Conversation with Lee Jeffriess on Lap Steelin' blog

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 7 Jul 2011 3:29 pm

I'm going to be doing a series of interviews with some fantastic players over the next few weeks. I've kicked it off with the ever articulate and engaging Lee Jeffriess. Our conversation went on for so long that I have to add the interview in segments!

Please stop by and give it a read. Only Parts 1 and 2 exist at this point, but more is on the way. Lee is a walking, talking history book.

Conversation with Lee Jeffriess, Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

That's all folks!

Rose Sinclair · Post by **Rose Sinclair** » 7 Jul 2011 8:20 pm

Mike-
This is great -- Lee Jeffriess is a font of steel information and history, and has shared his knowledge with many steelers. He was very helpful to me with my questions about Vance Terry (one of my steel heroes). His new project, the West Coast Ramblers, sounds fantastic and I await their upcoming CD, and hope to catch them in person.

Also, thanks for listing Lee's guitar/steel CD -- I immediately ordered it.

Rose

J Fletcher · Post by **J Fletcher** » 8 Jul 2011 7:28 am

That's a great interview Mike. Thanks for posting it.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 8 Jul 2011 7:45 am

Thanks! 3 parts are up and it's still not finished yet.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 8 Jul 2011 8:30 am

What a cool conversation - thanks for sharing it!

Twayn Williams · Post by **Twayn Williams** » 8 Jul 2011 9:37 am

Go Mike! Go Lee!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 8 Jul 2011 10:10 am

BTW Twayn, I have Henry Bogdan on deck. That'll be fun!

The approach is kind of like Fishing With John Lurie, if you've ever seen that: to have good conversations without all of the really geeky stuff, although there's always room for that, too. I have a lot of great players lined up.

Twayn Williams · Post by **Twayn Williams** » 8 Jul 2011 12:05 pm

Mike Neer wrote:BTW Twayn, I have Henry Bogdan on deck. That'll be fun!

Cool, I love Henry's playing and he's a super nice guy to boot

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 8 Jul 2011 2:52 pm

In the 1970s when I first started attending Scotty's steel guitar conventions, I was thinking that someone should be doing video interviews with the pioneers of steel guitar. Jerry Byrd, Leon McAulliffe, Herb Remington, Buddy Emmons etc.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 8 Jul 2011 4:22 pm

Roger, I agree. A lot of the greats have been interviewed in the past, as there were steel guitar magazines and even Guitar Player magazine, but there aren't any outlets for the players of today. I thought it was a good idea to pick some players and engage them in conversation and let them tell their stories, as many are willing to do so. I have a pretty long list.

I'm hoping this turns into a positive experience for everyone, but especially the interviewees and readers. This was my first attempt at an interview and I'm really happy with the results of our conversation.

Thanks for reading. Show Lee some love.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 8 Jul 2011 4:25 pm

Terrific interview Mike & Lee!

It's all a great read with lots of interesting info and opinion. I was especially glad to hear someone else praise Parker record with strings. It's one of my favorites despite being panned by critics for years.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 9 Jul 2011 6:51 am

Thanks, everyone. The interview has been published in its entirety now. I'm really happy with it--Lee is such an open book and so much fun to talk with.

I had another great interview last night with Joel Paterson, who is another absolute monster.

Peter Lindelauf · Post by **Peter Lindelauf** » 9 Jul 2011 9:06 am

Thoroughly enjoyable interview, Mike. I had to read the whole thing before I could head out into the garden.

wt golden · Post by **wt golden** » 9 Jul 2011 12:50 pm

Great interview, I am looking forward to the next ones! - thanks Mike

w

Tom Cooper · Post by **Tom Cooper** » 9 Jul 2011 5:08 pm

Great jobe Mike. Really enjoyed it. Would like to hear more about specific tunings and why they are used. If there is one thing that I am obsessed with that is it. So cool to read. Cant thank you enough. TC

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 9 Jul 2011 6:19 pm

Wonderful. I've known Lee since the early Big Sandy days. He's a walking encyclopedia of all the good stuff.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 9 Jul 2011 8:37 pm

The great thing about Lee is that he listens. He can recall conversations with people and a lot of minor details that most people would forget. And he wasn't afraid to ask questions of the masters, either.

David Cook · Post by **David Cook** » 10 Jul 2011 5:24 am

Thanks Mike for this fantastic post and for all of the other informative posts! You really are contributing a real service to the community!

Marino Galli · Post by **Marino Galli** » 10 Jul 2011 7:20 am

Thanks Mike for this interview :-
Lee Jeffriess is one of my steel heroes!
I started to jump from 6 to 8 (Strings),
after listening to Big Sandy's Albums = Swingin' West &
Jumpin' from 6 to 6!!( 1994-95)
You really are contributing a huge service to the community and most of all to the "overseas" community!
much appreciated.

Greetings From Switzerland
to the best propagandist of No-Peddlers Allowed!!

Marino Galli

Thomas Ludwig · Post by **Thomas Ludwig** » 11 Jul 2011 3:12 am

Thank you Mike !!!

@Marino
same here

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 11 Jul 2011 7:24 am

Funny story. I was getting into lap steel about the time Lee joined Big Sandy. I had a lap steel tuned to E and had just recently discovered C6 so I bought another lap for that tuning. Then my wife said "You should see this guy from Big Sandy - he's got three of those things nailed together." So I checked out the 45 cover photo and sure enough there was Lee leaning on his triple neck, face out, showing the three necks. I had never seen a multi-neck steel. I said "Wow - I have got to get one of those!" Shortly thereafter I lucked into a T8 Stringmaster. Lee has been an inspiration to me for many years. Great player and champion of the style. Great job Mike! Looking forward to more interviews.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 13 Jul 2011 7:09 pm

Thanks for all the comments, guys! I should be putting up another conversation in the next day or 2. Also, I have some really wonderful folks to talk to soon!

Steve Cunningham · Post by **Steve Cunningham** » 18 Jul 2011 6:20 pm

Great interview - thanks Mike! Lee is one of my all-time favs, as well as a major influence. The cat can swing like no one's business!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 19 Jul 2011 9:21 am

True dat, Steve. Lee and I talked for 3 hours--he is one the coolest cats you'll ever meet. He has the uncanny ability to listen and remember seemingly everything that was told to him by some of these masters. And fortunately for all of us, he loves to share it, too.

Doug Freeman · Post by **Doug Freeman** » 19 Jul 2011 11:56 am

Great, great stuff. Mike, you and Lee both are an indispensible credit to this community.