Welcome Marian Hall!

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 21 Aug 2005 12:52 am

Marian, I'd be really interested to hear about your memories of Paul Bigsby. Someone once mentioned that you had two Bigsby steels, is that correct? I'm trying to document, along with a couple of friends, his work as much as possible, any info and help will be appreciated

Joe Savage · Post by **Joe Savage** » 21 Aug 2005 10:32 am

Hi Marian. Welcome to the 'forum'. I just last night watched "Rockin on Ranch Party". You are adorable! And you sound great, too. What tunings did you have on your Bigsby? What kind of amp did you play through at that time?
Best Regards,
Joe Savage

Marian Hall · Post by **Marian Hall** » 21 Aug 2005 2:04 pm

Jussi, Yes, I was priviledged to have two Bigsbys in my lifetime. The first was a double 8 no pedals.I had a lever on the A6 neck to change it to an E13th. After Bud Issacs came along with his sound I added two pedals. Then I sold that one and got a double neck with 10 strings on one neck and 8 on the other., and just kept adding pedals. no knee levers.

Paul Bigsby and I lived near each other at the time and became friends. He was gruff and no nonsense but a sweetie pie at heart. He made just one instrument a month and that was it. He had a card hanging on his shop wall that said Jan. So and So Feb. So and So and that was all the bookeeping there was. At the time I took no pictures of Paul, or Paul and me or his shop. I kick myself now. Did you know he was a motorcycle racer in his youth? Had many trophies in his office and announced the motorcycle races in later years. I think that is where he and Merle Travis met.His trade was a pattern maker and that's why most of the metal parts on Bigsbys are cast aluminum.I think I've used up enough space for now..................Marian Hall

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 22 Aug 2005 12:14 am

Thank you Marian!! Wow, a ten string and an eight string neck, that's a rarity even among Bigsbys.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 22 Aug 2005 1:05 am

Marian, you can use up as much space as you want. These little insights about Bigsby, Chet, and others are priceless.

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 22 Aug 2005 4:02 am

this is a great thread! here is some great reading, especially for the biker pickers http://www.bigsbyguitars.com/history.html

Ernest Cawby · Post by **Ernest Cawby** » 22 Aug 2005 4:21 am

Marian do not let author keep you from playing, my index finger is about 45% bent to the left and my thum is bent to the left, sometimes I miss a string but I would not quit for anything, when you hit a bad string just grin like everybody else and go for it, would love to hear you play. Remember LLoyd quit for a while and came back you can to.

ernie

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 22 Aug 2005 6:18 am

Hi Marian. I got your email this morning and replied promptly.
you made my day. thank you.!
welcome to the forum.

you are a real treasure. I am so glad you are here.

I read an article in Vintage Guitar magazine and then found you on the Texas Ranch Party DVD.
I wish Bear Family would find and release your work on Town Hall Party.

I am the proud owner of a 74 ShoBud. the learning is rough, but so enjoyable. you have been an inspiration.
Ive been working on this steel for only two years.

I write this so to give you a chuckle.

welcome Marian. I salute you.

Marian Hall · Post by **Marian Hall** » 22 Aug 2005 2:38 pm

Joe Savage...You asked about my tunings and amp. I am a great believer that any 6th tuning is the place to start. You can get three notes of just about any chord on the planet if you work it right. For me I loved E6th and when I got my 10 string my basic tuning went from a high G.# to a low E. I never used any of the Nashville variations and when I wanted the Bud Isaacs sound I just figured out my own way to do it without changing my E6. After my tour of duty at Town Hall was over I went on to Spade Cooley for a while and then Tex Williams for three years. At that point I went chord crazy. I played with three finger picks and had a blast with four part chords. Everytime I got a new bright idea Paul Bigsby would make it happen. All my pedals were my own adaptations because nomatter what I kept the E6 in tact. Major 7ths, diminished,flat 9ths. I did what I considered by far my best work after Town Hall but none of it exists anymore. With all the fancy new guitars I'll bet you can rig them up any way that suits you. Nobody could play my pedals and I could never play anyone elses steel.

As for the amp I had one of the original numbered Standels. That was the greatest sounding amp on the planet as far as I was concerned. But like an idiot by the 1970's I got tired of trying to find tubes for it and hauling around an external reverb and I sold it. Things were never the same after that....Hope that answers your question......Marian Hall

Joe Savage · Post by **Joe Savage** » 23 Aug 2005 2:52 pm

Hi Marian. That does answer my questions. Let me ask you this, how did a young woman like yourself at that time, get started playing steel? Lap steel first, I would imagine, right? But then, not only did you become a professional player, but held your own with some of the greatest musicians ever....You are a true pioneer!!!! I can't imagine there were many pro women steel players at that time. There are few now, even in this day and time. What was that like for you? And where have you been? Why is it that I've just learned of your existence? I know I'm not the total historian on the steel, but WoW!! you are so great!
I hope I'm not carrying on too much here, but I was just so blown away seeing those TV clips.

You are right about the modern steels. It is pretty easy to move things around and add changes. If they are an all pull system, anyway.
Don't worry about taking up too much space. I think alot of people would like to hear your stories and get to know you better.

Take care.
Kind Regards,
Joe Savage

Joe Savage · Post by **Joe Savage** » 23 Aug 2005 4:22 pm

Marain,
I just read the interview from Andy Volk's book. So many of my q's have been answered. I've had the book for a while, but had only looked at the pictures so far!!
Feel free to elaborate if you wish.
Best Regards,
Joe Savage

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 23 Aug 2005 6:15 pm

Aloha Marian, I think it's great that you care to be part of this Forum and share your steel playing life's stories with us.

I grew up in the Downey/Compton area neighborhoods and knew some cool things were happening that a very little kid in the 50s wouldn't have a chance to enjoy, and I sure was right.

I understand you got a kick out of those 3D pix from the outdoors Ranch Party days (the close up shot a few posts previous is one of them) that I alerted the Forum to a while back. Those were a real find, especially for the Ebay winner. Did you ever sit in with the Maddox Bros. during those gigs or at any other time? What were they like? I'm a big fan, and there are not many folks around to relate about them.
(a Forum search on Marian or myself can turn up the rest of those great shots, for those interested)

Did you ever perform/dine at the 'Silver Saddle' on Firestone Bl.? That place always fascinated me as a kid.

Thankfully, we have the DVDs and such to fall back on to get a taste of what most of us missed out on the first time around to enjoy the THP gang. Your playing on the THP/Ranch Party shows is the epitome of taste and precision, and always the highlite of my viewings.

I hope you can track down your original Bigsby.

Did you ever have the chance to meet up with your 2 main steel influences, JB and Murph?

As yet another to say that the Standel amp was the best for steel, what do you think made it so? Bob Crooks said that the JBL 15" speaker was the thing that took it from average to 'it'. But there had to be more to the story, even tho I'm a D130F fanatic. Did you ever run 2 Standel's while playing? What color was your's?

Was Noel Boggs living near your home in Downey?

Did you ever encounter another player that used your half sitting/standing position style of playing? Please remind me what led you to that.

Could you expound on your years with Tex Williams. That must have been fun playing his set. Who else was in the band? Were did you gig primarily?

I got plenty more Qs, but will save them for later.
Thanx again for letting us have this access to you.
All the best!

As for Merle's untold genius, he was also a fabulous caricature/comic artist. I have a great example of this featuring a musical motif that I will try and post on this thread at some point. What a talent![This message was edited by Ron Whitfield on 23 August 2005 at 08:04 PM.]

Marian Hall · Post by **Marian Hall** » 25 Aug 2005 6:59 pm

Ron Whitfield, Yes, I went to the Silver Saddle. Great food and enjoyed the saddle woven into the carpet. Never played there.

The Maddox Bros and Rose were a band unto themselvers. I never sat in . They were some of the most colorful and exciting showmen you could ask for. As a little kid I was hypnotized.

I never met Jerry Byrd but I did meet Jauquin. I can't say I really knew him. Mike Johnstone is the expert on Jauquin Murphy. Incredible talent but not that easy to know. I don't know if I spelled his name right..oops

As for my years with Tex Williams , that could take a while. I feel I did my best work in his band. The bandleader was Billy Armstrong . Played great violin. We pretended we were Count Basie/Bob Wills and Tex Beneke rolled into one.We were like kids in a sandbox. Tex was great about letting us try whatever we felt we were big enough to do. Lots and lots of great stories but my brain is getting tired...More later..............Marian Hall

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 25 Aug 2005 9:53 pm

Marian, my utmost in thanx for your time in answering my/our questions. This Forum is greatly enhanced by your participation.

Can't wait to hear more!

Too bad you didn't have the chance to converse with Jerry. I'm sure it would have been a fun/interesting time for both parties as he was probably the total opposite in attitudes from Murph.

All the best!

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 26 Aug 2005 10:16 am

Great thread! And what a pleasure it is to have you on board, Marian. I never get tired of hearing the stories of the bands, players and innovators from that time. About 15 years ago, at the Convention, I had the good fortune of listening to Bud Isaacs, Ralph Mooney, Speedy West and Leonard Zinn reminisce about playing in LA.

So again, Marian, thank you for being here, you have a rapt audience. -- chas

Marian, Joe Maphis and Merle Travis[This message was edited by chas smith on 26 August 2005 at 11:34 AM.]

Marian Hall · Post by **Marian Hall** » 27 Aug 2005 12:29 pm

Chas, Thanks for the picture. One of my favorites.

To Randy and all those who asked about my beginnings....I started playing at about 8 on a regular acoustic guitar laid on my lap. Probably tuned to C6. My Mom sent me for lessons with an Hawaiian man who taught in a music store down the street . I soon got a six string electric Oahu and a tiny little amp to match. I think I was very fortunate to learn from an Hawaiian because of the vibrato and way they hold the bar.. I learned a few Hawaaian songs but everything I learned about chord patterns and music itself came from digging on my own. My sister Joanie and I played and sang together for awhile...and then we went our separate ways. When I started playing as a sideman on my first Bigsby I was majorly GREEN. It was like being thrown into the deep end of the pool. In two weeks I could hold my own.I was really lucky that happened just the way it did. Slowly but surely I learned mostly from the very generous standard guitar players who put up with me. After a couple of years Town Hall gave me a break and I was off and running. Thanks for asking....Marian Hall

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 27 Aug 2005 12:38 pm

...and way they hold the bar

Marian, would you mind elaborating on that, please? Thanks and welcome.

Jon Zimmerman · Post by **Jon Zimmerman** » 28 Aug 2005 10:51 am

Rapt and mesmerized over here too, Marian. Innovators all, you and Rose Maddox and Bros., Paul Bigsby, Bob Crooks--History laid bare. The 50's TV programs were a staple for me at my grandparents' Sat. nite!
Regale and elaborate as you please..
Warm regards and esteem, JON Z.

Marian Hall · Post by **Marian Hall** » 28 Aug 2005 2:33 pm

Mike, I realized when I typed that remark about how they (Hawaiians) hold the bar I would be in trouble. It is nothing unusual that I can describe but I know you can tell any Hawaiian player or Jerry Byrd (who is Hawaiian at heart) with your eyes closed. Lots of vibrato is part of it. For a while it became very hip in some circles to kill the vibrato.I guess I never was that hip or that fast. Another trick is ..., the heavier the bar the better. It has to do with sustaining tone. I wish I could be of more help. I just know that having an Hawaiian teach me those things had an effect on my ultimate sound.
Just a notion of mine...............Marian Hall[This message was edited by Marian Hall on 28 August 2005 at 03:36 PM.]

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 29 Aug 2005 8:11 am

I rediscovered the interview in Vintage Guitar magazine. I cleaned out my music room and found it, again.
a great read.

Marian, I think you mentioned that you had many tapes of the Texas Ranch sessions.

were you looking to get them to a digital format?

it is possible and there are several ways to accopmplish that.

i. at the museum where I work we do in house digitalizing. I can check into that for details.

2. we sometimes send work out to a firm that does very good work. Highwire is the name i believe.

3. you could get a professional firm to publish them. that way an agreement could be made and they could be for sale.

that's what I have learned by asking around.
interesting ideas.

I bet there are many here that would love to see that footage.

I would. I'd pay too.

thanks for your responses to my questions. I really enjoy your e,mails.

Marian Hall · Post by **Marian Hall** » 29 Aug 2005 1:22 pm

Randy,

The taped shows are not really mine to sell. But I'll give it some thought. One of the problems with the copies I have is that they are many generations from the originals and pretty fuzzy. Who made the DVD you spoke of that seemed to be a compilation? Did you buy it somewhere? Is it sharp and clear?
You asked in an email how I made the train sound. Just slant your bar on your top three strings at around the 12th fret( or any fret for that matter) and go back and forth.It is supposed to sound out of key..Hope that helps................Marian Hall

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 30 Aug 2005 4:50 am

I'll get back to you about who pruduced it. the DVD it varies in quality.
some segments are clear, a few are blurry, and two the sound and video dont link too well.
otherwise, it is an excellent piece of footage.

I no nothing of production of DVD from an analog source. I would imagine it is possible to clean up a fuzzy original.
case in point is "Rockin on the Ranch". that's he title of the DVD of which I speak.

Marian, thanks for the tip .

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 30 Aug 2005 7:35 am

heres a pic of that DVD I mention. the notes say it is all 39 tapings during the shows performed in 56 and 57.

for the most part the images are clear and defined. some acts are blurry and the vocal sync is off on a Merle Travis tune.
other than that it is a must to have.

I found my copy at a local music store.
searching the web they can be had just about anywhere; ie:UK, Netherlands, and Germany.

Marian is shown set up next to PeeWee , the drummer.
Joe Maphis, a real star, is an accomplished player of guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and banjo.
and , yes, Marian, you are plainly visable on your Bigsby.

you stand out on:
George Jones' You Got Me Baby,
Town Hall Boogie
and a few more.

I have the name of the producer of this DVD at home. I will add that to this post later.

[This message was edited by Randy Reeves on 30 August 2005 at 08:36 AM.][This message was edited by Randy Reeves on 30 August 2005 at 08:38 AM.]

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 30 Aug 2005 8:52 am

The Rockin' On Ranch Part DVD was put out by Stomper Time Records which is a UK company owned by Dave Travis. I was surprised to see some of the flurry tracks there since I have far better quality versions on some old VHS tapes. I met Dave here in Helsinki last November, he surprised to find out there were better quality versions. Apparently, Dave got them leased through a Swiss company which does digital remastering. Dave is working on another Ranch Party DVD in the future, but before that he will put out a DVD compilation of the old Gannaway Grand Ol' Opry star shows. That one should be out this September.

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 30 Aug 2005 4:47 pm

Yeah Marian, you sound great on that Town Hall Boogie!