OnLine Memorial Service for John Fabian (CarterSteelGuitars)

clive swindell · Post by **clive swindell** » 30 Jan 2010 11:28 pm

My sincere sympanthies Ann.

John was one of the first people that I got to know when I joined the steel guitar community.

We will all miss him.

Frederic Mabrut · Post by **Frederic Mabrut** » 30 Jan 2010 11:43 pm

Mrs Fabian, please receive my sincere condolences. It is a shock for all the French community.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 31 Jan 2010 1:32 am

This is such a shock. John never let on that he was ill.

Ann, I too am sorry for your loss.

Suzanne Parkhouse · Post by **Suzanne Parkhouse** » 31 Jan 2010 2:26 am

Ann, I am so sorry for your loss, John was a lovely man, always had time to talk and with a ready smile to greet you. He will be greatly missed. Sue...

Manfred Schall · Post by **Manfred Schall** » 31 Jan 2010 3:53 am

This is so sad. It is a big loss for the steel guitar community.
My sincere condolences to the family.
Manfred

Ted Solesky · Post by **Ted Solesky** » 31 Jan 2010 6:58 am

I'm so sorry to hear this news. Long time ago, John and I took turns helping a band. He was a nice friend. He told me his goals for the Carter Co. I had mine guitar since 1995 and it still works like new. You see it on Utube under VG Hester. Nice job John & Bud. Ted

David Collins · Post by **David Collins** » 31 Jan 2010 7:07 am

I too am shocked and saddened.

I Pray that the Peace and Love of Jesus will be with the Fabian family.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 31 Jan 2010 7:21 am

Thank you for all you have done. It's amazing to see groups of people smart & dedicated enough that, if they had gone on a different tangent, they could have piled up empty houses & boats & cars - instead they chose to do what they loved, and do it well. And in the process help others. Your and John's help in getting me up and running is inestimable, and there are a thousand others out there. Thank you.

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 31 Jan 2010 7:28 am

I really had to sleep over this sad news.
John and I only met a few times but somehow, I'd like to think we became friendly. We talked every year or so, maybe for an hour. He not only had a vision, he had many, he had a BIG horizon. A shrewd business man, and with a heart on the right spot.
Intelligent, astute and hard working.

I remember the first time I met him. I had ordered a D10 while living in Ecuador. It ain't easy choosing a new guitar when you live so far abroad and are not originally from the US, when you don't know "everybody". I was lucky, but then, the way he and Ann treated me, tried to make it easy and most of all, possible to me, told me I was making a good choice. And what a great choice it turned out to be. I remember, this was the beginning of Internet, and Ann would not only arrange for me to get into Dallas to be "fitted into" my new guitar, but trips to see this & that, buy funny hats and fancy boots and even meet Maurice Anderson for the first time. When I got in, she was in her home state, we did not meet at that time. So, it was John who inherited me. I barely spoke English. I remember, the first time he came to pick me up at my hotel in the morning, he had to explain to me what grits and hashed browns were. In between running a still fairly new company, for about a week, he'd take me around on trips to vendors and suppliers and we'd stop here & there, trying restaurants or turned me loose in US malls or football field sized boot discount outlets to pick me up later. At noon, we'd go to a cafeteria with Bud Carter and I tried to understand what they were saying (Bud was very difficult to understand, for me).
Anyway, I got back to Ecuador with a brand new burgundy D10, snake skin boots, a huge hat and quite a wardrobe.
We staid in touch and I had nothing but respect for each other. Being an engineer, I found that "his" guitar was one of the most intelligently designed. Designed to work precisely and dependably, designed to be build solidly, fast and cost efficiently. Those who criticized him/them for being so much less expensive than the competition all failed to realize that it all had to do with John's vision for an efficiently designed and produced quality instrument, paired with his understanding for quality, reliable customer service.

When, much later, living in the States at that time, I dabbled in building prototype guitars - we talked, a lot, over the phone. I remember having set up a system with two microphones, so I could play the prototype and talk at the same time... over the phone. He was very generous sharing his opinions and ideas.

I remember when he came up with the Carter Starter idea. I am not sure that the whole steel guitar community fully comprehends how much everybody profited from this concept. It was not just a little "entry level" instrument. "Entry level" effectively included his marketing idea. A concept which plugged "Steel guitar" as such to so many which did not necessarily come from the "country music" field or have access to the steel guitar niche market - people who later grew and bought pro level instruments, accessories and educational material, many also from the "competition". Again, John had vision.

I hope his vision, his creations will now not slowly vanish. Carter steel guitars have helped so many around the world the get a quality instrument and a solid deal.

Like so many who came here to testify to their devastation over learning of his much too early departure, John and I were not so close so he would have only hinted to me that he had fight over life and death going on. Actually, I am sorry to say, that while I meant so many times to do it, it must have been almost four years I did not call.
I remember the last time though. I was living in Spain and went to see the barber. I was asked to wait so I stepped out an thought of calling John, just to say "hello" and pick up on the latest steel guitar gossip. We talked for almost an hour. I missed my appointment sitting on the barber shop's stairs, talking. It was a nice and interesting discussion, little did I know, that it would be the last one and I feel guilty for that.

Ann, I wished I'd find the words to express how sorry I feel for you. I will never forget you two for as long as I have good use of my memory.

... J-D.

Dave Grothusen · Post by **Dave Grothusen** » 31 Jan 2010 8:57 am

Ann so sorry. I first met John in KC at a Newman seminar in the late 70's I think. Always was nice to run into him through the years that followed.

Fred Eddie-Quartey · Post by **Fred Eddie-Quartey** » 31 Jan 2010 9:26 am

So sorry to hear this news. You have my condolences, Ann. It would be four years ago this February that I came upon the "E9 Pedal Steel Guitar Demystified for 6-String Players" video on the Carter website. In that video, John's presentation of the pedal steel and how to play it was so straight-forward and simple. He made it seem so easy. After watching the video a few times, I said to myself, "I think I can play this instrument." I ordered an SD-10 and set about learning to play PSG. Last summer I upgraded to a new Carter D-10, a testimomny to the quality workmanship and tone of Carter steels. Little did I know I received what is now one of the last Carters to be produced. I shall cherish this guitar more so. The PSG industry and genre has lost a giant.

David Kurrasch · Post by **David Kurrasch** » 31 Jan 2010 9:43 am

Like everyone else here, I am saddened by this news. John was never too busy to help out whenever I had a problem or a question. He will be missed.

Bruce Bouton · Post by **Bruce Bouton** » 31 Jan 2010 11:46 am

John was always good to me . He and Ann were kind enough to provide me with guitars for three tours with Reba .He was always willing to go the extra mile in customer service.
I saddens me to hear this news because John was a good man. I never had any idea that he was ill. He always had a good spirit when I would call. It takes a lot of character and courage to be that kind of person. The steel community will not be the same.
My condolences to Ann and the rest of his family.

Iain · Post by **Iain** » 31 Jan 2010 12:51 pm

Sad news. Thanks, as always, Ann, for all the generous help and advice over the years and - as I say - it's very sad to read this announcement. Good luck.

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 31 Jan 2010 2:47 pm

My sincere condolences to Ann and all those who were close to John Fabian. The steel guitar community will be much poorer for his passing.

Bob Callaway · Post by **Bob Callaway** » 31 Jan 2010 3:54 pm

What a shock. We are very saddened to hear this news.He will be missed by all who knew him.
Bob @ Barbara Callaway and Margit Stepp with Derby Steel Guitars.

John DeBoalt · Post by **John DeBoalt** » 31 Jan 2010 5:54 pm

Ann. I'd like to add my condolences to the list of the many who have already expressed they're own. I don't believe I ever spoke with John personally, but was always impressed with the material he presented on the web. I first became acqainted with the Carter guitar at Carl Dixon's show in Atlanta. The display of the under carriage, and the availability of instruments to test drive were major factors in my purchase decision later on. John clearly had a lot of pride, and confidence in his product. He will be missed, and again my condolences to you and your family. John DeBoalt

David Coplin · Post by **David Coplin** » 31 Jan 2010 6:42 pm

So sorry to hear this sad news. Although I never met
John in person, I talked to him on the phone several times and I was impressed with his sincere and helpful answers to my questions. His marketing approach for the pedal steel guitar was amazing.
The steel guitar community has lost an inovator and a friend. My condolences go out to Ann and the family and to all his many friends. Rest in peace
John,

David

Jim McGinnis · Post by **Jim McGinnis** » 31 Jan 2010 7:09 pm

Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed our visits at the steel shows. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Johns family.

John Sluszny · Post by **John Sluszny** » 1 Feb 2010 2:40 am

All my condolences to you Mrs Fabian,your family
and all the wonderful people at Carter Steel Guitar.
You don't know how happy I feel each time I sit at
my Carter Steel Guitar.Thank you John.You will always be remembered.

Ted Tonjes · Post by **Ted Tonjes** » 1 Feb 2010 2:49 am

I'm so sorry to hear this. I met John several times in St. Louis.
My condolences to Ann and the family.

Sincerely,

Ted

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 1 Feb 2010 2:57 am

Five pages of respect and sadness in two days tells much about John's regard in the Steel Guitar World. And like these many others, I am in grief over your loss, Ann !! Please accept our deepest sympathies and prayers for the future !!

Regards, Paul

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 1 Feb 2010 4:48 am

I was deeply saddened to hear the news and extend my sympathies to Ann and the entire Carter family. This is a huge loss for the steel guitar community because, as many have already said, John truly brought modern business techniques to the industry.

John would occasionally call and we would discuss technical issues with his web sites or just shoot the breeze. Like Tony P. I could always tell when he was getting close to home because the call would usually drop. I hadn't heard from him in a while except now I remember seeing his caller ID on my phone some time after Thanksgiving. He didn't leave a message and I didn't call him back, thinking he would be deeply into holiday business and probably wouldn't have time to talk and that, as always, he would call back. I'm kicking myself now.

I guess the last time I saw John was at the Leon Chambers benefit last July. He was standing in back as I came in, big grin on his face, and we stood and talked for probably 45 minutes about anything and everything -- his plans, complaints about Internet service, things he'd been working on for the Carter site. Things going on in the industry. And opinions. Always strong opinions, just like his mentor, Jeff Newman. You always knew where John stood on everything. Politics, music, PSG, amps, it didn't matter. If you asked John a question you were going to get a straight answer, even if it was one you didn't want to hear. I loved that about him.

One last thing. It turned out I'd known John for some 15 years longer than I'd realized. I'd been to the Carter shop many times over the years (having known Bud from his MSA days) and there was a picture on the wall I'd never really paid attention to. This particular day I took a closer look while waiting on something and I realized it was a group pic of a Buddy Emmons C6 class in Nashville from the early 80s.

<blockquote>
"Hey, John. Why is this picture on the wall?"
"I'm in it."
"No way. You were in this class?"
"Duh. Why else would I have it on the wall?"
"Dude, I'm in it."
"No way."
"Seriously. Which one are you?"
"Which one are YOU?"
(I point to skinny kid squatting in front)
(John points to very hairy guy in back)
"Man, you sure lost a lot of hair."
"Man, you sure gained a lot of weight." </blockquote>

I'm gonna miss that guy a lot.

Paul Polish · Post by **Paul Polish** » 1 Feb 2010 5:38 am

Ann,
Just saw this post.Had NO idea he was this sick!!! Dee and I are so sorry to hear about John's Passing. We send our sincere condolences to you.
John and Bud built my "one and only NEW Steel Guitar" and signed it "This ones for you". I will never forget him.
I consider him a FRIEND...
Paul

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 1 Feb 2010 6:31 am

I got a phone call about this on Saturday from Bill Cunninham and Roy Rosetta.
I was out of town and did not have computer access until this morning.

Shocked is a small word for how I feel. John and I have been friends for some 20 years, before there was ever a Carter Steel Guitar.

I remember a line John would always use in our conversations (which were many) "I'm not trying to be funny about it, but". And then he would go on with whatever he had to say.

I have known for years that John had health issues. If I am not sadly mistaken, John was at our house when he first became ill, some 8 or 9 years ago.

I surely will miss him.

Linda and I send our heartfelt sympathy to Ann and the rest of the family.

We are here for you.

Bill & Linda Ferguson