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Richard “Cousin Richie”
Zackarian, 79, of New London Avenue, a well-known Rhode Island
entertainer and recording artist, and a former car-dealership
owner, died on June 20, 2004.
As young men, he and his
brother, “Eddie Zack,” who died in 2002, entertained
themselves with homemade musical instruments, singing on
street corners and performing at school events, leading to
live radio and public performances.
A vocalist, Mr. Zackarian and
his brother made a name for themselves in country music,
playing guitar and fiddle at numerous East Coast venues,
including the former Jack Witschi's Arena, in North Attleboro,
where they would play to 2,000 on weekends, and were the first
country-music group to perform in Boston's Symphony Hall.
Recording on Columbia and
Decca Records, they were part of an NBC radio show from 1951
to 1958 that was syndicated to 128 stations coast to coast.
Speaking of his onstage persona, “Cousin Richie,” Mr.
Zackarian said, “It's a stage name. Brother Richie would have
meant I'd have to wear a collar."
Performing regularly for 60
years, they were still working every weekend until a few years
ago, and had even begun to reprise their radio acts from many
years ago on WJJF-AM in Hope Valley, bringing back the days of
the old Hayloft Jamboree.
The band has had a loyal fan
club since 1948, now coordinated by a couple from Brockton,
Mass., Shirley and Jim McMorrow, who remember traveling more
than 100 miles to see the band play, and who are lobbying to
have the Zacks nominated for the Walkway of Stars, in
Nashville, Tenn.
Mr. Zacharian was the husband
of Barbara G. (O'Keefe) Zackarian. Born in Providence, a son
of the late Peter and Elizabeth (Zackarian) Zackarian, he had
lived in Cranston for many years.
He was a Navy veteran of World
War II, serving aboard the Prairie.
Besides his wife, he leaves a
son, Richard M. Zackarian, and two daughters, Mary E.
Zackarian and Doreen B. Zackarian, all of Cranston; two
sisters, Marilyn Albro of Coventry and Mercedes "Babs" White
of Exeter; and four granddaughters. He was the brother of the
late Edward Zackarian.
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