Steel player in Seattle in early 70s

[Paul Sutherland]

Back in 1971 I recall going on a couple occasions to a club somewhere in the north end of Seattle, or maybe just beyond the city limit, and watching a top 40 style country band. I was a long haired young guy who really didn't fit in with the crowd, but no one bothered me as I was obviously there to hear the steel player.

I used to sit behind the steel player and absorb everything about his playing. He played an Emmons D10 through a Twin Reverb with JBLs. He tuned the E neck down to D to reduce string breakage. He certainly impressed me at the time, but I can't recall his name. I'm wondering if that might have been Ray Monte. Does anyone remember who he was?

PS: He was definitely not the long haired steel player from Lance Romance, whose name I've also forgotten. And it was not Lee Gillespie who gave steel lessons down around Federal Way.

[Brian Saulsman]

Was it the Lil Red Hen? Was it Dave Harmonson?
Just a guess...
All the best
Brian Saulsman

[Paul Sutherland]

I don't recall the name of the club, but it was a pretty good size place. The crowd was older people, not young hippie types. I think the band was the house band and probably played there 5 or 6 nights per week.

I would guess the steel player was in his mid 30s, which was old to me at the time. He was certainly not new to the instrument. I don't know if that describes Dave H or not.

I also remember that the mystery player was pretty good on the C6 neck and did some nice two foot work on the pedals.

[Brian Saulsman]

I think it was established in the ‘50s. Don’t know how long a Country Dave has been playing there regularly but he’s there a lot. He’s a member so I imagine he could tell you for sure who you’re thinking of.

[Brian Saulsman]

[Gene Tani]

You could ask at Trading Musician, the guitar store at Aurora /84th, Emerald City, Mike's guitar bar, guitar shops like that, those guys have been on the scene for decades and some of them have crazy good memory for a lot of PSG players I never heard of. And they actually like answering questions like that if they're not too busy. Kinda like Brian

Course all those shops are closed right now.

[Lynn Stafford]

He played an Emmons D10 through a Twin Reverb with JBLs. He tuned the E neck down to D to reduce string breakage. He certainly impressed me at the time, but I can't recall his name. I'm wondering if that might have been Ray Monte. Does anyone remember who he was?

This is just a wild guess but could it have been the great Jim Webb? He's an exceptional player that I believe is from that area and he plays an Emmons D-10 bolt-on.

[Wayne Franco]

Another name that pops out is Ray Robinson. Great player from the Seattle area.

[Paul Sutherland]

I have no recollection at all of his name, but thanks for the suggestions. All I remember is the steel and amp. Funny how that goes.