Feature Story

Every generation of the Mobile music scene filled the sanctuary of St. Mary’s Church Monday, June 9, as 39-year-old keyboardist Bo Roberts was laid to rest. While there is still a great deal of uncertainty as to the nature of his untimely death, he leaves behind a legion of fans and friends who will definitely miss Roberts’s passion and talent for his craft, and more so, just Bo.

That was evident as local musicians Ryan Balthrop, Kristy Lee, Donna Hall and Ricky Chancey said their goodbyes appropriately through song and instrument. Others said their farewells silently in the church pews as the scripture was read and the eulogy was spoken.

With the mass complete, mourners filed silently out of the church and maintained the somber mood that had reigned over the service.

In the days following, his close friends and fellow musicians remembered his love for live performance and the spontaneity associated with it.

“He was such a positive, good-hearted dude and loved playing music for the pure damn fun of it,” guitarist Al McNab (JackJaw Jimmy) said.

“He played all the time with everybody, but any time that he had a free night he would call me or Brian to see if we were playing. Every once in a while it worked out where we were playing somewhere when he was off, and he’d lug that monster keyboard and Leslie speaker to the gig and jam all night with us just for fun. He wouldn’t want any money.”

While playing with AllGetOut, drummer Albert Robinson worked with Roberts on the album “Southern Business.” Robinson remembers Roberts’ natural skill in composition.

“Bo was a professional. He knew what he was doing. He would make suggestions, and it wouldn’t sound like the right thing to do, but then it sounded great!”

With all that has been said and will be said about Roberts, guitarist Corky Hughes sums it up best in one sentence: “He was a fine musician and a finer human being.”

While the funeral mass mourned the passing of Roberts, many local musicians thought that it would only be fitting if Roberts’ life and love for music were celebrated.

On Tuesday, June 17, Roberts’ musical family gathered together for a unique memorial jam at the Bluegill Waterfront Amphitheater. Those who spearheaded this jam made sure Roberts’ musical legacy became eternal by collecting $10 donations at the door that went to the Bo Roberts Music Foundation, which is dedicated to furthering music education.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

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