Farce the Music: Reginald Spears

Sep 27, 2024

Tell Me One More Time Just So's I'll Understand

Local Man Arrested for Assault Over “Copperhead Road” Line Dance

Local small-engine repairman and country music fan Reginald Spears spent some time in the clink this past weekend for a peculiar reason. Spears, 49, was taken into custody without incident Saturday night at Jerry’s on the Bypass, after police say he assaulted another man for trying to start a line dance to the Steve Earle song “Copperhead Road.”

“It’s not a f***ing line dance song” said an exasperated and unapologetic Spears when we talked to him Monday by phone. “They got 400 remixes of silly 90s country songs you can do that to, partner. So take your square toe boots and jeans with designs on the butt and go boot scoot back where you came from.”

Mr. Spears has had frequent run-ins with local law enforcement over the years, and oddly enough, it has almost always had something to do with music. This includes but is not limited to the destruction of a jukebox, fighting with a cover band, and ‘unplugging’ a radio tower. Spears has served time, payed fines, and spends most of his free time on probation.

Jerry Briggs, owner of Jerry’s on the Bypass, described the scene this past weekend for us. “The cover band started playing ‘Copperhead Road’ and Reggie was over there shooting pool, keeping a sharp eye toward the dance floor.” said Briggs. “Soon as he seen this tall dude from out of town waving his girlfriend toward the floor, he put his stick down.”

Briggs said the moment the victim, identified as Bo Champlin of Hart County, put his hand on his hat and lifted a leg, Spears was in his face. “‘Nah man, we don’t do that here,’ I told him,” said Spears, giving his side of the story. “Just because you can dance to a song don’t mean you should.”

Things escalated quickly when Champlin replied with a “F—- you, Karen.”

Police report that Spears tackled Champlin into the (non-working) cigarette machine, and then calmly went back to his pool game. The victim suffered a concussion from the impact.

“Oh it happens about once a month, but usually the victim doesn’t have an uncle on the board of supervisors.” laughed Briggs. “We love Reg but he’s kind of a bully sometimes.”

At press time, Reginald Spears was pulling into his usual parking space at the courthouse.