Bill Simmons, what a player!

Albert Svenddal · Post by **Albert Svenddal** » 18 Oct 2005 6:05 pm

I recently heard Bill play on a song recorded at a studio here in Minneapolis (Chet Prewie), while he was here. The tone is killer, the style is awesome and the licks were outstanding. This is one great player. Oh and by the way, he 's an incredible person to know. Albert Svenddal

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Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 18 Oct 2005 6:54 pm

I will second that. I will also add Bill is a fine individual as well and you could not ask to meet a better person. How does one person wind up with that much talent that Bill posesses?

Albert Svenddal · Post by **Albert Svenddal** » 18 Oct 2005 6:58 pm

The song he played on was "Yesterday" and Oh how sweet it was" Albert

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Ted Solesky · Post by **Ted Solesky** » 18 Oct 2005 7:56 pm

I haven't had a chance to meet Bill in person as of yet. From the little emails we exchanged, he seems like a gentleman. Looking forward to having lunch with him sometime in the near future.

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 19 Oct 2005 3:51 am

Ted, The first time I met Bill he came in and just talked like he knew me all of my life. He was playing an Emmons push-pull at the time and the tone was awesome. You will be blessed spending time with Bill as you will find out soon.

Charlie Tryon · Post by **Charlie Tryon** » 20 Oct 2005 5:28 am

Yep that Bill is quite a player....he is also good on steel.. Just kidding Bill. Bill just seems to be an all round good guy and I'm very proud to call him my friend.
C.T.

George McLellan · Post by **George McLellan** » 20 Oct 2005 6:37 am

I had the pleasure of talking to him and listening to him play a superb set in Winnipeg. Yes, he is quite a guy.

Geo

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 20 Oct 2005 6:46 am

Yep, Bill is quite a player, a gentleman, and a supporter of the steel guitar. He, earlier this year drove over 400 miles to help us kick off the new West Texas Steel Guitar Association in Abilene, Texas. In addition to his support he brought along his good friend Corky Owens, steeler for the Gene Watkins' Farewell Party band. They gave us nearly an hour of super steel playing. Bill, we thank you for the interest and wish you the best in any endeavor you pursue.
Phred and the WTSGA group.

Ts McDonald · Post by **Ts McDonald** » 21 Oct 2005 3:12 pm

Albert, you are, indeed, "Most Correct" with your "Evaluation" concerning the "Musical Greatness and Talents" with regards to Bill Simmons, aka, "WBS", playing abilities....I have a "CD" that Chet and Bill did, with a "Cut" of "Blue Bayou", that is beyond "Description"....Corky Owens and I were with Bill in Tyler one day, and to me, what explains his "Extreme Talents", is what Junior Knight said to the audience in Tyler, Texas, that day when he shared the "Stage" with "Bill Simmons"....when Bill finished playing, Junior took the mike and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen", "Rest Assured", that this guy, Bill Simmons, that you just heard play, "Does Not Take A Back Seat To Anyone, in Texas, Nashville, etc.", when he plays "Steelguitar". And Junior is exactly "198 % Correct", and for those of you that have not heard him play "Bass, Lead Guitar, or "Sing", well, you "Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet"....And, Albert, Bill Simmons has told me numerous times that "You Are An Exceptional Player" yourself....Thanks,

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Ts

Albert Svenddal · Post by **Albert Svenddal** » 22 Oct 2005 6:15 am

Thanks T.S. I rememer Bill years ago when he traveled with the Lowell Lundstrom Ministries and he was great way back then. I hope to have the chance to jam with him soon.

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Albert Svenddal · Post by **Albert Svenddal** » 22 Oct 2005 6:19 am

T.S. Thanks for the post. I remember Bill years ago when he traveled with the Lowell Lundstrom Ministries. He has certainly paid his dues to be recognized. Bill when you get to visit in Minnesota, be sure to look me up and let's jam. Albert

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Tim Bridges · Post by **Tim Bridges** » 23 Oct 2005 7:12 pm

Well, I had the pleasure of meeting Bill today. He and his wife are living in Birmingham, AL. He brought his beautiful Emmons PP over and we played a bit. Super nice guy and a heck of a picker. I'm thankful to have met him and to have a new friend. What a great day!

Bill Simmons · Post by **Bill Simmons** » 25 Oct 2005 9:57 am

Finally had the time to see the post...very nice but everyone who posted are such great people and terrific players themselves...thank you for your kind comments.

Yes, I've relocated to Birmingham. AL but kept our home in Keller (Ft Worth). I miss all my TX steel friends and hope to return one day. I took for granted that I could go hear terrific steel players most nights of the week in TX...unfortunately, Birmingham it is the opposite. However, it is a beautiful city and I'm meeting some great new steel buddies.

Speaking of great steel playing, I encourage everyone to purchase Albert's new gospel CD and soundtrax's...email Albert today.
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Rains SD-10; 4+5 - '68 Emmons D-10; 8+6; Vegas 400; Hilton pedal; RV-3

Bob Simmons · Post by **Bob Simmons** » 26 Oct 2005 7:48 pm

ok, Bill, haven't had the pleasure hearing you pick, sorry not much going on around here- but glad your here. Still waiting to hear from you about going with us on on Sat nite picking session--- just a bunch of ole country folks making noise, your friend, Bob

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 27 Oct 2005 3:17 am

Bill, glad you are "in the area". Best to you and yours with the move to Birmingham. Now that you are close by, please consider visiting us here in Gulfport, Ms. for one of our DSSGA sessions. Keep up the good work. Anxious to hear your new session.
Bill Stafford

Bill Simmons · Post by **Bill Simmons** » 31 Oct 2005 4:08 pm

Thanks for the invitation Bill...I would love to a part of your great show!! By the way, last weekend I played (tried to play) your Excel that Larry Hicks now owns. Man or man...it was like trying to playing a harp...looking forward to hearing you (Mr. Smooth)play in person and meeting everyone at your show sometime in the future...
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Rains SD-10 "The Spirit" Gospel Model, 4+5; '68 Emmons D-10, 8+5; Vegas 400; Hilton pedal; Rev 3

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 3 Nov 2005 12:17 pm

Bill plays?

Just kidding. Bill is a great guy and a great player.

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God Bless,
Steve Stallings

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 3 Nov 2005 1:58 pm

I hope to meet Bill real soon, and hear some real playing.

D-10 Fessenden, Nashville 112, Session 500, Goodrich LDR<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Tyler Hall on 03 November 2005 at 01:58 PM.]</p></FONT>

Larry Hicks · Post by **Larry Hicks** » 3 Nov 2005 9:09 pm

Guys,
Had the pleasure 10 or 12 days ago of sitting next to Bill at Tim Bridges' house with three steels set up. Believe me, Bill is the real deal! He's a great player, a great guy, and his P/P sounds wonderful.

Musically, a very intimidating afternoon!
LH

Pat Coyne · Post by **Pat Coyne** » 5 Nov 2005 10:45 am

Don't get on here very often, but could not let this go by without a reply! Bill is a much older brother to Johnny Cox and myself! Yes to all of the above, a real treat to listen to play..one of the longest and dearest friendships i have..and scoops some mean ice-cream. My friend you are one of the best!

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 6 Nov 2005 12:06 am

I also met Bill when he was with Lowell Lundstrom, that was in the early seventies, One day in 75 I was driving Bill to a Sho-Bud dealer here in a suburb of Minneapolis, to look at a Sho-Bud that I believe he bought shortly after that, on the way, the rear axle of my station wagon broke, & came off along with the left rear wheel & went rolling down the oncoming lane ahead of us, by the time we stopped, the area that the wheel came off was on fire! Later we went to a recording studio, where Lowell Lundstrom was mixing down a new album, As Bill introduced me to Lowell, he said, 2 steel players almost went to Heaven today, to which I replied, No. just one, "meaning Bill of course" About 15 years ago, Bill was living here in Maple Grove, Mn, & I called him, & said, Get over here, Wayne Dahl is here with my son & You got to hear him play! Bill came right over, later we got Bill to play also, & yes, He is a fine player! Bill? I know that you've moved around a lot with you're Ministry work? but are you originally from Minnesota? or was it Canada? God Bless! Al Udeen