Have YOU corresponded with a famous steel player?
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
- Roger Rettig
- Posts: 10548
- Joined: 4 Aug 2000 12:01 am
- Location: Naples, FL
- Contact:
Well.... Not a steel-player, but I do have a hand-written letter from Scotty Moore who responded at length to some questions regarding his, and Elvis Presley's, guitars.
These days there's a comprehensive web-site with pages of info on that very subject (and in greater detail than I ever dared hope!), but it wasn't there back then.
He was a huge hero to me when I was starting to play in the fifties, so I treasure this letter, dated 1995.
These days there's a comprehensive web-site with pages of info on that very subject (and in greater detail than I ever dared hope!), but it wasn't there back then.
He was a huge hero to me when I was starting to play in the fifties, so I treasure this letter, dated 1995.
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10
(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
----------------------------------
(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
----------------------------------
- Terry Wood
- Posts: 5240
- Joined: 2 Mar 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Marshfield, MO
Well, I have been fortunate and have had correspondence with several well known players over the years including:
Jerry Byrd 3-4 letters
Lloyd Green 3-4 letters
Don Helms 1 letter
Speedy West 2-3 letters
Zane Beck 1 Christmas Card
Herb Remington 1 letter
Ralph Mooney 1 letter
Reece Anderson 2-3 letters
I have kept all of these letters. I might add that Jerry Byrd had the best handwriting/penmanship of anyone I ever corresponded with. Jerry Byrd was always honest with his letters.
Next, Lloyd Green was the most intellectual of all steel players I corresponded with in his fluency, and of the English language which was excellent. He wrote like a college professor. I dearly cherish each of these letters and will keep them. Each one shows a bit of these artists personalities. Some were funny and some real informative but all of them I have a high regard for. Ralph Mooney was nice enough, he even sent me an autograph copy of his steel CD and that blew me away.
These guys were gentlemen, artists and intelligent. I am surprised they took time for a guy like me.
GOD bless!
Terry Wood
Jerry Byrd 3-4 letters
Lloyd Green 3-4 letters
Don Helms 1 letter
Speedy West 2-3 letters
Zane Beck 1 Christmas Card
Herb Remington 1 letter
Ralph Mooney 1 letter
Reece Anderson 2-3 letters
I have kept all of these letters. I might add that Jerry Byrd had the best handwriting/penmanship of anyone I ever corresponded with. Jerry Byrd was always honest with his letters.
Next, Lloyd Green was the most intellectual of all steel players I corresponded with in his fluency, and of the English language which was excellent. He wrote like a college professor. I dearly cherish each of these letters and will keep them. Each one shows a bit of these artists personalities. Some were funny and some real informative but all of them I have a high regard for. Ralph Mooney was nice enough, he even sent me an autograph copy of his steel CD and that blew me away.
These guys were gentlemen, artists and intelligent. I am surprised they took time for a guy like me.
GOD bless!
Terry Wood
- Damir Besic
- Posts: 12261
- Joined: 30 Oct 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Nashville,TN.
- Contact:
-
- Posts: 460
- Joined: 15 May 2004 12:01 am
- Location: Cassilis, New Brunswick, Canada
A few years ago I was inducted into the local country music hall of fame so I wrote to Don Helms and told him that he was responsible for my good fortune as he was the first steel player I had seen playing live and I had listened to all those great Hank Williams records that he was on. About three months went by and one night the phone rang and lo and behold it was Don Helms. He congratulated me and talked to me for 30 minutes about his years with Hank and his steel guitar career. He later sent me pictures, his home phone number and address and told me if I ever got down to Nashville to come and visit with him. He also sent me his tunings, string guages etc. It was one of the high points in my life and I'll never forget it. One great person.
- Alan Brookes
- Posts: 13218
- Joined: 29 Mar 2006 1:01 am
- Location: Brummy living in Southern California
-
- Posts: 6429
- Joined: 22 Jul 2003 12:01 am
- Location: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
-
- Posts: 74
- Joined: 19 Apr 2005 12:01 am
- Location: Arizona, USA
Corresponding with steel players
I notice that at my age I write myself notes almost daily but the response is sometimes far apart. Doc
-
- Posts: 6870
- Joined: 27 Nov 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
- Contact:
On second thought, my comments were not "on topic", so I have deleted them.
Gene Jones
www.genejones.com
Gene Jones
www.genejones.com
Last edited by Gene Jones on 22 Jan 2009 9:23 am, edited 2 times in total.
- Adair Torres
- Posts: 456
- Joined: 30 Sep 2008 12:48 pm
- Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Contact:
famous steel player
I've traded a lot of e-mails with MR. John Hughey. He was a super Gentleman.
Adair Torres - Boss at TowerS Steel Guitars
__________________
Zum D10 8X7 Wineberry 2010.
Emmons SD10 3X8 Black 1994.
Derby D10 8X8 Rosewood 2008.
TowerS SD10 3X5 Imbuia Mica Finish 2018
__________________
Zum D10 8X7 Wineberry 2010.
Emmons SD10 3X8 Black 1994.
Derby D10 8X8 Rosewood 2008.
TowerS SD10 3X5 Imbuia Mica Finish 2018
- Jim Strawser
- Posts: 136
- Joined: 4 Feb 2008 3:47 pm
- Location: Montana, USA
Famous Steel Players
I have exchanged phone calls with Ronnie Miller, who plays PSG for Charley Pride, does this count? Been friends with Ronnie for almost 30 years now and he is still as good as he ever was! Yahoo Ronnie, yah brat!!
"Steel players are like fine wine, we get better with age"
- Olaf van Roggen
- Posts: 557
- Joined: 6 Nov 1999 1:01 am
- Location: The Netherlands
As I probably mentioned this some times before,When I was in my teens I wrote a letter to Tom Bradshaw asking if he had some adresses from my favourite steel players.
He wrote me back with the adresses and some good advice that not everyone might like or appreciate letters or writing back.
Neil Flanz wrote me back,send me 45 he played on and a large signed photo(where he was younger...)
We kept correspondence somehow and I met him after 18 years in Dallas.We go to Austin almost every year and since Neil lives there,we met several times.
I brought Neil in contact with the Gram Parsons Memorial Foundation back then,all through me being 16 or so.
I wrote to Sneaky Pete and he wrote me a letter and sent some photos,I got an answer from Bruce Bouton before meeting him.
Even Commander Cody,George Frayne,answered me sending a signed record.
Neil Harry from Chuck Wagon and the Wheels,sent me a signed record and photo.
Still have everything stored in our house.
He wrote me back with the adresses and some good advice that not everyone might like or appreciate letters or writing back.
Neil Flanz wrote me back,send me 45 he played on and a large signed photo(where he was younger...)
We kept correspondence somehow and I met him after 18 years in Dallas.We go to Austin almost every year and since Neil lives there,we met several times.
I brought Neil in contact with the Gram Parsons Memorial Foundation back then,all through me being 16 or so.
I wrote to Sneaky Pete and he wrote me a letter and sent some photos,I got an answer from Bruce Bouton before meeting him.
Even Commander Cody,George Frayne,answered me sending a signed record.
Neil Harry from Chuck Wagon and the Wheels,sent me a signed record and photo.
Still have everything stored in our house.
- Nic du Toit
- Posts: 1626
- Joined: 20 Feb 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
- Contact:
- Jim Walker
- Posts: 1793
- Joined: 31 Dec 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Headland, AL
I don't believe I've written a single letter since Windows 95 came out. And that was well before I got interested in PSG. But since then, I've made contact with the best of the best via email. Too many to list. Back when AOL was the big thing I spent some time chatting with John Hughey on Instant Messenger. I would have never pursued steel they way I did if it hadn't been for him.
JW
JW
Show Pro D10, Session 400
- Roger Rettig
- Posts: 10548
- Joined: 4 Aug 2000 12:01 am
- Location: Naples, FL
- Contact:
I feel for you, Nic, but using the word 'correspondence' implies a two-way conversation. It sounds as though yours has been distinctly 'one -way'!
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10
(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
----------------------------------
(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
----------------------------------
- Nic du Toit
- Posts: 1626
- Joined: 20 Feb 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
- Contact:
Roger,.....The strange thing is that all our emails have been conducted in a very amiable way!
It is just that the promises of "It will be in the mail this week" has come to nothing over the months.
I am one of those people that likes to believe that we all are good at heart, and that somewhere, somehow the intended action got put on the back burner, and forgotten about! That's why I've refrained from mentioning a name. If ever the cd do arrive, I'll surely let you guys know.
It is just that the promises of "It will be in the mail this week" has come to nothing over the months.
I am one of those people that likes to believe that we all are good at heart, and that somewhere, somehow the intended action got put on the back burner, and forgotten about! That's why I've refrained from mentioning a name. If ever the cd do arrive, I'll surely let you guys know.
- Roger Rettig
- Posts: 10548
- Joined: 4 Aug 2000 12:01 am
- Location: Naples, FL
- Contact:
A few months ago I sent a letter to the great Billy Robinson, along with an order for three of his (fantastic) non pedal steel recordings.
He replied by thanking me for ordering his CD's, went on to explain in detail his steel, tuning and string gauges, and how he enjoys sharing his knowledge with fellow steel guitarists.
He even included a couple of Christmas cards featuring his exceptional oil paintings!
A nicer man I have not met - and his non pedal steel playing is brilliant.
He replied by thanking me for ordering his CD's, went on to explain in detail his steel, tuning and string gauges, and how he enjoys sharing his knowledge with fellow steel guitarists.
He even included a couple of Christmas cards featuring his exceptional oil paintings!
A nicer man I have not met - and his non pedal steel playing is brilliant.
The more I learn, the less I know!
- Peter Nylund
- Posts: 531
- Joined: 25 Jul 2007 6:44 am
- Location: Finland
- Contact:
- Charlie McDonald
- Posts: 11054
- Joined: 17 Feb 2005 1:01 am
- Location: out of the blue
- Nic du Toit
- Posts: 1626
- Joined: 20 Feb 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
- Contact:
Charley,
I met Mike P. at the convention last August, and I must say that he was one of the nicest guys I met.
We had quite a few chats, and he really made me feel like 'one of the guys'.
Roger; Lo and behold!! They say Patience is a virtue...Well, I nearly gave up!! This morning, however, I got the surprise of my life. A box with 5 cds arrived in my post box. (Including the one ordered). I am so thankful that I never mentioned any names.....
Suffice to say that that steeler now has a fan for life! (The little things that makes us happy!!)
I met Mike P. at the convention last August, and I must say that he was one of the nicest guys I met.
We had quite a few chats, and he really made me feel like 'one of the guys'.
Roger; Lo and behold!! They say Patience is a virtue...Well, I nearly gave up!! This morning, however, I got the surprise of my life. A box with 5 cds arrived in my post box. (Including the one ordered). I am so thankful that I never mentioned any names.....
Suffice to say that that steeler now has a fan for life! (The little things that makes us happy!!)
- Roger Rettig
- Posts: 10548
- Joined: 4 Aug 2000 12:01 am
- Location: Naples, FL
- Contact:
- Nic du Toit
- Posts: 1626
- Joined: 20 Feb 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
- Contact:
Mr John Hughey answered an Email I sent him about one of his tunes and I still have it.What a great person he was...I am also proud to say I'm good friends with Terry Bethel which I believe to be one of the finest steel players of all times....I am also a good friend to Roger Blevins(steel player at the Baldknobbers in Branson) from Nixa Mo. Not to be a name dropper but I am good friends with Milton Quackenbush who now lives in Australia.(piano player,Steelplayer,Sax Player).Ron
Franklin D10 Stereo - 8 and 6 - Black Box-Zum Encore 4 and 5 Nashville 400,Session 400, DD3 for delay ,also Benado Effects pedal.
Steeling with Franklin's..and Zum Encore
Steeling with Franklin's..and Zum Encore
- Nic du Toit
- Posts: 1626
- Joined: 20 Feb 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
- Contact: