Marty Rifkin on The Voice

[Greg Vincent]

I think I just saw Marty Rifkin playing some tasty steel with Reba on The Voice!

[Gary Hoetker]

What was the name of the Lead singer who Marty played steel for? He wore glasses, and a fancy Nudie suit of sorts. Marty is in a video with him was made 20 years ago. Can you contact Marty to find out?

[Marty Rifkin]

Hey Greg! Long time…hope you’re doing great.

Yep, that’s me. Reba was fantastic to work with. Here’s a YouTube link…

https://youtu.be/nFnvwykFghY?si=UJn_5g_MGtKuq0yN

Gary… not sure of the singer you described. I’ll keep trying to figure it out and report back when I do.

[Gary Hoetker]

What was the name of the Lead singer who Marty played steel for? He wore glasses, and a fancy Nudie suit of sorts. Marty is in a video with him was made 20 years ago. Can you contact Marty to find out?

[Gary Hoetker]

Marty, I think the singer I referred to died several ago.

[Greg Vincent]

You sounded fantastic, Marty —and as always, are so fun to watch!
Reba was effortlessly terrific. I hope I’m that vibrant at 70!
(I’m in Northern California now and these days am mostly playing Dobro.)

[Marc Muller]

Very cool. And steel downstage for a TV broadcast even cooler!

[Greg Vincent]

On the rare occasions I play a guitar with pedals these days, I STILL make use of a B & C pedal lick Marty taught me at a gig in Hollywood years ago.

I am in your debt, Marty!

[Tim Windsor]

Beautiful playing from Marty, but I feel that some aspects of this performance need to be unpacked. Namely, steel guitar right at the front of stage (yes, I approve and hopefully this is a trend that catches on) and half the band performing out of rowboats?

[Marty Rifkin]

Hi Marc! Yeah, it’s pretty cool how it was staged. They create some really unique sets.

Greg…glad you’re still hitting the pedals now and then! It was always fun hanging with you back in the day.

Hey Tim…thanks for the nice words. Hope the downstage trend continues too!

[Greg Vincent]

A Marty Rifkin story: My band was booked on an Elvis tribute show at the old House of Blues in Hollywood. There were tons of acts on the show, and Marty was playing as well. We load in, and there’s very little time to set up; I’m not sure how I’m gonna get my Emmons PSG on and offstage in time. Marty’s lovely D-8 Fender console guitar is set up onstage and he says “Why don’t you just play that?” Since we were only doing one song, I figured I’d better give it a try.

It was terrifying, cuz this was a big venue, and I had been counting on just relying on my three pedal steel licks to get through the song. Next thing I know, I’m on a strange guitar (playing standing up!) with a different tuning and no pedals to rely on. But Marty generously gave me time to noodle around on the tuning before doors opened, and was very encouraging. “You can do it!”

We made it through our song, and I survived relatively unscathed. Thank you, Marty, for your support that night, and for the use of your beautiful vintage Fender steel!

[Rick Schmidt]

Nice Marty! Represent brother!!!

[Ricky Davis]

Marty is Da'BOMB man; you ALWAYS sound great Bro!!!. Me and Marty been swappin Steel Seats back and forth for 30 years between "Best Friends Dale Watson and James Intveld" == TEXAS & CALIFORNIA...yeehaa.
Ricky

[Marty Rifkin]

Thanks Rick! Hope to see you at the next steel hang at Pali’s.

Ricky - Proud to be sharing the “seat” with you!!

[Ricky Davis]

Thanks Rick! Hope to see you at the next steel hang at Pali’s.
Ricky - Proud to be sharing the “seat” with you!!

Way Cool Bro; Equally Proud!!!

Ricky