BITTERSWEET, Ky. — The first time I ever heard the name Cowboy Copas was from my mother. I remember her telling me that her father, my grandfather, used to play with this country music star, who was quite famous in the 1940s and ’50s.

 

After learning of this, at least as a child I thought of my grandpa as being somewhat famous. After all, every time he came to visit, he was accompanied by his hollow-body Kay guitar and would entertain us for hours as he played and sang one old country hit after another.

Although I was quite young, I can still see and hear him as clearly now as then.

I suppose it made a big impression on me and would set me on a path that would include my involvement in music.

As I got older and more interested in my family heritage, I began to search for information about this Cowboy Copas fellow, trying to find that tangible connection between him and Granddad. I just knew there had to be an old photo or something that would put the two together.

But, if you are not a country music history buff, chances are you have never heard of this performer, often referred to as the “Country Gentleman of Song.” Thanks to the internet, there is some information to be found.

But I’m not sure, even as much as I research classic country music, I would have come across him had it not been for the spark given to me as a youngster from my mom. Despite my search for the factual connection between by grandfather and Copas, I never really found anything to quantify this.

 

I know my mom was telling me what she knew to be the truth. But old photos or newspaper clippings did not exist. And any listings of band members on the Web did not include my grandpa’s name.

Lloyd Estel Copas (pictured above) was the country music star’s given name. He was born in Adams County, Ohio.

My grandfather lived near that area, so the possibility was definitely there. My mom did say the two played on the radio together before Copas hit the big time. That could also make the possibility of this connection to be authentic.

I had other relatives who were musicians but, for some reason, my grandfather was the one I most remember, even as little as I remember. So I cling to her stories and believe that fame came close to the man I called Grandpa.

I tell you that story to tell you this: Even though I could never really find a physical connection between these two people, my grandfather always remained, to me, that somewhat famous country musician in his own right, even if he was famous only to me and my mom.

Maybe it’s best left at that – and all that really matters.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.