“National Roadie Day” Declared on 100th Birthday of Original Roadie

News 17 Comments


“Anybody that knows anything about music or Texas knows about Ben Dorcy … He ought to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame.” –Waylon Jennings


100 years ago today (5-19), the man that many consider to be the original music roadie, Ben Dorcy III, was born. Also known by the nickname “Lovey,” he 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, The Highwaymen, Tanya Tucker, and even more modern artists like Randy Rogers and Jack Ingram.

Ben Dorcy’s first job was in 1950 as a “bandboy” for Hank Thompson. At the time, nobody really knew what a “roadie” was. Lovey was part helper, part guru, and universally beloved and celebrated. Though he may have not been as well known as the artists themselves, Ben Dorcy became one of the most revered individuals in all of Texas music. Even when he got too old to work, you would see him in the wings, back stages, and tour buses for artists up until his death in 2017.

Ben Dorcey was so beloved by the musicians he served, his name began to show up in the music itself, such as the Waylon Jennings song “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, and the list of references to “Lovey” go on from there. In 2017, Dorcy was officially crowned the “King of the Roadies” in a concert/ceremony at Floore’s Country Store in Texas.

In honor of Ben Dorcy and all the behind-the-scenes characters who help make the music we love happen, May 19th has been officially recognized as “National Roadie Day” and will be observed every year from here on out.

“Roadies are the backbone of live music. They are the first to arrive at a gig and the last to leave,” the National Calendar declares. “They haul gear night after night and literally carry the show on their shoulders. They build up and set the stage from town to town so that the world can experience the joy of live music.”

The declaration comes as a documentary film on Ben Dorcy 16 years in the making is finally seeing the light of day. Produced by Willie Nelson, and directed by Amy Lee Nelson and Trevor Doyle Nelson, King of the Roadies made its world premiere at the recent Dallas International Film Festival on April 27th. The film will hopefully be receiving wider distribution later this year.

King of the Roadies includes appearances from Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Knoxville, Kinky Friedman, Jamey Johnson, Ann-Margret and more.


– – – – – – – –

If you enjoyed this article, consider leaving Saving Country Music A TIP.

© 2025 Saving Country Music

, , , ,