Big John Bechtel

Susan Alcorn · Post by **Susan Alcorn** » 1 Oct 2011 6:00 pm

I am so so sorry to hear this. Rest in Peace, John. We'll miss you. Safe journey, safe return.

Russ Hicks · Post by **Russ Hicks** » 2 Oct 2011 4:10 pm

This is very sad news, I didn't know Big John was ill 'til Franks' earlier post. I was always glad to see and talk to John at our NTSGA jams and meetings, he very seldom missed either, I will surely miss seeing him at the next ones.
It's so good to know that he now has it 'made in the shade', I'm sure there must be some wonderful shade trees in paradise.
rh

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 3 Oct 2011 5:43 am

Very sorry to hear about John. Rest in peace.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 3 Oct 2011 10:29 am

How sad! I've just seen this thread...

John was very helpful to me a couple of years ago when he switched a Derby I'd just bought from 'Emmons' to 'Day'. He invited me to come to his home and he fit me into his schedule as I was passing through Nashville. I might add that, when I reached for my wallet to pay him for his time, he was very reluctant to take any money - I had to really insist! I'd naturally assumed that a reasonable rate-of-pay was implicit in the arrangement we'd made on the 'phone, yet it hadn't occurred to him - he was just offering to help!

A thoroughly nice man - I didn't know him well, of course, yet he made me very welcome.

My sympathies to his family and friends.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 3 Oct 2011 11:53 am

I'm saddened to hear this news. Though we'd read each other's posts for years, John and I finally met 3 years ago at the NTSGA Super Jam and I enjoyed knowing him. I was disappointed when he didn't attend this year's SJ. Rest in Peace, John.

Joe Smith · Post by **Joe Smith** » 3 Oct 2011 12:00 pm

I am so sorry to hear this. We have lost another great.

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 3 Oct 2011 12:06 pm

Sincere condolences to John's family and friends. Rest in Peace, Big John.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 3 Oct 2011 5:14 pm

This is sad for me to hear. I had plans to go see John while I was in town tomorrow. I met John in the 70's and he was always a very kind and encouraging man when I was a young player. We were friends for the rest of these years. Rest in peace my friend.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 4 Oct 2011 7:45 am

John and I would email back and forth over the past few years, he gave me a lot of mechanical tips on adjusting my Derby.. We will all miss you JB.. RIP

Jerry Van Hoose · Post by **Jerry Van Hoose** » 5 Oct 2011 2:26 pm

I'm also saddened by this news. I met John several years ago during a steel show that we were both playing on in Bristol, VA. We quickly became friends and stayed in touch by phone & email. I'll surely miss him a great deal. Big John, may you rest in peace.

Bob Callaway · Post by **Bob Callaway** » 12 Oct 2011 10:14 am

We are truly saddened by Johns passing. John and I talked many times on the phone, computer, and personaly. He was a gentle and kind person. May he rest in the Lords care.
Bob Callaway& Margit Stepp Derby Steel Guitars.

Gary Spaeth · Post by **Gary Spaeth** » 16 Oct 2011 3:42 pm

is there an obituary somewhere? all i could find was a death notice in the tennessean. any way, very sad!

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tennes ... =154088122[/url]

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 19 Oct 2011 9:12 pm

I played the VCR tape he sent me but can't make out the brand of steel. Any one know? A non pedal and looks sort of like a Fender. He sure was a great picker. Tracy

Gary Spaeth · Post by **Gary Spaeth** » 20 Oct 2011 5:14 am

i think herbie remmington built it for him

The Steel Guitar Forum

Big John Bechtel

John will be missed by many.