Herby Wallace

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 6 Apr 2012 1:42 pm

I am so saddened by Herby's passing. I just talked to him on the phone a short while ago. He was a gem of a man and a true artist on the steel guitar. He was always so supportive of my playing. I could call him anytime and he was always so inspiring. I loved his solos because they were so lyrical and melodic. I will miss him dearly.

bruce fischer · Post by **bruce fischer** » 6 Apr 2012 1:43 pm

RIP Herbie, may the Lord smile on you and comfort your lovely family. i thank you for all the beautiful music you have given us & for the gracious interview you helped me with for scottys magazine.
lovya, bruce & lynn

Tony Rankin · Post by **Tony Rankin** » 6 Apr 2012 1:47 pm

Herby was one of the greats! I've had contact with him many times over the years and it was always a positive experience. I'll miss him.

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 6 Apr 2012 2:02 pm

R.I.P. Herby. Thanks for all the insights into C6th and ALL of the amazing playing.

Rick Troyer · Post by **Rick Troyer** » 6 Apr 2012 2:56 pm

Dear Bunny,
Please know we are praying for you and the family. As much as we are feeling the loss of a great man and steel player how much greater your loss must be.
As I scan through old photographs of Herby at the shows and listen to his masterful playing on CD I realize how blest I have been to call him my friend. He will live on in memory and in my heart .
What a reunion and Jam session must be going on in Heaven. The good Lord is certainly assembling an All Star Band. Got my ticket . Praise the Lord I'll see them again one day .

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 6 Apr 2012 3:03 pm

Another hero & legend gone from us. Rest in Gos's peace.

Bob Taillefer · Post by **Bob Taillefer** » 6 Apr 2012 3:05 pm

This is truly shocking news! I have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Herby and it was an honour. We have lost another great one!
Bunny, we will be keeping you and your family in our thoughts.
Bob and Debra

Corky Tittle · Post by **Corky Tittle** » 6 Apr 2012 3:28 pm

As a drummer Herby could bring out the very best in me, he was a fellow Chattanoogian, and one of the best in the world. Save me a spot Herby....Cork

bob drawbaugh · Post by **bob drawbaugh** » 6 Apr 2012 3:34 pm

I so sad to hear this news. Our prayers are with the Wallace family. Herby RIP.

Jeremy Drawbaugh · Post by **Jeremy Drawbaugh** » 6 Apr 2012 4:12 pm

Wow, I am stunned sitting down to have rehearsal for our easter program, im playing bass in our praise band, when dad txt me the news. I can't believe another one of my heros is gone.

I had the priveledge several times at our Bama shows to just sit and talk to Herby. He loved to tell stories of the old days on the road and recording in the studio makin his albums. I just soaked it all up. There will never be another like him.

One of my grestest memories is a few years ago at one of our Bama shows, Herby myself, bill cook, Billy Radar and several others stayed up late after a jam session just chatting. Also I had the priveledge to have herby judge me in the steel Idol contest, he was so concerned with offending me, but really it was a great experience, thankfully I have it recorded.

RIP Herby Wallace

Jim Means · Post by **Jim Means** » 6 Apr 2012 4:13 pm

This is another hard one for me to take. Herby was a legend to me and one of the finest players ever. I always enjoyed the times I got to visit with him. He always answered every question I had with patience and understanding. A few years ago I bought a guitar from him. My daughter was headed back from North Carolina to Missouri for a visit. Herby drove several miles to Knoxville to meet her with the guitar so we wouldn't have to ship it. I will be forever greatful to him for that.

Bunny, you and the children will be in Helen and my prayers during this difficult time.

Good bye my friend,

Jim and Helen Means

Norman Evans · Post by **Norman Evans** » 6 Apr 2012 4:27 pm

RIP Herby. I'm saddened to hear this news. I've known Herby for 30 or more years. I really loved his playing. He will be missed.
My condolences to his Family.
Norm Evans

Tommy Young · Post by **Tommy Young** » 6 Apr 2012 4:28 pm

My sincerest condolences to this great picker and friend we met back in the 80's and have been friends ever since i was so grateful that HERBY played one of my max-toned guitars in Fulton Ms. few years back ,, what a loss for the Steel guitar World my prayers go out to Ms. BUNNY and their family may he rest in Peace..MAY """GOD BLESS""" this family in this time of need..... Tommy Young

David Martin · Post by **David Martin** » 6 Apr 2012 4:32 pm

Just got the news of Herby's passing. It is such a shock --- I am stunned. Herby was such a friend to every player he met. I've known Herby for about 25 years and we spent many an hour talking Steel.
Herby always came to our local Steel jams regardless of how meager they were at times. It was nice to have a Steel Guitar legend living so close.
Herby was a humble person with a lot of class.
Rest in peace, my friend.
My condolences to his family.

Bill Erchul · Post by **Bill Erchul** » 6 Apr 2012 4:46 pm

Very sad news indeed. I always enjoyed seeing and hearing Herby play in Knoxville and St. Louis and fondly remember the few times we spoke. I think his aggressive C6th playing was perfectly matched by his emotional E9th style. He was a true master of the pedal steel who will be sadly missed.

Working at home today, I listened to quite a few of Herby's recordings. Among the many songs, "Ten Thousand Years," "Old Cape Cod," "Little Rock Getaway,"and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" stood out as favorites. Of course I had heard Herby play them all live before but today's experience bought to light his true talent and brilliance. Herby's instructional materials are also top notch and highly recommended.

My deepest condolences to the Wallace family. The pedal steel community has lost a true gentleman and an exceptional talent.

Chet Wilcox · Post by **Chet Wilcox** » 6 Apr 2012 4:52 pm

Herby,Was such a great Player and teacher,We have lost a lot of the great pioneer playes in the last few years,and we all need to help each other as much as we can, Life is so short, Herby taught me a lot. I will miss him as well as all the others, Ralph Moony, Tom Brumley, Jimmy Crawford,John Hughy, and so many more.I wll Pray for Herby and his family.He was one of the very Best, Chet

Louie Hallford · Post by **Louie Hallford** » 6 Apr 2012 5:17 pm

This is too sad. I got to meet Herby when he first came to St Louis International show. Many will remember his dedicating his new album to Speedy West and his stories of his Mom and Dad driving him from Tennessee to take lessons from Speedy.

I would not take for the experience of him coming to my room in St Louis to give me a one hour lesson. After two hours he was still going strong. So glad I still have it on tape.

I could go on and on about fond memories of Herbie. Herbie might come across as quiet and bashful, but to those that know him quite well know he will set up and talk all night long if he has someone to talk to. That 300 mile drive I had from Hot Springs to Texas was tough when He and I were the last of the Steel Show crowd to leave IHOP at 3:30 in the morning.

Herby you will always be remembered as one of the "Great Ones".

Bunny,God Bless and comfort and you family in your sorrow.

Michael McGee · Post by **Michael McGee** » 6 Apr 2012 5:19 pm

May the Lord welcome another of the greats into His heavenly band. My prayers go out to Herby's family.

J J Harmon · Post by **J J Harmon** » 6 Apr 2012 5:24 pm

He is also a Masonic Brother and a Shrine Noble. I remember the first time I saw him play. It was in Saluda and at his prime. Over the last 10 years we have talked a bit and he is a legend.

Michael Hicks · Post by **Michael Hicks** » 6 Apr 2012 5:59 pm

My prayers go out to the family. Herby was a great guy and will be sadly missed.

Ken Newman · Post by **Ken Newman** » 6 Apr 2012 6:11 pm

another example of a good person being a great person. herby and his faith, herby and his music,, will be drawn on by folks forever. for that, herby will never be alone. RIP,kenny newman and family.

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 6 Apr 2012 6:38 pm

A very sad bit of news for our Steel Guitar community. Our condolences to bunny and Herby's family. Last time I visited with Herby was at a steel guitar Show in Norwalk, Conn. back in Nov. of 2008. A fine and loved individual, indeed.God bless you, Herby and your loved ones..Amen..Bernie

Lonnie Portwood · Post by **Lonnie Portwood** » 6 Apr 2012 7:01 pm

It brings me to tears hearing this sad news! Herby, such a sweet and gentle man, not forward, but would sit and talk with anyone who took the time. I just can't get my mind around this.

No one has contributed more, worked harder,invested more of their soul into music, and steel guitar in particular, than Herby! I WILL MISS YOU, AND THE WHOLE WORLD WILL MISS YOU, BUT NEVER FORGET YOU.

REST IN PEACE, MY BROTHER. Lonnie

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 6 Apr 2012 7:01 pm

Rest in peace Herby, my condolences to the family.

Lynn Fargo · Post by **Lynn Fargo** » 6 Apr 2012 7:06 pm

I never had the pleasure of meeting Herby. I only knew his name, his music, and that he was a steel guitar legend who found the time to post on this Forum. I had hoped to meet him someday at Scotty's.
Now he will be playing for our Lord on his "instrument of 10 strings." My deepest sympathies to his friends and family.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Herby Wallace

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