Kayton Roberts

Richard Paul · Post by **Richard Paul** » 19 Nov 2009 3:01 pm

Was watching a special from 12 0r 15 years ago. Ricky Scaggs was doing a couple of Hank Sr. songs the steel player was "Kayton Roberts". Hadn't heard of him before, but could he play. What about some info on him?
Ricky was sure enjoying his playing.

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 19 Nov 2009 3:42 pm

Played for Hank Snow for many years. I am thinking he did quite a bit of session work for various artists. Did a nice album with Herb Remington a while back, "Nashville to Houston". Did some sessions with Tri-Cephus, that is him on "Broke, Lovesick, and Drifting".

He has been around for a long time. A fixture on the Opry for years. Outstanding musician!

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 19 Nov 2009 4:12 pm

Jeff Strouse posted an interveiw here on the forum 7-5-02 about Kayton by Russ Rask from the old steel mag.He worked with Hank 25 years,he replaced Jimmy Crawford. Other than the Snow records you can find him on several Hank the third ,Jimmy Dale Kilmore,Herb Remington,Billy Joe Shaver,Riders in The Sky,and instrumental albums of his own. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Jeff Bradshaw · Post by **Jeff Bradshaw** » 19 Nov 2009 6:02 pm

I am thrilled to see this thread. I also believe Kayton is a very very fine musician...further to that, I believe that we are lucky he choose to play steel guitar as he would have been just as good on any instrument that he chose to play...you should hear him sing!!!! Even better than his musicianship is the kindness & generosity he displays for his fellow man, I have never met a man that I like more!!! Best regards. ..jeff

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 19 Nov 2009 6:11 pm

Yes; I , too , believe Kayton is one of the all time greats on performing on the lap steel ; was the back-ground sound of Hank Snow for a long time; saw him a couple of times on the grand Ole opry working with Hank S. A superb steel guitar picker; does anyone have a clip or two you would share with your fellow SGF members..Thank you so much..Bernie

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 19 Nov 2009 7:35 pm

Kayton is wonderful. Here's a link of him at the convention in St.Louis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teckYeLQ ... re=related

Jim R. Harrison · Post by **Jim R. Harrison** » 20 Nov 2009 2:12 am

Here are a few photos I took of Kayton playing at Jeff Bradshaw's 6th Canadian Steel Guitar Show in late June this year. See Jeff's reference, above. Regards, Jim Harrison

Charlie St Denis · Post by **Charlie St Denis** » 20 Nov 2009 5:39 am

Kayton is currently helping out a gentleman name
Rob Mcnurlin from Kentucky. A few weeks ago I
got to visit Kayton and he went on and on about
the great time he had at Jeff Bradshaw's in Alberta
and he's always been like an adaopted Canadian.
He also calls Alan Fralick from Canada his Brother.
He's gonna be 76 soon and hasn't lost his touch
or sense of humour.
www.robmcnurlin.com
Thanks

Charlie

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 20 Nov 2009 9:34 am

Dang, McNurlin's youtube stuff is excellant.

Richard Paul · Post by **Richard Paul** » 20 Nov 2009 6:18 pm

Thanks for the info on Keyton. I seen Hank preform a couple of times back in the early fifty's. So I just forgot who was playing for Hank. Wish I could share these with you's, but I'm Computer Illiterate. And probably don't have the right equipment. But his playing is something else.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 20 Nov 2009 6:24 pm

I once heard that the little FENDER dbl-8 that Kayton is pictured playing........is the same one he's played down thro' these many, many years.

It still has great sounds coming off of it.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 20 Nov 2009 6:53 pm

I once heard that the little FENDER dbl-8 that Kayton is pictured playing........is the same one he's played down thro' these many, many years.

Yes, It's a 1951 Fender D-8 that Kayton's parents gave him when he was a young man. He's been playing That guitar for his entire career... almost 60 years! There's a good lesson here for gearheads who constantly buy and sell guitars & amps in search of some magic tone. I have a lot of respect for Kayton and his music. I've heard him play some Hot solos on that old Fender!

Asa Brosius · Post by **Asa Brosius** » 20 Nov 2009 9:34 pm

Looks like Kayton is using a standard stevens-style bar in the pics above-strikes me as unusual for a player of his generation and style.

Asa

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 20 Nov 2009 10:22 pm

Here's a video of Kayton playing "St Louis Blues". He's really mastered the "boo-wah" tone control effect. Kayton plays with so much energy and enthusiasm!

---> CLICK

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 21 Nov 2009 12:25 am

I saw him play in St. Louis one year, and he blew me away. Loved his playing, and more than that the joy, energy and brightness he brings to the stage. Amazing. Thanks for the links!

-Travis

Thomas Ludwig · Post by **Thomas Ludwig** » 21 Nov 2009 7:39 am

I know him from the Hank III CDs, he is an awesome player. I always try to copy his style as close as I can. Big inspiration.

Thomas

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 21 Nov 2009 7:57 am

Kayton Robert's name came up while I was at Jeff Newman's school in Nashville. Jeff said that if Kayton had ever gone to a pedal steel, there would not have been anyone that could top him. Kayton is amazing, for sure.

A little personal information on him. He has a son named Louie that is a super, super singer. He does Marty Robbins like nobody else."Little Louie" even sang on the Grand Ole Opry several times when he was a child and brought the house down. The last time I saw Louie he was singing in the Carolina Opry Show at Myrtle Beach. Also, somebody told me that Kayton had a full time job working in a shoe factory, even when he was playing with Hank Snow all those years.

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 21 Nov 2009 8:16 am

I've been a Kayton Roberts fan for 40 years. I think he deserves to be inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.

It would be really great if it happens for he's gone. Same for Bobbe Seymour, Sonny Garrish they need to be included on the memory WAll.

GOD Bless!

Terry Wood

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 21 Nov 2009 9:13 am

He was here at Chubbys Steel Guitar Show three or four years ago (I think two tears straight) His wife, Iva Lee, was with him then and sang a few and played keyboard, if I remember correctly. She passed not too long ago. Kayton absolutely STOLE the show and the crowd loved him. It brought tears to some eyes it was so good at times. I bought a couple of copies of all the CD's he had with him. I hope he comes back into this area again soon. What a talent and really nice feller to talk to also....

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 21 Nov 2009 11:27 am

I agree 100% - a great player with a distinctive sound and a super nice person. His stage presence is always fantastic.

Kind Regards, Walter

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 23 Nov 2009 6:58 am

Doug Beaumier wrote:
I once heard that the little FENDER dbl-8 that Kayton is pictured playing........is the same one he's played down thro' these many, many years.
Yes, It's a 1951 Fender D-8 that Kayton's parents gave him when he was a young man. He's been playing That guitar for his entire career... almost 60 years! There's a good lesson here for gearheads who constantly buy and sell guitars & amps in search of some magic tone. I have a lot of respect for Kayton and his music. I've heard him play some Hot solos on that old Fender!

Doug,

It appears that Kayton is a man that is totally impervious to GAS (gear aquisition syndrome).

There was an interview in Russ Rask's magazine one time whee he stated not only what you said about the Fender, but that he also still uses his same DeArmond volume pedal that he has had since day one! He said he only had one malfunction with the pedal, in the 60's as I recall, a worn out volume pot string, Shot Jackson replaced it and it is still going strong!

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