For RAY MONTEE

Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

I want to thank Ray for his current selection at the Jerry Byrd Fan Club site !!

I grew up in Pennsylvania but from listening to AM Radio stations, I felt that country music and steel guitar sounds were found in the south such as on WRVA in Richmond; WBT in Charlotte and WSB in Atlanta. Oh, I knew it was on northern stations such as WCKY in Cincinatti and WLS and WJJD in Chicago but it was different on those stations.

Sort of like football. My Dad was for Notre Dame and Johnny Lujack who had the same number as my year of birth; '32. But I was for "Doc" Blanchard and Glen Davis of the Army teams at West Point and then there was Charlie Trippe with the Ramblin' Wrecks from Georgia Tech. All football but there was a difference of opinion there.

When I first got to Georgia to finish out my time, I felt like I had returned home and I would stay up late at night to listen to Ray Charles sing Georgia On My Mind which was the sign off theme for Georgia Public Television.

Later on, I was to learn that Jerry was from Ohio but moved to the south to open more musical doors. Again, a nice differential.

So Ray's selection of Georgia Steel Guitar for the Fan Club listeners, really takes me back 59 or 60 years to where it all began for me. I was not aware at the time that so many others would also be just beginning their appreciation of Jerry's music as I was. That includes our mutual friend, Ray Montee !!

Regards, Paul

[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 18 August 2004 at 09:57 AM.]

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Paul.......thank you so very much for your kind words.

I'm disappointed that we're not getting more hits than we are.....however, if those that are checking in at the site on a regular basis are enjoying what's there, then I'm pleased.

I have so many records on which JB has played and some are truly beautiful, I just felt I had to get them off of my shelf and into the ears/minds of others that might thrill at his playing as much as I do.

Your kind words Paul, have motivated me once again. THANK YOU!

Kenny Dail · From: Kinston, N.C. R.I.P.

I also would like to thank Mr Montee for the dedication to Jerry Byrd and his music by way of the fan club. You cannot find this type of music anywhere else. Thank You for a job well done Ray.

------------------
kd...and the beat goes on...

[This message was edited by Kenny Dail on 19 August 2004 at 03:38 PM.]

John Pelz · From: Kettering, Ohio, USA

It was through Ray's great JBFC site last Fall that I first really learned who Jerry Byrd is, and for that I will forever be indebted to Ray Montee. At that time, I started re-listening to Hank Williams Sr. really closely. I was vaguely aware of Hank's music at that time, but mostly thru others' covers of his tunes. (That's how green I am to all this great steel guitar music of yore: just a 35 year-old fellow who was raised mostly on rock 'n roll. Learned about the wonderful world of steel guitar only relatively recently.) Listening to Hank again got me wondering who his steel players were, and, after some research, I learned that the steelers were the inimitable Don Helms and Jerry Byrd. Then getting a vague inkling that I might be interested in learning about (and possibly even taking up) steel guitar, I went online to find more about Jerry Byrd, found Ray's site, and then I really needed to look no further: I found Ray's site to be loaded with explanatory information, and -- lo and behold -- it even had regularly changing MP3's of Byrd's recordings!

Since then, Ray has been more than generous with his time in helping a greenhorn (me) get started on the steel, and has put up with my many dumb newbie-questions -- without even flinching. For that, too, Ray will forever have my thanks.

I've heard some recordings that Ray appears on, and he himself is quite a steeler, to boot! The Jerry Byrd Fan Club is one heck of a resource for all things Byrd, and I, too, doff my cap to you, Ray, for all your help and for the JBFC site.(:

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Kenny and John........you're both most kind.
Just glad you're enjoying Jerry's fabulous steel guitar music.
I've lots more that will soon be featured on the site so you won't want to miss it. The rich tone and great styling that was decades ahead of its time........what more can be said.
How many of you learned to play steel guitar by listening to Jerry Byrd?

Denny Turner · From: Oahu, Hawaii USA

Ray,

As I often listen to Jerry's music from over the years, my selfish heart is heavy with the sunset of Jerry's years with us; And oh what a beautiful sunset it is, ...and I hope and pray will continue for some time to come, ...and that Jerry will know how he has touched so many people so grandly. With God giving us such a blessing as Jerry here on Earth, ...it is beyond my comprehension what He has in store for Jerry in Eternity.

Thank You for the Jerry Byrd Fan Club that will surely help perpetuate Jerry and his music in a mighty fine way.

Aloha,
Denny T~

[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 21 August 2004 at 07:02 AM.]

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

If I could have just one WISH.....it would be that every person here on this Forum.....that was motivated in early years to take up the steel because of Jerry's playing; or, figure Jerry contributed much to their own learning, etc.,....would take just a moment to send Jerry a personal note about how his wonderful music impacted their own musical life. Wouldn't it be great for him to receive a couple thousand cards/letters with words of appreciation at this time in his life? I think so. My card went out a week ago and a letter is going out today. I expect nothing in return but I want Jerry to fully realize that many of us are here, playing steel guitar today, as a direct result of the records he made that we were able to learn from. Jerry has provided me with thousands of hours of pleasureable listening and learning. He was there for ME during my teenage years as my mother was dying a slow agonizing death; when my father died; during my divorce at the 24 year mark, and during many other times of personal crises. Jerry was far more to me, than just "a musician". Let him know how he benefited your life. Okay? Send those cards and letters to Jerry Byrd, P.O. Box 15026, Honolulu, HI 96830. You'll not regret it.

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