nevada Club (Las Vegas) in 1961. Bobby remained with Stewart until 1962. The earliest version of the group known as the Nashville Nevada Club Band, featured Roy Nichols (guitar), Ralph Mooney (pedal steel), Bobby Austin (bass), Peaches Price (drums), Jim Pierce (piano) and bandleader Wynn Stewart (guitar, vocals).

The band was augmented by singer Jackie Burns. In 1961 Jackie Burns, Wynn Stewart and the Nashville Nevada band entered the United Recording Corporation studio in Las Vegas to lay down some demo tracks in the hope of gaining a record deal for singer Burns. Stewart and Burns recorded a version of the Hank Thompson classic "Breakin' the Rules,’ while Jackie sang lead on several songs "Wild One"’ "Pennies From Heaven"’ and "The End Of The World."

In 1962, Capitol Records signed Bobby to a solo contract and he subsequently left the employ of Wynn Stewart to concentrate on his career. That prompted Wynn to hire a young Merle Haggard to replace him. Bobby’s early outings on Capitol failed to make the charts and Bobby continued to work the Las Vegas club scene, as well as touring regionally. In the mid 1960s Bobby signed a contract with Fuzzy Owen and Lewis Talley's small Tally label, which had been home to Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens prior to their Capitol contracts in 1964.

Austin joined Capitol Records again in 1966 mainly due to the attention that his Tally single "Apartment #9," was attracting. The song was Austin's first and biggest chart single, topping out at No. 21 that year. It was named the Academy of Country Music's song of the year for 1966 and was the first to receive that honor from the Academy. There is misconception that Johnny Paycheck wrote “Apartment #9.” However, let it be known that Bobby Austin wrote the song, using his wife's name, Fern Foley on the label along with Johnny Paycheck. Paycheck wrote one line and Bobby shared the credit with him. That same year, Tammy Wynette's version became her first Billboard chart entry and Paycheck cut what is arguably the best version also that year.

Austin's other chart singles were "Cupid's Last Arrow" (Capitol) and "This Song Is Just for You" (Capital, 1967), "For Your Love" (Capital, 1969) and "Knoxville Station" (Atlantic, 1972). His albums include Apartment No. 9 (Capitol ST 2773, 1967 and Old Love Never Dies (Capitol ST 2915, 1968, both contained heavy influences of West Coast country music with Ralph Mooney on steel guitar and Fuzzy Owen handling the production duties.

Throughout the 1970s Austin continued to record for small labels such as Triune, Atlantic (who's short lived country division included Willie Nelson, Darrell McCall and Wynn Stewart), Hurrah, Syndicate and Design, but by the late-1970s, he virtually faded from the spotlight.

Bobby relocated to Washington State in the early-1980s and gave up from performing. He became well known for his numerous paintings and murals. At the time of his death he had been in ill health for several years. At the age of 68 Bobby Austin passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2002 in Camas, Washington, He is survived by his wife, Fern, and his children, Linda, Robert Jr., William and Steve.