Jimmie Crawford
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- Roger Rettig
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Jimmie Crawford
In a recent 'thread' (re: the 'Night Life' intro) there was some discussion about the 9th string 'lower' on the E9 neck. I 'posted' too, and talked about how invaluable this 'change' is to the tuning.
Then I began to reflect on when and why I added this to my guitar....
Back in the late 80's, when I was still in my native England, I was lucky enough to be booked on a tour with Slim Whitman - I was engaged to play steel and guitar with the 'support' act, and guitar with Slim and the musicians he'd brought over from the USA. These included Andy Riess (now with the 'Time Jumpers'), Harold Bradley (surely the most comprehensive list of session credits of just about anyone - did HE have some 'war stories'!), and the great Jimmie Crawford!
I won't dwell on how intimidated I felt setting up my old ZB next to his guitar at the first sound-check, but I do want to publicly thank him for his graciousness, his endless patience with my dumb questions night after night, and for the respect he showed me as a musician.
It was Jimmie who, when he checked over my set-up, looked at me aghast, saying, "You're not lowering your ninth string? You HAVE to have that change!!!" Over the course of the tour, he proceeded to demonstrate to me why this was so and, needless to say, I added it at the first opportunity!
Thanks, Jimmie, for all the help you gave me, and for all those funny stories on the bus - you're a real gentleman, and I'll always treasure the memories I have of that time...
Then I began to reflect on when and why I added this to my guitar....
Back in the late 80's, when I was still in my native England, I was lucky enough to be booked on a tour with Slim Whitman - I was engaged to play steel and guitar with the 'support' act, and guitar with Slim and the musicians he'd brought over from the USA. These included Andy Riess (now with the 'Time Jumpers'), Harold Bradley (surely the most comprehensive list of session credits of just about anyone - did HE have some 'war stories'!), and the great Jimmie Crawford!
I won't dwell on how intimidated I felt setting up my old ZB next to his guitar at the first sound-check, but I do want to publicly thank him for his graciousness, his endless patience with my dumb questions night after night, and for the respect he showed me as a musician.
It was Jimmie who, when he checked over my set-up, looked at me aghast, saying, "You're not lowering your ninth string? You HAVE to have that change!!!" Over the course of the tour, he proceeded to demonstrate to me why this was so and, needless to say, I added it at the first opportunity!
Thanks, Jimmie, for all the help you gave me, and for all those funny stories on the bus - you're a real gentleman, and I'll always treasure the memories I have of that time...
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Similar story.
The band we were with was opening for KItty Wells, and Crawford was playing steel. By that time, I was playing a 14 string Sierra.
Jimmie did the same-- came out, looked it over, made some suggestions. Showed me the "Cluster" he had, and it made loads of sense.
When I decided to re-buid "The Steel" I put the cluster on and a few of the other changes Jimmie suggested.
A few years later I found myself in Nashville working on the "Elements of Style" book with him.
A Great guy!
JW
The band we were with was opening for KItty Wells, and Crawford was playing steel. By that time, I was playing a 14 string Sierra.
Jimmie did the same-- came out, looked it over, made some suggestions. Showed me the "Cluster" he had, and it made loads of sense.
When I decided to re-buid "The Steel" I put the cluster on and a few of the other changes Jimmie suggested.
A few years later I found myself in Nashville working on the "Elements of Style" book with him.
A Great guy!
JW
Jimmie was the first "pro" steeler I ever met, back around 1973, and am proud and blessed to call him a good friend ever since.
I have played his cluster setup since 1979, and though I'll never touch the magic and knowledge he has, I love the setup and all it offers.
Love ya, Jimmie (Elsie, too )<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by John Macy on 24 September 2002 at 08:37 PM.]</p></FONT>
I have played his cluster setup since 1979, and though I'll never touch the magic and knowledge he has, I love the setup and all it offers.
Love ya, Jimmie (Elsie, too )<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by John Macy on 24 September 2002 at 08:37 PM.]</p></FONT>
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I met Jimmy in 1978 when John Macy brought him
out to Colorado for a clinic. I use some of the cluster and pedal things and my 2nd string on E9 is tuned to D. It works well for me. Never did like those half stops. I've been listening to Chicken Picking Vol 2 today and it's delightful. Both Jimmy and Russ Hicks!
Thanks Jimmy and you too John !
out to Colorado for a clinic. I use some of the cluster and pedal things and my 2nd string on E9 is tuned to D. It works well for me. Never did like those half stops. I've been listening to Chicken Picking Vol 2 today and it's delightful. Both Jimmy and Russ Hicks!
Thanks Jimmy and you too John !
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- Mike Perlowin
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- Roger Rettig
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- scott murray
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It was you, Roger, who showed me what to DO with my 9th string lower, and I remember you relating that story about Jimmie. So thank you Roger AND Jimmie!
What exactly is the Crawford Cluster? I´ve heard of it, but never known exactly what it entails.
Jimmie is one of my favorites. His bluegrass stuff is absolutely amazing, and "Rhode Island Red" is one of the coolest tunes EVER! Who said C6 was just for jazz?!!
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ShoBud Pro III Custom D-10
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by scott murray on 25 September 2002 at 03:26 PM.]</p></FONT>
What exactly is the Crawford Cluster? I´ve heard of it, but never known exactly what it entails.
Jimmie is one of my favorites. His bluegrass stuff is absolutely amazing, and "Rhode Island Red" is one of the coolest tunes EVER! Who said C6 was just for jazz?!!
------------------
ShoBud Pro III Custom D-10
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by scott murray on 25 September 2002 at 03:26 PM.]</p></FONT>
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- Roger Rettig
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Yes I was, although only an 'embryonic' one!
Eric Idle decided that the ACTUAL 'Rutles' (for the purposes of the film) had to bear at least a passing resemblance to the Beatles and, at around 280lbs (at that time!), I didn't qualify! Guitarist Billy Bremner suffered the same fate, by the way; we just did some of the recordings, and some TV with George Harrison
You do see a 'still' of me in the film, though .....
Anyway, back to Jimmie (who was also left out of the Rutles film!)
Eric Idle decided that the ACTUAL 'Rutles' (for the purposes of the film) had to bear at least a passing resemblance to the Beatles and, at around 280lbs (at that time!), I didn't qualify! Guitarist Billy Bremner suffered the same fate, by the way; we just did some of the recordings, and some TV with George Harrison
You do see a 'still' of me in the film, though .....
Anyway, back to Jimmie (who was also left out of the Rutles film!)
- Mike Weirauch
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Bucky Reid was kind enough to email Jimmie's schedule. I posted it in Events & Announcements but since this thread had already been started, here it is again. October dates for Jimmie Crawford
Most Showtimes @ 7:30pm / Oct.- 9th and 17th @ 8pm
Oct. 3rd - Guild Hall
Portsmouth
Oct. 4th - Off
Oct. 5th - Congress Theatre
Eastbourne
Oct. 6th - Princess Theatre
Torquay
Oct. 7th - City Hall
Salisbury
Oct. 8th - Off
Oct. 9th - Fairfield Hall
Croydon
Oct. 10 - Royal Centre
Nottingham
Oct. 11 - City Hall
Hull
Oct. 12 - Opera House
Newcastle
Oct. 13 - Festival Theatre
Edinburgh
Oct. 14 - Civic Theatre
Darlington
Oct. 15 - Off
Oct. 16 - Victoria Hall
Stoke
Oct. 17 - Hexagon Theatre
Reading
Oct. 18 - Philharmonic Hall
Liverpool
Oct. 19 - Millenium Forum
Derry
Oct. 20 - Waterfront Hall
Belfast
Oct. 21 - Off
Oct. 22 - Corn Exchange
Cambridge
Oct. 23 - Off
Oct. 24 - Assembly Hall
Worthing
Oct. 25 - Off
Oct. 26 - Pavilion Theatre
Glasgow
Oct. 27 - Off
Oct. 28 - Theatre Royal
Norwich
Most Showtimes @ 7:30pm / Oct.- 9th and 17th @ 8pm
Oct. 3rd - Guild Hall
Portsmouth
Oct. 4th - Off
Oct. 5th - Congress Theatre
Eastbourne
Oct. 6th - Princess Theatre
Torquay
Oct. 7th - City Hall
Salisbury
Oct. 8th - Off
Oct. 9th - Fairfield Hall
Croydon
Oct. 10 - Royal Centre
Nottingham
Oct. 11 - City Hall
Hull
Oct. 12 - Opera House
Newcastle
Oct. 13 - Festival Theatre
Edinburgh
Oct. 14 - Civic Theatre
Darlington
Oct. 15 - Off
Oct. 16 - Victoria Hall
Stoke
Oct. 17 - Hexagon Theatre
Reading
Oct. 18 - Philharmonic Hall
Liverpool
Oct. 19 - Millenium Forum
Derry
Oct. 20 - Waterfront Hall
Belfast
Oct. 21 - Off
Oct. 22 - Corn Exchange
Cambridge
Oct. 23 - Off
Oct. 24 - Assembly Hall
Worthing
Oct. 25 - Off
Oct. 26 - Pavilion Theatre
Glasgow
Oct. 27 - Off
Oct. 28 - Theatre Royal
Norwich
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