Ron Eoff Interviews

Ron Eoff

Ron Leroy Eoff was born on February 7, 1952, in Pendleton, Oregon. His family moved to Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas, when he was fifteen.

Eoff learned to play upright bass at ten years old. In 1969 while a senior at Springdale High School, he bought a bass guitar from Ernie Cate and learned to play it in order to join a rock band. Six years later Eoff joined the Cate Brothers band. As part of the group, he shared the stage with such bands as the Grateful Dead and Queen. In 1983 Eoff toured with the Cate Brothers when they performed with The Band in Japan. In 1988 he moved to Nashville to team up with Cajun accordion player Jo-El Sonnier. Eoff rejoined the Cate Brothers from 2000 to 2007.

Eoff has played with many musicians, including Delbert McClinton, Kevin Gordon, and Caitlyn Canty and has enjoyed playing as a session musician for both well-known and upcoming bands.

Video

Ron Eoff Interview - January 4, 2017 - 4:46:05

Audio

EOFF-Ron-20170104 - 4:46:05

Transcript pending

Composite image of early photo of Ron Eoff and still frame from Pryor Center video interview © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#1: Composite image of early photo of Ron Eoff and still frame from Pryor Center video interview
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's great-grandparents, Ervin and Dora Eoff, near Kingston, Arkansas © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#2: Ron Eoff's great-grandparents, Ervin and Dora Eoff, near Kingston, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#3: Ron Eoff's paternal grandfather, Bill Eoff, near Kingston, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's great-grandparents, Gately and Sarah Cook, Sweden Creek, Arkansas © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#4: Ron Eoff's great-grandparents, Gately and Sarah Cook, Sweden Creek, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's maternal great-grandmother, Ollie Fancher, and her sister, Kate; Sweden Creek, Arkansas © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#5: Ron Eoff's maternal great-grandmother, Ollie Fancher, and her sister, Kate; Sweden Creek, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), with her cousin, Imogene Fancher (left); Fancher homeplace, Sweden Creek, Arkansas, 1935 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#6: Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), with her cousin, Imogene Fancher (left); Fancher homeplace, Sweden Creek, Arkansas, 1935
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), with her friend, Veda Ward (left), near Kingston, Arkansas © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#7: Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), with her friend, Veda Ward (left), near Kingston, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher, with his great-grandmother, Ollie Fancher; Sweden Creek, Arkansas © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#8: Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher, with his great-grandmother, Ollie Fancher; Sweden Creek, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#9: Ron Eoff's paternal grandfather, Bill Eoff; Sweden Creek, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), at 12 years old; Kingston, Arkansas, 1945 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#10: Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), at 12 years old; Kingston, Arkansas, 1945
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#11: Ron Eoff's uncle, Johnny Eoff, Sweden Creek; Kingston, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#12: Ron Eoff's father, Wesley, in his World War II US Army uniform
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ship carrying Ron Eoff's father on his return from Germany at the end of World War II © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#13: Ship carrying Ron Eoff's father on his return from Germany at the end of World War II
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#14: Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff); Sweden Creek, Arkansas, 1948
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#15: Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), 1949
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), near Sweden Creek; Arkansas, 1949 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#16: Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), near Sweden Creek; Arkansas, 1949
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), at the Eoff farm; Sweden Creek, Arkansas, 1950 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#17: Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Fancher (Eoff), at the Eoff farm; Sweden Creek, Arkansas, 1950
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's maternal grandmother, Daphne Fancher (far right), with coworkers at Fay chicken plant, 1951 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#18: Ron Eoff's maternal grandmother, Daphne Fancher (far right), with coworkers at Fay chicken plant, 1951
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#19: Ron Eoff's parents as newlyweds, Hermiston, Oregon, 1951
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Eoff (left), with his paternal grandmother, Cora Eoff, and great aunt, Buelah Eoff, 1951 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#20: Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine Eoff (left), with his paternal grandmother, Cora Eoff, and great aunt, Buelah Eoff, 1951
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#21: Ron Eoff at 6 weeks old with his mother, Nadine; Ordnance, Oregon, 1952
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#22: Ron Eoff as a baby with his mother, Nadine Eoff; Hermiston, Oregon, 1952
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff at 6 months old with his grandmother, Daphne Fancher, and his mother, Nadine; Ordnance, Oregon, 1952 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#23: Ron Eoff at 6 months old with his grandmother, Daphne Fancher, and his mother, Nadine; Ordnance, Oregon, 1952
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#24: Ron Eoff at 8 months old; Ordnance, Oregon, 1952
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#25: Ron Eoff on his first birthday; Ordnance, Oregon, 1953
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#26: Ron Eoff as a toddler
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#27: "Cowboy Ron" Eoff at two years of age, Hermiston, Oregon, 1954
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#28: Ron Eoff with his uncle, Johnny Eoff; Hermiston, Oregon, 1954
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff on the bumper of his family's 1952 Ford; Hermiston, Oregon, 1954 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#29: Ron Eoff on the bumper of his family's 1952 Ford; Hermiston, Oregon, 1954
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#30: Ron Eoff with his parents, Nadine and Wesley; Ordnance, Oregon, 1954
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#31: Ron Eoff at 2 years old, 1954
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff with his uncles, Ibert Fancher (left) and Johnny Eoff; Hermiston, Oregon © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#32: Ron Eoff with his uncles, Ibert Fancher (left) and Johnny Eoff; Hermiston, Oregon
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine (left), with his aunt, Karleen Eaton; Ordnance, Oregon © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#33: Ron Eoff's mother, Nadine (left), with his aunt, Karleen Eaton; Ordnance, Oregon
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#34: Ron Eoff with his father, Wesley Eoff; Ordnance, Oregon
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#35: Ron Eoff with his father, Wesley Eoff; Ordnance, Oregon
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#36: Street view of Ordnance, Oregon
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#37: Ron Eoff with his brother, Kelly
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#38: Ron Eoff with his brother, Kelly; Hermiston, Oregon, August 1958
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff with his younger brothers, Kelly (left), and Marty "Mick"; Hermiston, Oregon © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#39: Ron Eoff with his younger brothers, Kelly (left), and Marty "Mick"; Hermiston, Oregon
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff with his brothers, Mick (left) and Kelly; Hermiston, Oregon, March 1959 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#40: Ron Eoff with his brothers, Mick (left) and Kelly; Hermiston, Oregon, March 1959
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#41: Ron Eoff, 7 years old; Ordnance, Oregon, 1959
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff (left) with his parents, Wesley and Nadine, and his brothers, Kelly and Mick; Hermiston, Oregon, 1959 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#42: Ron Eoff (left) with his parents, Wesley and Nadine, and his brothers, Kelly and Mick; Hermiston, Oregon, 1959
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#43: Ron Eoff's parents, Wesley and Nadine Eoff; Hermiston, Oregon, 1959
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#44: Ron Eoff (left) with his parents, Wesley and Nadine, and his brothers, Kelly and Mick; Hermiston, Oregon, 1959
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#45: Ron Eoff's brothers, Mick and Kelly; Hermiston, Oregon
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#46: Ron Eoff with his brothers, Kelly and Mick; Hermiston, Oregon
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's paternal grandparents, Cora and Bill Eoff, Sweden Creek, Arkansas © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#47: Ron Eoff's paternal grandparents, Cora and Bill Eoff, Sweden Creek, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's great-grandparents, Ervin and Dora Eoff; Kingston, Arkansas © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#48: Ron Eoff's great-grandparents, Ervin and Dora Eoff; Kingston, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff in his Cub Scout uniform © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#50: Ron Eoff with his siblings (l-r) Mick, Shirley, and Kelly
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff (right) with his siblings: Mick, Kelly, and Shirley, and their dog, Tippy © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#51: Ron Eoff (right) with his siblings: Mick, Kelly, and Shirley, and their dog, Tippy
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's sister, Shirley © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's brother, Mick, on his paternal grandparent's farm; Sweden Creek, 1966 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#53: Ron Eoff's brother, Mick, on his paternal grandparent's farm; Sweden Creek, 1966
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

(From right) Ron Eoff's maternal grandmother, Daphne Fancher; sister, Shirley; brother, Mick; and maternal grandfather, Claude Fancher, on the porch of their house on Burney Mountain; Kingston, Arkansas, 1966 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#54: (From right) Ron Eoff's maternal grandmother, Daphne Fancher; sister, Shirley; brother, Mick; and maternal grandfather, Claude Fancher, on the porch of their house on Burney Mountain; Kingston, Arkansas, 1966
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff's paternal grandparents, Bill and Cora Eoff; Sweden Creek, Arkansas © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#55: Ron Eoff's paternal grandparents, Bill and Cora Eoff; Sweden Creek, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#56: Ron Eoff's maternal grandparents, Daphne and Claude Fancher
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ron Eoff (2nd from left) with his siblings, Mick, Kelly, and Shirley; grandparents, Claude and Daphne Fancher; and mother, Nadine; Little's Chapel schoolhouse, Sweden Creek, Arkansas © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#57: Ron Eoff (2nd from left) with his siblings, Mick, Kelly, and Shirley; grandparents, Claude and Daphne Fancher; and mother, Nadine; Little's Chapel schoolhouse, Sweden Creek, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Newspaper clipping of Ron Eoff (left), Springdale High School all-state band; Springdale, Arkansas, 1969 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#58: Newspaper clipping of Ron Eoff (left), Springdale High School all-state band; Springdale, Arkansas, 1969
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#59: Cate Brothers Band: Ernie Cate, Ron Eoff, Terry Cagle, and Earl Cate
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ernie Cate performs on keyboards with Earl Cate, Ron Eoff, and Terry Cagle; ca. 1970s © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#60: Ernie Cate performs on keyboards with Earl Cate, Ron Eoff, and Terry Cagle; ca. 1970s
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#61: Cate Bros. Band: Ernie Cate, Earl Cate, Terry Cagle, and Ron Eoff, ca. 1970s
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#62: Cate Bros. Band: Terry Cagle, Ron Eoff, Ernie Cate, and Earl Cate
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Article about The Cate Brothers from <i>Crawdaddy</i> magazine, February 3, 1977, and an advertisement for The Cate Brothers with Jeff Beck and The Beach Boys at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#63: Article about The Cate Brothers from Crawdaddy magazine, February 3, 1977, and an advertisement for The Cate Brothers with Jeff Beck and The Beach Boys at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Cate Bros. Band 1979 album, <i>Fire on the Tracks</i> © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#64: Cate Bros. Band 1979 album, Fire on the Tracks
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Cate Bros. Band: (clockwise from top left) Ernie Cate, Earl Cate, Terry Cagle, and Ron Eoff © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#65: Cate Bros. Band: (clockwise from top left) Ernie Cate, Earl Cate, Terry Cagle, and Ron Eoff
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Ernie and Linda Cate (back row, right) with Levon Helm (4th from left), and Ron Eoff and Terry Cagle (to Helm's left) at the Lone Star Cafe in New York City; February 12, 1981 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#66: Ernie and Linda Cate (back row, right) with Levon Helm (4th from left), and Ron Eoff and Terry Cagle (to Helm's left) at the Lone Star Cafe in New York City; February 12, 1981
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Ron Eoff, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2017 © Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#67: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Ron Eoff, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2017
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#68: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Ron Eoff, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2017
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas

#69: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Ron Eoff, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2017
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas