Not all party animals are born equal. And in all the world there was only one love-filled critter named “BobZilla.”
One of the founders of Moonshine Crossing with his buddy Mark Smith, Robert “BobZilla” Wilson and his wife Cheri have shaken, stirred and shared good vibes at dozens of festivals and countless shows around the region.
Bob was always the first to smile at ya, hug ya, wrestle ya, buy a shot for ya, cheer your band on, the last one to leave, and, of course, the first one to jokingly call you and everyone he loved, a cocksucker.
As Chad Lovejoy said “if he was your friend, he would march into the gates of hell after he gave you the shirt off his back.”
Everyone loved Bob, who passed away suddenly Monday, Jan. 6 at the age of 49, and no one could ever forget him. Case in point, I was up last weekend in Covington, Ky., with Arlo McKinley and Josh McComas, hanging out in a crowded pub during Mardi Gras and ran into the former mandolin player of The Student Loan and Northbound Motion. Tom Frank had partied and played with Bob about eight years ago at Appalachian Uprising. When he found out I was a fellow music lover from Huntington, Frank got really serious and said do you know BobZilla? I said who doesn’t? He said it has been years since I saw him but I can’t keep thinking about the loss of his great spirit, and wanted to send his love and hugs to Cheri and the Wilson family.
Let the ZillaBash Begin
Friday, Feb. 28, we gather up for ZillaBash 9 at the V Club for the annual celebration of Bob and Cheri’s birthdays.
The night will kick off with Bob’s boys and fellow bandmates Moonshine Crossing followed by his long-time bubs, the regionally-touring jam band, Fletcher’s Grove. Closing out the night is Cincinnati’s nationally-touring Trash-Grass blasters Rumpke Mountain Boys, and you can bet there will be a hearty Zilla Jam at the end.
There will also be some raffles during the evening including a hand-crafted Andrew White signature guitar signed by Rumpke Mountain, Fletcher’s Grove, and Moonshine Crossing with all proceeds benefitting the Zilla Family. Check out his brand new store front at 198 Foundry Street and online at AndrewWhiteGuitars.com.
Admission is $15 advance and $20 at the door for those 18 and up. Doors open at 8 p.m. The schedule of bands is: Moonshine Crossing & Friends 9-10:15 p.m., Fletcher’s Grove 10:30-12 a.m., Rumpke Mountain Boys 12:15-1:45 a.m. and a Zilla Jam featuring Zilla’s Friends 2-2:30 a.m. Go online at https://tickets.holdmyticket.com/tickets/355966?_ga=2.267673030.997706198.1582815294-461433495.1582815294 to get advance tickets.
We can’t bring Bob back, but we can all try and love good people, good times and good music with a brave heart like Zilla.
