A Memory of Herby Wallace

[Jim Saunders]

I recall once at the Dallas Steel Guitar convention, siting in the hotel restaurant at a table across from Herby Wallace and his wife Bunny. I chose that time to eat in order to catch Herby's set that was coming up. Anyway, I overheard Bunny say to Herby who was making notes for his set, "don't play the same old shit."

I had a laugh to myself, thinking shit is not how I would describe Herby's repertoire. He could play slow ballads and up tempo tunes with equal ease and soul. But, every artist has their playlist of familiar stuff to rely on.

[Larry Dering]

Herby Wallace was my favorite player and I would marvel at his techniques. After seeing conventions and steel shows for years the wife would tire of the same tunes getting wore out on the bandstand. I didn't have problem with it and it was nearly impossible to pry me out of my seat, even for dinner. God bless the patience and understanding of our spouses for putting up with our addiction to steel guitar. And God bless Herby for feeding the flames of envy.

[Joe Krumel]

Herby had the most hypnotic bar vibrato on the slow stuff.He was fast as greased lightning on the up tempo stuff. Very soulful picker! Loved his recordings with Thumbs Carllile.

[David Graves]

Herby was an Amazing musician and a great person to hang around. I was so blessed to get to be friends with Herby and do a few shows with him a couple years before his passing, I got the privilege to play lead guitar for Herby at Indianapolis during their annual Steel show. He and I had an instant “click” and it turned into doing some steel shows around the Midwest including St Louis. It also led to a great friendship. His musical capacity of chords, structure and theory would boggle the mind. I learned so much from our hours long phone conversations. And his dry spontaneous sense of humor was great. I was talking with Herby on the phone before his passing back in 2012. We were discussing songs and preparation for a steel show. I Remember one of his last words of advice.... “Dont forget to tune” .... followed by a good chuckle. He was a great man!

[Tony Prior]

Herby was a really fine man and a great player to say the least. On top of that he knew how to put a learning package together,he understood this.

Herby would often go to the Saluda SC shows ( when they were still active ) he would play a set and also sell his stuff. I don't know if Herby was ever the "featured recognized PRO Guest" at any Saluda shows but he should have been. I hope he was.


One of the Saluda shows I attended I approached Herby to talk about C6th advance programs, scales, chord structures etc, how did he approach the tuning, that kind of stuff. I walked up to him and introduced myself, I said "Hi Herby I'm Tony Prior" he responded..."Of course you are who else would you be " ? We laughed and he told me he had known me for a long time we had just not talked much if at all.

I did purchase his C6th program I think it comes in two sections. I told Herby I didn't want another program to just end up in a cardboard box somewhere. He laughed and said I'll give you a 100% return guarantee for as long as you want. Herby was right, his program is an excellent study for putting things together with varied positions. While I am not a seasoned C6 player like many here, Herbys study brought me to a new place, Many of the things I knew but never pieced them together. Herbys study turned the light on for me. You know, the Ahh Ha ! moment. And No, I never returned it for a refund, I still review parts of it now and then.

Herby was a great guy and a fine player, its good to see him back in recognition on the forum again.

[Joachim Kettner]

I bought one of his courses in person, and he said with his dry tone: "you better buy it quick, because there's only a few ones left".

[Jim Saunders]

I was at the Dallas show one year and I asked Herby to play "Old Cape Cod". He didn't get it in on his set. Then, a year later at the same show, Herby saw me walking by his table and he stopped me and said he was sorry he didn't get to play my request. He remembered that a year later! I was blown away that he remembered.

[Jim Pitman]

What I remember about Herby was his vicious attack. Maybe it was a phase he was going through but when I saw him at the St Louis shows he plucked those strings as hard as he could.
He was an incredible player.

[Jim Saunders]

Herby told me he uses Showcase '41 finger picks and I went and bought a pair. They are great picks. If shaped right on your fingers, they are comfortable and have a nice tone

[Jerry Overstreet]

Besides the big November Kentucky Classic 3 day show, Herby would come to every regional Central Ky show where he was invivted. He would drive all the way up here and depend on his booth sales to pay his way. These were the Nicholasville shows and a few of the Louisville steel club meetings that would have maybe 50 people or less. I always tried to buy something to help him out.

He was personable and friendly. I had several discussions with him at these shows. We talked about Mullen guitars and TubeWorks electronics which we both used. He told me a few stories about introducing other pros to Mullen. He was instrumental in boosting Mullen guitar sales, no doubt.

I first saw him in St. Louis around 77, 78. I think he was playing Emmons then, but he played many brands. He always said "without a doubt, the finest I've ever played" which I thought was humorous, but I really believe he meant it with Mullen as he endorsed, played, sold his HWP model for many years.

One of the few confident enough to play 4 Wheel Drive with Emmons in the room. He was also a big fan of Speedy West and mimicked his whistles, screams and bar bounces.

Yes, he played sweet ballads and was fast as greased lightning on uptempo numbers too. Some of my favorite steel guitar experiences were Herby at the St. Louis ISGC with that fabulous band. With Jimmy Queen and Ben Brogdon they just smoked the place.

I was sad to hear about his stroke, but he clawed his way back and still played great for several more years to everyone's delight before he was taken from us.

[Pete Burak]

Herby's "Collection" CD is in my vehicle at all times!
I am also a fan of his background tracks!
Man, he was SO FAST!

[George Kimery]

When Herby moved from Chattanooga to Sevierville,TN, near me,I got to know him pretty well. I sponsored a steel show at the Newport,TN exit Interstate 40 at the Holiday Inn. Herby only lived about 45 minutes from the venue. I asked him if he would like to be a vendor. All it would cost him was he had to play one set. He accepted. Then I told him there was one catch he wasn't going to like. I had hired a good backup band and was sweating bullets that I wouldn't make enough to pay the band. Since it was a first time venture,I had no idea how many would attend. I told Herby I was charging every single person $10.00, including myself. There would be no exceptions. Herby sort of laughed and said he understood and would pay his $10.00. He said this would be the first time he had ever paid to play at a steel show.