April 8, 2016 - The Bob Luman Memorial Highway will be dedicated at 2pm on Friday, April 15th, 1.3 miles east of the Nacogdoches City Limits on State Highway 21 East near Thrall’s Grocery.
Bob Luman was a nationally-known entertainer who was born on April 15, 1937, in the Black Jack community in Nacogdoches, Texas. The Nacogdoches County Commissioners Court has declared April 15 “Bob Luman Day.” On Saturday, April 16th, the Luman Family will be on hand for a “Meet and Greet” from 10 a.m. until noon at Heart of Texas Gift Gallery, 110 S.
Pecan in downtown Nacogdoches. Also on Saturday at 3pm and at 7pm, Luman’s daughter, Melissa Luman-Phillips will perform tribute concerts to her father at The Olde Tobacco Warehouse, 111 N. Pecan in Nacogdoches. Performing with Ms. Phillips will be 2016 Academy of Western Artists Pure Country Vocalist of the Year, Jake Penrod. A new display featuring Mr. Lumans memorabelia will be available for viewing at the concerts.
Bob Luman was a pioneer in the “Rockabilly” genre’, a member of the Louisiana Hayride and later, The Grand Ole Opry. His first national hit, “Let’s Think About Living,” was released while he was serving in the U.S. Army in 1960. Later hits included; “Lonely Women Make Good Lovers,” “When You Say Love” and “Come on Home and Sing the Blues to Daddy.”
Luman passed away on December 27, 1978, from pneumonia. He was posthumously inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
Advance tickets to the concerts are $20 and are available at Heart of Texas Gift Gallery, 110 S. Pecan in Nacogdoches. Tickets will be $30 at the door. Information and credit card orders 936.554.5822.
