Randy Tate / Billy Grammer

Mel Culbreath · Post by **Mel Culbreath** » 12 Aug 2005 6:37 pm

Wondering if anyone out there knows a steel player named Randy Tate? He is 80 years old now and lives in Largo, Florida.

Randy doesn't have a computer and asked me to see if anyone knows how Billy Grammer is doing. They were friends long ago and played together.

My search on the forum turned up a thread about an aneurysm Billy had survived in March, 2002, but nothing more recent.

Thanks,

Mel

JACK HEERN · Post by **JACK HEERN** » 12 Aug 2005 7:27 pm

Mel
I get together with Billy about every Tuesday
with other friends. We jam a while drink some coffee, shoot the bull ect.
Billy is in pretty good health but is for the most part totaly blind. He still can pick his bunns off and is a wealth of music knowlege !! Billy can see some in good light but has a hard time in dim lighting. He will go fishing at the drop of a hat or pick and he will even drop the hat !! If you need to get in touch with him let me know and I can help you. Thanks for inquiring about a very good friend.
God Bless
Jack

Ben Rubright · Post by **Ben Rubright** » 12 Aug 2005 8:15 pm

Jack:
Please tell Billy Grammer that there are those who still remember the wonderful guitar playing he did on the old Jimmy Dean morning show back in 1957 on CBS. I have been a fan of his ever since. How many times I have thought of Jimmy singing and just Billy playing guitar behind him. Please tell him thanks from all of us that remember.

Billy Johnson · Post by **Billy Johnson** » 12 Aug 2005 11:52 pm

I was lucky enough to be playing bass at the ET record shop one saturday night with Jean Shepard and Billy Grammer was her guest. It sure was a treat and he did some of his finest pickin ever that night. They should have him on the opry a lot more.

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 13 Aug 2005 2:52 am

I heard him on the Opry not too long ago it seems and he sounded great. First I heard of his trouble seeing. You'd never know it listenng to him.

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 13 Aug 2005 3:50 am

Jack, ask Billy if he remembers Carl Sluder from Johnson City, TN....I believe they were pickin' buddies. Carl is still playing occasionally.

Bill R. Baker · Post by **Bill R. Baker** » 13 Aug 2005 5:52 am

Does Billy have a CD of his playing?

JACK HEERN · Post by **JACK HEERN** » 15 Aug 2005 7:53 pm

Guys
Thanks for the replys on Billy
Yes I think He has a C D and I think he has a new one comming out.
I will print this thread out and take it to him with your questions ect. He will be thrilled to hear from you all. I will find out about availability on C Ds ect and post it in a few days. I should see him tomorrow nite ....God willing
Jack