The World Famous 14 Hole Bellcrank

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 20 May 2002 9:07 pm

Fourteen months ago I was 1000 miles from home just out of intensive care due to a heart valve repair and removal of part of an enlarged septum which is the center dividing partition of the heart at the Cleveland Clinic. A stranger came in my room and said he was a steel guitar player and knew I was a long way from home. We talked steel guitar for about 1 1/2 hours and before he left he gave me a 14 hole bellcrank for an Emmons guitar. Somehow he knew I was an Emmons player. Anyway as it turned out that stranger was Jerry Brightman and he is no longer a stranger but a good friend. I was so proud of the bellcrank and what it means to me that when I was at the Dallas show I asked Mona Lawrence who makes the George L' pickups if she could help me have it gold plated. I received it back from Mona today and it is beautiful!!! I will be playing the Tulsa steel show this Saturday and that keepsake will be mounted under my guitar. Thanks to Jerry Brightman one more time for cheering me up when I really needed it and a a huge thank you to Mona Lawrence. I know George L' is not in the business of gold plating bellcranks but it means a great deal to me. This may seem trivial but there is nothing trivial about open heart surgery, what it does to you mentally and the impact a friend can have during the first few hours of recovery. If you are in Tulsa Saturday, be sure and check it out!
Jerry Roller

Bill Hamner · Post by **Bill Hamner** » 20 May 2002 11:04 pm

Hi Jerry, Neat story. It couldn't happen to a nicer fellow. It says a lot about Jerry Brightman also.
Bill

Doug Seymour · Post by **Doug Seymour** » 21 May 2002 1:29 am

Steel players are some of the greatest human beings on earth!!! Bar none! Take your pick!

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 21 May 2002 4:16 am

WHAT BROTHER DOUG SAID !!!

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"Let's go STEEL something"
If it feels good, do it. If it feels COUNTRY, do it twice
jpp

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 21 May 2002 5:34 am

Great story, Jerry
Glad you got to meet Jerry Brightman. I just met him myself a few months ago when we played a show and, subsequently, a jam session together. He is a great player and, more importantly, a warm human being who values his friends over material possessions.

We Emmons players gotta stick together.

Glad your recovery is progressing well.

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro