2014 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

[Danny Hammers]

2014 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

The Country Music Association announced three new artists to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The late Hank Cochran, Ronnie Milsap, and Mac Wiseman will be inducted during the official Medallion Ceremony later this year.



And like the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, why wait till they are passed to go in. And I will let it be know, I would like to see at going on 88 years young, Chubby Howard to go in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.

And when you read this you might see why

My nomination for Chubby Howard

I, Danny Hammers of Floral City Florida
with the help of Stephen Lake II of Ohio
Am nominating Chubby Howard for
The Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame

Steel Guitar Hall of Fame (Nomination, 2014 he will be 88 years old)
Who should be the next inductee into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame? The answer is Ray "Chubby" Howard. Best defined as a steel guitar lover, player, promoter, enthusiast, and historian, Chubby has shared his love for the instrument abroad. Starting the first steel guitar club in the '50's, making seven USO tours in the 1960's, to reaching listeners around the world (today) via a weekly "live" radio show syndicated and streamed internationally on the Internet; there's more to the story! Take a few moments "past & present" to look at this timeline and notice that it's not about one man or an instrument, but a partnership that without each other would be impossible to accomplish. You decide, is it the man behind the steel guitar or vice versa? Let's try to find out!
Chubby & his Steel Guitar Timeline
1930's (In the beginning...)
• Born June 5, 1926 in Gooserock, Kentucky (the only part that doesn't include a steel!)
• His Dad purchased him a Sears & Robuck white Silvertone Steel Guitar and amp for $65.00
• Started playing at age 8 practicing in front of his family's Howard's Grocery Store with inquisitive shoppers saying, "What is that?"

1940's (Steelin' with the stars begins..)
• As a teenager played his first show with a country music star, Jimmy Skinner in Franklin, Ohio and continued playing regionally
• Met his future wife, Dorothy Lee Gruszczynski and married in July 30, 1954

1950's (On the Road!)
• Played on the Midwestern Hayride with Russ Helton & the Trailhands in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Recorded several records with artists on King Records (Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Completed seven USO tours for Promoter Antone Sabillious which sometimes included other names like Roy Acuff and Bob Hope touring in Japan, Korea,
Newfoundland, Greenland, and Alaska
• First born son: Brian Keith Howard (December 24, 1955)
• Moved to Florida and worked for RCA/Victor artist, Ernie Lee. This earned Chubby a collaborative spot in the book The Original Country Music Who's Who Annual for 1960 appearing as a band member on the Ernie Lee TV Show

1960's (From stage to TV and Radio)
• Moved to Tacoma, Washington and started the first Steel Guitar Club in the USA (1959). Featured players for club meetings included Buddy Charlton, Katz Kobiashi (later with Marty Robbins), and Julian Thorpe who brought Chubby's idea back to Nashville!
• Second-born son: John Earl Howard (September 5, 1960)
• Played in Buck Owens' first band called the Bar-K-Gang (before the Buckaroos)
• Played with Jack Roberts and the Evergreen Drifters on Jack's TV show backing artists Lefty Frizzell, Faron Young, and Carl Smith (show produced by George Ritchie)
• Met a best friend for life, the great Jim Reeves
• Formed a life-long friendship with Merle Haggard after standing up for him over a musician's union dispute on the West Coast
• Third-born son: Anthony Joseph Howard (September. 24, 1966)
• Started his radio career with station "KAYE" every morning in Puyallup, Washington
• Created his own TV Show called the Western Jamboree appearing five days each week for a 1-hour "live show" interviewing and listening to artists like Tommy Duncan, Johnny Bush, Johnny Paycheck, Sheb Wooley, Jimmie Day, and Buck Owens (WTVW-Channel 13-Tacoma Washington - five year run)
• Simultaneously created a second TV show on WTVW called Look or Listen which was the first radio and TV format combined as people watched Chubby spin the records.

1970's (Heading to the Grand Ole Opry)
• Recorded the first of two albums with Steel Guitar innovator, Shot Jackson called Nashville Northwest, 1971 (on Wasp Records-produced by Gene Breeden)
• Moved back to Franklin, Ohio and joined touring band, "Steve Lake & the Swingmasters" backing up artists throughout the country-such as The Statler Brothers, Lynn Anderson, Earl Thomas Conley, Crystal Gayle, Loretta Lynn, Mel Street, Lorne Greene, and members of the Hee Haw cast and Lawrence Welk Show
• Appeared on the Phil Donahue Show with the Swingmasters backing Johnny Russell
• Made several appearances on the Grand Ole Opry with the Swingmasters backing Connie Smith for seven years. (played the final Opry Show at the Ryman Auditorium, 1974)
• Played the Sho Bud Showcase at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop several times for Shot Jackson and Jack Bowles
• Recorded second album with Shot Jackson called Sippin' Music, 1975 "Artist's Records/later released on Sugar Records".


1980's (The highlight of Chubby's career..!)

• Toured the USA & Europe with Grand Ole Opry star Boxcar Willie (1983-'84). During this time Chubby always had a feature song in Boxcar's show - the Steel Guitar Rag! This earned Chubby many standing ovations leading all the way to the International Country Music Festival at Wembley Stadium
• Played the first JCH steel guitar on the Grand Ole Opry at Jimmy Crawford's request
• Made twenty-six appearances on the Grand Ole Opry with Boxcar Willie
• Joined the staff band at Renfro Valley (Kentucky) for a ten-year run in their two main shows (1989-'99) (the second longest running radio show in the country)

1990's (Founded the annual Steel Guitar Jamboree)
• Began Chubby Howard's Steel Guitar Jamboree (annual show) featuring local, regional, and national players. This year marks the 15th Anniversary for his show!
• Always a close friend to Don Helms and mentioned in his autobiography, Settin' The Woods on Fire (2005)
• Played a featured song (Jealous Heart) on the tribute to Shot Jackson called Pickin' on Shot (Volume 1)
• Played shows in Nashville with his son, Tony, with various artists like Daryle Singletary, Clinton Gregory, Tom Jones, Trisha Yearwood, and Tanya Tucker

2000 - Present (Taking the steel guitar to new listeners abroad)
• Began another DJ career in 2000 with a "live" radio show every Saturday and Sunday on WBZI, WKFI, WEDI, and FM 100.3 which simulcasts from Xenia, Ohio. Listeners, both fans and artists world-wide via the Internet, often call Chubby on his radio show for personal requests
• Continues to travel with the Clean Cut Country Show as well plays on three regular shows per week
• Often receives a call from friend, Rhonda Vincent, to join her band (The Rage) on stage
• This year, Chubby will celebrate his 87th Birthday without missing a show - on radio or stage


Steel Guitar Endorsements: National, Wright Custom, Sho Bud, JCH, Emmons, and Derby

To this day, Chubby maintains close friendships with everybody from radio listeners, musicians, to country music artists. It is not uncommon to hear Chubby on the radio mentioning the steel guitar player on the record before the artist or playing two steel-guitar instrumentals in a row. Then, take a phone call from a local musician, a friend in Norway, or even Rhonda Vincent or Moe Bandy and hear them say, "Chubby, I love your show all the way from The Road, USA" as they listen from their bus. You tell me who loves the steel guitar and (who) promotes the "sound and listening platform" for future generations more than any other living person on this Earth and the answer repeats itself - "Chubby".

Thanks for reading this It was sent to the committee in 2013
Danny Hammers

7122 S. Duval Island Drive
Floral City, FL 34436-2434
Phone 352-860-0155
Email dhammers@tampabay.rr.com

[Jim Gillyard]

I have been a fan of Chubby Howard for years. I live in Ocala, Fla. but I get his show over my computer every week. I hear his show just about every Saturday and Sunday if I can. I have the same love for the Steel Guitar that he has. I love to hear Chubby talk about the Steel Guitar and his past. I agree with my friend, Danny Hammers, It's time for Chubby to be inducted in the Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame. It was a pleasure to meet Chubby and talk to him a few years back. He is a very kind man. He does a great job playing the Steel Guitar. Chubby my friend, hope to see you again soon.

Jim Gillyard, Jr.
Ocala, Florida

[Joe Casey]

I guess the Wilburns, Wynn Stewart and a few others willnever make it in.

[LJ Eiffert]

Am proud for my ole friend Ronnie Milsap to make it in.I hope his son & Phil Jones are too! I don't think Wynn Stewart will never get in because he didn't do much in the Nashville neighborhood backyard system that makes you a part of their History.If they Can't make money off of you and your name as no dollar val u to it,in today's world they won't Honor you. That's why you'll never hear any of them who I know mention by name of thanks for the support I gave them here in Southern California that nobody no what I did for them but them self and they know who they are. That's why my book " Who Used Who,My Memories " will. Am very thankful to the true folks who tell me I wish I could have been able to say your name,but,I would not have a career if I step out of their lines that they write on the shows.The God father Of Southern California Country Music,Uncle Leo J Eiffert Jr & the Pigeons - Facebook. Where are you Chicken?

[Danny Hammers]

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