Ollie strong: Who knows him?

Josh Watt · Post by **Josh Watt** » 2 Aug 2005 6:12 am

Hi.

My name is Josh Watt, and I've just joined the forum. I've also just recently begun to learn pedal steel. I'm 16 years of Age, and live in alberta, about 45 minutes north of Calgary.

All my life, My parents have told me that my grandfather is a steel player of some repute here in canada. They say he was on a television show for years, and has recorded with many big names.

Recently, I developed an interest in Steel, and my grandfather has agreed to teach me. I always wanted to know how well known he is.

My grandfather's name is Ollie Strong. Does anyone here know him? Or of him? Heard of him?

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 2 Aug 2005 6:23 am

Josh,

I've only met your Grandfather once, at the ISGC a few years ago, but I've been hearing about him since I first took up the instrument. He was the steel player on the old Tommy Hunter Show for a number of seasons, and has always been considered one of the top Canadian players. A couple of years ago I saw some nice photos of him playing a Fulawka - they may have been posted on the Forum. Your Grandfather is the real deal, and you are lucky to have him for a teacher!

Josh Watt · Post by **Josh Watt** » 2 Aug 2005 7:29 am

Thanks for the kind words. It's good to know I've not been lied to.

I saw those pictures. That's the steel I've been learning on. Apparently the pedal configuration's different that most standard pedal steels, so he says soon I'll have to get my own so I can learn properly.

He's introduced me to Ed Fulawka. He's one of the Nicest men you'd ever hope to meet, that Ed. So modest. I askled him if what he did was difficult, and he answered:

"Ah, if a Dumb Pole like me can do it, any idiot can learn."

Papa's really modest, too. I've never heard him mention the people he's played with and all that he's done, unless asked.

Does anyone else know Ollie strong?[This message was edited by Josh Watt on 02 August 2005 at 08:32 AM.]

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 2 Aug 2005 7:47 am

Hi Josh,

I met your papa at the old Jockey Club in Hamilton, Ont around 1962. He was playing
with Bernie Hughes' band I think and was
also doing the Hunter Show at the time.
I recall he let me try his Sho-Bud at intermission.

He was very friendly and that was the last time I saw him.

Roy http://www.clictab.com/RoyT/Roy_Thomson_Steel_Courses.htm

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 2 Aug 2005 7:47 am

Josh, your grandfather comes down here to Florida every February. We usually get to jam a couple of times while he and Rae are here. Rod Snow also comes down here in the winter.

John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » 2 Aug 2005 8:30 am

Josh, I've never met your grandfather, but I've certainly heard lots of talk about him.
Particularly from a musician friend from the Hamilton, Ontario area who talks alot about him doing great versions of old swing tunes.
They worked together in the 70's in several bands, including Gordie Tapp's.
-John

John Cadeau · Post by **John Cadeau** » 2 Aug 2005 10:04 am

Josh, I know Ollie. I bought my first Sho-Bud from him. He worked A t.v. show which eventually became the Tommy Hunter show, He also worked on a t.v. show out of Hamilton Ontario called The Bill Long Show, it was in the Bill Long band that he worked with Bernie Hughes. One of Bernies sons Earl took up the steel guitar. Bernie's other son Gerry plays bass, once in a while we work together. Gerry and I reminisce sometimes and Ollie's name always comes up. Gerry and I have the utmost respect for Ollie. When I was a teenager, myself and a friend, Buddy Cage, would go to concerts where the band Ollie was in would be the warm up act for the Nashville Stars, there were often two shows, we'd pay to see the first show, and then we'd look for Ollie and he'd get us in to watch the second show from backstage. The next time I'm in Ontario I'm going to do my best to get up to see Ollie. He was a great inspiration to me when I was learning how to play steel.
John

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 2 Aug 2005 11:12 am

If memory serves, Ollie Strong added to earlier Gordon Lightfoot work, circa 60's to early 70's.

Along the line, I imagine we'll hear something from Pee Wee Reese before too long.[This message was edited by James Cann on 02 August 2005 at 12:15 PM.][This message was edited by James Cann on 03 August 2005 at 03:41 PM.]

Bryan Bradfield · Post by **Bryan Bradfield** » 2 Aug 2005 11:49 am

Ollie put out a vinyl recording of steel guitar standards on the ARC label, out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada in the early 1960's. This was my early introduction to the sound of the steel.

And James - you probably are referring to Pee Wee Charles, unless this has forum has turned into a baseball forum?[This message was edited by Bryan Bradfield on 02 August 2005 at 12:51 PM.]

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 2 Aug 2005 1:51 pm

Not to date Ollie, but I was told he had the first Sho-Bud that was imported into Canada.

Ollie is playing a great looking (and playing) Fulawka he got about 2 years ago.

Bob Taillefer · Post by **Bob Taillefer** » 2 Aug 2005 6:22 pm

Hello Josh,

I agree with Bob. Your grandfather is the real deal. I have admired his playing for years. He is a great guy! Bob

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 3 Aug 2005 1:23 am

Josh, how are you going to take lessons from Ollie when he lives in Ontario, and you're in Alberta?

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 3 Aug 2005 7:24 am

Ollie is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. I've known him for over thirty years. He is very giving with his music knowledge which is considerable and has shown me more tips that I can remember. He is a very soulful player. I think the world of him.

Josh Watt · Post by **Josh Watt** » 3 Aug 2005 7:36 am

Wow,I nevere thought Papa had affected so many people.

jack, you're right about that fulawka, it's the one I've been taught on so far. Only the top neck, though, which I believe is E9, and I know the bottom is C6.

John, I visit my grandparents as often as I can which is a few times a year, two usually. I'm there for about a week, so I take intensive lessons while I'm there. Seems like a long way to do it, and expensive, but I think it's worth it for lessons from papa.

Ray Leroux · Post by **Ray Leroux** » 3 Aug 2005 11:44 am

I used to go see your papa everytime I was in Calgary. He had a house band that played in a little honkytonk over in north east Cal.
He always had time to talk to me and talk we did, he was helpful, kind and dedicated. He was an inspiration to me on those rare occasions when I had a day off the road.
I hope he is in good health and making the fine music that that I so enjoyed.

Doug Johnson · Post by **Doug Johnson** » 3 Aug 2005 12:03 pm

Josh:

When I was learning to play my teacher, Bob Fedosenko was a friend of Ollie's. He took me to meet him one cold September night at the Simcoe fair while he was playing with Tommy Hunter. I was just a kid. Your papa shook my hand and held on for a long time because his hands were cold. We still laugh to this day about that meeting.

When I toured with Terry Carisse in the nineties we played a club across from the club your papa played in, in Calgary. I would run across the parking lot to see him on my breaks and he did the same for us. We had alot of fun back then.

Yes your papa is the real deal and he taught me a lesson without even knowing it. Always give your time to new players. He made a real impression on me by spending so much time talking to a beginner in the middle of nowhere and I hope somewhere down the line I can make someone feel as important as he made me feel that night.

Doug

Josh Watt · Post by **Josh Watt** » 3 Aug 2005 2:09 pm

Ray,

Was the name of that honkytonk "The north Forty"? If so,mymom managed that place.

Ray Leroux · Post by **Ray Leroux** » 3 Aug 2005 3:26 pm

Yes it was the North 40 and I do remember your Mom & Stepdad being country singers and owners of the club. Too many years have past, Icant for the life of me dig their names out of the fog...

Bud Hall · Post by **Bud Hall** » 3 Aug 2005 5:48 pm

When I was about your age, I was looking for any steel albums I could find. Ollie's was one of them, I think he did Sleep Walk and other standards on it, and I still have it in my collection. If I remember right, the Sho-Bud on the cover with him, had no end plates. He influenced me when I was just starting out in Cedar Rapids Iowa.

Appreciate the Man!!!!!

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 4 Aug 2005 6:09 am

Yes, Ollie made a short jaunt back to the Calgary area and played with his step-daughter Kim and hubby Doug Watt (I assume that's your dad, Josh.) It was terrific seeming him and people from the old North Forty came out like lemmings to see him. Hasn't seemed to aged much at all and picking very well.

Bryan Bradfield · Post by **Bryan Bradfield** » 4 Aug 2005 3:51 pm

Ollie Strong: Sleepwalk, ARC label # 511.
Sleep Walk
Day Dreaming
Blue Bonnet Rag
Stealing the Blues
Panhandle Rag
Bud's Bounce
St. Louis Blues
Walking Up the Road
Steel Guitar Rag
Harbour Lights
In the Blue Canadian Rockies

Josh Watt · Post by **Josh Watt** » 5 Aug 2005 6:59 am

Ray,

Actually, mymom didn't own the bar, she just managed it for the owner. She was still a singer, though. She went by her stage name,
"Kim Reno". My stepfather (Doug Watt) also played there (it's where they met) but was not in management, just the music aspect. Curently, they're still gigging in Calgary (and area, they get booked in drumheller, Strathmore, Brooks, High river, Airdrie, and other cities) as a duet, under the name of Moonglow, but when they hire a drummer or bass player, they play under the name "Hi-Way". When I turn 18,I'm supposedly becoming their bass player.

Josh Watt · Post by **Josh Watt** » 5 Aug 2005 7:04 am

Is Red Volkaert around? Apparently, he knows Papa quite well.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 5 Aug 2005 7:30 am

No, he moved to Austin a while ago but responds to this forum sometimes.

Redd V · Post by **Redd V** » 5 Aug 2005 8:33 pm

Hi Josh, John, John, Andy & Bob!!
Yep, I know Oli, I tried on many occasions to steal licks, phrases, chords, and passages from him.
He was always willing to show me and help a dorky guitarplayer, try and make his guitar sound like a steel.
He is one of the nicest & talented guys I've EVER met!
Redd