Who is "Bobby" in this video?

Brentley Dahmer · Post by **Brentley Dahmer** » 7 Sep 2019 11:11 am

In this iconic footage of Bob Wills, I've always wondered who this guy "Bobby" was. Been learning about Leon, Herb, Noel and others but still not sure.
Watching this is still mesmerizing for me and is the epitome of everything I love about the early Steel sound.
Any guesses also to what's going on here with tunings?
Thanks

Full Song
https://youtu.be/5sS5jSbV0Vg

Right to the good stuff
https://youtu.be/5sS5jSbV0Vg?t=79

Roy McKinney · Post by **Roy McKinney** » 7 Sep 2019 12:03 pm

Might be Bobby Koeffer

Brentley Dahmer · Post by **Brentley Dahmer** » 7 Sep 2019 12:11 pm

Ahhh, I had seen that name in posts here but didn't realize he was in the Playboys. I think you're right- Thanks

Scott Thomas · Post by **Scott Thomas** » 7 Sep 2019 1:57 pm

Yes that's him. Unusual style, eh?. Thumb and holding an old flat bar that way. He likes to look straight at the audience and not at the fretboard.

Scotty's has some tunings listed for him (third row):

http://www.scottysmusic.com/tunings.htm

Brentley Dahmer · Post by **Brentley Dahmer** » 7 Sep 2019 3:07 pm

Thanks - I see his E13 is same as McAuliffe's.
I guess it is a bit unusual using just the thumb now that I've seen some others play.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 11 Sep 2019 1:27 pm

Bobby Koefer

Landon Jarrel · Post by **Landon Jarrel** » 11 Sep 2019 4:45 pm

Here he is with Pee Wee King.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GiD7r0H2PU

Brentley Dahmer · Post by **Brentley Dahmer** » 12 Sep 2019 6:57 am

Thanks Landon

Landon Jarrel · Post by **Landon Jarrel** » 12 Sep 2019 8:36 am

You're most welcome. You and I both share a common love for the non-pedal steel, it seems!

Brentley Dahmer wrote: Watching this is still mesmerizing for me and is the epitome of everything I love about the early Steel sound.

I AGREE!

John B Blair · Post by **John B Blair** » 16 Sep 2019 9:27 am

He was with Bob Wills the same time my mother was (circa 1950) and on this MGM recording of hers.... https://youtu.be/0g82tFC28eI

A couple more clips of Bobby and my brother a few years back...enjoy!

https://youtu.be/nvg7jrVYvT0

https://youtu.be/8SYSaBcUpb4

John Sluszny · Post by **John Sluszny** » 16 Sep 2019 10:15 am

...and just ONE thumb pick !

Brentley Dahmer · Post by **Brentley Dahmer** » 16 Sep 2019 10:54 am

Wow, Great stuff Mr. Blair.
Thanks for sharing.

Steven Cummings · Post by **Steven Cummings** » 17 Sep 2019 3:47 am

I think that is Cotton Whittington playing what looks like an old Epiphone upside down no less.
I sure do like the steel on these recordings as well.
Would love to have any of those guitars, lap steel or the old single cutaway.

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Who is "Bobby" in this video?

Who is "Bobby" in this video?

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