In memoriam

In memoriam:

Randle “Poodie” Locke
1948-2009

Willie Nelson lost more than a longtime stage
manager with the passing of Randle “Poodie”
Locke; he lost one of the most beloved members
of his extended family, as did the rest of
the Texas music world. Locke, who in addition
to working with Nelson on the road for 34
years also owned his own beer joint —
Poodie’s Hilltop Bar & Grill in Spicewood —
died of a heart attack on May 6, just four
days after his last Willie show at Carl’s Corner.
He was 60. Locke — whose nickname
“Poodie” came from his sister being unable to
pronounce the word “pretty” when he was a
baby — was buried May 11 in his native Waco
at a service that drew an estimated 1,000
mourners. No doubt even more will turn out
to celebrate his memory at a memorial concert
scheduled for June 28 at the Backyard in
Austin.