Jeffran College 1978-Were you there?

Egil Skjelnes · Post by **Egil Skjelnes** » 20 Jan 2013 3:34 am

Hi.
In 1978 I took a one week class at Jeff`s school in Nashville.We really had a great weekend! See the pictures.Buddy came one night to play,Jeff took us out to Bradley`s Barn one day to try the studio,he lended us his car so we could go places,we went to Opryland,and one night he sent us down to a club to meet Doug Jernigan.What a week for a guy who only played steel for less then 3 years!
Later years I met Jeff several times both in the US,and here in Norway.He was the greatest when it came to teaching.I really miss him.
Now to the reason for my post.Do you recognise some of the people in the class picture? Maybe some of you are here on the forum,and remember this week?
Give me a word if you see someone you know,I don`t noted any name that time.Could be fun to see if someone recognice anybody.
Best from Egil.

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Tommy Alexander · Post by **Tommy Alexander** » 20 Jan 2013 4:43 am

Egil,
I was there at that school in 1978. I am in the back row with the blue shirt and black cap and the hair sticking out.
I still have some pictures from Bradleys Barn.
I was playing a green SD10 Sho-bud.
Here is a recent picture. Here is my email address; tlajr1936@gmail.com.
Write me and I can tell about Jeff as we were raised in the town..........

Tommy Alexander · Post by **Tommy Alexander** » 20 Jan 2013 4:48 am

Egil,
I forgot the picture...........

Tommy Alexander · Post by **Tommy Alexander** » 20 Jan 2013 4:55 am

Having trouble getting to send the picture.....

Egil Skjelnes · Post by **Egil Skjelnes** » 20 Jan 2013 5:13 am

Hi Tommy.
So nice to hear from you,I know I wrote down all the names at that time,but after so many years,and a few movings,I guess they are lost.Nice to hear from you,hope some of the others will sheck into this as well.Very nice steel you got there!.Nice picture.Thanks for posting!
Egil.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 20 Jan 2013 11:34 am

Hi, Egil, although I seem to have lost any photos I had, yours could be almost the same description and photos of my visit to Jeff's first advanced/teachers class in 1977. We did all the same things you mentioned, although we went to watch Paul Franklin instead of Doug Jernigan. It remains one of the best moves I ever made for my steel playing career, and I'll always treasure the experience and the joy of learning Jeff inoculated me with. A great time!

Don Drummer · Post by **Don Drummer** » 20 Jan 2013 12:13 pm

Tommy Wayne suggested I check out the Jeffran College. In Oct. of '79 I attended in the week long advanced class. I roomed with a student from England. His name was Ken Denning. The only other student I can recall first name was Doyle and he was the best in class. He was from Texas and had built an amp fo BE to try out. The Emmons' concert was great. I got someone to make a copy for me and eventually wore it out. Our trip to town during the DJ convention yeilded sightings of a young Paul Franklin. Wish I still had that tape.

Mike Kowalik · Post by **Mike Kowalik** » 20 Jan 2013 12:27 pm

In the second pic....to Buddy's left.....would that be Fred Newell with the Telecaster?

Jack Harper · Post by **Jack Harper** » 20 Jan 2013 2:25 pm

looks like danny liles, kneeling in the white tee shirt on the right corner.....

country....

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 20 Jan 2013 5:35 pm

Egil, I was there just before you. I attended the intermediate class in February of 1978.
We were supposed to have Buddy Emmons at the concert but since he had landed a job, we had to put up with Hal Rugg instead! I never regretted that switch! What a player and fine person!

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 20 Jan 2013 5:37 pm

I think that is Fred Newell. Yes Jeff, the "training specialist". Great sign.
Bob Browning should be lurking somewhere. Probably pitching horse shoes.

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 21 Jan 2013 11:08 am

Undoubtedly Fred Newell . . .
next to Fred is Duke Dumas
on Fender bass.
~Rw

Rick Kornacker · Post by **Rick Kornacker** » 26 Jan 2013 1:49 pm

So good to catch this thread! July,1978 it was. What a fabulous week. Have a number of pics that I took myself but this is the first time I saw the class photo(I'm standing next to Jeff on the left). Still remember the guys/gal in the class..it was a good group and for me the beginning of a "magical" experience with steel guitar. Also, I ended up with the great Jeff N. as my father-in-law a few years down the road.Thanks for asking "were you there?" Respectfully submitted,as always, RK

Egil Skjelnes · Post by **Egil Skjelnes** » 27 Jan 2013 2:50 am

Hello Rick
Thanks for looking in here,you are number 2 to respond,so now I have 2 names from the class! I must admit it is hard to remember the people from so long ago,but it is still nice to get names to put on the picture.I don`t know if you remember there were 2 of us guys from Norway,the other guy is to the left in the yellow shirt-Sigfred Dyb- A funny thing about him is that he came to the class with his old 8 string Fender pedal steel! Jeff really had a good laugh about it and said "you can`t use that",so he set him up with an Emmons he had in the classroom.The great story here is,at the end of the week,he ended up buying this Emmons,so he came with an old Fender 8 string,and returned to Norway with both! It is a long time since I spoked with him,but then he still had the Emmons.I think Jeff offered him a good deal on it as well.
One of the people I do remember,not the name ,is a guy from Florida? He was the one who drove Jeffs car when we went to Opryland,and seeing Doug Jernigan at the club,he stayed at the same motel as we did,so we hung out a little bit together.Sadly,I don`t remember his name.
And Tommy,I do have some records by Tommy Alexander,is that you?
Also ,thanks to the others that have sent in their stories about these classes,I guess there are many of you that had a great time there as we had.Nice to hear from you all!
Regards,Egil.

Tommy Alexander · Post by **Tommy Alexander** » 27 Jan 2013 4:17 am

Egil,
Jeff and I lived about 10 miles apart in Texas City, Tx and I lived in Galveston. Jeff, Howard Gregory (deceased) Eddie Sterling and myself was taught by Manuel Pedraza in Texas City. Mr. Pedraza is still living in Texas city and teaches still to this day.
I would see Jeff every year or two when he would come to visit his dad in Texas City and we get a chance to go out around town and catch up with some local band for jammin'.
I still live in the area (Friendswood, Tx.) Howard passed away a few years ago in Ft. Worth, Eddie lives in East Texas, retired and I'll still trying' to learn how to play.
I haven't seen Fran lately, but she was in Dallas after Jeff died. Hopefully, she might drop in at Dallas.
I still have some of the pictures in 1978; if I can put them together, I'll send them to you.
I will need an email address....

Dan Chambers · Post by **Dan Chambers** » 9 Feb 2013 8:29 pm

We did the same thing in 77 or 78, Bradley's Barn, Emmons at the class, Jernigan at a night club. Great memories and a real learning experience. Jeff did probably more for our instrument than any single guy in the history!!! He is sorely missed to this day.

Donald Dykes · Post by **Donald Dykes** » 10 Feb 2013 3:34 pm

i think the guy on the right with the red shirt is my friend Glen Knippers from Many LA.

Tom Mossburg · Post by **Tom Mossburg** » 11 Feb 2013 9:53 pm

What month was this class. I think I was there in July or August of 78

Egil Skjelnes · Post by **Egil Skjelnes** » 12 Feb 2013 9:10 am

Hi guys.
Thanks for your replies,always nice to have your comments,even if you was there in another class.Yes,it was a fun week!
Tom-I believe it was either last of June,or first half of July. Don`t remember exactly.,but if you don`t recognise yourself in the photo,you must have been there right sfter me I suppose.
Regards,Egil.

Tom Mossburg · Post by **Tom Mossburg** » 12 Feb 2013 5:14 pm

No I wasn't in this class. I'm thinking it was the one after this. I'm just trying to put a timeframe when my class was. This class was one of the most fun things I ever did.

Darrell Trammell · Post by **Darrell Trammell** » 18 Feb 2013 10:16 am

Jeff was a great guy! Will be missed for sure.I had to get my certificate out i was there Nov of 79 lost touch with everyone.But did have a great time. Wish i could remember some names.

Rick Kornacker · Post by **Rick Kornacker** » 26 May 2014 7:33 am

Just checking out the class "rosters" from Jeffran College just recently posted. Here, again, the "Class of 1978"(July).Great experience for the very many of us, back then. Regards, RK

Joe Finley · Post by **Joe Finley** » 26 May 2014 5:01 pm

Egil, the guy on the back row 2nd from the left is Jim Bob Hyde. Jim and his son in law were killed in a crop duster plane crash. Jim was from Ozark Arkansas. I have a book that belonged to Jim that he was studying from. I also have a friend that has Jim's amp. He was converting his guitar and had taken it apart. Someone bought his guitar that was in pieces. Dont know where it is at this time. I had his grandson in band when I taught at the local high school.
Joe

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 30 May 2014 5:41 pm

I think it was '75 or '76 when I was there. Big, big fun and Jeff and Fran were as great a folks as you could ever meet...

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