Published: September 22, 2008 10:49 am      

A career in country

These days, playing on a big stage is no big deal for Scotty Howard, a country and bluegrass performer from Harrah. There was a time though when this wasn’t his case. His first big-time performance, he forgot the opening words.

Recognizing the hiccup, a fellow band member whispered the lines to him before too many notes had passed. From that point on no major problems arose and Howard realized he had an affinity for the spotlight.

“It’s just a good feeling to get out there, entertain and see the smiles on their faces,” Howard said about performing.

There’s no shame in it. Everyone likes to be appreciated for what they do and with a career in music, your occupation is typically under the scrutiny of others. Howard enjoys it when the crowd reacts. When the twang of his voice causes a listener’s attention to be drawn, he knows he’s doing all right.

Apparently his voice has made its way under a number of cowboy hats and into the ears of many listeners who appreciate his style. Howard was recently inducted into America’s Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame in Anita, Iowa.

Howard’s roots take hold in Concho, Okla. where he was born in the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian Hospital. After about five or six years had passed, his family left Oklahoma for Kansas in what would be one of many moves of Howard’s life because his father’s job kept them traveling.

Fortunately, Howard says, he was born to a musical family. He learned from his father how to play the guitar at the age of 8 and before long there wasn’t hardly a talent show that the young Howard wasn’t in. And he often won.

Before long Howard, who played the rhythm guitar then, was on the road with his band, playing school houses and churches while enjoying the semi-celebrity status that came with it. His group even had a guy that played the saw as if it was meant for melody rather than cutting.

After a while he was hooking up with more established performers like Ernest Tubb. Howard was a member of the famed “Troubadours” for two nights.

In 1958, he performed with the Grand Ole Opry when it came to Ponca City. His performance impressed and a more permanent gig was offered. The thing was, Howard already had a permanent gig with his wife and their two children. He stayed put.

To this day he has kept up his musical career. Just this week he was playing shows for large venues in Branson, Mo.

Howard now plays with the group Blackjack Run, and they often play bluegrass shows in Del City. He released a solo album over a year ago and his act was featured as part of the Oklahoma Centennial. The rhythm guitar of old has been replaced by the dobro and Howard claims to be one of few accomplished musicians to play it.

Howard and Blackjack Run will continue to play throughout the area. Copies of his CD “Oklahoma Sweetheart” can be purchased by contacting him directly at 391-3228.