Tribute to a great steel guitarist: Jody Carver

Joel Johnston · Post by **Joel Johnston** » 22 Jan 2005 8:56 pm

Hello Jody -
Thank you for your kind reply. It was great to see all the follow ups and the pics from some of the many great friend and admiring strangers that you have here on this forum. I have acquired an interest in you my friend. You are a walking, writing encyclopedia of steel guitar history and I agree with the rest - you need to put a book together. I read on one of the posts that you played behind Perry Como - I'm a traditional country hick at heart, but I still have to put Mr. Como at the top of my favorite singer list. Nobody could deliver a song as relaxed and heart felt as Perry Como.
I confess that I don't post that often - it was the subject matter of this thread that drew me in. I can't call myself a steel player. I can barely get through steel guitar rag on a lap steel. My Dad is the steeler in my family. I play bass and rhythm and sing. I'm 44 yrs old - Dad will turn 70 in March. Dad fell in love with Eddy Arnold music in the late 40's and taught himself to play steel. He discovered Jerry Byrd and learned to play with that type of touch and tone. He had a Double 8 Starburst Fender 1000(?) when I was a kid (now he plays a double 12 Sho-Bud). I grew up singing Ray Price, Buck Owens, Mel Tillis stuff - but I love the 50's/60's pop era too . . . Perry Como, Bobby Darin, Andy Williams, Jack Jones. Have you ever heard Matt Monroe? He was the U.K.'s version of Sinatra. He sang "Born Free". His verion of "Softly As I Leave You" is about as perfect as 60's pop music gets. I've always thought that tune would make a great steel guitar instrumental. Great chord progression for steel. Well - I would love to meet you some day. Playing a little music with you would certainly be a dream come true. I think you and my Dad would have a lot in common too. I better tie this off for now.
I'd look forward to e-mailing with you once in a while if you were agreeable to that. My e-mail is WalkinBass2@aol.com.
Your New Friend -
Joel Johnston
Spokane, WA

Joe W. Gilbert · Post by **Joe W. Gilbert** » 23 Jan 2005 5:42 am

Jody
Makes me want to get my uke and "March Around the Breakfast Table". Hope you are feeling better, the flu is not something to mess around with. You are on my prayer list. Thanks for all you have done in our steel world. Please write the book.
Joe

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 28 Jan 2005 3:21 am

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 28 Jan 2005 6:18 am

WOW! What an honor -- Arthur Godfrey in person. And not just signed, but also a lengthy complimentary note to Jody about his performance.

Jody's #1 fan,
Roy Ayres

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Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 28 Jan 2005 12:56 pm

The dedication reads:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Jody,
I enjoyed your
wonderful performance
You made me happy
with your God-given
talent
You are always welcome
to return
Good Luck Lad,
Arthur Godfrey<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

.

And here's another undeniable testimonial:

THE STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME

<pre>JODY CARVER

POP RADIO AND TELEVISION’S MARQUEE PLAYER DURING THE 50’S. AS A STAFF MUSICIAN AT
CBS HE RECORDED AND PERFORMED WITH ALL THE ARTISTS AND THE MAJOR SHOWMEN OF
NEW YORK’S “GREAT WHITE WAY”. WITH GODFREY, COMO, GLEASON, BERLE, GRIFFIN, SULLIVAN AND
A HOST OF OTHERS. HIS RECORDING AND PERFORMING BROUGHT THE STEEL NATIONAL
RECOGNITION DURING TV’S INFANCY.

BORN: APRIL 19, 1929 BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
INDUCTED: 2004</pre>

Kerry Wood · Post by **Kerry Wood** » 19 Dec 2005 7:12 pm

Hello, I just wanted to bump this thread, and to say that the "Knight" sent me my personalized copy of the Godfrey show a few weeks back. What a wild recording. To think that it was 50 years ago.....what a treasure and a time capsule! Jody you were and are one talented man. I feel so privledged to have shared the emails that we have over the years, and also lucky that some of these magic moments like the Godfrey show were captured to be enjoyed to many years later.

Kerry[This message was edited by Kerry Wood on 19 December 2005 at 07:15 PM.][This message was edited by Kerry Wood on 19 December 2005 at 07:17 PM.]

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 19 Dec 2005 8:13 pm

A Post well worth bumping up.....al

Merry christmas.....

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 19 Dec 2005 9:06 pm

Thank you all. More important than my recordings and Hall Of Fame & my Accomplishments

Thank you.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 20 December 2005 at 02:44 PM.]