Bull Durham Band Shines on Forum Stage, Basking in the Glow of Country Superstars

The Bull Durham Band arrived early at the Forum for its first crack at the big time--opening for Merle Haggard, Alabama and The Judds at a sold-out concert.

And the first thing that happened was that concert officials told them not to pester the headliners. No asking for autographs, no picture-taking.

“Can you imagine us, the local talent, the opening act?” asked Donald Lindley, the band’s drummer. “We’re lower than amoeba.”

Bull Durham is a Van Nuys band more accustomed to playing the local club circuit. The only reason it was playing the Forum last Friday was because it won a talent contest at the Country Club in Reseda. First prize was $5,000 and a night in the spotlight.

Beatles-Like Aplomb

Things brightened considerably after the band’s inauspicious introduction to the good life. The group held its first press conference, and handled the occasion in deadpan Beatles style.

“We worked the ill-fated Marineland,” lead singer Durham told reporters. “So we’ve closed bigger places than this.”

Then came the band’s 15 minutes on stage. They played early, and at least half the audience was still out in the parking lot. But the 7,000 or so fans who were seated represented the biggest audience Bull Durham had ever played for.

The band played well. The crowd applauded strongly.

“We’ve been playing clubs for so long,” said Cary Park, lead guitarist. “We’ve had so many nights, playing Tuesday and Wednesday nights, when there’d be five, maybe six people there. This makes up for all those nights.”

But maybe the best moment came later on, as Haggard emerged from the dressing rooms to make his appearance. There were others walking with Haggard, shielding him from the people who stood around backstage.

Durham and Curtis Tilton, the band’s bass player, were leaning against a metal trunk by the stage entrance. They watched Haggard approach.

“That man is the king,” Durham whispered. “The Hag is my idol.”

And suddenly Haggard stopped and turned toward Durham and Tilton. He raised a cup in salute.

“Hi, guys,” Haggard said, then moved up the steps to the stage to face 15,000 waiting fans.

It wasn’t clear whether or not Haggard had even heard the band play. But that didn’t make much difference. Durham brought his hands to his face.

“That was it for me.”