Bob Reeder grew up in Independence and began singing professionally in the mid-’70s. His mother had once been a professional dancer in both New York and Kansas City. His father was a traveling salesman selling sports apparel who had once made his living playing pool. Reeder was successful enough as a young folksinger that before long he was able to do it full-time.
He became a regular on weekends at O’Malley’s four decades ago, usually on Sunday nights, after the owners saw him perform at the Renaissance Festival. For the last 15 years, he’s performed there on Friday and Saturday nights as well. The place was so important to him that on tour he would fly home just to play on Sunday nights.