No More Steel on Roy Clark Show

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 24 Aug 2004 6:26 pm

Bob,
I wouldn't sweat it to bad. It just hurts your feelings a little for now. Personally I've never considered ROY CLARK to be much of a drawing card in the entertainment biz. I couldn't ever see myself paying money to see one of his shows. I'd rather come hear you play Steel for a artist that can sing country music that sounds country.

Nick

BUDDY BARROWCLIFF · Post by **BUDDY BARROWCLIFF** » 25 Aug 2004 9:47 am

Bob
I am a nobody steel picker up here in the northeast and altho I have backed some of the pros in the years past. It seems the higher up the pecking order the artist might be at the time the less a sideman is valued.
I don't know your status but feel if you were on the show in the first place your playing proweness ranks in the upper level as seems to be noted from posts of other name artists on here.
I think Mr Roy is on the downside of his abilities now judging from some of his more recent performances I have seen.
It seems like he needs more cover from his backup people to get thru even one piece be it vocal or instrumental with out revealing his mistakes. He is much slower and less acurite instrumentaly and off key more often than he would permit from any other performer in his group.
Budd B

Sidney Ralph Penton · Post by **Sidney Ralph Penton** » 25 Aug 2004 2:09 pm

well this is sad that there will be one less steel out there on a big name like roy clark. i didn't read all of the replies before it got my dander up and i only been trying to play for 5 months now and it really pulled the wrong hair when i read this. i am going to try to find a web site for roy clark and tell him i refuse to listen to his music because of him dropping the steel and i will not go see any of his shows and if i hear a song of his on the radio i will turn it off! i suggest that everyone does the same. thanks sid

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Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 27 Aug 2004 12:40 pm

Hey, guys, I finally found a computer out here on the road. I took another gig with a beautiful human being named Randy Newman. He has a travelling version of the Ozark Jubilee. The money is comparable and the music is older traditional Country Music, like we all like to play. I start next weekend. Sunday is my last gig with Roy. We're in Wilmington DE. at the 3 Little Bakers thru this Sunday. Roy wanted me to stay until the end of the year, but I just couldn't without knowing what came after that. Besides, I think I would have taken this job anyway. I just wanted to share the news with you. I'm looking forward to putting this behind me, and starting a new job. Like the rest of you, it really kills me to see steel guitar being dropped from yet another show. Also, they are keeping everyone else, now. That means 2 fiddles, 2 keyboards, and no steel guitar. I'll be home Tues and update you all on this.

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Post by **Joey Ace** » 27 Aug 2004 1:57 pm

Good for you Bob. (Bad for Roy)

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 27 Aug 2004 2:13 pm

There ya go, I call that landing on your feet. Congratulations.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Terry Bethel · Post by **Terry Bethel** » 28 Aug 2004 9:25 pm

Bobby,
2 fiddles and 2 keyboards and no steel, well "THAT SHOULD BE REALLY GREAT".
But sometime during the 80's on my 10 year vacation from Mel, he also tried that but he also had 2 guitars. That didn't work either.
Congratulations, I know Randy and he is a great guy. I know you will have fun there. Enjoy your new gig, and call me when you get to town
Terry Bethel

Richard Nelson · Post by **Richard Nelson** » 29 Aug 2004 6:52 pm

Bob I saw that sow in branson in 99 and believe me I think things can only get better for you . Need I say more?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 29 Aug 2004 7:29 pm

Richard, who was the sow?

See ya soon, pal!

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 30 Aug 2004 3:30 am

Jim, it was my ex.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 30 Aug 2004 4:41 am

Good news, Bob.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 30 Aug 2004 6:16 am

This is truly exciting news Bob. That's exactly what I hoped would happen for you. I'm not familiar with "Randy Newman" but it sounds like my kind of stuff. Can you send me one of his CD's, I wanta hear him.

Nick<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Nick Reed on 30 August 2004 at 07:18 AM.]</p></FONT>

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 30 Aug 2004 6:39 pm

Nick, I'll see what I can do. I don't know if Randy even has a CD out. I want to thank all of you guys for the encouragement. I got in today, took my stuff off the bus, and went home. I can't say in words how relieved I am. Roy came up to me and hugged me, and said that he was totally satisfied with my work, and he wished his budget would allow for him to keep steel guitar. I'm pretty sure he was persuaded by someone else to go this route. Maybe he'll "hear" the difference without the steel, and find it in his budget to have another one. I know it won't be me, I personally don't ever want to work for any more country music stars. I'm just looking forward to going on with the rest of my life, and starting my new job with the Ozark Jubilee. Right now, we're doing mostly weekends up at Truman Lake near Warsaw, MO. If any of you get a chance, come see us, and we'll visit. We start our busy road work about the middle of October.

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Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 30 Aug 2004 7:58 pm

Congrats Bobby...You ant keep a good steeler down.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 30 Aug 2004 8:18 pm

Bobby,

sure sorry to hear of your leaving the RC show, but it seems things are swiftly looking up for you

I knew you wouldnt be out long, youre too good a player for that.
This business is a real hideout for snakes in the grass. Heck, over on Events and Announcements they've got Buddy replacing me this weekend on Ray Price's shows in Pigeon Forge!! As Herby said, this business never surprises me anymore.
You were definitely victimized by the "bean counters". Too many times Ive watched my friends lose jobs to "downsizing",whatever their occupation. Glad youre back up and runnin'again....as it should be.
You'll enjoy playing the oldies again, I know I sure do

Tiny Olson · Post by **Tiny Olson** » 1 Sep 2004 5:57 am

Bob:

Glad to hear this news. Now you'll have fun playing again and still get paid. That's the way it should work out.

Congratulations on the new gig.

Chris "Tiny" Olson

Garland Nash · Post by **Garland Nash** » 1 Sep 2004 4:14 pm

Roy Never picked cotton and he never did pick guitar as far as I'm concerned. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it Garland Nash

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 1 Sep 2004 5:36 pm

Way to go Bob. Hang in there. You can't keep a good man down. Jody,