Opening Act

Paul Norman · From: Washington, North Carolina, USA

A lot of times the opening acts are about as good
as the main singer.
The first time I saw George Jones in the mid 1960's
at Kinston, N.C. ( George and Melba Montgomery )
his opening act was Donnie Young. I said this man
is as good as George Jones. This was in the open
on a Baseball field at night at home plate and
we were in the bleachers. It began raining and
the steel guitar player had to use his finger
in place of the Bar to keep from gettin shocked.
Incidentally Donnie Young went on to be
Johnny Paycheck. And he always had that George
Jones sound.

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Yup.

I spent my formative steel years areound WA DC and he was a "local made 'good'" he showed up more than once at a little bar "The Village Barn" I used to frequent, bounced off the walls and ceiling, playing every instrument on the bandstand, playing and singing everybody into the ground, and then dissappeared.. presumably before the Suitland cops showed up...

Last time I saw him, he was "opening" for Chely Wright in about 95, and a rythmically terrible "Confederate Railroad" that borrowed Chely's musicians that had been run off by the "drummer/bandleader".

They had Johnny turned way down in the mix, as well as his GREAT steel player.

At the time I think Donnie was facing a rap for shooting a father of a young girl in Missouri, so he wasn't in a position to demand top billing.

Oh well.

I remember another "Opening Band" in the DC area in the late 70s. They used to open the show at Emmy Lou Harris' gig at "Desperados". They picked up a local steel playing student of Buddy Charleton, and went on to play "Electric Bluegrass" for ten or more years..

Ricky somebody...

Wink

EJL

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

1974 at the London Palladium...

Glen Campbell was top of the bill and, with a large orchestra and ranks of backing-singers, put on a terrific show, but....

...the 'best in show' was the then-unheard of Ronnie Milsap - just him at the piano, drums, bass and pedal steel ('bet it was Dicky O.!!!). He brought the house down.

I say he was unheard of, because we didn't get much up-to-date country stuff on UK radio in those days. He'd had a couple of US hits by then, of course, but I suppose that limited line-up was all they were prepared to run to for an 'unknown'.

He was brilliant, and Glen only just held his own!

RR

Mike Winter · From: Portland, OR

I don't remember if this was an "opener," or a spot within the main show. I saw Charlie Pride back when Gary Stewart was playing piano for him...I'm thinking '74 or so...not sure.

Anyway, Gary knocked 'em out that night. What a voice. Another one too soon gone. Sad

Anyone know who's playing steel on this clip?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb8kA88yk8E&feature=related

Jim Hartley · From: SC/TN

Mike, I wouldn't swear to it, but I think that's a young Gene O'Neal. I don't remember him with that hairdo, but it looks and sounds like him. By the way, Gene was another one who left us way too soon. I still miss him alot.

Jim Hartley · From: SC/TN

Mike, I took another look at the video, and I'm pretty sure it's Gene. At about 1:44, you can see a glimpse of a white towel on his left leg, and I've never known him to play without it. As a drummer, I always have a hand towel on my left leg but Gene always said his was special, it was a steel gutitar rag. (old joke I know, but Gene was the first one I heard use it.) As I said, I still miss him, I think I'll take another look at the video.

Thanks,
Jim

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Best opening unknown act I ever saw was Patty Loveless opening for Desert Rose Band. As good as Desert Rose Band was she stole the show with her incredible voice. The New York Times commented on it the next day. One of the few times I knew exactly where I was when I first saw someone.

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