“King of the Roadies” Ben Dorcy Has Passed Away

One of the oldest, and most beloved roadies in all of country music and beyond has has taken flight to that big tour bus to the sky. Ben Dorcy III, also known as “Lovey” or the “King of the Roadies” has passed away. The 92-year-old original roadie who began working in the business in 1950 and at one time or another offered his services to Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and June Carter, Buck Owens, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Ray Price, Jerry Jeff Walker, and even more modern artists like Randy Rogers and Jack Ingram, was part helper, part guru, and universally beloved and celebrated. Though he may not be as well known as the artists themselves, Ben Dorcy is one of the most revered individuals in all of Texas music.
Known for his spiritual glow and ever-present smoking pipe, Ben’s contributions to side stages and behind-the-scenes had waned over the past few years due to his advanced age, yet he was a figure in the wings, back stages, and tour buses for artists up until his death.
“I’ve learned I have the perfect person to steer me. When I’m contemplating one of life’s difficult decisions, I generally consult with Ben Dorcy,” said Willie Nelson in his book The Tao of Willie from 2009. “Bless his barely thumping heart, Ben is my canary in the coalmine. When faced with a difficult decision, I observe Ben and do the opposite of what he does.”
His first job was in 1950 as a “bandboy” for Hank Thompson. At the time, nobody really knew what a “roadie” was. He subsequently became so honored by the musicians he served, his name began to show up in the music itself, such as Waylon Jennings’ “Ode to Ben Dorcy” and Red Sovine’s “Big Ben Dorsey the Third.” A character from Kinky Friedman’s book Roadkill is based on Ben (it’s about being aboard Willie Nelson’s bus), and the list of references to “Lovey” go on from there.
A true road warrior, Ben initially dropped out of high school to tour around helping the Ice Capades show before the breakout of World War 2, where he served on an aircraft carrier and was injured in the Battle of Cape Gloucester. Other odd jobs he worked ahead of his music career included making deliveries for Nudie Cohn, and gardening for John Wayne while living in Hollywood.
But it’s his work with music artists that would endure. For the last five years, the legacy of Ben Dorcy III was celebrated at Ben Dorcy Day at Floores Country Store in Helotes, TX, with many of the artists he served participating in a celebration of his legacy. Dorcy was the first inductee in into the Roadie Hall of Fame in 2009.
RIP Ben Dorcy
September 16, 2017 @ 11:51 am
Really sad. I met Love when I was working at ACL Live. What a sweetheart.
September 16, 2017 @ 9:52 pm
Been Dorsey the 3rd will be very much missed
September 16, 2017 @ 11:52 am
Lovey.
September 16, 2017 @ 12:26 pm
A life well lived. I wish he had written a book; that would be a fun read. Rest easy, Ben.
September 17, 2017 @ 8:34 am
Wasn’t somebody trying to crowdfund a documentary about him a while back? For some reason I feel like I remember seeing their kickstarter (or whatever) video and thinking it would be awesome / he’s a more than worthy subject for a project like that.
RIP to both him and the overall disappearing breed / near extinction of real deal motherfuckers that truly walked the walk.
September 16, 2017 @ 3:16 pm
Might be wrong on this but apparently the last artist he drove for was Wade Bowen because he made a tribute on his instagram this morning and I remember seeing this guy a few years before. I agree with Bertox, I would’ve loved to see him write a book about his time on the road.
September 16, 2017 @ 3:40 pm
I don’t think a Roadie would be able to write a book. Their focus and concentration sticks to the task at hand. They don’t seem to have very long memories. They would need a ghost writing friend. It seems like they are a warehouse of good advice and storytelling, but if you reread Willy Nelson’s account (just above), you watch a roadie and do the opposite. I’m glad it’s not just the good that die young. Many live into old age. Write the book you would want to read, or better – watch a cartoon series about it.
September 17, 2017 @ 9:12 pm
Having traveled w/Willie & w/The Highwaymen, I know what he is saying in his statement. He said he’d do the opposite of Ben, not all roadies (better known as crew hands/members). And having known Ben for many years, I understand exactly what Willie means.
September 16, 2017 @ 6:53 pm
“He doesn’t have any surviving family; our road family is his family.”
https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/the-first-roadie-ever/
What a nice adopted family Ben Dorsey had! He must’ve felt lucky.
September 16, 2017 @ 7:25 pm
RIP, Lovey! A true legend! Never got to meet you down here, see you a the great roadshow in the sky one fine day!
September 16, 2017 @ 11:47 pm
Should have drank mode Lonestar beer.
September 17, 2017 @ 1:12 am
Doesn’t sound like Ben was as much of a tech guy roadie as most of them are now. Don’t they sign confidentiality agreements? Doesn’t this make it difficult to write books?
You can feel the loyalty the roadies have for their bosses, that’s what makes them so special. His nickname, Lovey, says so much.
September 17, 2017 @ 2:04 am
*Roadkill* is a great read. I’d encourage everyone to seek it out. Characters like Ben Dorcy are what real country is all about: a great, extended family where everyone is welcome. RIP
September 17, 2017 @ 6:25 am
I’m reading Waylon’s Autobiography. Ben witnessed a lot of violence, guns being pointed at his head… jeez, super dangerous job. People arrested for being plain stupid.
No artists turned stalkers of fans yet, thank goodness ???? who wants to deal with that.
Lots of ashtrays bouncing off the band’s heads though, bonding time with the musicians in the hospital just because they went to a bar with the roadies. Guess you got to make your own fun now a days. They make fun of the “desperate make me a star” folky Nashville transplant singers. Saying (almost as bluntly) that they are the reason the landscape and fun of country music and the radio has gone dark. Real country musicians can’t get their careers off the ground. More to life than money and fame. But that’s always been kept a secret.
September 17, 2017 @ 9:15 pm
R.I.P. Lovey, As Legendary as they come.
September 7, 2019 @ 7:42 pm
I was a bartender at the Long Neck Club, and Larry Trader brought this ole guy (Ben) in and told me he was going to barback and not to let him drink until midnight. By 10pm he was drunk on his butt. Found out when the girls would bring dirty glasses instead of dumping them he was drinking what was left! He was quite a character and much loved by all who worked there.
October 8, 2021 @ 2:53 pm
I recently stumbled upon a collection of memorabilia that I think belongs to him. It has autographs and safe keeping and it should be in a museum. How can I get this back to him. I need help. It has safe keepings of his.