Corky's missing guitar
When Summer Lambert's father passed away, one thing that weighed on her mind was his bass guitar.
It wasn't just any guitar. It was custom built for Curtis Lee Holbrook, better known as Corky.
He is famous for being in ZACHARIAH and then as the bassist of Sly Dog, the band that backed Billy Ray Cyrus as he became a country legend for his first album "Some Gave All." In the early 2000s, he returned to Ashland, Kentucky to make golf clubs and started Thunder Bay Studios to focus on producing records for local artists.
In the 1990s, at the height of the popularity of Billy Ray Cyrus, the Fender Guitar company reached out to Corky and offered to build a bass to Corky's specifications — it had the neck of a Jazz Bass, the body of a Precision, electronics identical to a vintage 1962 model and a tobacco sunburst finish that fades from orange to brown to black at the edges. It was marked with the serial number V061100.
"It was a hodgepodge of Fender parts and it was absolutely his pride and joy," Lambert said. "He took that on tour with him and it was his go-to bass."
Lambert said Corky usually kept his prized bass at home, but took it to the studio one day in 2014 and left it there. Soon after, the bass was stolen.
"He didn't even know the exact date it was stolen, because they opened the case, took the bass and left the case behind," Lambert said. "My dad just assumed it was in there until one day when someone asked him what was up with the empty case. He was devastated."
For years, Corky tried to track down the guitar, checking pawn shops and even, at one point, offering $3,000 for its return.
"I knew it was devastating for him," Lambert said, adding her dad would often go online in an effort to find it. "The bass wasn't even worth more than a couple thousand dollars. But to him, it was worth everything."
Lambert said she didn't truly know how much the loss of the bass bothered Corky until the past few months.
"He had been really sick and a couple days before his passing, he was in hospice and he mentioned to my aunt how upset he was that he never managed to recover the bass," Lambert said. "He knew he was dying and that was one of his last thoughts."
In one of her last phone conversations with her dad, she told him that she loved him and that her best traits came from him including her musical talents.
"I just wanted him to know how truly awesome of dad he was. And I made him a promise, I said I was going to find that bass," Lambert said. "My goal is not to get it back for me. My thought is that if I get it back, he can rest in peace. It devastates me that he brought it up on his death bed. It makes me upset that there was 10 years I could have been looking for it while he was still around."
Corky passed away on May 14.
Less than a week before he passed, Lambert, a violinist who has been learning to play the bass guitar, sent him a video of her playing a version of The Pixies' song "Where is my Mind?"
"He watched the video and it brought such joy to his eyes. It was so worth all the time I spent to learn it," Lambert said. "I have always looked up to him and his talent."
Lambert has taken to the Internet to bolster the search for that custom bass. She started a thread on Reddit in the r/Bass forum and on basschat.co.uk. She created a computer-generated image of the bass to give people an idea of what it looks like.
She even set up a missingbass.com for people to aid in her search.
"I don't have any leads yet," she said. "Whoever took it may not even know the sentimental value of it. It could just be sitting in someone's closet. It could be sitting ins someone's pawn shop or used music shop. It is just sitting somewhere and I just want to get it back."
You Might Like
Lifestyles
Villages plan activities around July 4
News
Withrow chosen for council seat
News
Area students named to OU's Spring 2025 President's List
News
DeWine, mental health leaders unveil 988 license plate
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
31-07-2025
- USA Today
Miranda Lambert had a cheeky response to viral wardrobe malfunction with skirt
The mostly mild-mannered country singer Miranda Lambert had a cheeky response to criticism of a wardrobe malfunction over the weekend. The "Bluebird" singer is currently supporting collaborator and genre superstar Morgan Wallen on his stadium tour, but during a performance in Seattle of the latter's hit song "Cowgirls," originally featuring country singer Ernest, her short skirt hit a snag. In fan videos, parts of her body were exposed to the crowd as she sang alongside Wallen. But the "A Song to Sing" hitmaker posted a TikTok video Wednesday, July 30, wearing a short skirt and offering up her own song lyrics as an explanation: "You can't step to this backyard swagger; You know it ain't my fault when I'm walkin', jaws dropping like ooooo ahhhh." Morgan Wallen confronts being 'America's problem' in fiery concert The lyrics come from Lambert's sassy cover of Audra Mae's "Little Red Wagon," featured on her Grammy-winning album "Platinum." "I've been warning y'all about my backyard swagger since 2014," Lambert captioned the video, which included a kissing face emoji. In 2015, Lambert opened up to Glamour magazine about what "Wagon" meant to her. "I think it's just about a state of mind," Lambert said. "You know, (like), 'I've got this on my own. I've got swagger' … I think it's just sassy, and it's up for whatever interpretation you have as a person." I've been warning y'all about my backyard swagger since 2014 😘 Despite being a groundbreaking figure in the country music industry, Lambert is known among loyal fans for her lowkey nature. But at a different concert in 2023, she stirred national controversy when she stopped singing to call out audience members on their behavior during her set. During a performance of her Velvet Rodeo Las Vegas residency at the Bakkt Theater, Lambert told the crowd that "these girls are worried about their selfies and not listening to the song, and it's pissing me off a little bit. She added: "I don't like it, at all. We're here to hear some country music tonight." Shortly after, she asked the audience, "Shall we start again?" Contributing: Morgan Hines
Los Angeles Times
29-07-2025
- Los Angeles Times
A Black female Jesus and a gay Judas will shake up the Hollywood Bowl
Adam Lambert sits on a rickety wooden chair just outside the main chapel at the Hollywood United Methodist Church on a break from rehearsing the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar.' Dressed in beige shorts and a vest with matching mid-calf boots, Lambert wears his trademark glitter eye makeup with thick black liner. He's calm and collected, content to spend his lunch break chatting, even though the rehearsal schedule is a breakneck nine days total. He chalks up his easygoing demeanor to the high-wattage professionalism of the cast, and his familiarity with the music. Lambert first heard the soundtrack on one of his dad's vinyl records when he was about 10 years old. 'I've always wanted to do that musical. I've always wanted to play Judas,' he says with a smile. 'And when they told me Cynthia [Erivo] was interested, I was like, 'Wow, this is gonna be crazy.'' Lambert, a fan-favorite 'American Idol' runner-up who began performing with Queen in 2011, plays Judas to Erivo's Jesus in the Hollywood Bowl production directed by Tony-winning choreographer Sergio Trujillo. Josh Gad, who portrays King Herod, calls the cast 'the musical theater version of the Avengers.' He's referring to Erivo and Lambert, in addition to Phillipa Soo as Mary Magdalene, Milo Manheim as Peter, Raúl Esparza as Pontius Pilate, Tyrone Huntley as Simon and Brian Justin Crum as Annas. The sold-out show runs from Friday to Sunday. Judging from the ongoing commentary and controversy over the casting on social media, a queer, Black, female actor playing Jesus and a gay actor portraying Judas feel like a revelation to fans grappling with mounting concerns about civil rights in America. Over the last six months, the Trump administration has curtailed diversity, equity and inclusion programs and attempted to roll back key legal protections for certain members of the LGBTQ+ community. 'The challenge for the audience of seeing a female Black Jesus is so exciting. And we all feel the excitement,' says Lambert, adding that the show doesn't change lyrics or pronouns. 'Maybe it doesn't have to do with male or female. I don't really know if it matters what gender Jesus was, because it was about the teachings and the love and the connection to faith. So shouldn't it transcend gender?' Power — who has it and who doesn't — has emerged as a defining narrative in 2025. That was also the case 2,000 years ago when Pontius Pilate ordered the crucifixion of Jesus, who posed a serious threat to the religious and political primacy of the Pharisees, the Herodians and the Romans. The 1971 musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice imagines the final days of Jesus' life, including his agony, before he ultimately accepts his fate. Gad is keenly aware of the notion of power as historic through-line as he approaches his titular number, 'Herod's Song,' in which the King of Judea coyly mocks Jesus before taking a frightening turn into true menace. 'This is a man who's so insecure he can't afford to let Jesus out of his chains in order to actually face him without the help of soldiers around him,' Gad says. 'My hope is that I'm getting to bring one of the greatest hypocrites to life in a way that will both make people laugh and also make them recognize that archetype.' The musical was first released as a concept album in 1970 and played at the Hollywood Bowl in 1971, before debuting on Broadway later that year. During its run, protests outside the stage door were commonplace, and although the musical has reached the pinnacle of success over the years, it has remained controversial. Big summer musicals have been a staple of the Hollywood Bowl since 2000, but the shows went dark due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. With the exception of 'Kinky Boots' in 2022, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is the first of what Bowl leaders hope will be an annual resumption of the beloved programming. 'We wanted to make sure that when we came back, it was the most spectacular thing we could do,' says Meghan Umber, president of the Hollywood Bowl and chief programming officer at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' was always at the top of the Bowl's musical wishlist but wasn't available until now, adds Brian Grohl, associate director of programming for the L.A. Phil. 'The number of titles that can sustain three nights at the Hollywood Bowl is a narrowed-down list already,' Grohl said, so securing the title resulted in a lot of jumping and shouting around the office. And when it came to who would play Jesus, Umber and Grohl both say Erivo topped the list. Her 'yes' made all the others follow. Gad calls Erivo — who was not present at a recent rehearsal because of a previous engagement — a 'generational talent.' And he's far from alone. Talk to anyone on the cast or crew and they will immediately hold forth on her extraordinary gifts. 'I see the hand of God in her,' Trujillo says reverently. 'Even now, me being in the room with her, I hear it and I see it, and it is transcendent.' Trujillo decided to go back to the musical's roots as a concept album and is staging the show as a bare-bones rock concert. Instead of elaborate scenic design, there are black road boxes, microphones and cords. Even the costumes are contemporary with nods to their lineage. A rhythm band will play onstage and a 37-piece orchestra will perform behind a giant LED screen that will create the illusion that the musicians are hovering in the sky above the action. Keeping the show in the present and infusing it with the raw energy of youth culture was crucial to Trujillo's vision, he says, adding that in the spirit of rock 'n' roll, the musical 'reflects the turbulent political times that we're living in.' 'As I set up each one of the characters, they're at a microphone singing and then they take the microphone and they step into the scene. I always want to remind the audience that we are in a concert, but we're also telling the story,' says Trujillo. 'Every single person understands the opportunity that we all have to take this monumental story, this monumental score, and to do it justice. So everyone is coming at it with such goodwill and so much joy.' At a Saturday rehearsal in the church gym, Trujillo's words ring true. The ensemble cast of more than 20 talented dancers and singers, in sweats and hoodies, run through 'What's the Buzz.' Gad watches and cheers from a table on the sidelines next to conductor and musical director Stephen Oremus, who smiles and nods his head with the beat. 'If you need me to stand in for Jesus, I'll do it,' Gad jokes. Lambert mesmerizes the assembled crew and onlookers with a potent rendition of 'Heaven on Their Minds' and Soo brings tears with a heartfelt performance of 'I Don't Know How to Love Him.' 'The more time I spend with this musical, the more brilliant I understand it to be,' says Manheim during a brief break. The 24-year-old, who's gained a tween following after playing Zed in Disney Channel's 'Zombies' franchise, is part of the youth cohort Trujillo wanted to cast. He wasn't as familiar with the score as the older cast members — which is part of the point. 'It's cross-generational,' says Trujillo of the show. 'This is the gift that you give to your children and then it just gets passed on.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
Miranda Lambert Asks Fans To ‘Keep Sending Prayers' After Floods Devastate Her Home State of Texas: ‘I Can't Even Come Up With Any Words'
Miranda Lambert Asks Fans To 'Keep Sending Prayers' After Floods Devastate Her Home State of Texas: 'I Can't Even Come Up With Any Words' originally appeared on Parade. Miranda Lambert is using her platform to speak out about the floods that have devastated her home state of Texas. On Saturday, July 5, the country superstar, 41, turned to social media to share her heartbreak over the severe flooding that struck the Lone Star State over the Fourth of July holiday. In a video posted on her Instagram page, a broken-hearted Lambert said, 'Hey y'all. I just want to jump on here and say how devastated we are to hear about the floods in South and Central Texas. I can't even come up with any words for the loss that everybody's suffering." The 'Wranglers' singer and avid pet lover then revealed that she has jumped up to help in the aftermath of the storm through her MuttNation Foundation — a non-profit that she founded with her mother, Bev Lambert, in 2009. 'MuttNation Foundation is working really closely with Kerrville Pets Alive, as we speak to try to get more info and figure out where the needs are to support the pet community and pet owners in this disaster,' Lambert explained of her foundation, which is partnering with the Central Texas-based non-profit organization to help bring aid to Texans and their beloved pets who have been displaced during the storms. 'We will have more info as it goes, but I'll post everything that I know to post right now,' she continued in her message. 'So y'all join with us and try to help out as much as you can, and keep sending prayers, and I'll keep you posted.' According to ABC News, heavy rainfall occurred overnight and into the morning hours of July 4th, overtaking parts of Central Texas and leading to 'catastrophic flooding' in Kerr County and near the Guadalupe River. As of 7 pm ET on July 5, the death toll had risen to 43 people, including 15 children. Those interested in donating to the MuttNation Foundation to assist in Lambert's mission to provide aid to victims can visit the organization's official website Lambert Asks Fans To 'Keep Sending Prayers' After Floods Devastate Her Home State of Texas: 'I Can't Even Come Up With Any Words' first appeared on Parade on Jul 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
