Bobby Caldwell Passes away

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

Moderators: Donna Dodd, Lori Lee Smith

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Roger Miller
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Post by Roger Miller »

One of the most respected guitarist, Bobby you will be missed and your presence will be felt at the ISGC. Rest in Peace and God Speed.
Roger Miller
Mike Cass

Post by Mike Cass »

This is very sad news. Like others before me, I thought his release and going home was to be good news.
Rest in peace my friend, you will be greatly missed. My condolences to Linda and family.
MC
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Ned McIntosh
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Post by Ned McIntosh »

I've only know Bobby through the forum and via the many Youtube videos he appears in, but this is a great loss to all steel-players and musicians who love the genres of music in which Bobby excelled. I add my sincerest condolences to his many, many friends and to his family.

"By his friends you may know him, by his deeds you may judge him." Seems he did well on both counts. RIP.
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.
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Chuck S. Lettes
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Post by Chuck S. Lettes »

Sad news. Bobby was an inspiration and a friend to the steel guitar community. I will miss him and his wonderful music.
Chuck
Don Lanier
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Bobby youll be Missed

Post by Don Lanier »

Bobby was a true Gentleman of the stage, in my few short years of knowing Bobby I was truly impressed in his abilitys, he seemed to know all music, anyones music, and could jump in with the best, and Lead or Follow, always knowing what and how to play with anyone. Bobby was never Loud, or Bragging, he never was short with anyone that I know, He had boundless freinds, and at the ISGC I was blessed to work for him and with him. RIP Brother Bobby but we rejoice as we know your Home, your smile will brighten our days,and your Shoes will be hard to fill. Heaven is a blessed place with Bobby in the Show.

Bobby made our Job easier with his helpful tips and cues, he always knew how to direct you without being bossy or short, his skill as a Stage manager, and Musician, MC are unequaled.

God Speed my Musician Brother, and My deepest Condolences to your Family and Linda, You wont be forgotten, nor easily replaced, God Speed.
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Tony Davis
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Post by Tony Davis »

What a Sad day......Bobby was a brilliant musician and a very nice man to be with....I am happy to say that we were friends.....when I recieved the sad news this morning I immediately called my Buddy Warren Nielsen who has been friends with Bobby for years....he was pretty cut up...said.."well maybe he is now in a better place "
He asked that I name Him in my post
So from myself and my family
And from Warren and his family
RIP Bobby
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Laurie Ayres
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Post by Laurie Ayres »

Roy & I are so saddened by this news! We have been praying everyday for him & his family. Bobby has gone home and I'm sure John and all the rest are glad to see him. Linda may God comfort you & your whole family. We loved Bobby and will miss him so much. The International Steel Guitar Convention will not be the same without him. I thank God every day that he knew he would be inducted himself next year into the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame before God took him home. The phone call at the convention this year still echos in my head & heart. He will probably be the only guitar player ever to be inducted. What a honor for Bobby. Scotty that was a very thoughtful thing you did. Bobby RIP your pain & suffering is over now. WE WILL MISS you always. In Christ, Roy & Laurie
Hal Higgins
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Post by Hal Higgins »

Well, this is sad news, indeed....Bobby was, by far, one of the truly great and gifted guitarists to have ever put his hands to the neck of a guitar. A true stylist in every sense of the word. He will truly be missed, but is now where no more pain and suffering can ever be. Linda and family, please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. HAL & DEBE (the Higgins')
HAL...Excel D-10 w/ 8 & 5. SteelSeat.com w/back,SteelSeat.com Pedal Board on Legs with Quilter Tone Block 200 amp, Boss GE 7, Boss DD 3, Boss RV 6, Boss RT-20 Hilton Expression Pedal, Evans Cabinet with 4 ohm Eminence 15" speaker. BJS birthstone bar, Powder coated Tone bar by Michael Hillman. Dunlop Coated finger picks and Zookies L30 thumb picks.
Leroy Riggs
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Post by Leroy Riggs »

This is sad. Margie and I will miss him. What a fabulous musician and person.

Our most sincere regards to his family.
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Dave Mudgett
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Post by Dave Mudgett »

Very sad news indeed. My prayers and condolences to his family and close friends.
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Ted Tonjes
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This is so sad!

Post by Ted Tonjes »

This is such sad news. My condolences to Linda and family,

Ted
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Jonathan Cullifer
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Post by Jonathan Cullifer »

I'm sorry to hear this. I didn't know Bobby well, but like so many others have said, he was a great person and guitar player. He will be missed. My prayers to his family and friends.

Jonathan
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Tommy Dodd
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Post by Tommy Dodd »

After going to St. Louis for so many years you become expectant of being "surprised" by someone or something at the show every time. But, the one thing you were never surprised by was the smiling face, abundance of talent, and the warm gracious greeting of Bobby Caldwell. I, like so many more of you, are honored to have shared time on the stage with him. He was always totally supportive of the music you were trying to deliver for the audience and always gave away more credit to others than he was willing to accept for himself.

We missed him this last convention and will for many years to come. Go rest in peace my friend and brother....

Tommy & Donna
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Scott Henderson
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Post by Scott Henderson »

All this testimony to Bobby's ability, talent, and friendship is absolutely awesome. I don't believe I have met anyone who loved music more than BC. When he played his heart was in every note. He loved talking about it, listening to it, and most of all sharing it with his friends. I enjoyed so much my friendship and thank God for the opportunity to spend time with him. Dino...I love the Cjam throw down story. It was a hoot swapping licks with him on that one. That's a good memory. Herb...I will also miss hearing those words " Love ya Pal" Teresa and I send our thoughts and prayers to Linda and family. Always remember what a great friend Bobby was to all he met. That's more than a great life... it's a legacy. We'll miss you BC.
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Bobbe Seymour
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Post by Bobbe Seymour »

Words can not discribe my sorrow. I'll miss this great friend until it's my time also.
Such a wonderful friend to every steel player everywhere.

Goodbye Bobby, we all love you and always will.


Bobbe Seymour,
(one of your millions of fans).
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Bill Ferguson
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Post by Bill Ferguson »

Bobby and I have been close friends for some 32 years. I was fortunate to go and see Bobby during the ISGC.
It was kind of funny. Bobby asked that we bring a stack of programs for him to autograph since he could not be at the show.

I will treasure mine forever.

I am in Orlando, but will leave tonight for St Louis to be there for Bobby's funeral.

I love you Bobby, Rest In Peace

Bill
Marcel Parijs
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Post by Marcel Parijs »

Bobby,

What a treasure for a lot of friends. The best guitar player ever. Rest in peace.
My thoughts are to the Caldwell family.

Marcel Parijs
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Thomas Cepek
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Post by Thomas Cepek »

Heard this sad news from my friend Walter Stettner right now.

I´m very sad about this and have tears in my eyes. Met Bobby in person at Scotty´s Convention 2007 and 2008. Such a great person and guitar player.

I will miss him much at my future convention visits.

My sincere thoughts are to his family.

Warmest regards... Thomas
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Jody Carver
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Post by Jody Carver »

I'm shocked and so sorry, Bobby was a friend, he helped me during my set in St.Louis when my steel was out of tune, he then said, Jody,play it buddy and I'll cover you and he smiled at me..It was during my induction on September 2, 2004..

Rest in peace dear friend and my condolences to your family...God Bless your sweet soul.
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Brad Sarno
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Post by Brad Sarno »

An indescribable loss...

Bobby you and your music will truly be missed. Thanks for all the years you gave of yourself to us.


Rest in peace


Brad & Auset Sarno
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Mike Gross
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Post by Mike Gross »

There isn't much that I can say that hasn't been said. Susan and I send all of our kindest and most meaningful thoughts to his family.
Mike
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Terry Wood
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Post by Terry Wood »

Another one of the all time greats is gone!

Just a super player, entertainer and friend of the steel players forever!

I am thankful that I got to hear him and see him play with my heroes like Julian THarpe, Curly Chalker, Zane Beck, Speedy West and hosts of others.

Bobby we love you and no one will take your place.

May GOD bless the family and friends!

Terry and Lisa Wood
J PARKER
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Sad

Post by J PARKER »

R I P Bobby. Your family is in my prayers
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Archie Nicol
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Post by Archie Nicol »

A sad loss to all in the international music community. His legacy will live on in the recorded form for most of us, but with pride in his own immediate family.

Our Heartfelt Condolences.

June and Archie Nicol.
John Cullifer
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Post by John Cullifer »

My condolences and prayers go out to Bobby's family. I remember him as a very kind person and a pleasure to be around.
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