Robert H. "Bobby" Albright, Plano, died January 8th, 2012, at Medical Center of Plano. He was 74. Albright was the founder of the Dallas Banjo Band, and the first recipient of the 1st Annual Smokey Award, named for Dallas banjo star Marvin "Smokey" Montgomery. Montgomery, a long-time member of The Light Crust Doughboys, was recruited by Albright to help set up the Dallas Banjo Band in 1989. Montgomery promised Albright six weeks of help, but stayed on as director of the Dallas Banjo Band for more than 10 years. "Bob had a lot of heart," current Dallas Banjo Band Director Harold Poole said. "When things weren't going as well as we wished, Bob would stand up and make a speech urging the band on to higher accomplishment." Albright served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman in Germany, and specialized in security as a career, retiring from Boeing in 2006. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Rita Smith Albright, a life-long resident of Plano, his brother Jim of Denton, sister Cheryl of St. Robert, Missouri, father-in-law Perry R. Smith of Plano and nine nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or a charity of your choice.