Rudy Gabreletto Passes

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Chuck Campbell
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Location: Manassas, VA, USA

Rudy Gabreletto Passes

Post by Chuck Campbell »

It is with much sadness that I make this post. My long time friend, Rudy Gabreletto passed away yesterday evening in Daytona Beach, Florida. Rudy had been in failing health for some time. Arraignments are incomplete, but his Daughter Elaine informed me that a memorial will be held here in Virginia at a later date. Rudy was a well known and respected Steel Player here in the Northern Virginia, DC area. He was a member of the String Dusters Band and a regular at Hunters Lodge Fairfax, Va. For many years.
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Pat Moore
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Rudy

Post by Pat Moore »

Certainly sorry to hear this. He was one of the best of all time.
Condolences to his family.
R.I.P. Rudy
Pat
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Gary Lee Gimble
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Post by Gary Lee Gimble »

Chuck, please send my condolences to his family.
Roger Allen
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C;huck Campbell

Post by Roger Allen »

I am so sorry to hear a great steel player like Rudy has gone on,I never knew him only when our band would play at the Hunter Lodge once a month with Reggie Alley and the Night Hawks. RIP Rudy and my condolences goes out to his family.

Roger Allen
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Hook Moore
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Post by Hook Moore »

I'm very sorry to hear that. My condolences..
Teddy Lloyd
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Post by Teddy Lloyd »

Saw him at the lodge many times
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Sid Hudson
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Post by Sid Hudson »

In 1974 at the age of 19, I was fortunate to be hired as the guitarist for a large band called
“The String Dusters” at the infamous “Hunters Lodge” in Manassas Virginia.

This band was the best Western Swing Band I have ever heard in my life!

When any “Nashville act” was within 100 miles of “Hunters Lodge” they would come to see the “String Dusters”.

Everyone in the band was 25-30 years my senior.

“The String Dusters” was and still is a legendary Western Swing Band that had many great steel players pass through its ranks over the years. Some were Sonny Garish, Rudy Gabriletto, and Buddy Charlton.

Rudy was an incredible steel guitarist! He could play a blazing C6 solo at any tempo you wanted to play.

One of the many things I will always remember well about Rudy was he was a team player. Not interested in being the standout soloist.

The String Dusters had an arrangement and parts on everything and I do mean everything.

Rudy was completely content with playing sustaining one note lines while the fiddle section played the head to songs such as “String of Pearls” or “Perdido.”

I learned a lot about music and about life playing with Rudy. I will miss him dearly.

Most of the “String Dusters” are gone now. If they all made it to heaven, God is going to have one heck of a Western Swing Band.



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pdl20
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Post by pdl20 »

RIP Rudy
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Don Poland
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Post by Don Poland »

I am heart broken to hear this. I had many a great chats with Rudy. My condolences to the family.
Tommy Young
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Post by Tommy Young »

My Condolences to his family and friends
TOMMY YOUNG
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Roger Allen
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Sid Hudson

Post by Roger Allen »

Hello Sid, were you playing at the Hunter Lodge when the Justice brothers were playing, It was Roy, Paul and Tony, Tony went on to work in our band playing bass with Reggie and the Knight Hawks and Roy and Paul played twin fiddles, then later on Paul went to work for Mel Tillis, I ran into to Paul in 1982 when he was working in Mel Tillis band they were traveling and promoting the Seagram 7 baddle of the bands they were on stage at The Great American Park, in Santa Clara California
Stadium, I was one of the judges, that is were I met up with Paul and he took me up to his room and he called Roy and I got to talked to him for a little while and we just talked about old times. Reggie went on to join Stonewall Jackson band and also Ron Elliott was playing also in Stonewall band. I met up with Ron in Florida at Catfish Johnny's Restaurant in Lake Panasoffkee, Fl, Ron is the one got the job for Reggie, how nice to look out for a friend. I believe I was told that Roy Justice was the owner of the Hunter Lodge, gee how time passes.

Roger Allen
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Sid Hudson
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Post by Sid Hudson »

Yes sir
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Ron Elliott
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So Sorry, Rudy

Post by Ron Elliott »

Rudy and I became great friends in and around the well-known "Hunters Lodge" I was around when Sonny Garrish was the Steel Player there. Rudy was a fine man and one great musician. I did see Rudy at St. Louis...He was in a wheel chair,..we talked for a while running around in our hearts history about the Virginia/DC area and some of the dear friends that had "Gone Home". Rudy told me then as he gave one of his Bear Hugs, that we would not see each other again...what a touching and hard thing to place in you memory and in our hearts. I deeply respected Rudy and love him for the man and musician that he was...His memory is carved. Go rest High on the Mountain Rudy, your work here is done. Our Prayers for the Family and his many Friends. I was so proud to be one of his many Friends. Ron Elliott
Rudy Hawk
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Post by Rudy Hawk »

I came to know Rudy back in the early 70's when my former band and I played clubs in the MD,VA,DC area. He was a real gentleman and pleasant to talk with. I well remember his musical talent, although playing steel guitar wasn't on my personal radar at the time. My prayers to his family, RIP my friend.
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Michael McGee
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Post by Michael McGee »

I'm so sorry to hear of this. I got to know Rudy by way of the Steel Guitar Chat Room because of the efforts of the late Ray Walker and my buddy Don Poland. I'm so grateful that I did. Rudy was a wonderful person. May he rest in peace.
Bobby Edenton
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Rudy Gabraletto

Post by Bobby Edenton »

Sorry to hear of Rudy's passing. Never forget my first time playing steel in public. Rudy was already playing when I got there. I really want to put my stuff back in the car. We laughed about that many years later. He will be truly missed.
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