Texas Music Legend Bobby Flores Has Died

Few voices ever graced the Western traditions of Texas music so eloquently, and perhaps nobody ever brought such compositional prowess to the music and with a host of instruments as Bobby Flores. Known as a side man to some of country music’s most famous artists, as well as an accomplished solo artist, Bobby Flores did so much in the service of Western Swing and traditional music, and so often selflessly. A Grammy award winner, and an inductee into numerous Halls of Fame, he was cherished most especially among his musician peers. Bobby Flores died on June 23rd, after battling against Stage IV Esophageal Cancer.
Bobby Flores started singing when he was a young child, including performing in a duo with his mother. He also began learning violin at a young age, and started performing at fairs and festivals in his own band by the time he was 13. While still in school, Bobby Flores started performing with Ray Price whenever possible. This led to lifelong standing invitation for Bobby to perform in Ray’s band any time, which he did for decades. At the age of 19, Flores joined the band of Texas legend Johnny Bush, who he also continued to performed with over the years.
Bobby Flores later went on to study music theory and classical violin at Trinity University under Dominic Saltarelli. He also studied jazz guitar with Jackie King, and classical guitar with David Underwood. From fiddle, to steel guitar and lead guitar, Bobby could do it all. Though he never stopped collaborating with other musicians, and this in part allowed him to perform at places like The Grand Ole Opry and Austin City Limits, he also was well-known throughout Texas as a solo artist.
Bobby Flores released his first original single in 1972, and would continue to record and release music as a solo artist throughout the mid 70s. In the 80s, he became the vocalist for a touring group called Gone City, and in 1990 released an album called Some Fires Never Die with his group Angel Fire. It was in 2002 when Bobby started his own label Yellow Rose Records that his solo recording career came to it’s biggest prominence. Flores would release eight albums over the next 16 years, including 2018’s Coming Full Circle with God featuring religious material.
Over this whole time though, Bobby Flores never stopped performing and recording with others. With credits on over 400 albums and singles, including major label artists, performers from outside of the United States, and not just in country, but in jazz, blues, classical, and Latin music as well, Bobby Flores was revered throughout the music world, even if his own music was mostly known in Texas. In 2002, Flores received a Grammy Award for his string and brass arrangements, and violin performances on Freddy Fender’s album La Musica de Baldemar Huerta. Flores also established the B.A.M. Recording Studio in 2009, and was a regular producer of albums.
Because Bobby Flores never chased fame and stuck so close to his Texas and Western roots, he never received the stardom he deserved. But for those who knew Bobby Flores, they knew him as a titan of the music, whose touch affected so much of the music emanating from Texas, both by his own hand, and the influence he sowed.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write to inform you that Bobby was called home to be with our Lord at 12:18 this afternoon,” the family said in a statement on June 23rd. “He passed away peacefully in his sleep with his family by his side. From the arms of his family to the arms of Jesus—what more could anyone ask for?”
The death of Bobby Flores has gone mostly under-reported, but his legacy among Texas musicians and fans will not be quickly forgotten.
June 28, 2022 @ 12:36 pm
One of my all time albums is Festival Favorites. RIP
June 28, 2022 @ 3:52 pm
RIP, he is on many albums I enjoy. Prayers to his family.
June 28, 2022 @ 4:50 pm
I saw Bobby Flores three years ago and he and his band were so good. I saw Augie Meyers recently and he mentioned Bobby’s health issues. Every time I have heard anyone mention Bobby Flores, it is with highest respect.
June 28, 2022 @ 5:08 pm
Seems like a life well lived. Don’t feel sorry for him, for he is now free. My regards to his family. May he rest in peace.
June 28, 2022 @ 5:15 pm
Thank you for the article Trigger, very sad but his music will live forever.
June 29, 2022 @ 2:32 am
His was the first band I ever saw with triple fiddles. The sound was amazing. They knew what country music was about…He was some musician. Sad loss.
July 1, 2022 @ 10:25 pm
A 1st class human being and a 1st class musician, Bobby loved and lived for “the real thing”.
His album “Just For The Record” says it all…
an homage to The Chief, faithfully rendered.
Won’t be another like Bobby again.
Thanks for all you did to keep the real thing alive.
It was a pleasure knowing you my friend.
July 3, 2022 @ 11:16 am
Another dying breed gone. My kind of music. RIP
July 21, 2022 @ 3:59 pm
My world just seemed to die
The day you said goodbye
And I can’t forget no matter what I do.
So many times my wife and I would be dancing to Bobby’s band. That we would stop dancing and just stand there in awe of his musical talents and how he delivered the song perfectly.
Thank you lord for Bobby flores and his music for the short time we were blessed with his presence.
A TRUE TEXAS TREASURE…..
Bobby Fey
Canyon lake Texas
Bobby Fey
June 30, 2022 | Canyon Lake, TX | Friend
July 15, 2022 @ 5:02 pm
Gutted to read this very sad news. One of my favourite Country/Swing artists. Never received the credit he deserved. A voice so smooth and what a musician. RIP, you will be sadly missed. Ricky, Jersey, UK.
August 9, 2022 @ 12:09 am
I learned about Bobby,
From the beautiful Sheila Bourbeau who has known Bobby for years I have com to love his music and I have his cds it is a big loss to the world that Bobby is gone may he rest in piece but Bobby’s music will last for every
God bless Bobby always Richie Bayne
August 19, 2022 @ 12:20 am
Great fiddle player and singer. God bless him
August 20, 2022 @ 7:07 pm
Played his best behind ray price. Really understood Western swing. Made dancing enjoyable again.
August 24, 2022 @ 2:14 pm
Great singer and musicianship RIP
August 28, 2022 @ 5:14 am
He is a great loss to music industry. Rest in peace.
Your good music lives on forever
September 2, 2022 @ 6:14 pm
Great Musican and singer we will miss him, RIP.
September 7, 2022 @ 11:08 pm
One of the best. The real deal.
September 10, 2022 @ 10:41 am
What a loss.I remember dancing to his music in San Antonio with his family as a young boy back in the early 70’s.I feel also that he was not given all the recognition he should have had.So sorry for his loss.
September 11, 2022 @ 12:56 pm
I have been a lifelong country music fan but never really new how wonderful it was until I heard Bobby and his band! Thanks for the music and the memories! Rest in peace,
September 11, 2022 @ 3:35 pm
A great musician. He is another great that left us to early. My God bless him and his family.
September 14, 2022 @ 2:46 pm
Such a loss, not only to his family but to his fans. And I, being his biggest fan. I am 71 but, age doesn’t matter. I loved listening to his voice. It was the same as listening to Ray Price. Smooth… Bobby gave me goose bumps. I recorded your music and your Voice Mr. Flores and I plan on listening to you until my eyes close forever.
????????My deepest condolences to his wife and family.????????
September 23, 2022 @ 8:54 pm
So sad to learn that Bobby Flores had passed away and with the same disease that took my husband 20 years ago. Loved his music on Tru Country. Wonderful fiddle player and singer. He will be sorely missed. God bless his family and comfort them.
October 9, 2022 @ 4:38 pm
Such an understated guy. In a normal conversation outside of a dance hall say in a restaurant or gas station, no one would know what he did for a living and did well by any standard. In an era of brash self promotion Bobby would have none of it. Lots of others were quick to tell the whole damn world of Bobby’s excellence as a musician but also as a man. A gentleman.
Jay Robbins “JayBird”
KKYX afternoons 1980s
KBUC mornings 1980s
KCWM 1460 Hondo 2010-20
October 19, 2022 @ 9:40 am
I just became aware of Bobby Flores’s Passing today Oct.19, 2022 and am very saddened by the news, I have been watching him and his shows from Texas on youtube.com regularly as I am a fan of his and all of his associate’s music!
Let me pass on my condolences and sympathy to his family, may the Lord walk beside you and help you through this time of Grief!
God Bless all of you!
Cliff Dawe
October 27, 2022 @ 5:14 pm
Bobby Flores is a tremendous loss to country music. Have enjoyed his many talents. Will be missed!
November 4, 2022 @ 7:46 pm
My Shannon Burns was in Heaven to greet Bobby as she loved his singing and his musical talents. God be with his soul, his family, and his many friends. A true Son of Texas, and a loving husband, and family man. We should all pattern ourselves after this fine human being. Bless his family and his memories. Never forgot his roots and family.
December 4, 2022 @ 2:06 am
I discovered Bobby Flores and his music through the computer and Youtube. One of my favorite fiddlers. His song “I go Anywhere” is an absolute masterpiece. Thankfully the world has his recordings to continue to enrich our lives. Wish he was still here. Would have loved to have met him.
February 14, 2023 @ 3:54 pm
To Mrs. Flores and family,
May our Lord Jesus be with you and your family during your time of sorrow and mourning. Jesus I lift them all up to You for healing. And Lord I thank You for allowing us what time You gave us with Mr. Flores and his wonderful voice. Amen and Amen
How sad to say I too discovered Bobby on YouTube. He should have been discovered on one of the talent shows they have today. One song out of his month and he would have won thumbs up. Not like the crap they have now a days. (I mean the songs not the person). As for the new singers they have now a days they should give their kind of singing a new category like New Country.
Since our country music started to change, ie. when they stopped using the fiddles and steel guitar, I’ve been wanting to voice my opinion and I finally did.
Why do you have to change what you think isn’t broken? I am 72 and I I’ve been listening to Country Swing since I was 12 when dad would take us to the Hay Barn dancing.
That has all changed now because of greedy people going for the big bucks! Not that it will change anything but, SHAME ON YOU ALL! Let the real singers like Bobby’s and Darrell and Ray and the rest great country singers come.
Ray Price, Bobby Flores, Darrell Singletary, Justin Trevino, and Faron Young… The TRUE country singers of all time.
February 9, 2024 @ 1:44 pm
I still watch tru country n it saddens me that Bobby is no longer with us !!! I love only old country music with Steele guitar n fiddle playing n Bobby was a true country singer n musician ????????????????????????????????
April 7, 2024 @ 3:55 pm
Great fiddle player.heard him .playing and singing at Brady,Texas.Great band and music .