Bev’s Washboard Shakers Vol IX 3 Page 7

SMOKEY DOHRS SON

You would think that the son of the world’s greatest Pretzel Bender would want to emulate his fathers and carry on this special occupation. But no. He wanted to play the banjo and sing on the stage, despite his father telling him it would only lead to wrack and ruin, smoking and drinking and consorting with wild women.

I asked Mr. Dohrs, “What makes you feel Pretzel Bending is more lucrative and adventurous than playing guitar and singing on the stage?”
He answered. “At one time I also wanted to be a singer and banjo player and appear on the stage, but my father, who was also a well known Pretzel Bender, talked me out of it. Of course, I was only nine at the time. When I got older, married and had 14 children, it was too late, even though I was still only twenty three, but the drive and energy had gone out of me.”

“But”, I interjected, “was the remuneration from Pretzel Bending that good, compared to the millions of dollars that musicians make today?”

“Pretzel Benders are a dying breed and belong to a very “closed shop”, as we call it, and one can ask, and do receive, any fee that we request. Last week alone I got over $39 in the hand, but it is not only money. It is the prestige, the glamour, the publicity, the idolatry,” He explained.

“But, it is my understanding,” I ventured to say, ‘that singers and musicians receive all that, plus Big Bucks as well, in some cases well in excess of a hundred dollars.”

“Yes, I’ve heard those arguments before, but I can only reach the conclusion that they have been ‘brain washed” by some theatrical agent or record company producer, who actually are the ones who get the most out of the efforts of their clients.” was the reply.

“I am not completely convinced that what you say is really the best solution.” I said.

Mr. Dohr replied, “Keep in mind that in the Pretzel business you can always eat the product, but if you are a singer and times get touch, can you eat your banjo!?”