Pandemic has been rough road for local musicians

The past year has been a strain for local musicians, both financially and emotionally.

In March, they went from performing on a weekly basis to not performing at all or seldom.

"We were going crazy missing the music," said Bobby Roybal, former Blackwater Band member.

"I was ready to hang it up, because I figured we probably weren't going to get to play for a couple of years. I was tellin' the guys I'm out of it. The guys didn't want me to, but I thought, we can't play anywhere or do anything."

A retiree of the U.S. Postal Service, Roybal said his band's performances usually brought in about $200 per month per musician, so losing the extra income wasn't dire, but it was noticeable. He was on the verge of selling his music equipment and saying goodbye to the business altogether after 40 plus years of playing.

"But then we started getting together to support each other," said Roybal, adding that the band was at a complete standstill for about six months last year.

"That's how all this started. Some people sit at home, and it starts to get depressing, so Nick (Baglien) and I picked up our guitars," said Roybal. "My house is just big enough that we can get together but do it safely. We just all try to be cautious."

Roybal said he and Baglien and Dan Greathouse, who all live near each other in Portales, began playing again, social distancing and wearing masks as they did so. With the other two Blackwater Band members being absent due to jobs and COVID concerns, the three men decided to change their name to the Pony Creek Trio.

"Dan, Nick, and I thought we've been in our own little bubble; why can't we just get together and do a little something?" said Roybal. "It was just something to keep our sanity. I figured as long as we stay safe and distance as best we can, maybe we can do this."

Country singer Will Banister has a different story, as music is not just his passion but his career.

Banister said he has been doing a lot of acoustic solo work the past year and has worked at venues in Lubbock as much as he can. He said many venues cannot afford to pay for an entire band and are not set up for it.

"I've just been floating along and trying to scrounge up as much work as I can. It's definitely been a tough year," said Banister, who said he released an album right around the time the pandemic shutdowns started, and not being able to perform has affected album sales.

"You put a new CD out, and the best promotion is getting out in front of people and playing," Banister said. "It kind of gets you down every now and then. You feel like you are building some steam, then something like this happens, and you're just stuck."

John Evans, member of the Curry County Outlaws, said his band was never about the money. They began playing to give seniors something to do.

"It was in a sense, like, oh crap, that's not coming in anymore," Evans said of the performance money. "But it didn't hurt us that badly. It's been more emotional. We just want to play again. It's just about making people stomp their feet. It gets in your blood."

Evans said his band quit playing together for about two months last year. With most of their venues being senior citizen facilities, performing for an audience has been scarce. He said many venues in Texas are not willing to pay a band's travel costs, which makes traveling to those venues not worth it.

"The people were very upset about that. They still are," Evans said of their regular senior citizen venues. "They are ready to go as soon as they (health officials) unlock it. I think for all of us, that's why we play is because we like to see people smile and tap their feet and have a good time, so we're just ready to start playing again."

But a few blessings have come from the pandemic as well.

Roybal and Evans said it has given them time to write original songs. Roybal said his band is on the verge of releasing a new song on local radio stations. The song, "Till This is Over," is about the pandemic.

Banister said he has had some good things happen during the past year, and the shutdown has given him more quality time with his family.

"I'm not the only one feeling the brunt of this, but I've done my share of griping for sure," Banister said. "The good Lord is still taking care of me for sure. There have been some good things happening behind the scenes. I just got to get through this stuff."