Ron Kirby --- Beautiful Steel Playing

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 19 Jan 2010 9:30 am

While going through YouTube and enjoying the many steel players and videos on there, I happened to run across this one that just sent some "John Hughey thrills" down my spine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVggjMiO ... re=channel

I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Kirby's playing on this video and it's my hope that you will, too.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 19 Jan 2010 12:56 pm

So Jim !! Do you know where he has been hiding ?? And yes, the Hughey influence is all over him, especially on his C6th work. I used to try and find the difference in tone between Curly and John but never could. I even tried to tell myself which one was closer to Jerry Byrd and failed there as well.

We have yet to uncover what is really out there as far as steel playing goes. I find it hard to believe that Mr. Kirby has been playing the woodshed for all this time...too much talent and skill there for that. But if he has been on the road with some big names I can't find that outlet either because someone else here on the Forum would have crossed trails with him before this.

If you can find a bio or more info, I for one would surely be interested in knowing where and when...

Regards, Paul

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 19 Jan 2010 2:36 pm

Hi, Paul ... you know as much as I about him at this point. I'm always scanning around in YouTube to hear the various steel players and enjoy their videos. And, often run across those I've never heard before.

When I came across Mr. Kirby's videos, I was pleasantly stunned. When I heard his playing on the particular video linked above, I closed my eyes (on listening to it the second time) and was so amazed. All too often, when we hear someone with John's influence in his playing, we tend to concentrate a lot on the left hand bar technique ... but, in this man's gentle playing, I hear John's influence everywhere: bar control, overall tone and phrasing, pick attack, volume pedal control, dynamics, etc.

I definitely would love to hear more of his playing.

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 19 Jan 2010 3:22 pm

Hey Jim, that was some great playing from Mr. Kirby.
I'll go back to it when I have more time and listen to some of the other ones. Will you be going to the Dallas show in March? If so, I hope to visit with you there. Larry B. (I wonder if He is related to the late Dave Kirby?)

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 19 Jan 2010 3:34 pm

Hi Larry ...
Yep, I'm going to the Dallas show this year and looking forward to visiting with many steel players I've not seen in years as well as meeting many I've not had the privilege of meeting yet. Definitely hope to see you there.

After doing a member search, I believe Mr. Ron Kirby is a member of the forum here.

If you happen to see the post, Ron, please accept my sincerest compliments on your video ... it was a great pleasure to hear your playing.

Tommy Alexander · Post by **Tommy Alexander** » 19 Jan 2010 5:08 pm

Ron Kirby lives in the Nashville area and is one of the best secrets around. I have heard several of his clips and he has written a bunch of them and plays everyone one of them just as good as the next one.
Ron should be invited to the Dallas show; you will get the treat of your life to hear him play.
While I'm braggin' on him, he also has a brother in Baytown, Tx. that is a great player in his own right.
If you ever get a chance to come to Katy, Tex on the first Sunday on the month, you might just see Dan Kirby there also; along with Billy Phelps, Jody Cameron, Jody Sanders and Bobby Bowman and a whole lot of other players.
Check the forum for a time listing for the Katy show.

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 19 Jan 2010 5:57 pm

Wow, that would really be nice if he were to get invited to play at the Dallas show sometime. I know just from what I've heard in these few clips that his playing would surely be a real treat.

I'd love to make it to the Katy show sometime. I'll definitely check for a time listing and try to make it there for one of the Katy shows.

Eddie Harper · Post by **Eddie Harper** » 19 Jan 2010 6:17 pm

I favorited quite a few of Ron's videos on Utube when he first posted them, but as I go back and see that the video is no longer available.

Ron's playing really gets your attention. One of the best steel players I've heard.. Hope he does some more videos sometime........Eddie

Stan Paxton · Post by **Stan Paxton** » 20 Jan 2010 11:29 am

Hey guys, you all said it right, Ron is a great player.

For the past some time I have tried to always catch his postings on the forum where he gave a link to his U-tube clips. If my memory serves me right, he & his brother were working on putting together an album of them both on it. Don't know if it was completed or not..

Ray Kedge · Post by **Ray Kedge** » 20 Jan 2010 4:48 pm

Now there's the reason in my opinion how an amp beats the hell out of a rack mount processor,just listen to the tone and the depth that Ron gets as opposed to steels that go direct into processors into computers for you tube performances.Absolutely superb,and of coarse a great player helps.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 21 Jan 2010 12:49 pm

Ron is, indeed, a great player. He lived and performed here in South Texas many, many moons ago. I remember when Emmons first came out with their all-pull guitar (short keyhead) Ron got one to go with the push/pull he already had. Both guitars were sweet.

Ron is (or used to be) a Forum member. Do a search and you can find his posts and maybe send him an email.

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 21 Jan 2010 4:53 pm

Ron,
Hope you are still reading the Forum and see this post. Very nice work, I can really hear John in your phrasing and playing style. I like it a lot!
Larry J.