What Vocalist Has Done More For The Steel Guitar

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 8 Oct 2004 6:33 pm

O.K. gang, let's open up a real can of worms here

We all have a deep love for our beloved instrument, that's a given.
But a lot of singers love our instrument as well. Who in your opinion
has done more for the steel guitar as a vocalist. My vote has to
go to the steelers favorite Ray Price. Ray has never let the steel go by the wayside
like some of the others. Even during his orchestra period Ray has featured a steel
somewhere in his music. Case in point, "April's Fool". In this tune, one of my favorites,
You've got the lush orchestra sound blended with the steel.
Whereas in the older Ray Price songs you have the steel way out front.
It was just a passing observation while listening to some of Ray's music
here of late. I know that there are varying opinions, Let's hear yours !

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JUST 'CAUSE I STEEL, DON'T MAKE ME A THIEF www.geocities.com/squire592001/jason.html

[This message was edited by John P.Phillips on 08 October 2004 at 07:34 PM.]

David Cobb · Post by **David Cobb** » 8 Oct 2004 11:57 pm

Conway and later, Vince, made good use of that Hughey fella.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 9 Oct 2004 1:03 am

Mel Street and Lloyd Green are on my list! Mel's pure country voice plus Lloyd's great playing, what a combination!

Kind Regards, Walter

www.lloydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

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Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 9 Oct 2004 1:52 am

sonbone · Post by **sonbone** » 9 Oct 2004 2:27 am

I think that Ray Price and E.T. have to run neck and neck, can't make up my mind, so I'll say it's a tie and give my 3rd place vote to Alan Jackson. I'm afraid Alan came on the music scene too late to have done the most for steel as a vocalist, but he's sure done a lot in the last dozen or so years.

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Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 9 Oct 2004 2:29 am

Eric's right. No contest here, no debate. No one else even comes close.

Ernest Tubb, without a doubt! (What other singer mentioned the steel & lead players' name in almost every song?)

Answer...NONE!

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 9 Oct 2004 3:11 am

George Strait, Alan Jackson, Mark Chestnut, Joe Diffie, LeeAnn Womack, Toby Keith, Bill Anderson and ET to mention a few!

ROBERT MYERS · Post by **ROBERT MYERS** » 9 Oct 2004 3:41 am

I would have to agree with Donny and Eric on ET and also add Miss Connie Smith.

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Bob Myers Derby SD10 3&4
Sho-Bud super pro 8&6 Nashville 400 Digitech RP100

Sidney Malone · Post by **Sidney Malone** » 9 Oct 2004 4:56 am

In addition to the others mentioned...Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings & George Strait have always leaned heavily on steel as well as called out their respective players, especially in live performances.

Rick Garrett · Post by **Rick Garrett** » 9 Oct 2004 6:17 am

You can't let this thread go by without a mention of the great Hank Thompson. How many years in a row did his band win the best western swing band in the land. And all of those great steelers he had too.

Rick

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 9 Oct 2004 6:57 am

Buck Owens

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 9 Oct 2004 10:33 am

...the Chief...hands down...

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 9 Oct 2004 7:05 pm

[This message was edited by Fred Shannon on 06 December 2004 at 01:39 AM.]

Ed Altrichter · Post by **Ed Altrichter** » 9 Oct 2004 9:17 pm

Hank Williams. The steel guitar is an integral part of the Hank Williams sound !

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 10 Oct 2004 5:59 am

Ray Price, ET, and Connie Smith. Between them, they've hired nearly every steel player out there, and NEVER failed to give them room to play, or recognition for that playing. THANKS, Y'ALL!!!

R. L. Jones · Post by **R. L. Jones** » 10 Oct 2004 6:07 am

I agree wiyh you ,so far, but we cantleave out Country Charlie Pride,
"" come in Lloyd""

how many times have you heard that ??

R.L.Jones

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 11 Oct 2004 3:35 am

I agree with Ray......BUCK OWENS hands down!! You could probably count the songs he recorded without steel on one hand but for Ray Price, the tunes he's recorded without steel would make up a few albums....JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 11 Oct 2004 12:43 pm

Back when country was country and steel guitar was steel guitar Ernest Tubb would call out the familiar phrase "Oh Buddy now" and that followed through with each steel player. Bill Anderson and Connie Smith both had tons of steel on nearly all their recordings and it was out front and in your face unlike what has been given to us the past decade or so. Ray Price started out with lots of Jimmy Day and Buddy Emmons but opted for the orchestra in the late 60's or early 70's and left the steel behind. Even so, he's still in the mix. Merle Haggard was never short on steel and one of my favorite singers of all times, Mel Street, could milk every ounce of feeling out of Lloyd Green. Hank Williams, Eddy Arnold, Carl Smith, Ferlin Husky and Lefty Frizzell were never without steel. Trying to compare yesterday and today's music with steel is like comparing apples to oranges. It's there but you have to listen for it. Of course, the songs are different but that's another story.

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 11 Oct 2004 12:51 pm

In reading my above post I realized I mentioned only one female and failed to mention Lynn Anderson, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette who all had monumental steel solos on their hit records. I'm through posting now!

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 11 Oct 2004 1:09 pm

If we're talking country music, I'd say Charley Pride, by far.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 11 Oct 2004 1:51 pm

One of the few "contemporary artists" who gives credit and appreciation to his steel player is Vince Gill. That may be because he is one heck of a musician first, and a singer second!

www.genejones.com

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 11 Oct 2004 3:45 pm

That's easy.

Buddy Emmons.

He is technically a vocalist you know!

("Buddy Emmons Sings Bob Wills" among others)

t

R. L. Jones · Post by **R. L. Jones** » 11 Oct 2004 5:55 pm

Question was ,what vocalist done more for steel guitar , or Dobro . we all have overlooked the singer who ist brought the steel into his band ,, Ole Roy Acuff.,, .And Oswald on the dobro

R. L.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 11 Oct 2004 9:26 pm

Bob Wills used to hollar out the name of his various soloists, did he not?

Rex Allen....had he not sung out the steeler's name, I'd still be out here fumbling around attempting to determine who
that great steel guitarist was on "Steelin' Is His Businss": "He plays the steel guitar and his name is Jerry Byrd."

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 12 Oct 2004 2:39 am

Moe Bandy.
'nuff said!