Don Curtis

Amy Osborne · Post by **Amy Osborne** » 4 Oct 2010 7:03 am

Don did his early teaching here at Arthur's Music Store in Indianapolis. Lots of fond memories filled with laughter and great music! The entire Arthur family extends their condlences to Don's immediate and musical family.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 4 Oct 2010 8:10 am

I only knew Don "over the telephone" __ so sorry.

Every time I read the Gone Home section and read that another
steel guitarist has passed, it's like the passing of a brother.

Dag Wolf · Post by **Dag Wolf** » 4 Oct 2010 11:34 am

This is a shock. I consider Don a very good friend. Don helped me and Egil out several times backing us at the ISGC and made us sound a lot better than we would have without him.
I loved his humour!

This is a big loss.

May you rest in peace.

Dag.

David Graves · Post by **David Graves** » 4 Oct 2010 1:05 pm

I got to meet Don the first time this year at the Indianapolis steel show. I'm a "newbie" on steel guitar but he treated me like a long time friend and offered anything he could to be of assistance. We met again in St Louis and again, he offered his expertise, help, advice and friendship like he had known me forever. He was in the process of closing his booth for the evening and I'm sure he was ready to get out of there but spent time talking with me and answering questions that I"m sure he had answered a hundred times already that day and never once seemed to mind that it was already late in the evening. He was a true "Ambassador" to all things steel guitar and will be incredibly missed. My heart felt condolences to his family and friends.

Doug Jones · Post by **Doug Jones** » 4 Oct 2010 1:25 pm

Here's the link to his obit in the St.Louis Post Dispatch.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/obit ... 836e7.html

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 4 Oct 2010 3:49 pm

I learned about this at Chubby Howard's show yesterday. What a shock! I'll miss seeing his smiling face behind a steel or the drums at the steel shows.

My condolences to Don's family and friends.

Milt Quackenbush · Post by **Milt Quackenbush** » 5 Oct 2010 5:04 am

Very sad news, Don will be missed by everyone. Our condolences goes out to Don's family.

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 5 Oct 2010 9:13 am

Though our paths never crossed, they were close.
Yes, VERY sad news, my condolences.

Roy Rosetta · Post by **Roy Rosetta** » 5 Oct 2010 7:12 pm

Rest in peace dear friend. You will surely be missed. Mine and Barbara's condolences to Don's family.
...Roy and Barbara

Benton Allen · Post by **Benton Allen** » 6 Oct 2010 7:56 am

I just learned about this. Very sad news.
Don was a great guy, fun to talk with, and a great steel player.
He will be greatly missed.

Benton

Randy Weideman · Post by **Randy Weideman** » 6 Oct 2010 9:22 am

What a shock to hear. Mine and Linda's condolences to Don's family.

Randy & Linda Weideman

Steve Epstein · Post by **Steve Epstein** » 6 Oct 2010 9:47 am

Yesterday I sent Don a thank you note for his excellent work on overhauling my Excel Superb. Scotty's sent me the message of his passing. For the brief time I knew him, I am saddened to hear this.

David Munson · Post by **David Munson** » 7 Oct 2010 6:20 pm

I spoke to Linda tonight and she said the plans will soon be announced for a St. Louis Gathering for Don October 23rd at Stoval's

I'm sure Scotty will send something out soon.

Linda said she reads the messages every night so everyone don't be shy. I did notice that there have been over 8000 visitors to these 6 pages.

Linda and family... Our hearts and prayers are with you..

David Munson
St. Louis

Gary Sill · Post by **Gary Sill** » 8 Oct 2010 6:16 am

I vividly remember some lessons I took in St. Louis with Don. His knowledge of music was very good and he understood both necks very well. So well, he combined them into his 12 string at last and could do about any style of music on the GFI.

He also could bring out licks in his teaching of different great stylist players and sound similar to them if he wanted to. You could tell he lived music and what a loss in sheer talent and innovative ideas that were sure to come in the future from Don.

He was always so gracious to drum with me when I played on the talent search and I could always count on him to put in the accents on my songs to give me that right encouragement to even play better. As he played drums he was teaching me still how to play steel. Don I will miss you buddy very much.

Michael Scott · Post by **Michael Scott** » 12 Oct 2010 7:41 am

The loss of Don Curtis has been felt throughout our community. Not only in St. Louis and SteelRadio, but the entire world as well. I want to tell you about some benefits and special shows going on in the St. Louis area.

This Thursday the 14th, there is a special benefit/memorial for Don at Riddle's Penultimate Café (www.riddlescafe.com) starting at 8pm Central Time which, I will air live on SteelRadio.

On October 23rd, there will be a benefit Hosted by The Friends of Don E. Curtis and Stovall’s Grove.
The Rockhorse Saloon
18720 Stovall Lane
Wildwood, MO 63069
636-405-3024
Located on Hwy. 100 five miles west of Hwy. 109. (2 p.m. until closing) Musicians who knew and worked with Don will be performing.

Miss Lana, Garry Williams and I will be airing a special show on Don’s regular radio show time slot starting at 7pm until around 10pm (cst) on SteelRadio, October 27th. We will feature the music of Don Curtis and playing some never before aired tracks including one that has just been released by Valerie Tichacek & The Wack-A-Doos. (Don’s last recording) We will be making/receiving phone calls and have in studio guest Jurgen Schmidt from Germany.
steelradio@charter.net * 314-256-9029

Please join us for any or all of these specials. If you can’t make it in person, be sure to tune in on SteelRadio.

Michael Scott
SteelRadio.com

Richard L. Smith · Post by **Richard L. Smith** » 13 Oct 2010 5:13 am

Don has been my teacher for several years. He was very supportive and a wealth of knowledge. Linda and Don even attended the Muny this season. My condolences to Linda, the Scott family and all who were lucky enough to know him.

He will be missed by a lot of people, for a lot of good reasons.

RIP!

Rich

Tommy Helms · Post by **Tommy Helms** » 13 Oct 2010 5:21 pm

Such a sad and great loss to the music world. God's strength to his family. Don was not only a great picker, but also rebuilt several older steels for me so I really got to enjoy his frank knowledge and helpful suggestions.
Tommy Helms

Danny Newman · Post by **Danny Newman** » 14 Oct 2010 8:13 pm

Sorry to hear the sad news I called Scotty’s Store when I got my 67 Carlen 10 or 12 years back and he said his set up guy was out of the store for some reason and he said Don Curtis would called me back in about an hour.

I said I’m in Pennsylvania and he said That’s Ok. Well he called back and was on the phone with me at least an hour giving me advice to get my steel set up so I could play it. It was way out of adjustment. I was thankful and amazed that he would help me get it set up over the phone. I called him back in a couple of days to thank him again and ask him what I owed him and he said just have fun with it. I was expecting to have I to send it out there and have them set it up. But Don said with a little patience I could get it adjusted myself. Great guy !
My concolences to his family and friends.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 16 Oct 2010 7:17 am

RIP Don.
You were a friend to many,
and a true lover of the steel guitar.

Raymond Thiebault · Post by **Raymond Thiebault** » 20 Oct 2010 11:09 am

Don's Family,

Our sincere sympathy on your loss. Prayers will be said for all of you.
Ray & Claire

Michael Scott · Post by **Michael Scott** » 26 Oct 2010 9:32 am

I want to remind you about the Don Curtis tribute broadcast tomorrow night.
Miss Lana, Garry Williams and I will be airing a special show during Don’s regular radio show time slot on SteelRadio. That’s October 27th starting at 7pm. We will feature the music of Don Curtis and playing some never before aired tracks including some that have just been released by Valerie Tichacek & The Wack-A-Doos. (Don’s last studio recording) We will be making/receiving phone calls and have in studio guest Jurgen Schmidt from Germany.

Feel free to send an e-mail to steelradio@charter.net or call 314-256-9029 to tell your Don Curtis story.

Please join us for this special broadcast on Don’s regular show day.

Michael Scott
SteelRadio.com

Lana Rosselli · Post by **Lana Rosselli** » 27 Oct 2010 5:13 pm

Don E Curtis Memorial Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Louis- ... 0861073915

A memorial fund has been set up for Don's family

Forum Credit Union
PO Box 50738
Indianapolis, IN 46209
In Care of Don Curtis Fund

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 14 Nov 2010 3:38 pm

Oh my !!...I just heard of this terrible news ....A friend needed some help on his Excel and I told him to call Don, and he told me that Don had passed !!.....I couldn't believe my ears !!....He will be sorely missed .....May God be with Don's family at this time .....RIP Don .....Sincerely, Jim

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 4 Jan 2011 1:32 pm

I haven't read this section of the forum in a very long time. Don was a very nice man. He worked on my old Fender 2000. He gave me a lesson on my old Sierra Crown U12 right after he got his GFI U12, when I was in town. He was always upbeat and sociable. Very bad news. St Louis and Scotty's won't be the same.

Tab Tabscott · Post by **Tab Tabscott** » 12 Jan 2011 9:17 am

I hardly ever read this section, just heard this sad news today.

Don was a great guy, and a mentor to me growing up in St. Louis. I hadn't spoken to him in years, but I clearly remember the our last conversation...

He was talking about a '77 black mica PP Emmons I was selling through Scottys...I had glued some white formica to the front to change the look a bit...he said "You're a dumbass Tab".
I said "For gluing that white stuff to the front?" and he said "No, for selling this guitar".

Sad sad news...
Tab

The Steel Guitar Forum

Don Curtis

Don, from a "newbie's" point of view

To Don's family

October 23rd Stovals

Lessons with Don

Don E. Curtis Special Shows

Don Curtis

Awww man....