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Topic: Frankie Marvin Creates Gene Autry's Sound |
Al Gershen
From:
Grants Pass, OR, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 6 Jun 2004 8:53 am |
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Hi SGF:
I was listening to Internet Radio (BostonPete.com - Country Western Classics) on Windows Media Player and the announcer talked a bit about the steel guitar sound in the Gene Autry recordings.
He mentioned steeler Frankie Marvin and said that he was responsible for creating the recognizable Gene Autry sound.
I found a short bio about Frankie Marvin on the Century of Country website at the URL:
http://www.countryworks.com/artist_full.asp?KEY=MARVIN
I find it interesting how unknown names (at least, to me) of steelers pop up now and then. When you think about it, there were probably a lot of steel guitar players during the early years of country music and they all contributed to the sounds we have today.
We talk mostly about the famous ones here on the SGF but we really shouldn't forget the others.
If you have some stories about Frankie Marvin, please post them under this thread.
Also, the above referenced Boston country station does a great job of not only playing old tradional country music but also discussing the tunes, performers and writers.
It's a listening pleasure and a real learning experience.
Have a nice weekend.
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Regards,
Al Gershen
Grants Pass, Oregon. USA
Fender 1000 (1957),
Fender PS 210 (1971) &
Gibson Electraharp EH-820 (1961)
Al's Photographs at http://www.alsphotographs.com
[This message was edited by Al Gershen on 06 June 2004 at 09:55 AM.] |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 6 Jun 2004 9:20 am
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| Thanks Al......... For years I've wondered who this steel player was as he was one of the first I was to recognize on local radio stations/records. He certainly did lay a solid foundation for many of us that were to come along in later years. One cannot say he was a "speed picking freak" but he certainly presented "a style" that was smooth and supportive of Autry and he was easily identifiable for being himself. |
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Bruce Clarke
From:
Spain
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Posted 6 Jun 2004 12:03 pm
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Around 1940 I had a 78 of Frankie and Johnny Marvin singing "Lazy Texas Longhorns" (can't remember what was on the other side) They sang two part harmony and did their own backing on standard guitar and acoustic steel, no other instruments. This was one of the sounds that turned me on to the steel guitar. As I remember, it was a straight major tuning.
The steel on the Autry records had what I suppose would be called a "signature lick" and I found that I could get that sound by including a 6th note in my tuning. I never knew until now that it was Marvin. The steel was never prominent, but it was always there in the background.
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 6 Jun 2004 12:25 pm
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It was the sound of the simple but sweet fills of Frankie Marvin that got me started.
I first heard them live at Madison Square Garden in NYC during the rodeo and I was hooked.
Who was it that said that less is more? 
If that was less,,well, give me more less. |
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Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 6 Jun 2004 1:00 pm
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I didn't remember his name, but Frankie Marvin was at the ISGC sometime in the late 70s or early 80s. I spoke to him briefly and he told me he was Gene Autry's steel guitar player. I believe Scotty recognized him from the stage and asked him to stand up.
Roger |
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Ed Altrichter
From:
Schroeder, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2004 6:10 am
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| What kind of steel guitar did Frankie play, and what tuning, usually ? |
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Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2004 10:32 pm
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| I understand that Leon McAuliffe(sp?) was once offered that job. History could have been way different. |
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Brian Henry
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