The Steel Guitar Forum

I have been asked to let everyone know that Weldon will not be able to play on The Midnite Jamboree tonight, the doctor has requested (against Weldon's wishes) that since everything seems to be okay, "let's not push things too much"...so Russ Hicks will be doing the honors of playing steel...

Curt Werner will be playing drums.

I have been honored to have a front row seat watching this all happen. I will tell you Weldon is playing the Justice steel because he wants to...no coaxing, or selling him on it. I can't think of 2 people that carry more integrity than Fred and Weldon, it is part of who they are, they both "wal...

Rip was a unique character to say the least...one of the funniest men i was ever around. I have been priveleged over the years to be around his family from NC, and after meeting some of them i understood where he received that humor from. Many funny moments, one was on a Sunday morning...it was Moth...

I had a touching moment a few weeks ago, was going through Dallas and had a few extra minutes so i took the truck over to Shayne's (bill's son) to say hello and grab a quick bite together. They have a big dog that was looking inside and "woofing" wanting to join us. I was sitting next to B...

One of Bill's favorite sayings that I think of often: "How do you eat an elephant?....one bite at a time" What a big part of our lives he was and is.

A friend of mine brought this thread to my attention. In response to Michael Breid's post..the alleged statement Leona may have made about marrying her musical hero, i assume that would have been directed at Merle Haggard, who she still considers the greatest and NO, Ferlin and Leona were never marr...

yes james, the utube version with the nice steel intro is our good friend of our family, Boo Miller, and aint that good! Boo worked with Leona alot in Branson. I saw another version on utube with i believe Jammie Lennon playing.

Bass players are the most overlooked in any band, but as i overheard one of the artists in the hallway, "if i have a good bass player, i can play any show" BRAVO! If the bass&drums are good, the foundation is there. Mark Abbott has long been one of my favs, also Ronnie Dale Shults...sm...

Hi Monty, it was a pleasure and honor to meet you aa couple years ago...what a night that was! I was asking Leona about your playing, i almost thought it was John Hughey. Great job! Cathy just said "Dave really liked Monty"...hope to see you again soon my friend.

There is a great song wrote about her..."Rolene My Sweet Baby's Arms" I LOVE ROLENE BRUMLEY, she is the real deal!

Hi Larry, I created that CD for Leona about a month ago, this was the first major show she put it out there on her own label "Loveshine Records" This was all previously released material from 4 different albums. I was making a cd for a friend and I remembered that Buck Owens had the same c...

As Leona said, "probably the greatest sounding show i have ever done" triple fiddles of hank singer, reggie rueffer and jade jack...twin steels by mike johnson and russ hicks. We had many special friends show up for a grand evening. Thanks to all that made our entire weekend a special memo...

Just letting everyone know March 13, after the TSGA show is over, Leona Williams will have a show featuring steel&fiddle at Pearl's in Ft Worth TX 7 to 11pm. $15 admission. Russ Hicks and Mike Johnson on steel, Reggie Rueffer on fiddle with guest Jade Jack on fiddle also. Joanie Johnson and Leon...

I will be putting this in an official post later but Cathy&I will be there along with Cathy's mom, Leona Williams. We will be doing a show at Pearl's sunday night after the show is over with Leona, Russ Hicks, Mike&Joanie Johnson, Cathy&I and a few others. When we figure out who all is i...

thanks for the pictures jerry! Leona will be at the house tonight and spending Christmas with us, we are pretty excited to have "mamaw" and all our family together for Christmas. I will make sure she gets to see these. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Hey Craig, sounds like a great show...wish Cathy&I could make it. Watching Cleona and Rusty play a show together.....well, you never know what might happen. I heard they are already trying to figure out who gets top billing.

My wife is a big fan of his....but he don't do quack for me.

after consulting with the treasurer, royce morgan....the "russ hicks SGHOF fund" has a grand total of $39.93. We may have to sell some T shirts.

Wishing a "large" time to our dear friends. Cathy&I wish we could have fit this one in. We will be thinking of you...especially on sunday...cathy's mom, russ hicks, smiley roberts, penn pennington and possibly a few others will be up at the house for a super bowl grill out....mmmm brat...

don't forget the Cat too! You are going to pay us back by backing up Cathy's mom Leona Williams on friday night. (paybacks are rough)

I hope Russ made it there

A big thank you to Bill Cook and the MANY new friends we have made at the show...I am humbled that you would ask me to participate in the hall of fame induction for our friend Bill Simmons. This organization was one of Bill's passions in life. I enjoyed the time i was able to spend once again with m...

this is an account set up by someone@bank of america to help joyce and the family with medical expenses associated with bill in an icu unit for 13 days. Joyce is the sole administrator of the fund..total access is by her only...anyone can go to any bank of america and request to deposit money into t...

On Thursday April 16th @ 2:00 p.m. there will be a Memorial Service to Celebrate the life of Bill Simmons. This will be held at: Guiding Light Church 1800 John Rodgers Dr. Birmingham, Ala. 35210. In lieu of flowers the family has requested assistance with immediate expenses. This may be sent directl...