...GOD (using the voice of George Burns)
"WHEN I MADE MUSICIANS, I MADE ONE FOR EACH INSTRUMENT,
THEN I HAD A CREATIVE FLASH. I ROLLED THEM ALL INTO ONE!
WHEN I SAW THE RESULT, I THOUGHT "THIS IS MY BEST WORK,
I'M CALLING THIS ONE TUDY"

Tudy was a dear friend of mine.We met each other in San Antonio in the late 50s early 60s.then he moved to Ft Worth.He was one of the best musicians I ever knew and played with. I am only sorry I didn't get to see him more often. I will always remember him for his soulful playing.God Bless You Tudy !
Love,Ernie Durawa/Texas Tornados.......Austin,TX

I first met Tudy in San Antonio, Texas when I was 17  and he was 16. He was already an important and established rhythm and blues musician. He taught me early on what it meant to be dedicated to your craft. Our paths crossed many times in the ensuing years and I was always enriched by the
encounters. The last time I saw him play he blew me away with his incredible talent, as he did the first time I saw him play 38 years ago. He was a giant in his profession , and a good friend who was always himself; The world is truly a dimmer place without the shining light that was his music, but heaven has many new members in the band, all of them Tudy.
...Little Paul Sevy      Agnes Tx.

In late 1962, about 20 minutes after Tudy first hit the Ft. Worth city limits, he appeared in the doorway of the Cellar. Johnny Carroll saw him and roared  "TUDY, come play these drums!"   Tudy walked from the door to the
bandstand, took off his coat and sat down at the drums.
While Johnny was telling the whole room who this new guy was, I leaned over from the bass chair and stuck out my hand. "Hi, I'm Arvel," I said. Tudy shook my hand and said "hey, man, Tudy, glad to meet you..." Then JC counted 4 and we were
shuffling the hottest shuffle I'd ever played! Thru the ensuing years, anytime Tudy walked into a place I was playing, I made it my habit to hand him my
guitar, my band and my stage and I'd become part of the audience, for as
long as he wanted to play.
...Arvel Stricklin.......Fort Worth, TX

Tudy told me last year that the first time he had ever heard a live band
play rock and roll, he went home and prayed to God that if He would let
him be a musician, then he would never ask for anything else.  Tudy then
smiled a huge smile, and said,"And He Did!"
...Margaret Thibert.......Fort Worth,TX

Tudy told me once: "Man, there's only 2 kinds of music, GOOD and BAD."
...Charlie Mitchell, Fort Worth,TX

Tudy was surely the most naturally-talented musician I ever knew, and yet one of the most unaffected people....unschooled, unsophisticated in many ways, and yet always ready with encouragement and kindness.  Tudy was truly One of a Kind.
...Ron Green, Fort Worth, TX

I'll never forget Tudy...I watched him as often as I could....I watched him
blow away everyone on their own instrument. Whenever he walked in the joint I was always pestering him to sit in so I could learn from him...to see what he would play on the songs my band played. Probably the most important drumming lesson he taught me was to play with your whole body...but there was so much
more,,,,,,yes...I  learned passion, dedication, the importance of playing it
right, not just close...so much...so much...Tudy was my teacher, mentor,
friend and truly we've lost one who was a legend in his own time. Tudy..I'll
never forget you. God Bless You, and we'll miss you.
...Linda Waring

WHAT CAN BE SAID ABOUT THE BEST PLAYER TO EVER
COME OUT OF THE STATE OF TEXAS..NOT ONLY WAS HE A
GREAT PLAYER,HE WAS A GREAT TEACHER.I LEARNED FROM
BEING IN THE SAME BANDS WITH HIM. WHATA GUY, WHATA PLAYER,YOU WILL BE MISSED OLE BUDDY. I LOV YA. SEE YOU IN HEAVEN
...RANDY PANDA

Tudy was what all musicians wish to be, a "natural", one who could play
virtually any musical instrument he picked up. I never heard him play a
Sousaphone, but if he ever did, I'm certain it would be the rockingest
Sousaphone anyone had ever heard. In addition to his vast, ever-surprising
musical talents, he was one of the most genuine, down-to-earth humans I ever met. You always knew where you stood with Tudy. I'm sure he had a bad side, everyone does, but I never saw it. He always had a smile that was like
turning on the sun in a room and was always upbeat. When I first started
going to the Cellar, before I ever played a note on that stage, I would sit
and be amazed by the sounds coming off the stage when the Cellar Dwellers
played. All of the musicians were good, but you could tell he was the leader
musically and spiritually. In ensuing years I would make a point to go to
whatever venue he was playing, just to hear what the master was doing. I was
fortunate to play with him many times and even have a few recordings of himplaying with me on some of my songs. I will always think of them as
treasures. God bless you, Tudy, and I hope you will hold a place for me in
the band when I come along to ask one more time, "can I sit in?"
...Mark Stricklin

I was jolted at the loss of a friend, and one of the most talented guys
I've ever known. Tudy touched multitudes of people, not
only players, but the people who got to hear his extraordinary music. He will be remembered forever through those he touched.
Truly a great one has fallen, but rest assured he will ALWAYS be remembered, his spirit will most assuredly live on.
...RONN COBB,NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND

My first encounter I was in the women's bathroom at The Box on Camp Bowie [in Fort Worth] in 1967.  There was a dutch door in the ladies bathroom and you could peek through into a rehearsal hall.  I heard "Good Day Sunshine" and couldn't believe how beautiful. Wonderful music...
...Debbie Duck

I will never forget the first time I saw Tudy play. It was at the old original Daddio's location in downtown Ft. Worth sometime in the early 70's. Memory is a little foggy but I think I was 16 or 17 at the time. Not of legal age to be in the place. I knew I was witnessing the greatest musical talent I had ever seen. He was playing guitar, bass, drums, piano and singing[not all at once], and he was a master at all of them. As the years would pass by I would go see him whenever I could and would eventually get to work with him some at the old Tootsie's [in Fort Worth] and other spots around town. He was so good he scared me. He was the real deal. He was a heavy influence and I learned a lot from Tudy. I only wish I had been able to see him in recent years. Rest in peace Arthur Leslie Taddi.
...James Pennebaker - Nashville, TN

A musician's musician, a drummer's drummer, keeper of the key that unlocks the mystery known as the shuffle, arbiter of cool, honky tonk fixture, juke joint regular, a player who played because music really mattered, and a genuine legend in both San Antonio and Fort Worth, perhaps the two heppest cities on earth. Gone too soon. Forever remembered for all the good times.
...Joe Nick Patoski - Texas Monthly magazine

The first time I saw Tudy was in 1965, in Ft. Worth ,TX., when I snuck into the Cellar. I was 17 years old and just hired with my first band playing bass in all the sockhops, roller rinks, and teen a go go's.I thought I was really on my way. Then I heard Tudy, playing that swinging shuffle sound that he and drummer Chester, and sax player Billy Tom were laying down. What an incredible night! It totally blew me away sitting on the cusions watching this unbelievable player. Week after week I would leave my gigs playing for teen hops, and would go get close to Tudy and listen to every lick he played. After several times of going and seeing this legend perform, I finally built up the nerve to go and talk with him. He again blew me away, he was bashful (he didn't think his playing was very good)! Tudy was one of my greatest teachers. As I sit here today thinking about Tudy, he is one of the greatest influences of my life. Not only mine but thousands of others who came to the Cellar. What a master musician, a true master's master of every thing he did. While attending a benefit for Tudy at the Jazz Cafe, a tape was played of Tudy singing "God Bless The Child" that was so soulful, it made me cry.He was truly God blessed, and I was blessed for knowing him. God bless you Tudy! Your friend and a true admirer,
...Randy Cates - Ft. Worth, Tx.

I remember seeing Tudy at the Celler in the 60's playing a variety of instruments and each one well. I left town for a few years and came back in the mid-70's. When I did I was looking around for some real music to play and since I had a Hammond organ and wanted to do some playing, I went down to Daddio's behind the Palace theatre in downtown[Fort Worth]. We became a regular deal there with guitar, Nick on trumpet, can't remember the sax guy and Tudy on drums or sometimes guitar. His beat was so solid I could dance on it all night long. It was a joy to play that way and whatever I played, so did he. At the same time he was also playing with Little Whisper and I saw another side of him as well. Then I moved off to LA and did not get to see him as often except when I would come back to Ft. Worth. Those days playing with him are forever etched in my memories and I am sure somewhere I have some recordings of them... will miss you Tudy. ...Red Young/Red andthe Red Hots/Los Angeles, Ca.

It's hard to know where to begin - what can you NOT say about Tudy. He was my mentor, my friend, my idol - without a doubt the greatest musician I have ever known. And probably the most honorable. He wasn't just "good" or "great" on all instruments,he was their friend - a natural. After he had blown me away many times on bass, guitar, and drums,I saw him sit in with the Third Avenue Blues Band playin' trombone and singing "I remember April". He killed me. He did me and my lovely wife Duchess an incredible personal favor in the 70's. I didn't even hear about it 'til years later, and when I thanked him he acted as if anyone else would have done the same. He was wrong. No one would have. Once at the Cellar I asked him why he didnt strike out on his own and try for the big bucks. He said "I make 15 dollars a night, play what I want to, and have all the women and good stuff I want. What else is there?" I had no argument, and still don't. When Louis Stephens and I cut demos for Capricorn Records in the 70's Tudy played bass on all the cuts. At the end of the session we had realized we hadn't cut any blues tunes. So Tudy sang one while playing bass (no overdubs). Capricorn rejected the tapes,but wanted to know who the guy singing the blues was!! He taught me to ignore the chords and just play the notes that sounded good. He was the classiest. Goodbye old friend - I love you.
...Bugs Henderson

My Uncle Tudy was a private man, one who, when he spoke, it would be wise to listen. He taught us kids to be patient and loving to one another. His life was hard and it changed him, but those of us who loved him accepted that change and understood it. I Remember him telling me that he learned to play the drums on trash can lids-that if you wanted to make music you could make it anywhere. Which he did!!! One day I had invited my Uncle Tudy to my house outside of San Antonio. My husband was having a jam session and wanted Tudy to come...of course I was young and I bragged to the other people in the band about all the people my Uncle had played with...They looked at me like...yeah sure...right... When Tudy came in the house these boys looked at him very skeptically. My uncle introduced himself and asked what instrument they would like him to play...They said how about the bass guitar? Sure he said and he started to warm up...I suppose I don't have to tell you that those boys stood in awe at how my Uncle made that bass guitar sound like a lead guitar. I did learn that being humble like my Uncle Tudy is a good thing. I will love and miss my Uncle. He added happiness to a lot of peoples lives...Thanks Tudy I will always keep you in my heart! ...Pat

What can I say? My Father, friend, idol, confidant and much more. This is hard for me to write because I am not ready to let him go. I miss him terribly and I exhaust myself thinking of all the things we never did. I can remember as a small child going to gigs, staying awake as long as I possibly could, then passing out in the nearest booth or chair, and doing the same with my two daughters. I remember going into the studio with him in Austin, and backstage at Reunion Arena, where Frank Beard of ZZ Top informed me he would not be there if it were not for Tudy. He handled it with his usual humble attitude, as though it were no big deal. It was no big deal to him, only the music mattered. As I have encountered musicians over the years, all I would have to say is one word, "Tudy," and I would be greeted with love, respect and admiration. I've never known a man to be so admired and respected. He truly affected every musician and human being he ever encountered. He was Amazing. I regret that I did not spend more time with him learning from the master, but I will constantly strive to make him proud. He did what he wanted, how he wanted, when he wanted - and it always involved music. There's no tuning in Heaven Daddy. Play on!
.....Amy Taddi

I was one of the fortunate ones to have actually played in a band with Tudy. I learned an awful lot from this musician. I also had the privelege to work with him in an animal hospital. To see how he cared for the animals as much as he did for his music was a real pleasure. He was a dear friend and I will miss him very much. Tudy, I'll miss you and I will see you in heaven.
...Bobby Albin

It's a fall night at the Jazz Club. The kind of night when the music in the room keeps everybody together in it's cocoon - the common denominator - The crowd and the musicians are the same instrument. All of a sudden, to transport us even further, Tudy, Ron, launch into "it's a marvelous night for a moondance" and it can't get any better than that.
...Janice Paden

When I read Lou Ann's newspaper article, I remembered another Tudy
story.  I was in a club one night, and a drunk woman was following Tudy
around, grabbing at him and saying "Oh Tudy, I love you, I just love
you!"  Tudy gave the world this embarrassed look, then he turned around,
and as kindly as he could, he held up both hands, palms out, and said to
her, "I just can't help you, Man" and walked away. 
...Margaret "Maggie" Thibert, Fort Worth, Texas

I will never forget going to the cellar after hearing a new beatles song on the radio that day, and the cellar dwellers already were playing it!!! Tudy will be missed by many, what a huge talent!!! I only wish I would have paid more attention to those wonderfull beats. I could have learned so much more from him. rest in peace old friend.
...michael tramel (the young souls, 1969).

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