Jay Dee with Vince.

Bill Bailey · Post by **Bill Bailey** » 23 Aug 2003 11:41 pm

We went to Las Vegas Friday the 22nd to see Vince Gill, I was hoping he would have a steel player. I asked the guy selling T-shirts and what all, who Vince had playing steel tonight? He replied Jay Dee Maness, to which I sais Kool! The show started at 9:00 PM sharp. Jay dee was on our left and we were sitting 5 rows from the front and directly center stage. Jay Dee was playing a beautiful black Emmons and he looked great. I loved the sound of his guitar although he was somewhat back in the mix compared to the Hammond B3 and all the guitars and keys. He had a few spots that came out good on intros and some turn arounds. I was glad he played the intro to Look at us with his own licks since Vince allows him the freedom to be Jay Dee. I loved seeing Vince live and was amazed at his guitar playing. He is a real showman. As you would expect from me, I was disappointed that Vinces selections of songs featured more piano, Organ, guitar solos than steel. It tore me up to see Jay Dee having to wait out most of the jamming instead of being given more parts. I did hear some real amazing steel fills on some slow ballads, and one real intricate fast series of speed licks on one ocaision. I got to speak briefly to Jay Dee after the show to tell him hello and how much I would have wanted to hear more of him in the mix and how much I enjoyed what I did hear. Jay Dee looks like he takes real good care of himself he doesn't seem to age from one year to the next. He is going to be in St Louis and he will get to play there.
The seats for the show were $75.00 and worth every penny. The last time I saw Jay Dee was at Bucks birthday bash in Bakersfield playing with Tom Brumley, They were pickin. Take care all.
Bill Baiuley

------------------

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 24 Aug 2003 9:18 am

One of my bands opened a show for Vince and Jay Dee earlier this year, and he was amazing as always. Not to mention the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. Can't wait for his set in St.Louis!

------------------
C'mon by and visit!- www.markvanallen.com
My Bands: Sugarland Kate and the Retreads Kecia Garland Band Shane Bridges Band Dell Conner Blues Band

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 24 Aug 2003 9:48 am

As a close friend 30 plus years, JayDee never will cease to amaze me. Couldn't meet a nicer guy. He has not lost one hair on his head I don't think. He looks extreamly
well. Vince very lucky to have this excellent player, but I'm like the other comment saying I'd love to see him featured a lot more. Great guy, great friend and great player !

Carl West
Emmons La Grande

Bob Anderson · Post by **Bob Anderson** » 24 Aug 2003 10:28 am

People talk about who is the best. For my money nothing would ever kept me away from seeing Jay Dee or Lloyed Green. These are the two I compare all others.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 24 Aug 2003 11:34 am

Being privileged to be around Jay Dee a couple of times in the last year and a half, I too was thrilled to see and hear a steel hero that dates back to the late 60s. He indeed does take care of himself. He's married to his high school sweetheart and uses a treadmill and lives sensibly. A warm character also adds years to your life and he's an example of this in his personal life and his playing. It's great to have a hero that's not on a self-destruct journey as we've seen in some.

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 24 Aug 2003 5:51 pm

Listen to Anne Murrays' "Could I Have This Dance?" from "Urban Cowboy". Nothing else need be said.

Rick

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 25 Aug 2003 6:22 pm

This past Father's Day, my wife and I went to a Vince Gill concert at a local venue http://www.mountainwinery.com. What a great show! I love Vince's music, and to add frosting to the cake JD Maness was Vince's steeler. Bob Snelgrove and I got a chance to chat with JD down at the stage front after the concert. He took time out from the bustle of packing to schmooze with us for a spell. A real gentleman. His playing was excellent (of course). JD says that Vince allows him lot of freedom in his playing, not having to copy the tracks verbatim. Vince is certainly a wise man to give a master of the instrument creative space.

It was a really fun show (our first since we saw the Doobie Brothers reunion concert in Concord CA about 10 years ago) and a nice Fathers Day event. My wife says it may have been the best concert she's been to, ever. And I must admit the real capper for me was seeing/hearing JD play and getting a chance to chat.

------------------
<font size=-1>Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?</font>