Miller Vidor Sparks Jr.

Music was in Speedy’s blood. His father had been an opera singer in New York and Houston. Speedy was a bass player who appreciated a wide genre of music. He traveled the world with Doug Sahm, the Texas Tornadoes, the Texas Mavericks James Hand and many more groups.

In Austin, Speedy played at many venues around town such as the Saxon Pub, Continental Club, C-Boy’s, Hole in the Wall, Evangeline Cafe and Antone’s. He was passionate about playing and rarely turned down a gig. His motto was, “Okay let’s play.” Speedy’s bass groove was subtle in the soundscape of the band. His music would be felt as much as it was heard.

Speedy produced recordings by Rocky Erickson, Junior Brown and others while himself playing on scores of recordings over the past forty years.

Speedy loved music perhaps the most of all, but in general he dug “the groove” as he would say - which also included excellent cuisine and traveling by train. Wherever he would tour with the bands, he managed to combine fine dining and sightseeing with the music and roll it all into one magical experience. He certainly knew how to turn touring into an art form. Above all, Speedy was an artist, a dreamer and a kind, humble man.

In 2005, Speedy met Nancy Webb and they lived, loved and traveled together for the next twenty years. Miller Vidor Sparks, Jr. (Speedy) is survived by Nancy, his brother Robert Dixon Sparks (Dickie), his sister-in-law Wendy, and his niece and nephew Sarah and Jeremy.

A memorial, “Celebrating Speedy Sparks”, will be held on Sunday, November 2, at the Saxon Pub from 2 until 4 p.m.