Steel Player at Elmandorf AFB Alaska

[Walter Jones]

I ran into a friend tonight that asked me to see if I could locate the steel player that played with Rick Edwards & the Beeliners at Elmandorf AFB. Rick was at the NCO club there for an extended tour of duty so maybe someone ran across him. Rick's wife was Jackie. This was probably in the 70's but not sure.

[Carl Williams]

Walter,
Been there, done that! You talk about a tight little C&W group...wow! Ric could sing almost any song in the Top 40 (country that is) and classics to boot with some great imitations, e.g., Kitty Wells, yes I said Kitty Wells, Hank Snow, etc. Now, the man you're looking for is: Dave Hearn (check sp on his last name) Dave was the 4th, 5th, and 6th band member. Let me explain...Dave played awesome steel guitar and I believe it was an old D-10 Sho-Bud...could have been either a Professional or a Fingertip. I was stationed at Elmendorf from Dec '74 to Dec '76 and caught them at the NCO Club as often as I could. He was a great Sax player as well as a Journeyman on the 5-String Banjo. Jackie was a fantastic Bass player and of course sang harmony with Ric as well as some fine solos of her own. I believe a fellow by the name of Carl played drums. They had a packed house anytime/anywhere they played on Elmendorf or in Anchorage. We had the "other" country band on Elmendorf and we were called; "Genuine Country". Anyway, Ric was an active duty Air Force fellow and made some big money with his band. Last I heard, Ric retired from the Air Force and went back to North Carolina. As for Dave, I've also tried to contact him through this Forum and even was given an email address but I never got a response. I would love to have a band as good as Ric had in my area! Dave really inspired me with his Steel playing for sure. Carl

[Stu Schulman]

Carl,This a pic that I took of Dave's guitar.I don't know the whole story but will get it.Dave was in a bad head on car crash years ago and doesn't have use of his legs,I think that he lives in Hawaii,he just gave this guitar to my friend Smitty who played in a band with Dave for many years,I saw Smitty a couple of nights ago and will get the story from him,They keep in touch,I will also get a number for Dave,I never got to meet him,but he's a legend up here,Stu

[Carl Williams]

Stu,
Thanks for posting Dave's Steel...my goodness, I was all of 20 yrs old when I first drooled over that steel. I went up to Dave on breaks a few times and he was such a class act and gentlemen to a little country boy who could barely spell "steal geetar"! It makes me very sad to hear about what happened to Dave. However, knowing what kind of musician he was and I did say a MUSICIAN, I'm sure he overcame any issues and has continued to play great music! I would love to talk with him or at the very least, email him with my gratitude for the inspiration he gave me as I was first starting out. It really took away some of the homesickness I felt being so far from home and in the service. Thanks so much again...I would love to just hear Dave one more time kicking off an intro for Ric...Man! Carl

[Stu Schulman]

Carl,Here is the story from our mutual friend Smitty,
Stu....Dave Hearn as you know played Steel guitar, Banjo and Sax and played in my band " The Weekend Friends " for many years. He was and is a special person and everybody including Rosie and I loved him dearly.
Our band played a wide range of material and was considered quite good at the time largely due to Dave's versatility with different instruments. We always had steady work and we were the Eagle River VFW house band for eight years..We played all kinds of house parties and political occasions and of course we got to play the Fur Rondy. In 1985 Dave was involved in an auto accident when an inebriated woman crossed the center line on Tudor Road and hit Dave's pickup head on. Dave was very seriously injured and barely survived. He suffered multiple injuries when the trucks frame bent and the steering wheel was driven up under Dave's chin breaking his neck and destroying his larynx. He survived the crash after many days in the hospital, however he lost the use of his arms, legs and voice........thereby bringing to an end his music playing days. It took the heart out of our band and we didn't play again ourselves, for some time. But Dave, being the guy he is didn't dwell in self pity and he had Jeanne his wife who stayed close by him through it all...Dave stayed strong learned to drive that wheelchair faster than I can walk...and although he has to talk in a whisper now....He's still the fast thinking wise cracker he always was. After he recovered from the accident he and Jeanne moved to Hawaii where he always loved. They now live just a few blocks off Waikiki beach. Jeanne is in business with running condos and they are both quite well. The last time I visited them they were brown as berries and happy as can be.
They know everyone in Hawaii I believe. When Dave took us to a restaurant he wheeled his chair right in to a predetermined table...he didn't even have to order...the waitress knew who it was and what he wanted already. Everyone seemed to know Dave and Jeanne.
For a while Dave didn't want to think about music and his loss.... but now we talk about it and I occasionally edit old tapes we recorded many years ago onto CDs ...and he's always glad when I mail them to him.
Recently he gave me his Sho Bud Steel which I treasure....I'll never be able to play it like Dave did....but it always reminds me of what a great guy and friend Dave is.
Thanks Stu for this opportunity to talk about Dave. If anyone would like to contact him..his e-mail address is davjea@aol.com I'm sure he'd be glad to hear from you. Thanks again, Smitty

[Carl Williams]

Thanks so very much Stu for passing this along. Well, I'm not surprised by Dave's survival and his continuing to press on! I'll email him within the next few days and just say hi and thank him for the inspiration he gave me. If I could have only taken some lessons from him the two years I was there, I could have learned so many things from him. That steel of his, now his friends', is one great sounding instrument! His tone/sound, etc., were just fantastic to my ears and many others I'm sure. Anyway, thanks again Stu...Carl

[Walter Jones]

Hey guys , thanks for the replies. I just got off the phone with my friend and he was saddened to hear about Dave. He was also wondering if anyone could give an update on Rick & Jackie. Stg. Rufus Dillon was at Elmandorf AFB from 72-83 and worked at the dental clinic.

He has told me a lot of stories about who came through the NCO club while he was there and he and his wife were always present. I asked him to bring me a picture of him and his wife from that era and we would send it to Dave, maybe even do a then and now if he wants. I've really been leaning on him hard to get on the internet, but so far he hasen't given in. I know he would surely enjoy it. He couldn't believe the information I gave him just from my post and the replies in the last 24 hours.

He certainly did concur with all the nice things said about Dave. Like a lot of us now that was a long time ago, maybe he will Ok an email to say howdey to Dave.

[Angela Bell]

Hello everyone,
Dave Hearn was my grandfather and unfortunately he passed away last month. I have been writing about his life. I googled his name and band name. This was the first listing that appeared. I know it's a long shot considering this post was made in 2009 but I am hoping someone is still around. My family loved the stories you told on here and would like to get in touch with some of the people that knew Dave. Please reach out at belldesigns907@gmail.com. Also, if you still have his steel, my family would love to see it!