Curls vs. Pete

Gil Berry · Post by **Gil Berry** » 28 Jun 2002 12:48 am

I don't know if this is true or not, but a good friend of mine says he witnessed it..
It seems Curly Chalker was playing in one of those dumps along Broadway in Nashville, doing the impossible things only he could do, back in '65 or so. Pete Drake walked in with some friends and waved to Curls. Curly, seeing Pete come in, said "Hey, Pete! Can you do this?" He then did an impossible lick that amazed everyone there. Pete replied, "Nope, but can you do this?" He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a roll of bills that would choke a horse. (Pete's "talking steel guitar" album was a hit). Anyway, so I'm told........

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 28 Jun 2002 5:48 am

I've heard that story too.

Neil Flanz · Post by **Neil Flanz** » 28 Jun 2002 7:06 am

Stories have a habit of being changed every time they are repeated. I heard that it happened in a dressing room backstage at the Opry only it was Buddy at the steel.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 28 Jun 2002 8:43 am

........

Earl Erb · Post by **Earl Erb** » 28 Jun 2002 9:01 am

We miss you up here Neil...now the rest of the story.

Buddy Buddy · Post by **Buddy Buddy** » 28 Jun 2002 10:47 pm

I don't ever remember seeing Pete Drake in Deamons Den.
"Little" Buddy.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 29 Jun 2002 9:36 am

Moved to the "Steel Players" section.

Did anyone here actually witness the event? Or is it an 'urban legend'?

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 29 Jun 2002 9:55 am

. . . and then Buddy said "no, but I could'a"
oops, wrong story

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 29 Jun 2002 10:40 am

Here is that same question posed to Buddy on his "ASK BUDDY" site http://buddyemmons.com/_board/0000014a.htmclick on NEXT and you will see his reply[This message was edited by Larry Miller on 29 June 2002 at 11:41 AM.]

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 29 Jun 2002 10:40 am

Neil,

NO truer words were ever spoken. And I am soooo happy you posted. It is truth what you say.

First of all here are the facts of the situation:

1. Pete Drake did make a LOT of money as a recording artist. Made more money playing steel and producing other steel players (and others), than any player in the world, I do believe.

2. He was one of the longest lasting of them during the evolution of the PSG.

3. He had a talent for "lick" playing that fit perfectly the genre and era we were in at the time.

4. And like Lloyd Green and Paul Franklin (later), his name became synonymous with Record Row.

5. He was the envy of the Nashville "circuit"!

NOW, lets turn the coin over:

1. Curly Chalker never made the money that Pete Drake made. No where near it.

2. It was NOT because he could not play as well as Pete Drake.

3. Curly Chalker was one of the greatest players to EVER sit behind a steel guitar.

4. Few players on this earth have EVER touched a steel like Curly Chalker.

5. The title "Chord King" does not begin to describe this man's incredible talents. He and Julian Tharpe had minds (and souls) that most in the musical world (ANY genre) will NEVER know. They played like NO other. It boggles the minds of most who still listen to their awesome records.

6. Pete Drake was NOT a good steel guitar player. YES you heard me. He was not. And most of the great players, IF you asked them AND They told the truth would tell you this.

Flame ALL day long if you wish but he was simply NOT a good steel guitar player. He was a "LICK" player; new licks that he found by experimenting with Pedal and/or knee lever sounds.

These sounds had NEVER been heard before. It was new; it was very unigue and the producers and singers loved it. Today, there is NO way Pete could have made it. NO way. In essence he epitomized the phrase, "pedal pusher"

I believe with all my heart Pete new this. IMO that is why their is no way he was ever going to play at a steel show.

Purely and simply. He could not carry a tune in a bucket. BUT he found a nitch. The good Lord gave him a talent and bless his heart, he rode it probably to the highest magnitude a steel player ever could. I admire and love him for this with all my heart.

In a word he filled a one time phemomenon and he filled it perfectly. No one could have done it better.

God rest his soul and May our precious Lord richly bless all of you,

carl

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 29 Jun 2002 12:15 pm

Pete had a certain "knack" for getting different (and, at the time) commercial sounds. I admired how well he did with as litle as he played. He kept it simple and clean, but interesting, and that's what got him all the session work...that made him rich. There was a lot of animosity towards him because of how successful he was. I never knew him personally, but he was the most "obvious" player when I started (in the early '60s).

Some measure success by sheer ability, and some measure it by popularity and money earned. One thing for sure, comparing Pete with Curly is like comparing Tim McGraw with Gary Morris. Who is better? The answer is..."it all depends on your point of view".

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 29 Jun 2002 1:10 pm

Carl,
I'm wit'chu ALL THE WAY,on this one. I remember reading a Country Music magazine from the U.K. quite a while back. A gentleman by the name of Bob Powel was the editor. He was asking "E" about different steelers. When he came to Pete,"E" said,"He's the luckiest guy in town".(or something to that effect.)
I'm "slightly" inclined to agree w/ him.

------------------
<pre> ~ ~
©¿© ars longa,
mm vita brevis
-=sr€=-</pre>

Fred Jack · Post by **Fred Jack** » 29 Jun 2002 2:51 pm

Mr Drake certainly knew how to "market" Pete!
(as well as many others!) regards,fred

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 29 Jun 2002 5:56 pm

comparing Pete with Curly is like comparing Tim McGraw with Gary Morris. Who is better? The answer is..."it all depends on your point of view".

Great statement Donnie!! I did a session 2 weeks ago, did what I thought were some great licks, the producer, liked it, but it wasn't what he wanted, he requested I play it like Pete, so I did my best Pete impersonation including the "Drake Shake",....and he loved it, the artist loved it, and the engineer loved it. After listening several times to the playback, I loved it! KISS[This message was edited by Larry Miller on 29 June 2002 at 06:57 PM.]

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 29 Jun 2002 6:54 pm

Carl, I must say "amen" to my favorite hero, Mr. C.C. There are so many greats in this steeler's world but he tipped the scales for me. I have listened to some of his live stuff from the 60s and he was so incredible and no body has yet to stir my coffee like Curly did. I blame him for driving me to take up this contraption and I love him for it.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 29 Jun 2002 9:04 pm

Carl-You said it and hit the nail right on the head.

I was in Nashville in 1968, checked in with the Union there, and they said all the session work was locked up. Hal and Lloyd had a lot of work.

Pete had a studio and I think he was into Tree Publishing too. He knew how to make a buck.

Curly was there and he couldn't even hardly get work. Sad....al

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 29 Jun 2002 9:47 pm

Pete Drake was a GREAT steel guitarist. And Paul Franklin will tell you the same thing.

Listen to the turnaround on Tammy Wynette's "Apartment #9"...

Can YOU do that, Carl???

Pete Ballard · Post by **Pete Ballard** » 30 Jun 2002 3:35 am

Scott,
Yeah, Drake did a great Lloyd Green impression on that one, didn't he?

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 30 Jun 2002 4:49 am

Pete Drake was a GOOD & GREAT steel guitarist!
Like Larry says, "producers & artist want to hear Pete still today!" Kiss!
Theresa

Andy Alford · Post by **Andy Alford** » 30 Jun 2002 5:00 am

You can buy solo records and cds where P.Drake plays many tunes.He cut a great one for Word. Call E.T.Record Shop and order his cds,then share your thoughts about his playing.Ask for Sleepwalk And Other Classics,or For Pete's Sake.

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 30 Jun 2002 6:19 am

Scott,

I STAND on what I said. A fat woman can say, "I am really thin. It is all in the eyes of the beholder" 'til the cows come home. The facts belie her.

On a scale of 1 to 100:

PF 250 (absolutely awesome player)

CC 200 (absolutey incredible player)

PD 5 (he was a fantastic pushin pedal "lick" player. And even a better Maketing guru. "He could NOT carry a tune in a bucket.")

CD -1,000! (an absolutely awful steel guitar player!)

BE 1,000,000 (ABSOLUTE)

Engage in sarcasm all you want, I shall not debate it again,

carl

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 30 June 2002 at 07:23 AM.]

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 30 Jun 2002 6:38 am

Carl, I simply LOVE you posts, all of them, just keep em a comin' !!!!

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 30 Jun 2002 6:58 am

I stand by what I said Too!

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 30 Jun 2002 7:39 am

I'm with Theresa! I love Pete Drake!!! I don't understand all the Bull$h*##!!! Pete was here, Pete made a TERRIFFIC impact on country music, Pete's influence on commercial country music and the steel guitarists who play it will live on FOREVER.

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 30 Jun 2002 8:15 am