Swingin' On The Steel by Ray Montee

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2008 1:33 pm

This is a clip of the Skipper playing "Swingin' On The Steel" on the Heck Harper Show back in 1964

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_DK79Kakeg

Those were the days . .

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 18 Dec 2008 2:15 pm

That's just too cool ...

Wes Bakken · Post by **Wes Bakken** » 18 Dec 2008 2:44 pm

Ray, that is a very cool find!! Who were the other players? Johnny on fiddle?

Was that KGW TV?

And the Steel? Bigsby?

Wes B.

Doug Jones · Post by **Doug Jones** » 18 Dec 2008 2:50 pm

You oughta hear him nowadays!

Way to go Ray; way cool. -DJ-

Tom Palmer · Post by **Tom Palmer** » 18 Dec 2008 3:09 pm

What a trip back in time! I saw that Bigsby about a month ago and it looks as good today as it did then. And the guy playing it is even better now than he was then. Way to go, Ray!
I sure wish I lived closer to you. I really enjoy our visits. - Tom

Michael Misetich · Post by **Michael Misetich** » 18 Dec 2008 3:45 pm

Wes Bakkan,

When I saw your name on this post, I couldn't immediatly recall where I'd seen it before. Then I remembered that Clair Musser had given me some things over the years and one item had your name on it.

The "Clair Musser and his Powder River Ramblers" brochure includes a picture of you sitting behind a triple neck (That I could not identify) with text that includes the following: "He has a winning personality and makes thousands of friends. The Powder River boys may have to get along without him for a while tho', while he puts in a shift for Uncle Sam." The flyer appears to be from about 1954.

Claire lived around the corner from me when I was growing up, and we spent many Saturdays at his upholstery shop picking and singing.

I have a couple of his records; Did you play on "The Thought of losing you", "Powder River Ramble", What's a fella gonna do" or Take her away Joe"?

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 18 Dec 2008 4:44 pm

Wes:
That is a clip from the KGW-TV weekly shows......
Actors are: Johnny Fuhrman, fiddle (dec'd)
Don Baterri, accordian
Steve Malnachuck, bass
Ernie Cutshall, percussion
Hector Flateau (Harper) (dec'd)

Song title is: "Swingin' on the Steel"

Instrument: Bigsby 4-neck, 8 strings each
Fender 4 x 10 Bassman
Echolette affects

And Wes, did you ever get any leads on the current whereabouts of your triple neck that you had with Clair. I've searched hi & lo, trying to contact the seller on Craig's List.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 18 Dec 2008 4:49 pm

Wow, did you notice the happy go lucky smile on Montee's face during the clip? (I think I saw a twitch)

Not bad picking though.

Wes Bakken · Post by **Wes Bakken** » 18 Dec 2008 5:20 pm

Ray,

I thought that might be Johnny F. I didn't recognize Steve, but I should have. I believe he still lives in Milwaukie around the corner from where I used to live.
I ahve not found a trace of my old tripple neck Magnatone, but would like to.

Michael,

I was not on those tunes, I joined the ramblers just after those songs were recorded. I believe Buddy Fite did at least some of them. I think the flyer was done in early 1956, I went in the Air Force in Dec of that year. I too enjoyed visiting with Clair at the shop, he was a great guy. I am in Yuma,AZ at the moment and next month will get together with Merle Tofte who played guitar for the Ramblers at that time and he is on those recordings.

The 50's were a good time for "Western" music, as it was called.

wes

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2008 6:05 pm

The 50's were a good time for "Western" music, as it was called.

Ain't that the truth!

Ray, I corrected the title - thanks.
(Ol' Heck just called it "Swingin Steel")
I absolutely love that clip, and I was very glad to be able to reformat and post it on YouTube for you.
Seems like everyone else loves it too . .

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 18 Dec 2008 6:40 pm

Really nice Ray!
Loved it.

Roy

Russ Blake · Post by **Russ Blake** » 18 Dec 2008 6:45 pm

Now, that's what I'm talking about! Great job, Skip.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 18 Dec 2008 6:54 pm

Just think, Ray, if you would have shot a big smile and maybe even a wink at the camera you might have become a star!(':D')

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 18 Dec 2008 8:08 pm

Ray,

You have nailed the "tone" I have tried to create on a "lap steel guitar" since the late 40's,

I used to hear Hawaiian players get that tone. But I have never been able to do it. Jerry Byrd gets it, but not all the time.

I never heard you play Ray. That was my loss. I can't tell you what it meant to hear you play on that video.

What a touch dear friend, and you have a rare gift man. May Jesus continue to bless you in all ways. And my sincere thanks to Rick Alexander for providing a link to this awesome video.

carl

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 18 Dec 2008 8:49 pm

Nice picking Ray! thanks for posting that Rick!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 18 Dec 2008 9:09 pm

I've never seen Ray play live before. What a treat !

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 18 Dec 2008 9:40 pm

Very nice -- cs

Anthony Locke · Post by **Anthony Locke** » 18 Dec 2008 10:05 pm

Swingin' on the steel indeed! This is great. I love the tone he has.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 18 Dec 2008 10:54 pm

COOL STUFF SKIP ! Great touch and tone.

Some (above) suggest that you smile...you
recall Jerry's response to that !
"Hell, I'm not selling toothpaste!"

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 18 Dec 2008 11:07 pm

Now this is just about the coolest you tube clip I've ever seen!!

Ray, those melody notes just flow when you play them...and it was executed so perfectly. The touch and tone is just outstanding....That's "the sound"!

Dean Gray · Post by **Dean Gray** » 18 Dec 2008 11:31 pm

Great stuff Ray! Very smooth, precise playing. What a treat. Thanks for posting that Rick.

Brandin · Post by **Brandin** » 19 Dec 2008 12:30 am

That was just GREAT!

Thanks for puttin' that up Rick.

GB

Will Houston · Post by **Will Houston** » 19 Dec 2008 12:31 am

I just know Ray from the Forum, I never knew. Wow!!!!

George Piburn · Post by **George Piburn** » 19 Dec 2008 2:55 am

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 19 Dec 2008 7:18 am

wow Ray....that was great!......and yes, what everbody else said about your playing and tone.....but I've had the good fortune to hear you in person......

but you know,......for another $2.00.....you could have gotten a collar for your jacket......

The Steel Guitar Forum

Swingin' On The Steel by Ray Montee

Swingin' On The Steel by Ray Montee

Great Music!

Solving the myster..................

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