This is a reprint (by permission) of the front page article that ran in the Winter Haven News Chief on Sunday, January 21st, 2001. President Bush got the top half -- we got the bottom. We added some photos.

Old friends reuinite
for night of music and magic

By BOB GERNERT
Special to News Chief

WINTER HAVEN -- Once in a great while, when the moon and the stars align, you can go home.

That was never more evident than Friday evening as an amazing array of musical talent converged at the Admiral's Inn on Cypress Gardens Boulevard for the "PolKats Reunion 2001."

Friday night the moon had to be in the right alignment because the stars were on display including Jim Stafford, Kent LaVoie (Lobo), Bobby Braddock, Carl and Jesse Chambers, Jon Corneal, Jim Carlton, Bruce, Buddy and Joni Canova, Joe Spann and a host of others. Each one successful in their own particular musical pursuit whether it be local, national or international fame.

In particular, Stafford, LaVoie, Braddock, Carlton, Corneal and the Chambers cousins have each achieved a measure of national success while sharing a common bond. All of them grew up in the Winter Haven-Auburndale area during the late 50s and early 60s. While not always in the same bands, their paths frequently crossed and eventually, most "traded guitar licks" or jammed together from time to time. The late Gram Parsons was a classmate to some and band member to many.

Jim Stafford's family: wife Ann, daughter G.G. and son Shea. (Photo: Bob Gernert)

As the 60s drew to a close, each pursued their separate careers. Other than Corneal and Parsons, all would lose touch with each other over the years.

The reunion was the brainchild of Stafford, who was born and raised in Eloise. He credits the "dizzyrambler.com" website as sparking the idea. The site, developed by Winter Haven's Carl Chambers, contains detailed histories of all of their lives, as well as others too numerous to mention. Stafford credits Braddock with coining the phrase "PolKats" for "musical cats from Polk County," though Stafford's quick wit and wry sense of humor make him a natural suspect.

Stafford contacted Chambers, LaVoie, Braddock and others to determine if they might be interested in getting back together both for the music and the memories.

Jim Carlton (Photo: Lynda Whitney)

Longtime Auburndale City Manager and patriarch of a musical dynasty, Bruce Canova (right) accepts the honorary title of "PolKat Potentate" from Stafford. (Photo: Bob Gernert)

Jon and Debbie Corneal perform a number from their new International Submarine Band CD. (photo: Lynda Whitney)

When a site was found, plans were finalized. Carl Chambers and his wife Nancy coordinated the logistical details and production. Friday night was the homecoming.

And come they did from Nashville, Tenn., (Braddock), Branson, Mo., (Stafford), Fort Myers (LaVoie) and others of varying distances.

Jim Stafford served as emcee for the evening, setting a gentle tone as he announced there would be "a little show and then we'll move the tables back and have a good old fashioned "sock hop." He proceeded to introduce a cavalcade of those who had gotten their start performing at area teen centers and high school dances. The more than 200 in attendance were mesmerized.

Jim Carlton opened the show. In addition to his musical career, Carlton is an accomplished comedy writer having provided work to such entertainers as Joan Rivers, the Smothers Brothers and Jim Stafford himself.

Buddy Canova (Photo: Lynda Whitney)

Carlton was followed by Buddy Canova who immediately swept the crowd back to the 50s as he performed the clarinet classic, "Strangers on the Shore." Buddy and sister Joni (who joined the jam session later in the evening) are a part of the Canova music legacy. Stafford recognized family patriarch Bruce Canova by naming him the "PolKat Potentate." Buddy Canova performed in the beginning with such early bands as the Legends, Dynamics and Rumors.

Jon Corneal then took the stage. Corneal's career includes performing as part of the Flying Burrito Brothers, the International Submarine Band and the Byrds. Gram Parsons was involved as well. He was first a member of the Dynamics along with Carl Chambers, Jesse Chambers and Braddock. He recalls meeting Parsons at the Auburndale Teen Center and eventually he, Parsons, Stafford and Jesse Chambers started the Legends. "We had a ball," Corneal notes of the time, "It's the life we wanted." Corneal has maintained contact with Braddock through the years.

Carl Chambers & Friends (Photo: Lynda Whitney)

Next Carl Chambers played a variety of his original compositions ending with the crowd-pleasing "Close Enough to Perfect." He was joined on stage by his cousin Gerald (Jesse) Chambers on bass, drummer Rodney Price, Joe Spann on lead guitar and newcomer Jillian Leigh singing harmony. Carl, Gerald and Rodney were at one time a part of the Bellamy Brothers road and recording band. Gerald played bass on a number of Bellamy Brothers albums. He and Price eventually left and worked with Ricky Skaggs. Early in their careers, Gerald and Carl played with the popular local band, "Ron and the Starfires."

Legendary Songwriter Bobby Braddock (Photo: Lynda Whitney)

Stafford next introduced Bobby Braddock. Braddock was eight years old and taking piano lessons when he wrote his first song. Early in his career he played piano in several bands including Jumpin' James Jolly, the Dynamics and the Starfires. After moving to Nashville, he spent several years playing in Marty Robbins' tour band. He continued writing music and was enjoying success. His work includes (co-wrote) "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," "He Stopped Loving Her Today" (CMA Song of the Year 1981)and his personal favorite "Time Marches On" which he performed for reunion attendees. Braddock estimates he's written more than 1200 songs. He brought nostalgia and laughs to the crowd when he recalled his ditty about the "Ten Year Reunion at Auburndale High." He quizzed the audience on Auburndale/Winter Haven High School allegiance finding it just about 50/50. He summed up the crowd as "a Winter Haven-Auburndale sort of thing."

Kent LaVoie (a.k.a. Lobo) (Photo: Lynda Whitney)

Braddock was followed by 1961 Winter Haven graduate Kent LaVoie, who went on to national and international recording fame as "Lobo." LaVoie is best rememebered for his "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" and "I'd Love You to Want Me." He deftly reprised both with many in the audience singing along. In his youth, LaVoie joined Stafford and Parsons in a revised version of the Rumors band. Later in his career, LaVoie co-produced all of Stafford's hits.

"When I went to see Jim, to hear the song he wanted recorded (Swamp Witch), he seemed perfectly suited to do it," he said. "More than that, what led me to believe that Jim had tremendous potential, was the humorous dialogue he had woven into his show. This from the shy, introverted guy I remembered from high school."

Master Showman Jim Stafford entertains in story and song. (Photo:Bob Gernert)

Then it was Stafford's turn. Jim charmed the audience telling stories and performing "Swamp Witch" and "Spiders and Snakes" along with several other novelty songs. Stafford displayed masterful musical skills. He is the consummate showman. His comedic timing and delivery make it obvious why he was once the head comedy writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Stafford now owns and operates his own theatre in Branson, Mo., employing more than 100 and performing eleven months out of the year. His theatre and its success are among his proudest achievements. He was joined briefly on stage by his daughter, G.G., who told a joke, and son Shea who played "Orange Blossom Special" on the fiddle.

Stafford then announced a brief intermission while tables were moved for the "sock hop." What followed was the perfect finish to what Carl Chambers could only describe as "a magical evening." Musicians took the stage and proceeded to perform a variety of old standards. The "jam" flowed effortlessly as one musician or another entered or left the ensemble. The ebb and flow of the performers underscored the talent of the "PolKats" as each comfortably hit his or her stride. Old friends, some of whom had never played on stage together, performed with the confidence that can only come from a lifelong pursuit.

Ron Whitney & The Starfires jam with former members Buddy Canova and Bobby Braddock

The dance floor filled quickly and stayed that way. Stafford was seen dancing with his preschool daughter in his arms.

The "PolKats" themselves were at a loss to explain their combined destinies other than to note they originally became interested in rock and roll to "have fun." Stafford went on to half jokingly note that they wanted to play music so they could meet women.

"Then," he said, "we proceeded to lock ourselves in our bedrooms and practice playing all the time. So much so that when we did meet a woman, we didn't know what to do?"

Former "Legends" members, Jim Carlton, Jim Stafford, and Kent LaVoie jam with drummer Joni Canova.

The reunion was magical, if for no other reason than the memories of their common musical bonds. Some came to play music with old friends, others came to remember their first "rock and roll rush."

Perhaps Bobby Braddock summed it up best when he began his part of the show by softly saying to the audience, "It's just so great being here with my family, my old friends and making new ones, too."

Sometimes you really can go home.

Bob Gernhart is the president of the Historic Winter Haven, the city's historical society and is executive director of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce.

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