RIP Larry "Wimpy" Sasser

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 1 Oct 2021 6:37 am

So sad to hear & read of this.
I loved seeing him on TV playing &
he was always smiling & laughing.
My condolences to his family & friends.
RIP - Ron

Shorty Smith · Post by **Shorty Smith** » 1 Oct 2021 2:15 pm

Sorry to hear that Larry had passed, the World has lost another great person, musician and Steel Guitar picker, Larry will not be forgotten, RIP, Condolence for the Family, Shorty

Marlin Gengenbach · Post by **Marlin Gengenbach** » 1 Oct 2021 2:50 pm

While health had been an issue over the years, Wimpy also rebounded, an played better than ever! Loved the way he may that beautiful instrument sound. May he rest in peace!

Jonathan Cullifer · Post by **Jonathan Cullifer** » 1 Oct 2021 5:52 pm

Sorry to hear this. Larry was one of the first steel players I met when I started playing in the late 90s. He was always very supportive and a very kind person.

Ken Mullett · Post by **Ken Mullett** » 1 Oct 2021 6:09 pm

Our condolences to the Sasser family.Larry was very talented and a super nice guy. ðŸ˜¢ðŸ™ðŸ¼

Sandra Scott-Wall · Post by **Sandra Scott-Wall** » 2 Oct 2021 6:23 am

Larry Sasser was inducted into th3 Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2011. He, as well as his wife Evelyn, were the nicest people we knew. REO Larry.

Bruce Zumsteg · Post by **Bruce Zumsteg** » 2 Oct 2021 6:37 am

So sorry to hear of the passing of one of the greatest guys I ever knew. Larry and I became pretty close in the last 20 years or so. He was a guest in our home back in the early 2000's. We emailed and phoned each other on a regular basis and shared many stories of the golden years of steel guitar. Dorene and I send our deepest condolences to Evelyn and the family.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 2 Oct 2021 9:05 am

So sad to lose another icon of the Steel Guitar World.

RIP, Larry

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

Jim R. Harrison · Post by **Jim R. Harrison** » 2 Oct 2021 9:29 pm

We have lost a very fine gentleman AND excellent steel guitarist. Very sad!! Here are some memories I have of Larry.

RIP Larry

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 2 Oct 2021 9:51 pm

It is with heavy heart to write this. Larry was the most kind and encouraging for my move to Nashville all those years ago. I learned so much from Larry on how to behave and perform on TV. Larry was a master of team member and had the just right attributes. We are so thankful to have visited and participate in Larryâ€™s interview at Paul Franklinâ€™s Steel Guitar camp in August 2021. Until we meet again, RIP hero and beloved friend.

John Brabant · Post by **John Brabant** » 3 Oct 2021 10:01 am

Church services tomorrow, wake tonight for Larry:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/23905524 ... yne-sasser

Frank Speights · Post by **Frank Speights** » 3 Oct 2021 4:24 pm

I was shocked to here of Larry's passing. I always enjoyed seeing him and enjoyed hearing him play. I remember the last time I say him(Feb 20 at a show at the VFW in Conyers). He told a story about what Hal Rugg and Weldon Myrick did to him one night on they stage of the Grand Ole Opry. They put a Sho-Bud fret board under the strings of his Emmons and the switched the cables on his volume pedal. I will miss seeing and talking to him. My thoughts and prayers are extended to his family.

Bill Nicholson · Post by **Bill Nicholson** » 3 Oct 2021 5:11 pm

Larry was an exceptional "Nashville" professional steel guitar player. I only got to know him after his medical retirement back to the Conyers (Atlanta) Ga area. To his credit, he always treated us local Georgia SG players (and other musicians) with much more respect of our musical abilities than most of us deserved.
RIP my friend.

Bill Lowe · Post by **Bill Lowe** » 4 Oct 2021 7:56 am

very sad news. He was one of my favorite players. His playing was pure country.I only met him once in St. louis where he was very nice to me.. He took the time to chat and take a picture. Thoughts and Prayers to his family.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 4 Oct 2021 10:45 am

I only met Wimpy a couple of months ago at Billy Knowles' shop. We went out to lunch. He was struggling to get around but it didn't dampen his enthusiasm and sense of humor. He entertained us with his wit and road stories. When we parted company I felt I had known him for years. Prayers for his family and everyone that loved him. R.I.P. trouper.

John Brabant · Post by **John Brabant** » 9 Oct 2021 5:58 am

Frank Speights, Larry told me that story as well a few years back. He was wondering how the heck he didn't notice the different brand fret board, which either due to the scale difference or its placement on the neck, threw him off. He said he went to play and it was way out of tune while up on stage playing with the band on the Opry stage. He said it so threw him so, he checked his guitar tuning in the middle of the song. He went to play again and it was so bad that he pulled back on his volume pedal which just pinned the volume. The way Larry told the story, you felt what he must have felt. Can you imagine? Such a fun loving, sweet guy. So very sad.

This is a great show at the 1990 ISGC event with Larry and the Nashville Now band posted by Bill Ferguson. Really great to watch Larry back in his hay day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KOFRmL ... av&index=8

Pete McAvity · Post by **Pete McAvity** » 20 Oct 2021 7:18 am

I had the good fortune to meet and speak with Larry and JayDee briefly this last August. As many have attested here, he had an easy way about him that was reflected in something he said to me. I forget exactly what my (one of many) questions was about technique, approach- the usual stuff you ask the masters when you're lucky enough to meet one, but his response was something to the effect of "after awhile you get to where everything flows, and its almost like you're just there observing". That said about all I needed to know about him. I'd known him less than 5 minutes, and he imparted what may well be the most sage advice I've gotten pertaining to pedal steel guitar.

RIP, Mr. Sasser.

James Taylor · Post by **James Taylor** » 20 Oct 2021 10:23 am

VERY SORRY NEWS-- ONE OF MY HEROES OF PEDAL STEEL
Yes, indeed this is very sad news to hear of Larry's death. I never met nor knew him personally, but he was a great inspiration to me to hear his playing.

I loved his technique and style and there are a number of melodies that will forever cling to my mind and ring deep into my soul; thank you Wimpy for that.

He was a classic player and the angels above will learn much from him; perhaps they will have to improve their own playing.

James Taylor Rosehearty Scotland

Jeffery Self · Post by **Jeffery Self** » 29 Jan 2023 11:13 am

Here’s Larry, picking on a new blue Mullen at the Music Store in DeBary FL
I wanna say mid 90’s.

Bob Simmons · Post by **Bob Simmons** » 29 Jan 2023 8:31 pm

oh my,rip to another bud

Doug Berry · Post by **Doug Berry** » 30 Jan 2023 9:55 am

Sorry to see we lost yet another great player.

The Steel Guitar Forum

RIP Larry "Wimpy" Sasser

Wimpy

Sorry News about one of my heroes of Pedal Steel

rip

Rip Larry "Wimpy" Sasser