Dr. Faril Simpson was a professor in UCA’s Department of Chemistry. He taught at UCA for 30 years, and during that period was a member of “The Professors” a bluegrass band. According to his obituary, “He was a member of the Conway Kiwanis Club for 50 years. He was a songwriter, entertainer, and has performed at many bluegrass concerts.” He wrote more than 100 songs, and had a true love for music and for entertaining. He possessed a great skill for story telling and audiences loved to listen to Dr. Simpson talk about the past in his typical humorous homespun style.
He was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Simpson passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at the age of 87.
Box 1
File 1 – Dr. Faril Simpson – 1924-2011
File 2 – 45rpm record
Side A: Faulkner County Centennial – 1873-1973
Side B: Arkansas Hornpipe by The Professors
File 3 – 45rpm record
Side A: The Jogging Man
Side B: Rubber Grubber by Faril Simpson, Ralva Bass, Greg Jenkins, Rich Massey, Tom McAnnally and Don Pool
File 4 – 33 1/3rpm record – Blue Grass Barn Rasin’ by Faril Simpson – 1978 (additional musicians: Jerry Manion, John Carlon, Ray Stell, V.O. Johnson, Hal Martin and Jerry Wilson
File 5 – 33 1/3rpm record – Rocking Chair Blues by Faril Simpson – 1983 (additional musicians: Keith Gresham, Jerry Hodge, David R. Katz, Jerry Manion & Ray Stell)
File 6 – 33 1/3rpm record – Crowded Model-T by Okry – 1982 (Keith Gresham, V.O. Johnson, Tom Lieblong, Bill Nesbitt, Faril Simpson, Bud Teague)
File 7 – CD – A Redneck in Mexico by Faril Simpson and Los Amigos – 1984
File 8 – CD – Live at Advent Café – Faril Simpson – 1999
File 9 – CD – Advent Arts & Acoustics Café – by Faril Simpson – Recorded live 9/9/2005
File 10 – 2 CD set – Holey Guitar Jam by Faril Simpson and Friends – 2009 (V.O. Johnson, John Murphy, Sam McKaskle and Bill Whitenack)
File 11 – CD – Faril Simpson & the Lollie Bottom Boys – Recorded live at the Faulkner County Library – July 29, 2010 with Ray Stell, Sam McKaskle, Ricky Russell & Bill Whitenack
End of Box 1