Beginning in 1966 , Zentz began two years serving as a sonar man in the U.S. Coast Guard , aboard the high-endurance cutter CGC Sebago . Upon leaving the Coast Guard in 1969 he was hired as a songwriter for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour . After the show was cancelled , Zentz remained in Los Angeles , teaching guitar at Long Beach City College and continuing to perform and write . In 1970 he won the William E. Oliver Songwriting Award in Los Angeles for his song , " Jeremy . " Following the 1971 San Fernando earthquake , Zentz returned to Norfolk where he created Ramblin ' Conrad ’s Guitar Shop & Folklore Center . It was named for the man who embodied Zentz 's ideal of the singer , and the song — the late Norfolk country singer William Conrad Buhler . ( Zentz also wrote a song about Buhler , " Ramblin ' Conrad . " ) Ramblin ' Conrad ’s Guitar Shop & Folklore Center became the hub for folk music and culture in Hampton Roads for 23 years before closing in 1995 . The Ramblin ' Conrad 's experience was also on public radio WHRO-FM , Norfolk , through the program " In The Folk Tradition , " which ran from 1977-2004 . Additionally , in 1971 Zentz founded the Songmakers of Virginia ( now known as the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music ) . Zentz modeled the Songmakers of Virginia after Songmakers of California , which he had become familiar with during his time in Los Angeles
1971 San Fernando earthquake
1971 San Fernando earthquake
Bob Zentz