Laney Hicks is my new favorite singer!

Jim Loessberg · Post by **Jim Loessberg** » 24 Jan 2005 1:05 am

There were many highlights to the Arizona show but as a part-time record producer one of my favorites was getting to hear Laney and Russ Hicks sing and play. I had heard one of her CDs prior to the show so I was really glad to find out she and Russ were scheduled. I couldn't wait to hear her sing live and she was as good in person as she is on the CDs. This isn't always the case with some singers!

Laney has joined the long list of my favorite female Country singers including in no particular order Connie Smith, Leona Williams, Norma Jean, Patsy Sledd, Loretta Lynn, Lynn Anderson, Wanda Jackson, Jeannie Seeley, Jean Shepard, Tammy Wynette, Dottie West, Diane McCall, Mona McCall, Pam Kalson and Amber Digby (a post about her new CD will follow this one). I include all these names only to let you know how highly I regard Laney's singing.

Of course I have admired Russ Hicks playing throughout my entire career and he is still among my favorites.

At any rate, I highly recommend all of Laney's and Russ' material. You'll hear some great steel playing and some great singing!

Best wishes,

Jim[This message was edited by Jim Loessberg on 24 January 2005 at 01:23 AM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 24 Jan 2005 3:14 am

Jim I couldn't agree more..as many will state...

and...

Although I really don't know Russ and Laney personally, we have met and talked a few times..

Both of them are high on my list of

"I am glad I have crossed paths with them"

Both are as personal as can be and treat you like they have known you for years when you are in there company....

My wife, Bonnie, loves Russ..and each time we either see , hear or talk about him she tells me so...

and I just say..

"Oh yeh..well I love Laney..so there"....

geesh...

I just can't get any respect over here...

t

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 24 January 2005 at 03:14 AM.]

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 24 Jan 2005 4:59 am

Know what you mean, Jim! The first time I heard Russ and Laney do "Invitation to the Blues", I was hooked. And they are just super people to know, too. First class all the way.

Rick Johnson · Post by **Rick Johnson** » 24 Jan 2005 5:08 am

I couldn't agree more.
Laney and Russ are super people.

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Rick Johnson

Dean Dobbins · Post by **Dean Dobbins** » 24 Jan 2005 6:52 am

There cannot be enough praise for this Lady,who's "discovery" is way over due.
It's great to see her getting some recognition she so richly deserves.
Russ is a pretty good guy, also, and if you are fortunate enough to spend some time with them in Nashville, you will be treated like royalty--just look out for Russ, 'cause he'll get you on Green Chili Burritos, (wiyh extra green chillies), and believe me, they are HOT!
They will be at the Waterloo, Ia. show in Feb., along with Herby Wallace,- what a show this will be, so if at all possible, you Forumites need to be there!

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Dino

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 24 Jan 2005 7:26 am

Jim....
We are so glad that Russ and Laney could be a part of the Mesa show, and they are indeed top favorites of everyone. We also enjoyed having you play, your set was great. I bought your new CD, and it is also dynamite. Thanks to you and Curtis Potter for being a great part of the show also.

Billy Easton
Casa Grande, AZ

Buck Grantham · Post by **Buck Grantham** » 24 Jan 2005 9:36 am

They are both great musicians and they are super nice people and we love them a lot.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 24 Jan 2005 12:31 pm

Laney is definitely a great singer and she's also a great friend of mine. I love to hear her sing while Russ plays steel. She's got a beautiful voice! Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10

Mike Sigler · Post by **Mike Sigler** » 24 Jan 2005 7:22 pm

I Know laney gets tired of me saying this, but SHE IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE Finest Country Singer Today!!!! I challenge anyone to sit down and try to find Any Flaw in her voice what-so-ever... Perfect pitch, Emotion, and not to mention her style.
( I know Russ is sitting there saying...
"You Silver tounge Devel"

But the bottom line is, She Can Flat Sing! Oh Yea, and it doesn't hurt to have steel guitars best next to her..
Love You Both!!

Mike

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 24 Jan 2005 7:55 pm

Jim,great thread about two of my favorite people in this musical family of ours.
Laney you sang soo sweet and good at the Arizona show,even with that ole hairy legged guy playing steel behind you,(hee hee)
I love ya both!
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Fred Justice

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 24 Jan 2005 8:19 pm

LET ME SHOUT TO EVERYONE THAT CAN READ OR HEAR.... LANEY IS THE VERY BEST SINGER , BAR NONE, THAT IS APPEARING TODAY AND INT THE FUTURE....AND SHE IS JUST AS NICE A PERSON AS YOU WILL EVER WANT TO MEET.. I CAN NOT SING HER PRAISES ENOUGH, AND I PRAY THAT THIS DOES NOT EMBARRESS HER...SHE IS ONE OF MY ANGELS.....THE 1 ST... NOW ABOUT RUSS, HE AND I GREW UP IN THE SAME PART OF W.VA. AND WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG , PLAYED ON THE SAME RADIO STATION, AT DIFFEREN TIMES,, I AM OLDER, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT.[ HUMOR RUSS]RUSS AND LANEY ARE WITH OUT A DOUBT 2 OF THE NICEST PEOPLE I HAVE EVER KNOWN,,, AND I LOVE THEM BOTH, EVEN IF RUSS CAN OUT PLAY ME AND LANEY IS PRETTIER AND CAN SING BETTER THAN ME,,,,,HAHA..I THINK I HAVE ABOUT WORN OUT THEIR CD'S AND MY CD PLAYER..TOP NOTCH MUSIC.. NOW WHEN YOU SEE MY FAVORITE PEOPLE ,BE NICE TO THEM,,AND I WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT,,,,,YOUR OLD POSSUM EATING FRIEND,, JENNINGS,,,,,,WHO PLAYS STEEL FOR THE BEAUTIFULL ANGELIC SOUND OF IT......

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

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 24 Jan 2005 8:37 pm

Russ and Laney Hicks. A class act. Hope ya'll make the Texas Show. Lve ya'll, Jody.

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 25 Jan 2005 4:09 am

Laney signed her CD and gave it to me in St Louis..in exchange for a CD I had brought for Russ.....she also gave me a big Hug...........also we got taken around to their house outside Nashville by Smiley...to a party for Hal Rugg coming through the big C....I got to be made so welcome in Laney and Russes place..including another Hug from Laney and a big handshake from Russ..just after he set his Dog on us!!!!!
All the Top steel players were there....like I had died and gone to Heaven.............but in my books....Laney is right at the top as number one of nice people I know!!!!!!!!!
Tony

Pat Dawson · Post by **Pat Dawson** » 25 Jan 2005 8:08 am

Two more great reasons to be at the Northern Virginia Steel Show and Jam on Feb. 5 & 6 at the Vienna, Va. Moose Lodge.

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1970 Emmons D10
Nashville 1000

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 25 Jan 2005 5:35 pm

She's always been my favorite! Nick

Russ Hicks · Post by **Russ Hicks** » 25 Jan 2005 6:07 pm

It isn't true that "words can never hurt me". Words are powerful. When they're spoken to build someone up they perform magic in the soul! In post after post on this Steel Guitar Forum, people who simply love and desire to experience making real Music are being encouraged by both peers and heroes alike. I think that's pretty neat! I really appreciate these "words of encouragement". They matter;even when they're spoken in "love" and are maybe just a little exaggerated,(but that's okay...it gives me just a little more imagined clout when I'm trying to convince Russ that I know just as much about music as he does! yeah, yeah, I know, that'll be the day.............that I convince him...

Thanks guys!
I'd like to cook Sunday dinner for every one of you!
Love,
Laney

Wayne Smith · Post by **Wayne Smith** » 25 Jan 2005 6:45 pm

Wow, what a thread. Here are two of most wonderful folks you could ever meet. Their music speaks for itself, but their friendship and talented gifts to the steel guitar world as well as Country Music cannot be parralleled. You truly are committed to your music to make this a better place for all of us. Thank you for sharing your dedication with those of us in awe of your music. Keep it up. Can't wait to hear you at the Dallas Show.
Wayne & Perceline Smith[This message was edited by Wayne Smith on 25 January 2005 at 06:52 PM.]

Larry King · Post by **Larry King** » 25 Jan 2005 7:09 pm

Well said..everyone....these are my favorite couple....100% real.

Tony Dingus · Post by **Tony Dingus** » 25 Jan 2005 7:11 pm

Laney, I'm another one that loves your singing and I enjoyed both you and Russ at Bristol this past year and I even heard you're a "UT" fan! That's great. ha ha

Tony

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 26 Jan 2005 4:30 am

Laney,,you made me feel so welcome in St Louis....and the night that Smiley brought us around to your home outside of Nashville.......to see all of my Steel Heroes in one house..well my Jaw hit the ground!!!!!!!!!...Smiley real got me Big Time !!!!!............but I got over it........as I was already ..UP....knowing that I was being invited as a guest into your house.
Our Trip to USA would have just been a trip..look at shops..museaums and stuff....but knowing and meeting people like you and Russ....plus a house full of nice people.........and Smiley showing us around....well I dont think any amount of money could have bought the expierience,the fun and the people that we met
Thank You Laney
Tony

Sam White · Post by **Sam White** » 26 Jan 2005 7:23 am

Yes Yes I agree with all the above. I met Russ and Laney a couple of times and they are the best there is. Laney sings so much like Patsy Cline it is'nt funny.She has a great powerful Voice and Russ well I have never seen anyone pick as fast as he can.I don't think he has to take the back seat to any steel player and that includes the great Buddy Emmons.
Sam White

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 26 Jan 2005 8:20 am

Now that most of us have had the delight to hear Laney and Russ I have to tell you that it does not stop with their talent. These are two of the most wonderful people you could ever meet. Russ and Laney have opened their home to Joan and I many times and it's always such a pleasure to be with them. If you don't know them you need to. They will truly be a light in your life as they are in ours.

Johnny and Joan

Jerry Braswell · Post by **Jerry Braswell** » 26 Jan 2005 9:25 am

Russ and Laney, what a pair. I have been a Russ Hicks fan for many years and have many albums that he has played and sang on. I might add that I even got him to sign them for me. It was an honor to be invited to their home last year for a cook out. I asked them to participate in a fund raiser to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children last year and they were more than happy to help. On this show I was fortunate enough to sing a duet with Laney. Yes, she does sing. I too am a fan of Laney Hicks. A lot of talent in that family. I hope they will be open to a return trip to the Northwest Georgia Steel Guitar Show in the year 2006.

Jerry Braswell

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 26 Jan 2005 9:58 am

Jerry,
I hope you get to sing a duet with Laney sooner than February 2006! Russ and Laney, you are officially invited to the Georgia Steel Guitar Association's Georgia Peach Jam to be at the Hollonville Opry House on June 12th. We'll be in touch with Randy as well. A repeat of last June would be MARVELOUS! I know Randy plays golf, how 'bout you, Russ? We're looking at a little golf outing on June 11th, then going down to the Opry House Saturday night and giving the regular crowd there a taste of GREAT music. Can you imagine a show with Russ, Laney, Randy, Rob Parker and Jim Hartley? Might even get Larry Sasser to join us. The place would never be the same! How 'bout it guys?

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 26 Jan 2005 10:05 am

Can someone post a picture of LANEY HICKS!!