The Story Behind the Hat

Ronnie normally wore the “Hi Roller” from Texas Hatters from Buda, Tx. However, when the album cover photo shoot was being done at Universal Studios in Ca, for the “Street Survivors” album, his black “Hi Roller” had not arrived. He needed a hat for the photo shoot. He had given me his last one after the summer tour had ended.

MCA representative George Osaki took Ronnie to the general store, which is where actors go for wardrobe additions. Ronnie picked out a black cowboy hat as he came back through the door I said “hey cowboy” I like that cowboy hand grab on the front. Ronnie said “what do you mean?” He reached up and took the hat off and examined it from the front and then turned the hat around backwards and said ” I like this look better”. He was supposed to return the hat to the general store because it is one of a kind. This hat had been in countless movies. When the photo shoot ended Ronnie and I jumped into the limousine and I said “you need to return that hat”. Ronnie said “nope it is yours, you keep it they will never miss it”. I still have ownership of this hat today.

Gene Odom