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Thanks for the good times Waylon
Waylon and about every other artist one could mention
performed at the Golden Nugget,the Mint the Horseshoe or the Four
Queens in Las Vegas when the Casino's knew how to treat customers
right. 5-6 working bands everyday at the Nugget, great owners in the
Blaines and the Green's who really cared about the artist and treated them
with class. It''s Certainly not the same now. My band the Dave Bunker Show
featuring the "Wilkinsons" was one of the main groups for 10
years having a blast working along side of such great musicians, though
they all were a little crazy, and carried on a lot, they also knew how to
treat one another. Waylon was my gambling partner many times and was fun to
be around with his rich humor people loved him around town.
I remember one night, after doing our sets at
the Nugget, Waylon and me were playing 21 at one of the black jack tables
when these two gorgeous lady's of the night sat down across the pit from
us. After Waylon making a comment to them of how well they were endowed
they in unison reached up and pulled there skimpy tops down to reveal all,
needless to say the players got a little extra treat that night, good old
Waylon, love him forever.
The great Johnny cash
Another artist the great Johnny Cash
who spent much of his time at the Mint Casino just across the street from
the Nugget was gifted with a great friend in Abbie
Neal a wonderful lady and artist for many years in Las Vegas. In my humble judgment I
believe that Abby Neal probably saved Johnny's musical carrier, at least in
Vegas. Many a night when Johnny was unable to perform Abby would round up
guys like me to assist in getting him through his sets. We would hold
Johnny by the back of his jacket through the big red curtain at the mint
while he did his show so he didn't fall off the stool. He'd still put on a
solid entertaining show even then. Thanks to you Abby wherever you are you
were our best friend, God Bless you for it.
The way I became acquainted with Abby was at the Showboat
Hotel and Casino it was my first job with the Wilkinson in Las Vegas. Abby's all girl band had not
had time off in three years and needed someone to replace her girls for
several weeks so she hired the Wilkinsons girls and of course I had to come
along with the package,It was great fun. Actually my first job in Las Vegas was with Red Fox at the Silver Slipper on the strip. I walked in
one day with my guitar and asked if they needed a guitar player and they
told me to ask Red if he needed someone to play his breaks. Let me tell you
right now for a 20 year old kid from Forks Washington, I mean that is the sticks,
to spell such a wonderful entertainer as Red Fox was mind boggling to say
the least and tender ears weren't tender for long listening to Reds act.
Dave Bunker has put his instruments (as well as his hair style)
through many grueling paces.
His tenure as a "giggling musician" and a Luthier of many
years is the cornerstone of Bunker Guitar Technology.
Click on any of the photos below to
see a larger version. And remember... Any one of the fashion styles seen
below could come back at any time!
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