Roy Wiggins

Kristi Wiggins · Post by **Kristi Wiggins** » 5 Nov 2003 7:46 pm

I would like to start a campaign to get one of the most recognizable steel guitar players into the Country Music Hall of Fame. I am talking about the legendary "Little" Roy Wiggins. He was on over 120 million records with Eddy Arnold, not to mention George Morgan and countless others. He spent his life doing what he loved-- playing this beautiful instrument, the steel guitar. This would be a wonderful way to honor his memory and the many years he spent making unforgettable music. I feel that he deserves this honor. Let's work together to make this happen. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You!

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 5 Nov 2003 8:01 pm

You can count me in on this. I really dont know what to do here, other then say that I would support Little Roy Wiggins. I have always loved his playing and try to copy, without success, his licks and playing style. I met him at Scottys in 1985 and he was the most gracious and kind man that I have ever met. He was nice enough to take alot of time out to talk to me. In addition to his autograph, he wrote out his tunings that he used through the years-and I still have that piece of paper. Anyway, as you can tell, he is one of my favorite players. I really miss his playing. Duane Becker

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 5 Nov 2003 8:28 pm

Mr. Ting-A-Ling Steel Guitar Man

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 6 Nov 2003 6:22 am

Hi Kristi,

It is sad that one of the few steel guitar players who literally helped catapult a big star for soooo many years has been soooooooo overlooked for soooo long.

Eddy Arnold was an icon in the world of country music. Because his musical idol was Bing Crosby, he was the first country singer to break the shackles and crossover into pop music. And during this unprecedented career, Little Roy Wiggins was part and parcel of that saga. To see and hear Eddy was to see and hear Little Roy.

Eddy had many a band member but there was only one steel guitar player with the exception of one or two times when Eddy got "upity" and used someone else.

That steel guitar player's sounds were known and loved the world over. There are countless millions and millions of people who, without knowing it, equated that ting-a-ling kick off, break and ending in those millions of recordings Eddy Arnold made, hit after hit after hit..

It became as much a part of Eddy as Eddy himself. In a word it WAS Eddy's trademark, whether Eddy will admit it or not. Probably not. But as Buddy Emmons said on this forum recently,

(paraphrasing),

"it does not matter what someone says, or how often they say it, the facts remain the same".

Little Roy Wiggins MADE Eddy Arnold pure and simple. ANY one with half a brain knows this. So in tune was Roy's steel with Eddy Arnold that the separation would spell eventual doom. And that is exactly what it did.

Eddy, like Ray Price and others, through whatever means decided that the steel was too country and ventured into other musical genre'. But it did not work. Sure they both had one or two hits, But in no case was it ever the same. So they found themselves without that "base" that made them. They simply turned their backs on what made them a star and those fans abandoned them.

When will man learn to go home with what brung ya to the show.

The saddest part of all, is the fact that you had a worldwide star who made 70 million dollars; at a time when a million was almost like a billion today, and that precious steel guitar player never was payed much more than starvation wages.

I will do what I can Kristi to help. He NEEDS to be recognized for the awesome contribution he made; and the joy he brought to soooo many.

My prayer and hope is that those who felt his playing was "too simple" can somehow come out; and put away their biases; and help you give this man his justice.

May Jesus rest his precious soul, and bless you my dear always,

carl

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 6 Nov 2003 8:43 am

Kristy.
I can remember as clear as if it were yesterday hearing Little Roy Wiggins on all those records. And what made the records for me was that sound on the steel that was Roy's signature sound. He is as much a part of me as anyone I knew back then, and I'll be 70 the 22nd of Nov. I'll certainly do what I can to help with his induction into the hall of fame.

Leigh

Robert Williams · Post by **Robert Williams** » 6 Nov 2003 4:45 pm

Kristi
I have communicated with you in the past and you know you can count on me. You have my Email so use it and let me know what I can do and I will give it my best.
Is there any news or progress on your Dad's autobiography?
God bless you and your family.
Bob Williams

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 6 Nov 2003 5:36 pm

Roy deserves it!

[This message was edited by Leroy Riggs on 06 November 2003 at 05:37 PM.]

Bill R. Baker · Post by **Bill R. Baker** » 6 Nov 2003 6:27 pm

Kristi, I visited with Roy before his death and at that time he was working on his biography which he planned to publish. Can you give us an update on this project? Thanks.

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 7 Nov 2003 1:53 pm

Kristi:
I can't say for sure how many steel guitar pickers were influenced by your dads style. I would be willing to bet it runs into the thousands.He was at the National Trout Festival some years back with George Morgan. I had quite a chat with him. I told him then,if all the guys that learned something off his records with Eddy Arnold would chip in a dollar he would be rich.
So come on all you folks who learned a little Ting-A Ling get behind this effort.
God bless you and your family.
Bud

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 7 Nov 2003 1:59 pm

"Hoy hoy"

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 8 Nov 2003 6:58 am

Great! So deserving!!!
Kristi, I am so glad to see this and wish you all the success in the world.
Last year I was in a session in Nashville with Mitsuo Fujii and Dewitt Scott. We recorded "Cattle Call" and I wanted to dedicate it to my memories of your Dad on the album cover. I would be very honored to send you a copy if you desire. This recording is titled "Steels Across the Seas". Let me know.
All the best to you and yours.

Sincerely,

Bill Stafford

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 8 Nov 2003 11:13 am

It's a real shame that years after Roy's death, it was we Forum members (and not Eddy Arnold), that helped pay for a gravestone for this man who inspired many players, and made such a big contribution to the steel guitar.

R. E. Klaus · Post by **R. E. Klaus** » 8 Nov 2003 12:48 pm

I had the privilage to work at Little Roy's music store for a couple of years. Roy was as nice a person as he was a great player. Roy does deserve much more recognition than he gets. I don't have any pull any where but you have my support.
R.E. Klaus

Harold Jack Baker · Post by **Harold Jack Baker** » 10 Nov 2003 9:54 am

I broke into music playin' in 1943 and when I heard Roy playin' back of Eddy Arnold I bought a steel and loved it. Been steelin ever since.I was playin in Calumet city down the street from the Yo-Yo club when Buddy Emmons played there as was a superb steel man named Larry Campbell who was close to Buddy. At that time Roy Wiggins steel licks were top drawer and in front of everyones repetorie.

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Texas Jack

Ed Webster · Post by **Ed Webster** » 11 Nov 2003 7:30 pm

I certainly agree with ALL of the above. Roy Wiggins was the first steel guitar I ever heard, somewhere in the 40's.....and I didn't have ANY idea what made that sound. From then on, all you had to hear of a "new" record coming out was the first 2 notes of the record and you KNEW it was Roy with Eddy Arnold. Will be glad to support his induction into the Hall in any way I can.Thanx.

Kristi Wiggins · Post by **Kristi Wiggins** » 11 Nov 2003 9:47 pm

Thank you everyone so much for your support. Your kind words mean so much to our family. I wish my dad was around so he could read what you wrote, he would be so honored. Reading what you all wrote has made me so proud to be his daughter. All of you are so wonderful! I will keep you posted with any new details. Once again thank you!

Fred Layman · Post by **Fred Layman** » 13 Nov 2003 7:15 am

I was privileged to get to know and to talk with Roy several times after I moved to Sevierville. He had a major influence on steel players and the country recording industry. That's why he is in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. My uncle Carl, who introduced me to steel guitar, thought steel guitar playing never improved beyond Roy Wiggins.

Refresh me, however, has the Country Music Hall of Fame ever inducted an instrumentalist, or do they even have a category for instrumentalists as such?

[This message was edited by Fred Layman on 13 November 2003 at 07:17 AM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 13 Nov 2003 10:57 pm

Kristi,

What a woderful gift for a father to have a daughter who has shown the respect and love, for a parent, whose music was once listened to by millions who love country music. His captivating steel guitar enhanced the voice of Eddy Arnold for a decade, and countless millions played his recorded music with great favoritism. Who knows how many "budding" steel guitarists felt the urge to grasp the steel guitar technique, heard on those early recordings?

Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 24 November 2003 at 02:27 AM.]

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 14 Nov 2003 10:18 am

I plan on getting Roy's instructional book from Scotty as soon as possible. Don Helms told me that Roy was a major influence on him. I love the sound of simple non pedal steel on early country music, there is something so honest to it. Reminds me of a hot summer day and a cold beer at a little out of the way bar in Texas, nice vibes.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 22 Nov 2003 1:58 am

He definitely deserves it!
Together with Jerry Byrd and Don Helms, Little Roy was the most influential player ever! Just think about the early Marty Robbins records, his steel player James Farmer sounded like Little Roy, trying to give the records the same background like on the old Eddy Arnold records!
By the way, one of the nicest "later" Little Roy Wiggins records I've ever heard is the Cowboy Copas record "The Beginning And The End"!

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