VAYA CON DIOS TO THE "VATO FROM McALLEN."

I got the sad news today that Rob Watkins passed away 8/15/08 in Seguin, Texas.
He was 53 years old.
We had not seen Rob in about 10 years but he used to be such a big part of our lives during the R-12 Cafe years...beginning in 1984.
We enjoyed seeing him play at The Center Reef in San Marcos on Sundays.
For many years in the 80's and 90's he entertained folks in the beer garden at The Grist Mill Restaurant in Gruene, Texas while they waited for a table to open up.
These pictures were taken there in June 1990.
All the tourists LOVED it when he ran thru his repertoire of T.V. show theme songs....The Beverly Hillbillies, Gilligan's Island etc.

He was so talented....and so funny.
He wrote a song called "R-12 Cafe" and when I was manager there....every time I'd close up shop and lock the door....I'd put that song on and crank it up real loud while we all cleaned the cafe at the end of another busy night.
"IT'S A NICE PLACE TO GO...SO I GO THERE ALOT!"
We served him many a meal and many a bottle of Chimay Ale.
He was great pals with Kyle Kimbrough (the owner) and Mike Yates (our head cook).

We loved his songs "Vato from McAllen"....( yes, he was from there.)...and his song "Roberto Chile".
We have attended birthday parties and weddings where he played.
I remember a wedding we went to where he played an Elvis song as the couple exited the ceremony.

He brought alot of joy to people with his special brand of music.

My sympathies to his parents and brother.

M.D.P.