Hank Thompson Steel Players

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 5 Nov 2007 7:35 pm

In the beginning there was Lefty Nason, Curley Chalker, PeeWee Whitewing, Bob White, Bobby Garrett. Anyone else who has worked a gig with Hank or knows of someone who did please post. Jody.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 5 Nov 2007 7:36 pm

Bert Rivera.

Jack Musgrave · Post by **Jack Musgrave** » 5 Nov 2007 8:00 pm

Bobby Chatfield

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 5 Nov 2007 9:55 pm

These Musicians played with Hank!...Jim Bob Sedgwick,Al Parrett!....Leo J.Eiffert,JR.

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 5 Nov 2007 10:11 pm

I believe Don Buzzard played steel for Hank Thompson in the early to mid 1970s.

Roger

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 5 Nov 2007 10:44 pm

Dusty Stewart replaced Lefty Nason before Chalker was hired. He never recorded with Hank except for some radio transcriptions.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 6 Nov 2007 6:05 am

When Hank was with the Halsey agency on occassion Smiley Roberts had the pleasure.

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 6 Nov 2007 6:13 am

J.D. Walters has been playing with him the last several years. J.D. does a great job and a great guy!

Also I could be wrong, but I believe that young Bobby Black and possibly Larry Black too might have played with Hank sometime or another during the 1950s or 1960s.

I have also seen Buddy Emmons doing shows with Hank and some of that is on Hank's VHS video tapes 1990s.

Terry Wood

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 6 Nov 2007 6:58 am

I worked with him some in the early 90's. Just a couple gigs but that is what you asked for, Jody. Also a friend of mine and forum member, Lefty Schrage from Iowa also worked a job or two with him.

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 6 Nov 2007 7:18 am

This is of interest to me also.

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 6 Nov 2007 7:38 am

Well, and then there's....me! In the late '70's I was in a road band that found us in Lake Hauser, Idaho in a club that had us back Hank. He was a consumit professional, a gentleman, and a real fun guy. Fellow forumnite Neil Owens was on lead guitar. We could play all the fills we wanted, but Hank played every intro and turnaround, EXCEPT for the first half of "Six Pack To Go" which he gave to me. It was maybe the greatest moment of my musical career...
Interestingly, The Dillards were the opening act and had Pete Grant playing his Dekley. During the sound check he showed me some Beatles tunes he was working on...He played the intro to "Strawberry Fields" with his two string ebow and blew my mind!
It's a musical memory I'll always cherish.
Hank and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Josh Haislip · Post by **Josh Haislip** » 6 Nov 2007 7:50 am

Correct me if I am wrong but in Winnie's book doesn't he mention Noel Boggs?

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 6 Nov 2007 8:11 am

Terry Miller, from Hammondsport, NY has worked a lot of road shows with Hank.

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 6 Nov 2007 9:03 am

Gary Hogue was playing for Hank when he played San Francisco, probably in the early 1980s.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 6 Nov 2007 11:11 am

I have had the honor of playing a few times behind Mr. Thompson. I will cherish those moments as some of my favs.

Josh Jones · Post by **Josh Jones** » 6 Nov 2007 11:58 am

I had the opportunity to perform with Hank on three seperate shows. One of the nicest guys to work for. One of the biggest things I admired about him was his people skills. He always treats everyone like they are his closest friends. I remember seeing peoples faces light up when he would pull them close to him so they could take a picture and sign an autograph for them.

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 6 Nov 2007 1:19 pm

Interviewer: I understand you come from a family that had a lot of money.
George Hamilton: No, I come from a family that went through a lot of money!

Bobby Caldwell · Post by **Bobby Caldwell** » 6 Nov 2007 2:16 pm

The "Big E" played steel guitar for Hank one year in St.Louis, at the ISGC. As usual Buddy did his magic. Had all the Thompson licks down and then added the "Big E" touch. It was a great show. Bobby

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 6 Nov 2007 2:51 pm

Also Gary Carpenter,also Chuck Hatfield . Jody.

Justin Griffith · Post by **Justin Griffith** » 6 Nov 2007 6:20 pm

Jack Stanton wrote:Well, and then there's....me! In the late '70's I was in a road band that found us in Lake Hauser, Idaho in a club that had us back Hank. He was a consumit professional, a gentleman, and a real fun guy. Fellow forumnite Neil Owens was on lead guitar. We could play all the fills we wanted, but Hank played every intro and turnaround, EXCEPT for the first half of "Six Pack To Go" which he gave to me. It was maybe the greatest moment of my musical career...
Interestingly, The Dillards were the opening act and had Pete Grant playing his Dekley. During the sound check he showed me some Beatles tunes he was working on...He played the intro to "Strawberry Fields" with his two string ebow and blew my mind!
It's a musical memory I'll always cherish.
Hank and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Somewhere I have a copy of the work tape he used to hand out explaining just what you said.
I think Don Sowersby gave it to me when he backed him. He states clearly that "there will be no need for intros. etc"

Richard Ingley · Post by **Richard Ingley** » 6 Nov 2007 9:09 pm

It should be noted that the president of the Texas Steel Guitar Association, Albert Talley, played steel for Hank for a while.

Bob I. Williams · Post by **Bob I. Williams** » 6 Nov 2007 9:31 pm

I had the honor of playing steel with Hank one night in about 1999. at the tribute to Marty Robbins in Glendale AZ. A night I'll allways remember. BOB

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 6 Nov 2007 9:42 pm

The late Bobby Boydd worked the road with Hank for about two years. Also Art Sanchez had done some work with Hank. Fun times for sure.

Mark Wayne · Post by **Mark Wayne** » 6 Nov 2007 10:48 pm

Jody,

Eddie Rivers has played with Hank.

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 7 Nov 2007 2:31 am

Big Jim Murphy.