Curls vs. Pete

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 3 Jul 2002 12:51 pm

I'd really love to be able to comment to the degree that a lot of you did in this topic but I'll not attempt to match the writing skills of some. Some of what's been said here has really raised the hair on the back of my neck. To even think of making a comparison chart matching one against another seems really stupid to me. You can name all the PSG artists and rank them if you choose. That chart and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee anywhere in town. The remark about Jimmy Day true or false really tweaked me ! Some things are just better left unsaid ! I listen to every PSG player I can. To put a good, bad, half ass or in between rank on them is something I can't figure. We all learn or learned from listening . . . that's my opinion

Carl West
Emmons D-10

George Rozak · Post by **George Rozak** » 3 Jul 2002 1:47 pm

Well said Carl West. I couldn't agree more.

George

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 3 Jul 2002 3:00 pm

I liked the way Andy and Susan put it the best. It's too hard to make comparisons on great players like these. One thing about it there can be no doubt about, Pete must have done something very right and wouldn't each of wish it were us?

wayne yakes md · Post by **wayne yakes md** » 3 Jul 2002 4:39 pm

I remember when Johnny Johnson and other ET musicians rushed to Bobby Garrett (who was playing in George Jones first band!!) after Buddy Emmons left ET and went with Gordon Terry (FIDDLER) to California to find their fortunes. All thought that ET would hire Pete Drake because Jack Drake(his brother) was band leader(and bass player for ET) and would demand it. Garrett played the next gig (because of the Troubadours request) and ET offered Garrett the job. I asked Bobby Garrett what song he played to open the show that ET rolled his eyes at Garrett's intro and guaranteed Garrett's hiring, and Bobby said that it was "Half A MInd" and "I only played it like Buddy"!!In fact, ET so loved Bobby's playing that when Emmons came back from California and said he was available, ET said Bobby was on steel and offered Emmons the guitar player job because he was so gifted and knew all the repitoire, that Emmons did in fact then play (and record with ET as a guitarist!!). ET loved Garrett so much that he promised him that on his next album he would record Garrett's "Rose City Chimes". In the mean time, Garrett left ET to play steel for Hank Thompson and the Brazos Valley Boys (1960-63; on their 3 "Live albums" live at the Golden Nuggett, live at Cheyenne Frontier Days, live at the Texas State Fair, and other records for Capitol Records in Hollywood for a total of 95 sides!!) which are legendary C6th recordings to this day(on the next ET album "Live at the Midnight Jamboree" with Emmons on steel and Leon Rhodes on guitar, ET kept his promise and Emmons played and recorded "Rose City Chimes"). Then Garrett's last performance with ET was at Dewey Groom's Long Horn Ballroom in Dallas,TX. On guitar that night playing for the house band was the drummer, Leon Rhodes. Emmons and the Troubadours went nuts over this "drummer" Rhodes and when Emmons now went to play steel for ET, they needed a guitar player. Leon Rhodes after several months of coaxing finally accepted the job with ET, Emmons eventually left to play for Ray Price, Buddy Charleton accepted to play for ET ( with Leon) and the rest is history. What must be remembered is that Garrett was Jim Reeves FIRST steel player(did Jim's first recordings as well as Billy Joe Spears when he was just 14 years old!!), and he and Jimmy Day alternated playing for Jim in Nashville during his career in the big leagues. Finally Garrett and Day could take Reeves no longer and quit playing for him. Then we all adore the recordings Reeves did with Pete Drake on the steel, for they are the ones I remember most. Charleton told me of the time when Jack Green asked Buddy Charleton on one of his recording sessions if he could "sound like Pete Drake". Charleton was insulted because he will always sound like Charleton. It was like when Merle Haggard (who payed for Neil Flanz to come down from Toronto to California to play for him)and asked him if he could sound like Ralph Mooney. Neil said that he could, "but Merle you just would not understand". What a chance Merle lost. So we must understand that everything is relative and perception is important, right or wrong. We cannot change anything. Human history is indelibly marked by this and steel guitar is no different. I love most things Pete Drake did (Beatles included!!). Could someone have done something more inspired? Does it matter? The facts remain and I love all who have contributed in their unique way to steel guitar.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 3 Jul 2002 6:26 pm

For a few days I have been wondering: Where is Doctor Yakes ?? Do you think he heard me ?? I certainly hope so........

Regards, Paul

wayne yakes md · Post by **wayne yakes md** » 4 Jul 2002 4:02 pm

Loud and clear Paul!!

Andy Alford · Post by **Andy Alford** » 9 Oct 2002 3:09 am

Pete Drake had a sound that caused many in Nash.to get him on their sessions.Along with many, I like his gospel recordings that really show his ability on a steel.I wish that I had his ability but its not in my Drake line.