Another great one is gone

Jon Graboff · Post by **Jon Graboff** » 2 Feb 2005 9:09 am

What a shock! Jimmie called me at Christmas time to wish me a happy holiday season. I haven't had a chance to visit with him in person for almost two years but once Jimmie considered you part of his extended family, none of that stuff mattered. That was the kind of guy he was and I feel a little lonelier already. Jimmie once confided in me that he felt that most steel players didn't really get what he was doing on this most enigmatic instrument. After a few hours of sitting with him in his music room listening to him play, I came to the conclusion that he was right. His approach to the pedal steel guitar was profoundly deep and complex but executed so skillfully that it didn’t shout out “HEY, LISTEN TO THIS! I think a great way for us to honor Jimmie’s memory is to pull out his recordings and try to get a handle on what that sly fox was up to. I think he would dig that. Sleep peacefully my old friend

Lonnie Portwood · Post by **Lonnie Portwood** » 2 Feb 2005 9:10 am

I'm so very sorry to hear this news. God bless the family, Jimmy, Rest in Peace. Lonnie

Joe Adams · Post by **Joe Adams** » 2 Feb 2005 9:25 am

Very sad day - Good Friend - He built my first steel in 1961 - My prayers to his family.

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 2 Feb 2005 9:51 am

Teresa and I offer our most sincere condolences to Jimmie's family.

He was a dear friend, a wonderful and innovative player, and one one of the legends of our beloved instrument.

Fortunately for Jimmie, his family, friends and fans, he leaves as a legend, and unfortunately, relatively few true legends such as Jimmie remain.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 2 Feb 2005 9:58 am

Jimmie was one of a kind. He always treated me as a friend with kindness and a warm funny joke to send me back to Buffalo, even though I was a nobody. He never shunned me. He was a monster picker. When it comes to steel players, he was the real deal. Goodbye Jimmie. Rest in peace brother.

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 2 Feb 2005 10:00 am

God Bless Jimmy

Jay Dee Maness · Post by **Jay Dee Maness** » 2 Feb 2005 10:09 am

This truly breaks my heart. Jimmy and I go back to 1969. All my best to his family

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 2 Feb 2005 10:10 am

Sad news indeed
my sincere condoleances to Jimmie's family
may the Lord keep Jimmie close to Him

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 2 Feb 2005 10:25 am

Ah, this breaks my heart. I have so enjoyed getting to know Jimmy better over the last year. A truly wonderful person. My thoughts are with you, Elsie, and the whole family.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Mark van Allen on 02 February 2005 at 10:28 AM.]</p></FONT>

Jerry Braswell · Post by **Jerry Braswell** » 2 Feb 2005 10:49 am

Many years ago while living in Nashville I got to know Jimmie through him working on my guitars. He will be missed by many who got to know him through his music and won his friendship. My prayers are with his family.

Terry Bethel · Post by **Terry Bethel** » 2 Feb 2005 10:52 am

Jimmie Crawford, Innovator, Steel Guitar Builder, but most importantly a great family man. Jimmie was a true friend and I will miss him. Our prayers got out to the family.
Terry and Pat Bethel

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 2 Feb 2005 10:53 am

My Condolences..Thats a huge shock..
Hook

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HookMoore.com
Allen Moore

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 2 Feb 2005 11:01 am

I never met Jimmie,,but I sure met his playing! Makes me sad to think another great one has left our steel guitar community.
My Sincere Sympathy to his family.

Rick Johnson · Post by **Rick Johnson** » 2 Feb 2005 11:05 am

I'm at a loss for words.
My best to the family.

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Rick Johnson

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 2 Feb 2005 11:06 am

Our prayers go out to Elsie and family.
Jimmy built my p/p in his basement in'77. I am as proud of the fact that Jimmy built it as I am in owning it for all these years.
Good by my friend.

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 2 Feb 2005 11:27 am

IT IS WITH TEARS IN MY EYES THAT I TOO HAVE LOST A GREAT MENTOR AND FRIEND, GOD BLESS JIMMY'S FAMILY AND GIVE THEM PEACE. THEY HAVE MY LOVE. JIMMY I WILL MISS YOU SORELY AND REST IN PEACE..... AND CONTINUE TO MAKE THOSE BEAUTIFULL ANGELIC SOUNDS ON YOUR GUITAR FOR THE ANGELIC HOSTS.....GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU...............JENNINGS

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

bruce fischer · Post by **bruce fischer** » 2 Feb 2005 11:28 am

Our deepest sympathy to the Crawford family. May God bless you and comfort you. bruce & lynn

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 2 Feb 2005 11:34 am

About ten years ago, I met Jimmie briefly at Bobbe Seymour's store. My lasting impression was that he was a salt-of-the-earth kind of person. He patiently answered my questions and I was struck by the sincerity and kindness of his remarks. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 2 Feb 2005 11:35 am

My heart goes out to Elsie and her family in this sad,sad time, and my prayers are with them. We have lost a great friend,artist,psg innovator and designer. There will never be another Jimmie.
Im truly crushed at this shocking news.

Cor Muizer Jr · Post by **Cor Muizer Jr** » 2 Feb 2005 11:39 am

this is really bad news,
our condolences are going through his family.
we are losing a great steelplayer/builder and a very nice man.

FROM THE DUTCH STEELGUITAR PLAYERS

Cor

john buffington · Post by **john buffington** » 2 Feb 2005 11:48 am

One behalf of the officers and all the members of the OSGA, we extend our deepest sympathies to the Jimmie Crawford family.

John Buffington, Pres. OSGA (Okla. Steel Guitar Assoc.)

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 2 Feb 2005 11:52 am

lately I`m scared to check this forum anymore,so many great people and musicians are leaving us.God bless Jimmy and all of his family.
Db

Buck Grantham · Post by **Buck Grantham** » 2 Feb 2005 12:37 pm

Our condolences and prayers go out to Jimmy's family..

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 2 Feb 2005 12:59 pm

Our condolences to the Crawford family; I was talking with Jimmie last week. He told me of doing a project to teach the young players his open string picking technique. Of course I said that I would want it too. I told him that I had mentioned him to an old acquaintance that he knew on Air Force One during the Johnson years etc. It was a great conversation. This is a tremendous loss.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 2 Feb 2005 1:25 pm

Jimmy was a close friend since he was 17 years old. We lived a mile from each other for the last 30 years. My biggest inspiration ever! What a great friend, since 1954, miss him? Like you'll never know.

bobbe