Two Guitars Program Chet and Jerry? Early 50's.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 7 May 2009 4:01 pm

Last week I received a CD containing 33 instrumentals
of the WSM Radio program "Two Guitars". Having been
offered and sent to me by a kind Internet friend.

There is no Jerry Byrd on any of the songs? So Jerry
was not featured on all the programs obviously.
I'm wondering, if any?

I am however so happy to have this as it is early
Chet Atkins and the influence of Les Paul and the
sounds of Merle Travis are so inherent in his
playing. He does have Guitar backup on all the
numbers but absolutely no steel.

Someone may be able to shed more light on this?

Roy

Dean Titus · Post by **Dean Titus** » 7 May 2009 4:55 pm

Possibly Jerry Reed ? They did some recording together in later years (70-80's ?).

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 7 May 2009 5:36 pm

Since as you say there is "absolutely no steel" on this project, I'm moving it to Music from Steel Without Pedals.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 7 May 2009 6:52 pm

Can you please post a couple of the songs.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 7 May 2009 7:19 pm

Brad Bechtel wrote:Since as you say there is "absolutely no steel" on this project, I'm moving it to Music from Steel Without Pedals.

It's about steel, Jerry Byrd, and where the tunes are with Jerry!

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 7 May 2009 11:39 pm

Dean Titus wrote:Possibly Jerry Reed ? They did some recording together in later years (70-80's ?).

If it's an acoustic rhythm and the recordings are from the early 50's, it's probably either Jimmie Phelps, Homer Haynes ( I'd regognize him if I heard it ), Louie Innis, Velma Williams or even Ray Edenton. They all worked rhythm guitar jobs with Chet on countless shows, sessions and programs. Chet didn't really meet and collaborate with Jerry Reed until the early 60's.

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 8 May 2009 8:37 am

The "Two Guitars" program is discussed in an authoritative biography of Chet ("Chet Atkins In Three Dimensions, Volume Two"). I have not read it, but you can read portions of it here:

http://tinyurl.com/oytwdt

At the above link, the author conducts a lengthy interview with Jerry Byrd.

Look at it yourself. Jerry speaks about a lot of people: Hank Garland, Chet, Grady Martin ("the best 8 bar player there ever was"), Homer, Jethro, etc.

Here are some tidbits about Two Guitars:

It was on the air for two years, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Jerry says that Billy Byrd played rhythm guitar on the show and he tells a funny story about what happened on one show.

Jerry also tells a poignant story about the last time he saw Chet--the two of them discussed the current state of country music and came to the same conclusion many readers of this forum have.

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 8 May 2009 10:26 am

Roy:

Another thought about the absence of Jerry Byrd:

Have you considered the possibility that the 33 songs you have are NOT from "Two Guitars"?

Are they supposedly from a commercially available CD that your contact copied for you? What CD?

Or do they sound more like something someone recorded on home equipment as they listened to the show on the radio--fairly low fidelity?

Could your contact be misinformed?

Going purely by ear, do they sound as if they were recorded pre-1955 or so?

I just find it odd that you have 33 songs with no steel from a show that supposedly featured Jerry Byrd. I am not highly familiar with Chet's discography, but wonder if you may have some other material?

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 10 May 2009 10:34 am

maybe it's chet and jerry garcia?

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 10 May 2009 10:58 am

Or could it be the Jerry who used to be Governor of California ?? He was on the Bev Hillbillies one time; wasn't he ??

Regrets, Paul

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 11 May 2009 11:56 am

Brad moved this topic prematurely I think?

I have additional input that was requested.
Further, an important question that has "haunted"
non pedal enthusiasts is left hanging.

I am not knocking "Music". I come over here
occasionaly and learn from it like all the other
departments.

RT

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 11 May 2009 1:23 pm

In an ancient post of mine I told how I had several of the 2 guitars programs on WW2 and post yrs on V disks. Us old timers remember this metal disks, a little larger that LPs that were played on issue windup turntables. The disk were played from the inside out. I found a guy who said he could convert these to cassettes. I sent him one disk and thats the last I heard of him. So if I ever find a turntable that will play these v disks I,ll make cassettes (health permitting)and sell them for only the cost of the cassettes if anyone is interested.cc

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 12 May 2009 7:09 am

Nobody like Byrd and atkins? what a shame.cc

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 12 May 2009 8:50 am

I intended to say LIKES Byrd and Chet? I have just found out that I cannot charge for the blank cassette. So if I am able to find a turntable that will play the V disks inside out I will make cassettes for those who want them as long as my wifes money holds out. cc