Interview via email between Martin and Bill Frady
(younger brother of Claudette Orbison, Roy's first wife.)

 

Q1     Did Claudette ever get to meet Elvis or Buddy Holly?

A1      I don't know for a fact that Claudette met Buddy or Elvis, but I am prettty  sure she           would have.She knew a  lot of the artistes Roy  knew. She was  real close to some.           For instance, her  closest friend was Patsy Cline.When she (Patsy)  died, it  hit           Claudette very  hard.

Q2     Did you ever go along to see Roy in those early days in the 1950's.

A2      I traveled with Roy in 1957 around Texas and New Mexico. We met up with            Johnny Cash in Jal N.M. and they played in an old auditorium and there may have            been  100 people that attended.

Q3.     Did Claudette have a "Singing" voice I have often wondered if they sang to one            another - times were so different in those days

A3      Claudette could sing, but the only  time I can  remember her singing was when there was           just her and I alone. We would sing together a  lot. I guess she and I were to shy to                 around  anyone else.

Q4.     What songs can you name that are about your sister-for example A New Star Bill            Dees told us that was about Claudette.

A4.      I am sure there was others but I can only think of the commonly  known two,             "Claudette" and "Pretty Woman" that was written about her. Bill Dees may be              able to help you on this question. I'll ask Mom & Dad also.

Q5.     Did you ever stay with Roy and Claudette at their home -can you remember any             humorous anecdotes from those times?

A5.      I was staying with Roy and Sis. in  the summer of 1961, We were waiting to see             if his new song  "CRYING" was going to make it into BILLBOARDS top 100.             Also it was at this time when Joe Melson was getting some songs together to             record. There was several funny times mostly at the studio during the tapeing             sessions. Any time you get two or more artist's in one room especially working             long hours late at night you will have incidences.             I spent half the time wipeing tears from  my eyes from laughing so hard.             Any thing might set off a chain reaction of    jokes, poke fun at, or good natured             ridicule. For example; If someone hit a sour note, He was fair game for anyone.

Q6.     Did you or Claudette ever go down to the studios when Roy was recording - if so             can you recall anything.

A6.      I pretty well answered this one in #5.about going to the studio. Claudette stayed             home with Roy D.

Q7.     A cd was made called "Are You Ready" taken from a 1956 tv recording with the            Teenkings. Do you  know what other tv shows Roy did in the Teenking days and            what Tv stations they were?

A7.      I don't really recall the T.V. shows Roy was on. He  had a show he did on KMID             T.V. located between Odessa and Midland sponsored by Frontier Furniture

Q8.     What type of momentos do you have from Roy to your family ? ie gifts etc .

A8.      I don't have any momentos from Roy. Mom and dad may have.

Q9.     Do you have any home tape recordings of Roy?

A9.      Again mom and dad may have tapes of Roy I know they have some tapes  but             they are not of him singing.

Q10.     What are your favorite songs by Roy and why?

A10.      Boy you asked a hard one for your last question. What  are my favorite songs?              I couldn't begin to answer this one except to say, Each song will always have              a special meaning to me. There are some that remind me of Roy some that              remind me of Claudette, some that I was involved with, and some that              reminded me of times of where I was at, or what was doing. You see, While I              was with Roy And Claudette in the summer of 1961  I joined the armed              service and that  was the next to  the last time I saw  Claudette. The last time I              saw Roy, or Roy D..I got to see Claudette one more time and that was for only              two days while I was in the service in Ca.

         At least when I write about Roy and Claudette and see it in print, I know it is  not what I
        have seen of the lies and dumb ass  mistakes I have seen in the two books on Roy.
        These wrongs I would like to be able to clear up.
 
        Anyway I'll try to answer any questions put to me by you or anyone else.

               Always,
               Bill Frady

                                            or email me [email protected]