Tommy Elliott Remembered

Jerry Horner · Post by **Jerry Horner** » 24 Aug 2001 5:20 pm

Does anyone remember Tommy Elliott? Tommy died in a fire about 3 years ago in Tulsa. To me he was one of the great western swing players of all time. He worked with Merl Lindsay's band for a lot of years before joining Johnnie Lee Wills' band in Tulsa, which I believe was the last band he worked for.
Tommy was a master at big solid block chords that could fill the largest dance hall. Tommy was like a lot of other steel players that never really got to much reconition but was just about as good as they come.
He was a freind of mine and to this day one of my biggest idols. I will always miss him.

Jerry

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 24 Aug 2001 6:14 pm

*[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 02 May 2002 at 03:40 PM.]

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 26 Aug 2001 3:46 am

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[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 02 May 2002 at 03:41 PM.]

Jerry Horner · Post by **Jerry Horner** » 26 Aug 2001 5:05 am

Gene, you have the back row correct. The front row I'm not sure of except number 4 who is Calvin Darnell and number 5 who is Skeeter Pendergraph. Calvin played guitar and vocal, also drove the bus. Calvin had a pretty good band at one time called the Golden Trend Cowboys out of Pauls Valley, Ok. I worked in that band at one time. Skeeter was the drummer and also an adopted father of my wife and I when we were first married. Even though he was a drummer, Skeeter taught me a lot about what it was like to play steel in a western swing band. He chewed my butt out more than once. They have both been deceased for many years now but I think about them quite often and wouldn't be what steel player I am today had it not been for them.

Jerry

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 26 Aug 2001 5:34 am

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Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 26 Aug 2001 5:28 pm

Guys, in regards to the early 1960s, perhaps Tommy Elliot rejoined Merl's band.
My reasoning?

Well, it's kind of slim, but I noticed that Merl recorded for the 'D' label and on a late 1950s to early 1960s era compilation there are some Lindsay sides, and I'm sure that Tommy has been credited on playing on some.
I've just checked Joe Goldmark's book (The International Steel Guitar and Dobro Discography, published in San Francisco by Joe), and I have the following listed to Elliot playing with Lindsay's group:

'Stealin Sugar' b/w 'Hoy Rag' (1028)
'Picks And Bows' b/w 'Let's Go Dancing' (1161)

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 26 Aug 2001 5:30 pm

International treasure?, geez... now Gene you got me blushing (LOL)...

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 26 Aug 2001 7:07 pm

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Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 27 Aug 2001 4:47 pm

More of a treasure digger I reckon, thanks Gene.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 29 Aug 2001 10:12 pm

Hey guys do you also remember a great steel player named Gene Pooler? Miami Oklahoma? Worked with Johnny Lee Wills in the 50's.A stone Jazz killer,wonderful chords,Played a Standell-Sierra when I saw him in 57.A very powerful musician that just happend to play steel. He died at age 39. Another great okie player!
Bobbe--

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 30 Aug 2001 1:57 am

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Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 4 Sep 2001 9:57 am

Gene Jones or anyone, Could I have or get a picture of Tommy Elliott to put in a special section of my store to honor our fallen? I would be very honored to do this.These great heros of steel should not be forgotten!
Bobbe

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 5 Sep 2001 5:23 am

* [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 02 May 2002 at 03:44 PM.]