Marvin Rainwater

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

Moderators: Donna Dodd, Lori Lee Smith

Post Reply
User avatar
Nick Reed
Posts: 4746
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Russellville, KY USA

Marvin Rainwater

Post by Nick Reed »

Marvin Rainwater passed away Tuesday Sept 17th. His song “Gonna Find Me A Bluebird!” was his biggest hit. He helped produce many early recordings & wrote many songs. Marvin was known to indulge quite often and get a bit feisty, but always was upbeat and there to help anyone he could. He was a very talented song writer and singer. He will be dearly missed by his many friends and fans
User avatar
Dale Lee
Posts: 265
Joined: 4 Apr 2006 12:01 am
Location: Down Yonder

Post by Dale Lee »

I always loved his big hit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bLZEL_Ovi0
User avatar
Kevin Mincke
Posts: 3093
Joined: 27 Dec 1998 1:01 am
Location: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
Contact:

Post by Kevin Mincke »

We were playing Theo's Lounge in the late 70's early 80's on Nicollet Ave just up from the old Flame and Marvin walked in and did a few with our band. Very cool! He had moved back up to Aikin, MN.
User avatar
Neil Lang
Posts: 1120
Joined: 18 Oct 2002 12:01 am
Location: Albert Lea, Minnesota, USA

Post by Neil Lang »

I got to work with Marvin at Expo 90 on I90 by Fairmont MN about 3 years ago. He was quite a guy, had a great time with him that evening. "Rest in Peace Marvin!" You finally "Found that Bluebird!"
Sho-Bud Steel Guitars, 3 Super Pro's, 1 Super Pro II (Rose) & 1 Finger Tip
Fender Guitars & Basses
Peavey Amps & Sound Equipment
User avatar
Craig Baker
Posts: 1330
Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Pretty steel

Post by Craig Baker »

Backed Marvin in 1970 in Atlantic City.

Wish I'd asked him who played steel on "Bluebird". Anybody know?

Regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
Roger Shackelton
Posts: 3911
Joined: 18 Mar 1999 1:01 am
Location: MINNESOTA (deceased)

"Gonna Find Me A Bluebird"

Post by Roger Shackelton »

I can't say for sure, but I've heard it was Jimmy Day on Steel Guitar. ?? Perhaps someone can verify this info.


Roger
Daniel McKee
Posts: 1557
Joined: 6 Feb 2009 5:15 pm
Location: Corinth Mississippi

Post by Daniel McKee »

He was a good singer.I like Gonna Find me a Bluebird.
Mike Cass

Post by Mike Cass »

the one and only Jimmy Day on that classic...

I too had the pleasure of working for Marvin in the 70's around the Twin Cities and midwest area. Marvin would sing a bunch of rockabilly tunes most of the night, just wearing out his Sonic Blue Fender Musicmaster...then before the last song he'd nod at me and smile, turning slightly off mic as I played Jimmy's into to Bluebird, and I swear, as soon as he started singing it was 1957 all over again....you could hear the needle in the record grooves...always gave me big 'ol chillbumps.
Man, that was some kinda fun!
RIP my friend.
sincerely,

MC
User avatar
Don Sulesky
Posts: 4867
Joined: 14 Jan 1999 1:01 am
Location: Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH

Post by Don Sulesky »

I bought the 45 when it came out in the 50's.
Bluebird is one of my favorite songs to sing.
Also enjoyed doing the flip side "So You Think You've Got troubles".
A great song writer.
Private one on one lessons available
Member: FSGC, PSGA, TSGA
Co-founder: Florida Steel Guitar Club

"Steel guitar is like playing chess in the dark with three players". Jeff Newman quote from 1997 seminar
User avatar
Alan Brookes
Posts: 13218
Joined: 29 Mar 2006 1:01 am
Location: Brummy living in Southern California

Post by Alan Brookes »

I always liked his "Whole Lotta Woman" from his rockabilly days. 8) Here's a video of him live.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCfIdXLn8cg
"She's a whole lot of woman and she's gotta have a whole lot of man..." 8)

We'll miss you, Marvin. :cry:
Last edited by Alan Brookes on 21 Sep 2013 9:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
Don Euton
Posts: 185
Joined: 16 Jun 2009 4:26 pm
Location: Texas, USA

Post by Don Euton »

According to the Louisville Steel Guitar Artist list, it was Jimmy Day. It also sounds like him.

Don Euton
robert kramer
Posts: 2052
Joined: 27 Nov 1999 1:01 am
Location: Nashville TN

Post by robert kramer »

New York Times Obit for Marvin Rainwater:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/arts/ ... ?ref=music
User avatar
Terry Wood
Posts: 5240
Joined: 2 Mar 2000 1:01 am
Location: Marshfield, MO

Post by Terry Wood »

I got to play a show with Marvin Rainwater one time in the late 1980s. The audience loved him and a real nice guy.

Besides Country music he also did quite a bit of the old Rock a billy type songs too.

Prayers for his Family and Friends

Terry & Zane Wood
Tony Farr
Posts: 373
Joined: 5 Jul 2002 12:01 am
Location: Madison, Tennessee, USA (deceased)

Post by Tony Farr »

Kevin, I worked at the Flame from 64 to 70 and backed Marvin many times. He was one of the good guys. The last time I heard from him was around 2009. RIP in piece my friend. :cry:
Jack Stanton
Posts: 1894
Joined: 6 May 2007 7:00 am
Location: Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey

Post by Jack Stanton »

Had to chance to back Marvin on two separate occasions. A nice guy and a real pro. I think Bluebird and maybe one other tune was all we had to learn for the gig, but he was a real crowd pleaser. Seem to remember him doing Running Bear a lot...
Ben Rubright
Posts: 895
Joined: 9 Aug 2004 12:01 am
Location: Punta Gorda, Florida, USA
Contact:

Post by Ben Rubright »

Gonna put me a bar in the back of my car and drive myself to drink. (last line of 'So you think you've got troubles'}

Not to forget....

l. What am I supposed to do?
2. Get off the stool you silly fool.
3. Sometimes I feel like leavin' town and never coming back.
4. It's you my darlin' it's you (with Connie Francis)

I wonder if todays country music "Stars" ever heard of Marvin Rainwater or for that matter...Jimmy Day.
o
Post Reply