| Author |
Topic: Who was the Steel player in Hal Kennedy's Gospel LP's? |
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 12 Oct 2009 4:05 pm |
|
Greetings, I have been wondering for some time now who the Steel Guitar player was that played on Hal Kennedy's albums, there is some fantastic steel playing on those LP's. There most likely were a couple of different Steel players that played for him, does any one know who they might be?  Many thanks, regards Marcus |
|
|
|
Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
|
Posted 12 Oct 2009 5:35 pm
|
|
Probably either Sonny Garrish, or Weldon Myrick, or maybe both. Weldon probably played on 90% of the Southern Gospel records that came out of Nashville in the 70's, and 80's.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro. |
|
|
|
Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 13 Oct 2009 5:09 am Hall Kennidy
|
|
Hall is a personel friend of mine and we played together down on the river when going hunting on the river.
I asked Hal one time who was the steel Player on his records and he said it Was Pete Drake.
As good as Hall played Chet style guitar he had Chet do the Guitar work on his albums. Hall sang with the dixie Echoes, and was called the little man with the big voice.
Hal is now Pastoring a church near cape cannaveral and is to busy to do much singing and playing. Hal is a great talent and I always enjoyed playing with him.
ernie |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 13 Oct 2009 1:45 pm Hal Kennedy's Steel PLayer
|
|
Thanks a lot for that guys, I had a feeling that it might have been Pete Drake playing at one point there, I hadn't thought of the other two guys though, that is interesting. Hal's recordings are always a delight to listen to. I noticed that sometimes the steel on his albums had a sound very similar to an organ, and even occasionally like a smooth violin, which I thought was amazing.  Regards Marcus
Last edited by Marcus Provis on 13 Oct 2009 2:10 pm; edited 3 times in total |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 13 Oct 2009 1:51 pm Hal Kennedy's Steel PLayer
|
|
| It's very interesting, Ernest, that you played with him, and about how Chet Atkins did some of the guitar playing. I have most of Hal Kennedy's recording here, and hearing that steel playing, was instrumental in me wanting to learn to play. I have only recently begun playing (about 3 or 4 months), and bought a used Emmons Black rock, which has quite a nice sound to it. Marcus |
|
|
|
Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 13 Oct 2009 4:54 pm hal
|
|
Hal could play as good as Chet but he wanted the A team on his recordings. Hal could have recorede at Dixie Echoes Studio but chose to do it else where.
I think Pete may have had a real Orgon Leslie to p[lay thru, I had one and they sound just like an Organ, I have some church radio Programs we did bac then and mine sounded jusat like an orgon. Hal liked to hunt and fish we went to Howards creek every year for a week and while there every Sat. nite we played almost all night we did country music to a full house, thoses were fun days.
Hal sang on the same radio station that Doug Jernigan played on, he was also a radio announcer. Hal was strong in church and did Gospel with the Dixie Echoes, they were started by the samer person that started the Florida Boys, he owned a big grocery store.
Hal was a very fine person. We went to the same church, and a bonch of us went to Howards creek every year.
ernie
ernie |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 13 Oct 2009 9:40 pm Hal Kennedy
|
|
That is interesting to hear about Hal, and how you know him so well, and what you did in those days. We always enjoy hearing his music. I will let my friend know about the leslie speaker. We were trying to get that sound by using a Line 6 Roto machine pedal, it came close, but somehow, I have changed the settings on it and so far, I haven't been able to figure out how to get it right again. I noticed that Pete also played in some of the Florida Boy's recordings. I have quite a number of the Florida Boy's LP's
Regards Marcus. |
|
|
|
Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 15 Oct 2009 4:22 am here
|
|
Marcus send me your address and will send you a copy of the CD from years ago, we had 1 mic on the stage at church 1 amp, hooked up to the speaker and then to the telephone line and then to the station, worked suprisingly well, could not do that today. My wife would then record the program on a silvertone real to real tape recorder at home. You can hear the organ sound when I used it. A Regal 6 string guitar.
ernie |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 15 Oct 2009 2:49 pm Steel
|
|
Hi Ernie,
That is quite fascinating how you did the recording those days, and that it recorded nice and clearly using that technique. I have just sent you an email with my address details etc. I am most interested to hear the organ sound that you had back then.
Today I came across a Gospel LP by Pete Drake online, titled Steel away, and it says on the LP that he could simulate the sound of a harmonica, banjo, and violin also with his steel.
All the best
Marcus |
|
|
|
Ken Mizell
From:
Lakeland, Florida, 33809, USA
|
Posted 16 Oct 2009 5:16 pm
|
|
I really enjoyed the days when the Gospel quartet shows would come on TV on Sunday Morning when we were getting ready to go to church. Hal was one of my favorite singers on the show with the Dixie Echoes, and I remember the guitar he played being as long as he is tall. Great singer. They have some good videos over on YouTube.
_________________
Steeless. |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 17 Oct 2009 7:14 pm Hal Kennedy
|
|
I've heard a bit about that show, called the Gospel Singing Jubilee, and I have watched a few of those clips on youtube. Hal would be one of my favorite singers.
Marcus
_________________
Emmons Black Rock S-10, Hilton Volume, Peavey Nashville 400, Fender Steel King, Fender Champion 40, Line 6 Echo Park Delay, Bullet Tone Bar. |
|
|
|
Alan Miller
From:
, England, UK.
|
Posted 18 Oct 2009 3:12 pm Re: Steel
|
|
[quote="Marcus Provis"]
Today I came across a Gospel LP by Pete Drake online, titled Steel away, and it says on the LP that he could simulate the sound of a harmonica, banjo, and violin also with his steel.
Marcus ,In an interview many years ago Pete also said he was the cheapest string section in Nashville by playing chords slightly detuned then overdubbing a second identical piece then mixing them together.
He also added it could be done with two players together but he found it sounded better doing it twice himself.
So if you hear strings on such as Charley Rich / george & tammy's epic rtecords releases it could be Pete Drake making himself some extra $$$$ |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 19 Oct 2009 2:53 pm Pete Drake
|
|
Alan, that is some interesting info on Pete's playing, and about his ability to mimic a string section with his steel.
He seemed to be a very inventive player with the steel. I have since found, on one of my Gospel recordings, an intro he does that sounds identical to a smooth violin, and many others with the leslie organ speaker sound.
Regards
Marcus
_________________
Emmons Black Rock S-10, Hilton Volume, Peavey Nashville 400, Fender Steel King, Fender Champion 40, Line 6 Echo Park Delay, Bullet Tone Bar. |
|
|
|
Alan Miller
From:
, England, UK.
|
Posted 20 Oct 2009 1:21 am
|
|
Marcus, Pete Drake did seemed to push the boundaries,makes me wonder if he had lived 20 more years where he would have taken pedal steel.
I personally think his early passing left a gap in the "high profile" promotion of the instrument until Paul franklin came along with mark Knopfler.
I cant find the interview with the explanation of how he did the string section sound my earlier recollection might not be totally accurate I think maybe one take was detuned and mixed with an in tune take.
Im now trying to find the Hal Kennedy album , wondering if it is available somewhere ,is it deleted or has it been re issued. |
|
|
|
Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 20 Oct 2009 1:43 am guitar
|
|
If my mind serves me right Hal Played a Moserite, spelling ??? they were custon built and was long as stated.
A side note on the Dixie Echoes 1972 recoedings was Billy Dale Sexton steel and tenor singer.
On the southern Gospel album both Billy Dale and I are on steel, I did some of the songs on this album while Billy Dale was singing, we did them with the whole band instead of dubbing the steel later this way it was faster recording time.
They used AKG 1000 mikes with rolloff switches I have 3 of them now, good stereo mikes.
ernie |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 20 Oct 2009 2:41 pm
|
|
Alan, I enjoy listening to Pete Drake's steel work on some of the Gospel albums I have here that were recorded in the 60's, and was amazed at the different sounds he could get out of his steel back then. I read somewhere that he also could do the brass section on the steel. There are a couple of Hal Kennedy's LP recordings for sale on Ebay at present, and he also sells them (on CD) on his website www.halkennedy.com.
Ernie, I think that he's playing one of those Moserite's in a video on Youtube with the Dixie Echoes, the song is called "Give Up". Hal had a nice way of playing guitar. I will have to look out for that recording of the Dixie Echoes from 1972, with Billy Dale Sexton playing the steel, and the Southern Gospel one with your playing on it. I don't think I've heard much of his playing before. I would be interested to hear his and your playing.
Regards
Marcus
_________________
Emmons Black Rock S-10, Hilton Volume, Peavey Nashville 400, Fender Steel King, Fender Champion 40, Line 6 Echo Park Delay, Bullet Tone Bar. |
|
|
|
Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
|
Posted 20 Oct 2009 2:53 pm
|
|
About all of the guitar players on the Gospel scene played Mosrites back then. They were built by Semie Mosely, mostly in California, but some were built in Oklahoma, and North Carolina, I think it was. Semie, unfortunately died in 1994, way too young. He was a master guitar maker, but not a very good businessman.
I wanted a Mosrite back when I first started playing guitar, but there was no way I could afford one, but I found one about 15 years ago, in perfect condition. I think this one was made in 1972, according to the pot dates. I hardly ever get it out, I'm afraid something might happen to it. I'll probably never sell this guitar, I'll let my kids do something with it when I'm gone. Maybe my grandson will play guitar.
 
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro. |
|
|
|
Alan Miller
From:
, England, UK.
|
Posted 21 Oct 2009 12:11 am
|
|
Marcus, Now you mention it Pete did do a horn section on steel, I think he did it in the intro to Porter and Dolly's recording of " Just a girl I used to know".
Pete must have been on many gospel sessions , his own gospel album "steel away" sounds just right and being a ministers son will have given him extra credentials in a time when some artistes (like the louvin brothers) being contracted to do a gospel songs each appearance.
Thanks for he link . |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 21 Oct 2009 2:07 pm
|
|
Darvin, thank you for the info about the Mosrite Guitars, and the maker of them, I knew very little, if anything about them but had noticed that it states on the Happy Goodmans LP's that they "Played Mosrite Instruments Exclusively". Your guitar is a very nice example, thanks for posting the pics. I don't blame you for wanting to look after it, it looks immaculate. I guess they'd be pretty hard to come across nowadays.
Alan, It would be interesting to hear what Pete's horn section sounds like on the steel. I recently purchased Pete Drakes "Steel Away" Gospel album from Ebay, I'm looking forward to hearing what it's like. The steel lends itself so nicely to those Gospel songs.
Regards
Marcus
_________________
Emmons Black Rock S-10, Hilton Volume, Peavey Nashville 400, Fender Steel King, Fender Champion 40, Line 6 Echo Park Delay, Bullet Tone Bar. |
|
|
|
Alan Miller
From:
, England, UK.
|
Posted 22 Oct 2009 2:37 am
|
|
Hi Marcus , Pete's "Steel away" album is very good, his playing is velvety smooth , I got the vinyl LP in the 70s.
If you have Porter and Dolly's version of "Just a girl I used to know" (Their version was called JUST SOMEONE I USED TO KNOW )the intro/outro has horn sounds in there they don't sound exactly like a proper horn would so it more than likely is from the steel.
The liner notes don't mention anything about it but it was about the time he was doing these other"sounds"so it could be him.
Did the Hal kennedy album have any strings,horns ? |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 22 Oct 2009 5:01 pm
|
|
Hi Alan, I am looking forward to hearing the "Steel Away" album when it arrives here, I don't have Porter and Dolly's recording, no, but Pete's steel playing mimicking the horn sounds interesting though. Hal Kennedy's albums do feature the strings sound, or solo violin sound, and also the Hammond Organ Leslie sound on the steel, but they don't, to my knowledge have the horn sound.
Regards
Marcus
_________________
Emmons Black Rock S-10, Hilton Volume, Peavey Nashville 400, Fender Steel King, Fender Champion 40, Line 6 Echo Park Delay, Bullet Tone Bar. |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 27 Oct 2009 6:52 pm
|
|
I wondered also whether Jack Smith might have played for Hal Kennedy at one point, sometime in the 70's?
I thought that I recognized some of his playing, but I could be wrong there.
Marcus
_________________
Emmons Black Rock S-10, Hilton Volume, Peavey Nashville 400, Fender Steel King, Fender Champion 40, Line 6 Echo Park Delay, Bullet Tone Bar. |
|
|
|
Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 28 Oct 2009 11:48 am hi
|
|
Marcus I have several of Dixie Echoes albums on reel to reel as saon as I can get a new belt on my sony I will convert them to CDS and send them to you.
ernie |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 28 Oct 2009 2:20 pm hi
|
|
Hi Ernie, that is very kind of you, thank you. I enjoy the Dixie Echoes. I have an LP Album of theirs called "Coming on strong, and features Hal Kennedy. It is quite a nice album.
Today I received an LP Album which I purchased off EBay of Hal Kennedy's entitled "Shoutin' On the Hills" and it is still sealed and un-played.
All the best
Marcus
_________________
Emmons Black Rock S-10, Hilton Volume, Peavey Nashville 400, Fender Steel King, Fender Champion 40, Line 6 Echo Park Delay, Bullet Tone Bar. |
|
|
|
Marcus Provis
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Posted 5 Nov 2009 1:06 pm Pete Drake
|
|
I recently received Pete Drake's Steel Away Gospel LP which I purchased from eBay, and gave it a listen. His playing sure is smooth, you hear him using his "talking Steel Guitar" technique on it, but I love his smooth intros etc, he has a unique style of playing. He played those Gospel songs so well.
Regards to all
Marcus
_________________
Emmons Black Rock S-10, Hilton Volume, Peavey Nashville 400, Fender Steel King, Fender Champion 40, Line 6 Echo Park Delay, Bullet Tone Bar. |
|
|
|
