Catfish Johnny Galvin went to be with the lord last night. It wasn't unexpected due to his medical condition but still a shock.
Johnny was not a steel guitar player but has been a friend to many musicians, myself included, and the steel guitar community. He provided space, at his restaurant in Lake Panasoffkee Florida, for the Florida Steel Guitar Club jams for 18 years and hosted a Steel Guitar Hall of Fame fund raising show in 2004. He had a "Tuesday jam/show" at his restaurant for 30 years and featured many local and winter resident musicians and singers. My wife and I both worked in his staff band for 13 years.
Johnny was a Navy veteran and a singer. He worked in bands around Seattle while in the Navy and later toured with Tommy Collins on the west coast.
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Always enjoyed the steel jams and the catfish. Went to the Tuesday jams a few times as well. Always a great place to go and Johnny was a great singer. RIP.
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As a member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club I was at many of the jam sessions over the years.
Catfish Johnny was an amazing and talented man.
He was an outstanding singer and fronted his own bands for many years.
The restaurant is top notch.
I always looked forward to enjoying some fried catfish when we came for the jams.
Johnny was always a friendly host.
He is loved and admired by his many friends.
I got to play at a few steel jams at Catfish Johnny's. I didn't get to know him real well but I learned things from his friends that had known him for years. His health was in decline when I met him and we didn't speak often. I was both surprised and honored that one night, after the jam, I was the last one to leave and Johnny called me by my name. A little thing I know, but I didn't think he knew it. We had a few laughs that night. R.I.P. Catfish!
Last edited by Ben Lawson on 18 Apr 2021 5:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I was a Charter member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club.
Played a lot of Jams in the early years.
Johnny always served excellent food ,I never had a complaint in the restaurant.
It was a nice venue with good crowds
We will miss you catfish, go rest high on that mountain you have earned it .
Myself, Jack Stoner and Blake Hawkins Co-Founded the Florida Steel Guitar club in 2002 and Catfish Johnny gave us his place to play free of charge for all those 18 years.
Rest in Peace Johnny.
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Co-founder: Florida Steel Guitar Club
"Steel guitar is like playing chess in the dark with three players". Jeff Newman quote from 1997 seminar
I met Johnny at the first Club Jam I attended. It was the beginning of wonderful friendship and I eventually became a member of the Hushpuppy Band. He was truly unique and a fine entertainer. I will miss him and the fun we had.. Rest in Peace, my dear friend and give Butch a hug for me..
Here's a photo of Johnny and the last Hushpuppy Band.
L-R, Mark Svec, BJ Bear (Bill Shipman), Catfish Johnny, Butch Ramsey, Weed Carey and myself.
The difference between a musician and a savings bond is eventually the bond will mature and earn money.
A great place to listen to classic country music. I met several of the Hushpuppy Band members over the years being a snowbird from Philadelphia. Both at the Tuesday shows and the Florida Steel Guitar Club jams. All were excellent musicians and fine gentlemen. When I was attending, "Pass Me By If You're Just Passing Through" was what Johnny would typically sing. RIP, Catfish.
