Salute to Bill Jobes of Missouri

[Doug Earnest]

Well known steel player and "colorful personality" Bill Jobes announced that his annual Steel Jam and Potluck Picnics have come to an end after about 45 years. Bill is located just south of Kansas City.

Many people have been introduced to the steel guitar over the years at these jams, myself included. Bill always had a nice outdoor pavilion at his homes where as many as 20 players would gather and play Pass the Song in a Circle, for better or worse, but always in the spirit of fellowship and learning.

For years they were conducted in conjunction with a Jeff Newman teaching seminar so you could end up getting a good dose of pedal steel over the course of a few days. Jeff brought many special guests over the years. We were fortunate to get to pick with and listen to Jeff, Randy Beavers, John Hughey, Paul Franklin, Hal Rugg, Lloyd Green, and a great number of very good players from around the midwest who would make the journey to his truly legendary parties.

Bill is still in good shape considering his advancing years but has decided it is time to move a little closer to town. He has spent the last 50 years giving of his time and energy to help promote the instrument we love. I hope those who have been to his parties will join me in sending Bill thanks and best wishes. His efforts made a great difference in my life.

Salute, sir!

[Larry Dering]

Doug, I never attended Bills jams but I was aware of his events. Bill also did MC duties at one of the shows we attended years ago. Great guy and giving individual.

[Bruce Zumsteg]

I want to echo everything that Doug has stated in his post. Bill Jobes has gone above and beyond when it comes to supporting the Pedal Steel Guitar in the Kansas City area. I found a few pictures of some of Bill's Jams to share with everyone.

[Keith Hilton]

Interesting picture. In the picture I see John and Hal both using Hilton pedals. I didn't give either of those guys pedals. When John first approached me about using my pedals, he told me this: "I am paying you for a pedal, that way if you come around in a year or so and I am not using your pedal, you can't say anything." John eventually wound up buying a total of 6 Hilton pedals. I knew Hal used my pedals but I have no idea where he got them. I recently learned something from a guy in Australia. I never knew Buddy Emmons used one of my pedals. This fellow in Australia told me he saw Buddy using a Hilton pedal at Scotty's Convention in 1992. I have no idea where Buddy got the pedal. I can tell you this: It is a true honor to have had guys like John, Hal, and Buddy using something I made. Plus I did not have to give these guys pedals to have them use them. I think both Herby Wallace and John Hughey were the ones who got a lot of the other big names using my pedals. All of these great payers are dead, but I feel extremely lucky to have listened to these great players live at Scotty's International Steel Guitar Convention.

[Michael McGee]

Nobody loves steel guitar more than my dear friend Bill Jobes. Very few individuals worked harder and sacrificed more to promote steel guitar music than Bill. I am so GRATEFUL that we met and became lifelong friends. As the wonderful memories flood back and almost overwhelm, it also reminds me how true the cliche is... All good things must come to an end. 45 years... what an incredible effort - to give anyone who wanted to hear great steel music the chance to hear it up close and personal. There was nothing like a Jobes' Jam in Racket, Missouri. You could never make up a location for a steel jam called Racket!

Bill, we've got a lot more conversations left, stories to tell, and lies to invent, but it's time to say I love you, and thank you. JOB WELL DONE, dear friend!

[Tomi Graso]

I met Bill and Betty Jobes when they were visiting Australia in the late 90's, we also invited them to stay at our place in Sydney. We had a great time doing some sightseeing and enjoying each other's company. At the time I didn't realize who Bill actually really was as him and Betty were introduced to us by Warren Nielsen from Brisbane. Later i found out that Bill is a true ambasador of the Steel Guitar.
Few years later in 2002 i saw Bill and Betty once again at Scotty's convention in St Louis. Have some great memories from that show.

Tomi-steel

[Jack Stoner]

I've known Bill for many years, and I think he was living in KC when I first met him. Unfortunately, I never got to any of his jams. There was always some other commitment. Then there was a 26-year gap when I was in Florida. Last time I saw Bill we were both on the Heart of America (KC) steel guitar club show in Harrisonville.

Mid 90's I worked in a KC band with John Pearson. John was one of the Bass players in the backup bands at Bill's jams.

[Bobby DeMoss]

First off I say THANK YOU Bill for everything you have contributed to the Steel Guitar Community,all those wonderful years and shows and jams, but most of all for your friendship. I will miss the jams for sure!

I remember Bill Jobes playing a job with a band I was in. I was around 13 years old. Bill played an instrumental,Danny Boy, that was so beautiful that I was certain I wanted to come off those drums and play a Steel Guitar.
I did and Bill has been a mentor, and a good friend of my family ever since then.
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[Paddy Long]

hey Tomi, I first me Bill through an introduction from Warren (Wazza) Neilsen too .... and here is a great pic of Bill at the Dallas steel show back in march of this year :-}
keeping a low profile as always hehe !!!