Byrd in Space

Steve Robinson · Post by **Steve Robinson** » 22 Oct 2011 9:08 am

Ron Whitfield was kind enough to let me know about a recent discussion concerning Jerry Byrd's music in orbit, and I promised to tell the story.

During Mr. Byrd's last days, I sent a card to him and he and family generously replied with a couple CD's. I brought one of those CD's with me on Space Shuttle mission STS-114, in July/August 2005.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-114

Mr. Byrd's steel sound has always seemed to me to be just about perfect, and so it was an honor to play his music while weightess and orbiting the planet, and even occasionally getting a good view of Hawaii. Near the end of the mission, I took a photo of Mr. Byrd's CD floating in the aft window of shuttle Discovery.

Steve Robinson

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 22 Oct 2011 9:29 am

BRAVO!!

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 22 Oct 2011 9:29 am

And thank you for sharing this!

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 22 Oct 2011 9:33 am

Now that's a unique story and pic! Thanx, Steve, well done.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 22 Oct 2011 10:30 am

That's too cool ...

Terry P. Miller · Post by **Terry P. Miller** » 22 Oct 2011 10:55 am

Nice going Dr. Robinson---- Thanks for sharing this!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 22 Oct 2011 10:57 am

That's nice, but do you have any unique stories to tell?

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 22 Oct 2011 12:18 pm

I've always considered Jerry's music to be out of this world, and now, here's proof!

I also remember seeing the tarp of all the steel players signatures you took with you. Our dear late friend, Red Kilby shared the story with me, and showed me the pics.

This is so cool. Thanks so much for posting, Steve!

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 22 Oct 2011 1:45 pm

THAT is something to get up in the air about!

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 22 Oct 2011 8:01 pm

This forum & it's members never cease to amaze me.....

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 23 Oct 2011 12:24 am

Ditto !

bruce fischer · Post by **bruce fischer** » 23 Oct 2011 11:41 am

i think jerry would be proud of you steve.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 23 Oct 2011 2:03 pm

I hope that Jack Byrd is reading this......

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 23 Oct 2011 4:04 pm

HowardR wrote:I hope that Jack Byrd is reading this......

I contacted him about it when the subject originally came up. I asked Jack if JB's music went to the moon, and if Jerry knew about it.

"Yes this is true, kinda. An astronaut was a great fan of Jerry's. He took one of his CD's into space, but not to the moon and it was played in space as I recall but I cannot remember which one it was. Jerry was aware of this event. In fact as I recall there was card with a note from him that Jerry received during his first hospitalization before his death."
Jack Byrd

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 26 Oct 2011 5:47 am

While enthralled in taking in Jerry's reminescing (sp?) by his bedside, ...he mentioned that his music had even been played in outer space, aboard a space shuttle. He paused in a moment of obvious great pleasure. What an appropriate reward for such a great Man and his great Music. THANK YOU beyond measure for making that happen.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 26 Oct 2011 8:27 am

That's awesome, Steve, and great photo!

Steve Robinson · Post by **Steve Robinson** » 29 Oct 2011 12:14 pm

Thanks for all your comments - somehow, Mr. Byrd's music just belonged in orbit!
best wishes,
Steve

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Byrd in Space

Byrd in Space

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