Bill Johnson

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 19 Mar 2009 10:43 am

Bill Johnson, wonderful steel player, a friend of many years is gone.
Marty Robins, Stone Wall Jackson and the list goes on. Writer/composer of "A Wound Time Can't Erase" and other hits.

One of the first "Star" steel players to play P-P Emmons guitars '64-'65. You can still see him playing with Marty on youtube.

God rest his talented soul.

Bobbe Seymour

Ray Harrison · Post by **Ray Harrison** » 19 Mar 2009 11:29 am

Bobbe, may his family find peace and comfort in the Lord and in their memories.
I have mentioned a time or two about Bill's playing. I appreciated the job he did on "The Shoe goes on the Other Foot Tonight". I always thought he should have received more recognition for his playing.
I never got to meet him and that is my loss. So sorry to hear of such a great talent being gone and may you have support for your loss of a dear friend.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 19 Mar 2009 1:30 pm

Bobbe, Thanks for letting us know. This is indeed a great loss to the steel guitar community. Bill was one of the best and a super nice person. May GOD bless, comfort, and keep his family now and always. Jody.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 19 Mar 2009 1:30 pm

Bobbe, Thanks for letting us know. This is indeed a great loss to the steel guitar community. Bill was one of the best and a super nice person. May GOD bless, comfort, and keep his family now and always. Jody.

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 19 Mar 2009 5:37 pm

Bobbe, this is really sad news. I haven't seen Bill in years. He was a true gentleman, and a fine steel player. His solo work on "The Shoe Goes On the Other Foot, Tonight" is one of the great classic solos on a recording with a singer. When I first moved to BNA, back in the late '60's, I used to get he and you confused. The two of you resembled each other quite a lot. My condolences and sympathies go out to Bill's family.

Jim Hartley · Post by **Jim Hartley** » 20 Mar 2009 8:39 am

I really hate to hear this. I've known Bill since I was a kid. He worked with my Dad in Florida in the "50's. Later, when I moved to Nashville, Dad would always make sure to get together with Bill when he came for a visit. Bill told me many times how much he cared for my Dad, and Dad sure felt the same for him. I don't remember Dad ever playing a night of music without singing "wound".

My condolences and sympathies to the family.

Jim Hartley

Jim Hartley · Post by **Jim Hartley** » 20 Mar 2009 9:39 am

Hey friends,

I just heard from an old friend of mine, and Bills, Glen Ray. He told me that anyone could send flowers to Sandy Creek Baptist Church, Camp Hill, Alabama 36850.

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 21 Mar 2009 6:27 am

"A Wound Time Can't Erase" will be on my playlist later today
www.live365.com/stations/busgaljan

Stuart Basore · Post by **Stuart Basore** » 21 Mar 2009 8:10 am

It's a sad day; another true gentleman gone!!!! I'll miss him. Best to his family. Stu & Marsha.

GaryHoetker · Post by **GaryHoetker** » 22 Mar 2009 8:43 pm

I'm so sorry to hear this. Everything I've heard or read about Bill in the past was how great a steel guitarist and person he was. Yet, he was relatively unknown. RIP.

Gene Still · Post by **Gene Still** » 25 Mar 2009 10:42 am

Here's a picture of Bill Johnson (left) and myself taken around 1965 in Atlanta, GA.

This was Bill's new Push/Pull Emmons Steel Guitar.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Bill Johnson

Bill Johnson

Billy Johnson