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Updated Thursday, November 29, 2007 08:56 PM est Your online source for old time music news |
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February 2004
Abbie Neal, 85 years of age, of Reno, NV, died on February 15, 2004 at Manor
Care. Her caregiver and friends, Joyce Linscott and Marie Case were by her
side.
She is survived by a stepson, Barry McKinnon (Becky) of
Washington; 3 step grandchildren; and one great step grandchild; cousins
Jerry Neal (Phyllis) of Ohio; and Gilbert Neal (Erin) of New York. She is
also survived by several other cousins, nieces and nephews. Her husband
Merrill (Mac) McKinnon; parents, Carlton and Amanda Mullins Neal; brothers,
Lee, Charles, Walter Gilbert and Richard Neal; and sisters Agnes Zimmerman
and Harriet Salsgiver preceded her in death.
Abbie was born in Brookfield, PA on April 4, 1918. She was a
National Champion Women's Fiddler and winner on the Arthur Godfrey Talent
Scouts program in New York City. She formed Abbie Neal and Her Ranch Girls
in the 40's. In the 50's she starred in her own TV shows on WJAC-TV in
Johnstown, PA and the Wilkins Easy Credit Show on WDTV in Pittsburgh, PA.
She donated time to entertain our troops in Vietnam through the USO tours.
She was a multi-instrumentalist, who excelled on the steel guitar and
fiddle. She was born with what musicians call a "true pitch ear" -
the ability to hear correct notes without reading music, but she did read
music. She learned the basics of music from an older brother, Walter, at the
age of 7, playing duets with him at churches and Grange Halls. At 10, she
was in a fiddle contest and won. She studied violin and as a teenager played
with the DuBois Symphony. After 2 years of classical music, the lure of
"fiddling" became so strong that she joined Cowboy Phil and his
band on radio WHJB in Greensburg and remained for 13 years before landing on
TV in Pittsburgh. Abbie was one of the first TV stars in Pittsburgh and also
was in demand on the Jamboree USA in Wheeling, W. Virginia. She received a
Star in the Walkway of Stars in 1983 for her major contribution to Jamboree
USA and country music. Her band also did a stint on WAMO in Johnsville
before coming west where she moved on to the Nevada Circuit, performing at
Harrah's, the Holiday, Riverside, and the Mapes Hotels in Reno, plus venues
in Elko and Las Vegas.
Lou Christie, a performer and star, made this quote: "I
think Abbie Neal was a true pioneer in country & western music; a woman
who walked the path with the great Kitty Wells, Patsy Cline and Rose
Maddox." A memorial will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2004, at
11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 627 Sunnyside Dr., Reno, NV.
Rev. Bill Chrystal will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, make
contributions to a charity of your choice in Abbie's memory, however, her
favorite charity is the "Make A Wish Foundation" for children. |
After
years of performing, she ended her career at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas
in 1975. After her retirement, she and several other retired musicians
continued to entertain senior citizens at convalescent facilities,
hospitals, and senior centers in the Truckee Meadows.