The Steel Guitar Forum

Pete Grant · Post by **Pete Grant** » 18 Dec 2002 10:52 pm

Get the album "Sho-Buddin'" (or some such name) with Buddy Emmons and Shot Jackson. You'll hear one tune on Shobro that doesn't really sound like Shot; that's Buddy.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 19 Dec 2002 11:14 am

When "Shot" toured Ireland with Donna, in the late 70's, I produced an album of Donna's (for the Top Rank label) and recorded a Duet album with Shot.
The masters of the duet album are since lost, but the memory of those sessions still lingers.
Shot was a very good pedal steel player as well a one of the worlds greatest stylists on the "Dobro" (Resonator Guitar)

Jeff, I suggest you listen to his resonator work as this is landmark stuff.
You'll find some of his work on the now defunct "Starday" label. Check e-bay for vinyl. It could come relatively cheap.
Baz

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Tony Harris · Post by **Tony Harris** » 19 Dec 2002 12:17 pm

The first time I heard a Dobro, all those years ago, and found out what is was ("the guitar's resonator was a gallon bucket lid") was on Johnny Cash's "When Papa Played The Dobro" (1960). On the new CD re-issue the musicians are credited.
Dobro - Harold 'Shot' Jackson.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 19 Dec 2002 12:18 pm

From the All Music Guide:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
One of the premiere steel guitar and Dobro players of the postwar generation, Shot Jackson was a solo and session artist who also gained fame as a designer and manufacturer of musical instruments. Born Harold B. Jackson on September 4, 1920 in Wilmington, North Carolina, he earned the nickname "Buckshot"--later abbreviated to simply "Shot"--while still a child. His interest in music also began at an early age, and he became a devoted fan of the Grand Ole Opry, in particular of Roy Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys and their Dobro player Bashful Brother Oswald. In 1941, Jackson joined the house band on a local country radio station, and in 1944, he moved to Nashville to sign on with the Opry as a sideman for Cousin Wilbur Westbrooks.

After a year in the Navy, Jackson began playing electric steel guitar with the Bailes Brothers, and continued performing with the group throughout their tenure on the Shrevport, Lousiana station KWKH's Louisiana Hayride program. After the Bailes Brothers left the show, Jackson remained at KWKH, where he performed and recorded with the likes of Webb Pierce, Jimmie Osborne and Red Sovine. In 1951, he joined Johnnie & Jack's Tennessee Mountain Boys, and over the next half-dozen years, he played Dobro on virtually all of the group's live dates and studio sessions. He also played on many of Kitty Wells' first hits, in addition to recording a few solo sides.

In 1957, Jackson fulfilled a personal dream by becoming the electric steel player for Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys, and remained with the group for five years. During his affiliation with Acuff, Jackson and Buddy Emmons designed an electric pedal steel guitar; to market it, they founded their own company, Sho-Bud. Gradually, the company's success began to absorb more and more of Jackson's time, and he left the Smoky Mountain Boys, although he did remain an active musician, particularly as a steel player for Melba Montgomery, who had also left Acuff to go solo some time before. In addition to working with Montgomery (on both her solo work and her duets with George Jones), he recorded with many other artists, and even cut his own solo LP, Singing Strings of Steel Guitar and Dobro, in 1962.

Jackson rejoined Acuff full-time in 1964, but his tenure abruptly ended in July of 1965 when he, Acuff and singer June Stearns were all sidelined by a near-fatal car crash. After a long recovery period, he began performing with his wife Donna Darlene, a former vocalist on the Jamboree program; in 1965, he also issued the solo record Bluegrass Dobro. His latest creation, a seven-string resonator guitar called the Sho-Bro, hit the market not long after, and again, Jackson distanced himself from music to focus on business. Still, he continued to play on occasion, rejoining the Bailes Brothers for a number of reunion concerts and recordings. He also hooked up with the Roy Clark Family Band for a pair of albums and appearances on the TV program Hee Haw. In 1980, Baldwin-Gretsch purchased Sho-Bud, and three years later, Jackson sold his instrument repair business as well. Soon after retirement, he suffered a stroke which left him unable to speak and play music. In 1986, he was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame; shortly after suffering another stroke several years later, Shot Jackson died on January 24, 1991. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

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R. L. Jones · Post by **R. L. Jones** » 19 Dec 2002 8:48 pm

Thanks a lot brad, for the short bio , I well remember shot Jackson, one of my very favorite players for a lot of years. I pretty much knew the history but it s getting too hard to remember all these thibgs anymore

again Thanks

R. L.

Terry Miller · Post by **Terry Miller** » 22 Dec 2002 12:09 pm

On the tribute albums, Picken on Shot there are voice tributes paid to him by several legendary entertainers. They spoke very highly of Shot . Antone interested, I still have them available on tape, Soon to be on CD. Terry

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 22 Dec 2002 2:35 pm

There's a great CD reissue of a 1960's compliation record called "That Dobro Sound's Goin' Round" that features Shot on one cut - Hound Dog Blues. It's worth getting because besides the $7.98 price and the great playing of Josh Graves, Deacon Brumfield and Hoss Linneman, the cover art gloriously imples that Dobro players get chicks! Shot's on the cover even though he's only on one tune.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000005GM/qid%3D1040 596339/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/102-6606351-1273756 [This message was edited by Andy Volk on 22 December 2002 at 02:36 PM.]

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 22 Dec 2002 5:04 pm

Tom Olson · Post by **Tom Olson** » 22 Dec 2002 6:11 pm

A bit off topic, but -- anyone ever notice that there seems to be quite a few country musicians who have either been severely injured or killed in car wrecks? Hank Williams, Shot Jackson, George Jones, Earl Scruggs, Clarence White, and Patsy Cline (I think) are a few who come to mind.

Ric Nelson · Post by **Ric Nelson** » 26 Dec 2002 1:25 pm

Some of Shot's "dobro" playing is still avalable on CD.

On his very last session, "For The Last Time", he plays his white 7-string Shobro, with Terry Chrsp on the steel.

The CD, "Two Aces Together" is still available with Shot on the Shobro and Buddy Emmons on the steel.

Another CD is, "Sail Along", with Shot and Bob Lucier on the Steel. That CD contains tracks from two different LPs.

He also plays on some of Donna Darlene's (Donna Jackson)LPs, one of which is now on CD, plus on the George Jones/ Melba Montgomery CD and several of Melba's solo LPs.

You'll find him playing the dobro on Roy Acuff's cuts of "Crazy Worried Mind" and "Along the China Coast" a Bear Family two CD set.

The is also a CD just released with Chubby Howard (steel) and Shot. The ET Record shop in Nashville is the only place that I know that carries it.

He is on a slew of Johnnie and Jack sessions and of coruse, plays steel behind Kitty Wells.

You can hear him on the just released CD of The Bailes Brothers Columbia recordings (Bear Family) where he plays his 7-string Rickenbacker on some sessions and his dooble neck others.

The "Early Webb Pierce" CD had shot on the steel.

He plays his 7-string on a Roy Clark LP that is out of print but that I see in the used records stores. It's "Roy Clark and Friends" and Shot is on the covfer with the other guys.

In the Louvin Brother Box Set (Bear Family) he plays dobro on several sessions.

The Dale Potter(fiddle)cassette has Shot.

Most of his other matierial which was done in the 1960s is out of print.

If you have trouble finding them, I try to help you. Let me know.

Ric Nelson

Ric Nelson · Post by **Ric Nelson** » 26 Dec 2002 1:27 pm

Donna Jacskon and their daughter Shotsie are doing just fine.

It seems to me it was a ship's anchor tatooed on his forearm (he was in the Navy at the end of WWII) How did you know about that?

Ric

Jimmie Misenheimer · Post by **Jimmie Misenheimer** » 26 Dec 2002 7:22 pm

It's crazy that I would remember this, but I would ALMOST swear (I said "almost"), that one of the tattoos on Shots arm had something to do with W.S.M., and the "Grand Ole Opry". I saw this while picking up some parts from him either right before, or right after 'Nam...

Jimmie

Chris DeBarge · Post by **Chris DeBarge** » 27 Dec 2002 6:13 am

You can see that he has tattoos in some pictures, but they're not detailed enough to make out. Doesn't his daughter sometimes post here? (obviously she would know)

Merle Travis also had tattoos on his forearms - he was a Marine that served in WWII.

Joel Glassman · Post by **Joel Glassman** » 27 Dec 2002 8:36 am

>anyone ever notice that there seems to be quite a few country musicians who have either been severely injured or killed in car wrecks?

Sure-its not suprising to me. Musicians
who are touring drive long distances, sometimes late at night, maybe after drinking, probably are sleepy, and drive through bad weather conditions. Add speeding to the list and the result: a lot of dead musicians. --Joel

Tom Olson · Post by **Tom Olson** » 27 Dec 2002 12:05 pm

Hi Joel -- I agree that under the circumstances, as you've mentioned, it's not surprising. But, I was thinking that the number seems high relative to other types of musicians. For example, although I'm sure there are a lot of rock musicians that have been killed or seriously injured in auto wrecks, I can't think of any off the top of my head. And, I'm sure that sure that the short list of country musicians could be expanded greatly -- I know I've heard of others that could be added, but I just can't remember exactly who they were.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 27 Dec 2002 5:53 pm

Tom: Hank Snow and Jerry Byrd both sustained serious injuries in auto accidents many years ago.
Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas died in an unfortunate airplane crash as did Jim Reeves, Buddy Holly and group,
Rick Nelson and group, Reba McIntyre's band, etc. and countless others.
Hank Williams Sr., died in his car but no collision occurred.
But..........life goes on.[This message was edited by Ray Montee on 27 December 2002 at 05:54 PM.]

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 27 Dec 2002 6:50 pm

And, sadly, Jack Anglin was killed in an auto accident on his way to Patsy Cline's funeral

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Greg Simmons
Custodian of the Official Sho~Bud Pedal Steel Guitar Website

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 27 Dec 2002 11:13 pm

Shot came to my hometown (Springfield,Ma.,w/ the Johnny & Jack/Kitty Wells Show) when I was about 15 or 16 yrs. old. That's when I made up my mind that,I wanted to play "Dobro" just like Shot. I had a metal-body National "Duolian",that I got for $17.00 out of a pawn shop in N.Y.C. I bought every one of J. & J.'s records (most of which,I still have.) & tried to emulate him. Shot was one of my heroes. I never even dreamed that I would ever meet him. Yet,Shot was one of my best friends, when I moved to Nashville. I was a pall bearer at his funeral.

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mm if it ain't got that twang.
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Shotsie Jackson · Post by **Shotsie Jackson** » 30 Dec 2002 8:15 pm

Hello everyone! I like to read what's on the forum, but I hardly ever answer. I would like to answer the question re: Dad's tattoos. He had "W.S.M. Grand Ole'Opry" on his right arm and a rose with "Mom" on his left arm. Mom and I would also like to thank everyone who took up with us and stood behind us during the latest controversy re: our FryPans. We did not want to talk over the net and we settled things personally with Jerry Byrd. I must say, this is the 1st time I've ever heard anything negative about my Dad. I wish he were here to defend himself. Mom and I are doing fine and will see everyone in St. Louis. Thanks again! Shotsie

Chris DeBarge · Post by **Chris DeBarge** » 31 Dec 2002 5:23 am

Thank You!

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 3 Jan 2003 4:31 am

Nice to read about 'ol Shot

He sure was a fine fellow, in addition to being a great stylist on his instrument. Shot went way out of his way for the pickers, as anyone who was around back then will tell you.
Interesting note: the cut of "Hounddog Blues" featured Shot on the very FIRST Pedal Dobro which he invented, designed & built....way back in the late 50's-early 60's.
I remember seeing it upstairs at the store where he kept it. Several players borrowed it from time to time for recordings, one of which,i believe was a Loretta Lynn cut that Hal used it on. It was so cool sounding & so many wanted to borrow it that i'll never forget when Shot got a hair irritated

& took it apart, stripped off the finish & locked the changer mechanism in his tool chest, never to re-assemble the guitar again. After Sho-Bud closed in '84, I ended up with the body (courtesy of Bobbe) however we couldnt find the mechanism

...& the rest is history.
mc

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 3 Jan 2003 5:28 am

Very interesting Mike! Thanks for that story.
I remember way back I had an album of Shot and Buddy and the first cut on the A side was " I'll Be All Smiles Tonight ".
I read somewhere that Shot used that pedal mechanism on his dobro for that song. It was easily identified on the cut but he did not over use it. It was my favourite and I played it to death. The combination of Buddy and Shot back then was a real milestone for steel guitar.
It would be interesting to hear Buddy's or Hal's comments about the mechanism on that particular dobro.
Thanks again for posting.

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mikey · Post by **mikey** » 12 Jan 2003 11:13 pm

One of my favorite recordings of Dobro (or Sho-Bro) of all time is Shot's "Bluegrass Dobro" LP (Cumberland 69513)Long out of print, but the first record that showed me Dobros didn't have to be tuned to G!!!!....Highly recommended..I still listen to my cassette copy. (Now that I think of it, I think I'll wire up the burner and make a CD copy of it tonight)
Mike