What Accomplishments Is It Going To Take"

Richard Gonzales · From: Davidson, NC USA

If Reece was nominated and got declined by the SGHOF committee it was probably due to not enough meaningful achievements as my research with the Texas SGHOF and Western Swing HOF and others only had the following listings;

REECE played with and/or backed up:
COUNTRY:
Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Merle Travis, George Straight, Gatlin Brothers, Gene Autry,
Tex Ritter, Red Foley, Rex Allen, Gary Morris Boxcar Willie, LeeAnn Rimes.

WESTERN SWING:
Bob Wills, Johnny Gimble, Tex Williams, Billy Grey, Legends Of Western Swing.

JAZZ/BIG BAND:
Louis Belson, Johnny Smith, Howard Roberts, Barney Kessle, Art VanDamm, Les Paul.

OTHER:
Tom Jones

INDUCTED INTO:
"Texas SGHOF" and "Western Swing HOF"

Nominated in 1995 as instrumentalist of the year for recording of "Stardust".

Received "Golden Guitar Award" as musician of the year.

Was presidentof MSA steel guitar company from its inception, which at one time was the largest manufacturer of pedal steel guitars in the world. MSA was the first to employ some principals which are still used in manufacturing today.

Appeared in the movie " Honeysuckle Rose" with Willie Nelson.

Played with his own band for many seasons on the hit TV series "Dallas".

Selected to play on the very first SGHOF show held in St.Louis.

Selected to take Curly Chalker's place on the Ozark Jubilee TV show with Red Foley.

Toured numerous times with his band in Europe.

Selected to play on nationally televised musical show celebrating Texas's 150th birthday.

Played for president Regans Inauguration in Wash. D.C.

Played on hundreds of recording sesions.

Was featured on Leeza Gibons show.

Recorded 8 instrumental albums.

Teaches steel guitar extensively to beginners, professionals and some who are already world renowned.

Has complete instructional courses for steel guitar.

Appeared on national television in Bob Wills documentary.

Appears in the country music hall of fame on video playing with Bob Wills.

Member of the board of the Texas SGHOF.

Come on REECE, you will have to accomplish a lot more to keep up with your peers in the StLouis SGHOF. Maybe someday and Good Luck in the coming years!

[This message was edited by Richard Gonzales on 31 August 2001 at 11:39 AM.]

BJ Bailey · From: Jackson Ms,Hinds

Thanks for that report on Reece,Richard.But it look's as tho I have a better chance of being inducted than Reece,no matter what he has accomplished.It is my understanding,that the SGHOF committee alone, has the only voice.And it has no bareing on what the people wa'nt.That kinda remind's me of today radio broadcast

Maurice Anderson and Jullian Thorpe yeah that is the moanful cry of the people

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BJ Bailey

[This message was edited by BJ Bailey on 31 August 2001 at 07:59 AM.]

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Most "Hall of Fames" use popularity as one of the main criteria used in the process of inducting people. True ability or accomplishments is only a small part of the picture.

I can think of at least 15 players that I think should be added to the "Hall of Fame", but my own criteria is a little different. Personal opinions sometimes (in fact, most times) differ.

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 31 August 2001 at 09:00 AM.]

Frank Estes · From: Huntsville, AL

For the SGHOF to be more "meaningful," they should change the selection process to have the existing living members vote on who gets inducted every year.

It would mean more to the players if the award was a recognition by their peers and heros. Unfortunately, being inducted does not get them any more gigs or notoriety than they had before.

Also, it would probably avoid the politics of "black balling" which gives too much power to so few and some of them are far from being top players themselves.

Frank

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1978 Rosewood Emmons Push-Pull D-10 8+4

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

How about Jay Dee Maness, who is in my opinion one of the 5 best steel players in the world. According to www.allmusic.com Jaydee has appeared on albums by the following artists:

Herb Albert
Eric Anderson
Beck
Tony Booth
Boy Howdy
The Byrds
Glen Campbell
The Carpenters
Carlene Carter
Cecilio & Kapono
Marshall Crenshaw
Christopher Cross
Jackie DeShannon
The Desert Rose Band
Neil Diamond
Phil Everly
Vince Gill
Arlo Guthrie
Chris Hillman
Englebert Humperdinck
Tom Jones
Johnny Lee
Mike Love
Lyle Lovett
Rose Maddox
Maureen McCormick
Country Joe Mcdonald
Bette Midler
Michael Martin Murphey
Anne Murray
Randy Newman
Juice Newton
Olivia Newton-John
Buck Owens
John Prine
Bonnie Raitt
Sawyer Brown
Silverado
Sugar Ray
Linda Thompson
Tanya Tucker
Dwight Yoakum

I left out a lot of lesser known artists. My point is that Jay Dee may be the most often heard steel player in the world, and he's not in the Hall of Fame yet. So why is there such a huge fuss over players that are less influential (in my opinion) like Maurice Anderson and Julian Tharpe?

"What Accomplishments Is It Going to Take", indeed! Lighten up, man. And for the record, I'm not complaining that Jay Dee was "passed over". I know his time will come. And even if it doesn't, he'll always be tops in my book.

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E7, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Hey Richard,
I'm glad to see this brought up again. I like beating a dead horse (As I said in another thread) if that horse needs to be beaten!

This whole thing just goes to show that the SGHOF means absolutely nothing. Just look at the accomplishments of Reece's which you listed. What more does he need to do? Look at some of the people in there. Who the heck is Sol Hoopi or whatever his name is. Why is he there ahead of others? How many of you out there have even heard anything he played on? I sure haven't. bOb, as for JayDee, I agree with you. He's one of my favorite players and has been for many years but who you've played with on record doesn't make you more qualified than someone else. I think it's the contributions you've made to the world of steel guitar and don't get me wrong on that! JayDee has made his contributions too! He was on some ground breaking stuff in the country rock movement which was way ahead of it's time. And he gets my vote also 'cause he's a California boy and we knew and picked with a lot of the same SoCal pickers in the good old days! My personal favorite of all time is Ralph Mooney. Ralph had a simple tuning and maybe wasn't as complex a player as others but he made a great impression on a lot of players (including myself) and caused us to take up the steel. I personally don't care much for 6th based playing but a few players have caught my ear. I scored a three record set by Reece in the late 60's and it really impressed my old hillbilly ears. Old 3 chord Jerry just likes good music, no matter what vein it's in. What ever it was that Reece played, I liked it even though I couldn't understand it. Anyhow, sorry to ramble on, I'm out'a here.

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Have a good 'un! JH U-12

[This message was edited by Jerry Hayes on 31 August 2001 at 11:07 AM.]

[This message was edited by Jerry Hayes on 31 August 2001 at 11:51 AM.]

John Floyd · From: R.I.P.

Dave Van Allen · From: Souderton, PA , US , Earth

Pat Burns · From: Branchville, N.J. USA

...as a Hawaiian player, he was fondly known as "Hula Hoopii"...

Rick Aiello · From: Berryville, VA USA

I think its time to invest in Sol Hoopii - Master of the Hawaiian Guitar Vol 1 and 2

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 31 August 2001 at 01:48 PM.]

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 31 August 2001 at 01:52 PM.]

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 31 August 2001 at 01:56 PM.]

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

The hall of fame listed it's criteria on it's web site, and Reece certainly qualifies in every respect, but there is a controversy and (according to some) some unresolved issues surrounding the closure of MSA. It is this unfortunate controversy that is keeping him out.

But I agree with Frank. (Will wonders never cease?) Being in the hall of fame doesn't get anybody any better gigs, or more money. It's a nice honor, but ultimately hassn't changed anybody's life, and let's face it, the only people who care about it are us steel players. The general public couldn't care less.

[This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 31 August 2001 at 09:23 PM.]

Jeff Lampert · From: queens, new york city

Yep. JayDee is something else.

[This message was edited by Jeff Lampert on 31 August 2001 at 02:56 PM.]

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

And, I believe that will happen one day, Jeff! Other entertainers have "people's choice" awards, and sooner or later...it will happen in the steel world.

Only when a selection is made by the masses (like all fans and steel players...not just the famous ones) will the majority be happy. That's just common sense.

Richard Gonzales · From: Davidson, NC USA

Bringing up this post to refresh us on a few of Reece's accomplishments, since the SGHOF issue is being addressed again. You can now add the new Millennium guitar to his accolades.

[This message was edited by Richard Gonzales on 25 July 2003 at 08:15 AM.]

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

Double post...sorry

[This message was edited by Roger Crawford on 25 July 2003 at 08:08 PM.]

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

b0b...my money is on Jay Dee for THIS year!

Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

Reading this thread, I found it noteworthy that in an e-mail to me from Reece this spring he said:

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

Reece's exclusion from the SGHOF only serves to make that organization look bad, not the other way around.

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www.tyack.com

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

Richard Gonzales · From: Davidson, NC USA

Bobby- Reece's "Stardust" can be found on the tape Maurice "REECE" Anderson and his
STEEL WITH BRASS

[This message was edited by Richard Gonzales on 25 July 2003 at 11:12 AM.]

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

I never miss a chance to agree with Dan Tyack. I don't get many, but I never miss 'em.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

Got it! http://b0b.com/products/reece.html

Thanks, Richard.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

I'm aware that both Reece and Jay Dee have been around for years; top qualilty musicians and enthusiastic promoters of the steel guitar. I've been playing since the 1950's.
I recall receiving mail literature from Reece about a pedal steel guitar club, before I even fully realized what a pedal steel was.
So here is MY dilema:

HOW COME........so many other steel players, are so widely known around the globe than either one of these two fine gentleman? I am truly curious.

What is it about them that has kept them somewhat relegated to the back row in the overall picture? Was it because they failed to have a "winning record"? They didn't play a sufficiently long time with a particularly popular artist of that day?

I haven't a clue but am curious if anyone else might have.

John Drury · From: Gallatin, Tn USA

Bobbe Seymour is another one that is long overdue. He has played for them all, and has done as much to promote steel guitar as anybody out there. JMOHO

John Drury
NTSGA #3

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

There's no doubt that the above mentioned players deserve to be in. Their accomplishments speak louder than some Brass Plaque ina hotel basement.

While I'm on the soapbox, did anyone ever notice that there's not a single non-USA HOF winner?

It's called an "International" convention but 100% of the 45+ awards are to Americans (or Hawaians).

Just accept it for what it it: Politics.

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