98th Luna County Old Timers’ Reunion
The 98th Luna County “Old Timers’ Reunion” was held April 16, 2011 in Deming, NM. My dad, Forrest Delk, patriarch of Delk Family music, and his Gully Jumpers, played for the Old Timers’ Reunion dance beginning in the early 1940’s through 1980.
In 1963, my brother Jimmy and I became official members of the Gully Jumpers and started playing at Old Timers with Daddy. Even though we were not old enough to attend “Old Timers” (you have to be at least 30 years old), we were able to get in the door because we were “with the band”.
All through those years, we would play an afternoon session of dancing from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at which time there would be a break for the dinner and program and then we’d start the evening session about 9:00 p.m. and go until 1:00 a.m. All the older Old Timers would dance in the afternoon and the younger Old Timers would dance that night. The Old Timers’ Reunion dances were thought of, by the old timers of Luna County, almost on the same level as Thanksgiving and Christmas. The third Saturday in April was definitely a local holiday.
This year, my wife Diane and I were honored to serve as Co-Presidents of the 98th Luna County Old Timers’ Reunion. Diane is a native of Deming. Her mother, Gean (Moran) Graveline, grew up in Deming and her father A.D. “Gravie” Graveline was born and raised in Massachusetts and was a flight instructor at the Deming Airfield during WWII. Gravie, a pharmacist, went on to own The Deming Rexall Drug Store for many years.
Diane and I prepared a 16-page program in which we honored each of our families and the contributions each has made to the fabric of Luna County and Southwestern New Mexico. We completed the program featuring our family and our heritage tied to ranching and playing dance music.
Attendance at the 98th Luna County Old Timers’ Reunion exceeded 550 Old Timers. A great dinner was served by “Fancy Fixins”; our good friends Bill and Connie Johnson and Jim and Faye Hyatt.
Following a short program, we kicked the dance off with the Forrest Delk recording of “Redskin Rag”. About half way through, The Delk Band picked it up and finished it out. What a way to start the dance!
A memorable evening was had by all and we look forward to the 99th Luna County Old Timers’ Reunion on April 21, 2012.
Joe Delk
