User:Nmantooth

VAN HOWARD

On a crisp, windy morning in Grady, New Mexico (36 mi. N. of Clovis, New Mexico), Howard (Van) Vandevender was born into a musical family. Van grew up on a 'dry land' farm in the Depression with his older brother & sister, learning responsibility at a young age. Back then his life as a family was centered around school, basketball & the country church where he sang and played often. Van's Mom taught him a few chords on the guitar when he was about 8 and that planted the seed for a whole new world for him. Van's family listened to the Grand Ole Opry every Saturday night via a battery powered radio where he learned all of the country 'hits' & dreamed of being a performer.

At the age of 13, Van's uncle sponsored a weekly radio program for him every Saturday on station KICA (AM) in Clovis. Van couldn't believe it! He had his own radio show - WOW! He played his guitar and sang from his planned program and took requests by mail & worked them into the mix. Van began singing more and more for special events, as well as school and church.

Being a tall kid, Van played basketball all through school & was selected to All County, All District & the North/South All Star teams for New Mexico in high school. Eastern New Mexico University recruited Van to play for them when he graduated from high school. Van made the team, but during the first game, he tripped and broke his ankle. Even though he wouldn't be playing basketball, the University asked him to join a choral group that they used to promote the college. When that first year was finished, Van returned to Clovis and began working in a local bank. He was, however, still able to sing on weekends and evenings.

In 1951, Van went to Dallas, Texas to make a 'demo record'. The talent scout for the Louisiana Hayride was there and heard him singing, (strictly by accident). The scout invited Van to move to Shreveport, LA and join the Hayride as one of the new singing talents. Since the pay was only $5.00 per week, the scout helped Van find a job in a local bank. Two weeks later Van was in Shreveport, ready for the next chapter in his life! Being on shows and working with stars like Jim Reeves, Johnny & Jack, Slim Whitman, Faron Young, Webb Pierce, Red Sovine & Hank Williams was much more than this country boy could have ever imagined. In 1954, Lefty Frizzell came to the Hayride looking for a band to accompany him on a 6 month tour to and up the West Coast. Floyd Cramer (piano), Jimmy Day (steel), DJ Fontana (drums), Bill Peters (fiddle), Chuck Wiginton (bass) & Van (rhythm & vocals) formed the band & joined Lefty. They left Shreveport to 'make their fortunes in the music business'! The tour was very successful & the band became very popular. They even worked with Tennessee Ernie Ford on his TV show in Hollywood as well as with Tex Williams & his fabulous band.

During the tour, Lefty's manager (Al) had gone to work for Ray Price as his manager. When their time with Lefty was at its end, Al called Van and asked if he would join Ray's 9-piece western swing band as their front man. Van was delighted and became a part of the Cherokee Cowboys in late 1954 where he opened each show and did all the vocals when Ray was not on stage. Since Ray was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Van too, became a part of that great country show. Van was chosen to be the MC for each tour Ray and Van did together. They traveled with every artist that performed on The Opry at various times during the year. Sometimes there would be 10 stars on the same tour. What a great time they had!

One day as Ray was practicing a new song, Van began to sing harmony with him. Ray looked at Van a little puzzled and then said, "that sounds pretty good!" After they practiced as a duet, Ray decided to record it, with Van singing the high harmony. A new sound was born when they recorded "Crazy Arms" for Columbia Records, which became the #1 country song on the charts for over 4 months. They recorded about 15 more duets and at least 10 of them reached the top 10 in the country music charts over the next few years. Van continued to travel with the band until November 1959. Then, realizing that constantly "being on the road", poor eating habits, loss of rest and the wrong lifestyle to ever enjoy a wife and family, Van chose to leave Nashville and the glamour of the stage. It was a difficult decision for him at the time, but he now knows it was the right one.

Van moved to Dallas in 1960 and again entered the banking profession. Van started at the bottom again and over the next 31 years, rose to the office of Sr. V.P. and Cashier. Van changed careers again in 1991, becoming a Customer Service Rep. for a Computer Software outsourcing firm.

Soon after moving to Dallas, Van met his Future wife, Charlotte ("Chatsey"). They married on January 18, 1964 and began what has been a wonderful, love filled relationship. Their journey together has brought them more joy than Van could have ever imagined. They have 2 wonderful daughters, two God sent sons-in-law and 6 precious grandchildren (ages from 8 to 25). Their oldest granddaughter is now married to a great young man and they have one more to love!

Van retired in March 2008 and Chatsey and he are now living in a beautiful retirement community. They have truly been blessed by GOD.

                WOW ! ! !     WHAT A RIDE ! ! !

Howard Vandevender