ROOTS of Country Music

The Professional Work of Cherokee Cowboy, Blondie Calderon

Anyone who attended a Ray Price concert during the ‘80s/’90s would remember the band’s pianist, Blondie Calderon. Blondie served as leader and arranger for one of the most respected bands in country music. Calderon's long tenure with Ray Price gave him particular stature in a legendary band that includes among its alumni, Willie Nelson, Roger Miller and Johnny Paycheck.

Blondie Calderon was born on June, 26, 1940 in Del Rio,Texas. One of five children, he was nicknamed for the blonde curly locks he had as a child. Blondie’s interest in the piano began at an early age. When he became good enough to play some basic tunes, his father enrolled him in piano lessons. But Blondie sometimes would go to the movies using the money his father gave for his piano lessons. He never learned to read music, but he had exceptional ability to learn songs simply by hearing them. At age thirteen, he purchased a vibraphone which he quickly mastered.

After graduating from San Felipe High School, he attended college atSan JoseStateUniversityinCalifornia. While attending college, he played in various bands that toured through the Bay Area. In 1959, Calderon’s parents asked him to return toDel Rioto take over Menos Restaurant, the family business since 1936.

Blondie added a bandstand and dance floor to the restaurant. Under his management, Menos was soon featuring performances by Blondie Calderon & His Latin Sextet, beginning a tradition of Tuesday and Thursday night jam sessions (including jazz, boleros, country and pop) that remains popular at Menos to this day.

At Menos, Blondie continued to honing his entertaining skills and he gained regional popularity. Early in 1967, Calderon received his much needed break. Ray Price was assembling a new band and hired Blondie as a vibraphonist for his Cherokee Cowboys band. During that time Price had ventured into the Nashville Sound territory.

 His producers Don Law and Frank Jones decided to add strings and background singers and Calderon was a perfect addition. In the early ’70s Calderon switched to piano, he also assumed responsibilities as Price’s bandleader, arranger and musical partner. For nearly three decades, Calderon was Ray’s most trusted collaborator.

In addition to touring with Price, Calderon also recorded with him. Some of their best work was done on a studio remake of some of Price’s popular songs. “The Classic Songs of Ray Price,” features eighteen tunes, including many of his past major hits that Price recorded with a group ofNashvillesession musicians.

The session personnel included Ray Price (vocals, guitar), Blondie Calderon (piano, vibraphone), Buddy Emmons (pedal steel), Buddy Spicher (fiddle), Wade Kirby (guitar), Alan Moore (violin), Henry Strzelecki, Joe Allen, Tommy Cogbill (bass guitar), Larrie London (drums), Dave Kirby, Leon Rhodes, Dale Sellers, Bobby Thompson (guitar), Kenny Sears, Buddy Spicher (violin), Bunky Keels, Dennis Burnside (piano) and Gene Chrisman (drums). In the early ’90s, the pair recorded “Los Dos,” a Spanish-language album. Blondie played vibraphone on Price's 2000 album, the pop-flavored “Prisoner of Love.”

Besides serving as leader and arranger, Calderon also traded jokes with Price during concerts and his spirited performance of “El Rancho Grande,” for which Calderon donned a large sombrero, would inevitably bring down the house. With laughter filling the hall, Blondie would bow and laugh, then slide back behind the piano. He was more than happy to return the spotlight to his boss, though his gentle rhythms and perfect, sparkling solos were ever emerging to take it right back.

In regards to their on stage antics, Price was quoted: “A lot of people thought it was in bad taste. But they don’t realize that when he came to work for me there was still signs in southTexasthat said ‘Mexicans Not Welcome.’ We were making fun, showing how foolish those old attitudes were.

He was a great jazz player, he could play anything and he was my best friend. You can’t live with a man almost 34 years and be invited into his family, and not feel a great loss. Mexicans have a word for that (sort of relationship): compadre. I was his compadre and I was proud to be it. I really miss him.” ~ Ray Price.

On October 23, 2000, bound for a show aboard the Cherokee Cowboys’ tour bus, Calderon died of a heart attack. He was 60 years old. At his funeral, Ray Price served as pallbearer.

Written by Richard, Roots of Country Music. April 12, 2010.