Lonnie, Thelma, and Jarrett Robertson
Lonnie and Thelma Robertson, with the occasional help of their young son, Jarrett, began performing as “The Down Home Folks” around Missouri and at KMA in Iowa. In 1944, they moved to Springfield, Missouri, and built up a large following through their work at KWTO. They went on to complete stints at WSVA (Harrisburg, VA), WDQ (Tuscalosa, IL) and KUOZ (Siloan Springs, AR), and again at KOAM (PIttsburg, KA).
Jarrett Robertson (1940 – 1993)
Jarrett was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on September 3, 1940 to Lonnie and Thelma Robertson He spent many years from childhood through college as a professional fiddler with his family and as a guitar-picking country and western singer.
DARCY FARROW
EARLY MORNING RAIN
Jarrett used his musical talent throughout his entire life entertaining family, friends, audiences and troops. After college he spent 30 years in the Army attaining the rank of Major General.
In Jarrett’s own words “My Life Story” (written in 1958)
Mom and Dad are retired radio entertainers and naturally some of my most memorable moments were built around their work. As soon as I was big enough to hold a fiddle Dad started teaching me how to play. I learned in a hurry and soon was on the stage with them at the age of five. I sang and played the fiddle with my folks over radio stations in Virginia, Arkansas, Kansas and in Springfield, Missouri. I accompanied my parents on trips into Oklahoma and various other places.
Mom, Dad and I played and sang “down to earth” country music over K.W.T.O off and on for some five or six years. The name of Lonnie and Thelma, “The Down Home Folks” is still remembered by the older residents of the Ozarks. I always played the fiddle with their programs and sang the old country songs with them.
My folks retired and went back to Lutie, Missouri. When they quit the radio naturally so did I. This was good because it gave me a chance to become settled and make friends. However, my music playing did not retire. Along with my Martin guitar and old-time fiddle, I added the electric guitar to my repertoire. I kept in practice by playing get-togethers, dances and school activities as well as playing with the Country Caravan at K.W.T.O. During my college years in Springfield, Missouri, I formed a 3-person group called the “Missourians” and we played for many functions in the area and even recorded a record.
