Al Marcus One Great Steelman

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

We all know Al Marcus for his kindness and his offering a prayer for those that are in need. Al makes reference to himself as an old time player, well let me tell you. I received a cassette tape yesterday and I am amazed at what Al played way back in the 1940's and early 1950's, Al amazed me with his abilty to play chords that I have never heard, his style is somewhat like Alvino Rey and God Bless Alvino Rey but Al at times exceeds the playing of Alvino Rey.

Great tunes, block chords, crash bar on up tempo's with melody suspended chords, palm harmonics the whole nine yards

Tunes such as "Laura" The Classic "Im Getting Sentimental over you" Al is remarkable and he down plays his talent and ability as a steel player?? Al is UNREAL.

Have to Go, I'm listening Al if you see this I want you to know that I think you play WONDERFUL and right up to todays standards of the great steel player of today.

Remarkable

I'm listening Thank you Al.Whom I refer to as The Chairman of the Board of steel players

. YOU ARE TOPS IN MY BOOK.

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 17 May 2006 at 02:13 PM.]

Nick Reed · From: Russellville, KY USA

Al has always been one of my favorites. I still enjoy chatting on the phone with him during the weekends.
Nick

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Discussion about Steel Players belong in the "Steel Players" section, so I'm moving this.

Al is indeed a fine gentleman and great player.

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

Thank you Jody for recignizing a great talent. I have known Al longer than I care to admit.He is always gracious and accomodating when I have a question or just visit. I can't understand why you both are not in the Hall Of Fame.I know Al was playing pedals before a lot of pickers were born. He has a vast knowledge of his guitar and can tell you exactly what he is playing.
As soon as I get over all this surgery business I am heading north and my route will take me to Cedar Springs Michigan. I have some Band In A Box business to discuss with Al.

Old Bud

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

I'm ticked!!!

I have asked Al for a tape of him playing those great old tunes several times and he said he did not have anything to send out!

I want one!

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

Al is a wealth of information, living history, and a real treasure to all of us here.

Thank you Jody for this thread of our great friend, Al Marcus.

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Al is a wonderful, warm human being who has forgotten more about steel guitar -- pedal and nonpedal -- than most people will ever know. He understands the evolution of the mechanism and tunings and knew the players personally, giving him a unique vantage point on where our instrument is today and where it might be going.

Yes, I have the highest respect for Buddy Emmons, John Hughey, Paul Franklin, and others who have made our instrument what it is today -- but I put Al Marcus in that same category. I'm proud to call him my friend. We are blessed by his presence.

We love you Al.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

I've only corresponded with Al once via e-mail,but what a super nice gentleman to take the time and effort to acknowlege just another somebody off of a forum, and answer thier dumb questions!
Thanks Mr. Marcus,,

Larry

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 18 May 2006 at 08:08 AM.]

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

I would absolutely LOVE to hear some recordings of Al's playing!!! Thank you Al for inspiring so many of us here on the Forum! Love your website by the way.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

I think Al is so modest, he wont step in and say hi, Hey Al, come out come out where ever you are.

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Jody- I am overwhelmed. To get such a nice Compliment on that old tape from a Great Player and Steel Guitar Hall of Famer as you are is very humbling for this old guy. Yes, Alvino Rey was my Mentor back in those late 30's and 40's

Larry Bell- Your are A great steel guitarist on that S12 Universal, Your CD"s are really great.Thank you too for the very kind words, and support. But I was just a Journeyman Musician, just always was doing it the way I felt it.

Willis-My old friend "Bud". Thank you too and I will be looking forward to your visit this summer. Be glad to see you again and hope you are recovering well from your surgery.

Bill-I really don't have any decent tapes to send out. The one Jody has was made in 1950 on a WAX transcription , at a Radio Station Plugged into the board, no amp or anything, all done on one take. If you made a mistake, they had to throw the platter out and start all over. And that was expensive. Then I transfered to a Reel To Reel when they came out, then to a Cassette when they were available. So the sound is not as good as we get nowdays 56 years
later.
I hope to put together a tape of some of my favorite old Big Band tunes , and Good Lord willing, I'll send you one.

Thanks guys and I appreciate your nice thoughts.
And Jody, thanks again for even taking time out of your busy Schedule to listen to the tape. You are a Real Hall of Famer in my book....al

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

[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 21 May 2006 at 06:41 PM.]

Howard Tate · From: Leesville, Louisiana, USA, R.I.P.

I've been yearning to hear Al play ever since I visited his web site. I was amazed that anyone could have such detailed memories of things that happened a while back, and all the wonderful pictures. Al, if there was a cd or tape I would buy it no matter what the quality was, I just want to hear the playing.

------------------
Howard

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

i've never had the pleasure of meeting Al, but from what i read of him here, he's an asset to the steel family
Thanx Al

Richard Gonzales · From: Davidson, NC USA

I have never met him in person, but have had the pleasure of Email correspondence. Nice to do business with as I sold him a couple of guitars and everything went smoothly.
When I had my bout with cancer he was gracious enough to check in on me from time to time to give me encouragement. I now consider him a good friend!

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

I just sent Al a e-mail. We will put anything he has,be it reel to reel or casettes on CD's for him at no charge.
I may even take a recorder along and put the squeeze on him to record using BIAB tracks..I think it would be worth a CD just to have him talk about the early day's..

Bud

Fred Welch · From: Sheridan, MI. USA - deceased

It has been my good fortune to meet and spend many enjoyable hours with Al Marcus. Hehas shared stories of his life and accomplishments that even as I write this make me smile. I have been lucky to have help as he set up his single neck Sho-Bud to be a E9th/E6th tuning. His pedal arrangements were challenging and fascinating to me, not to mention
keeping me out of mischief for days at a time trying to finagle them on that beautiful old Sho Bud he has.
I have no idea what qualifies someone for the hall of fame, and no doubt the waiting list is long. I do know that Al Marcus is one of a kind when it comes to Steel Guitar and the knowledge, dedication and pure love of it all. And with or without recognition he has paid his dues many times over. God Bless you my friend.
fred

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

I'm blessed to say Al and I have been friends for many years and I have the greatest admiration of him as a musician, but more importantly as a man of true character, honor, and dignity. I'm very proud to have the privilege of considering him a dear friend.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

Al is a great guy!

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Yep, Al's Da Man!

A charming corespondent,
and a font of perpetual knowlege.

If I got an old PP s-10 I thought to have
his tuning list put on it put down a pedel
you get one tuning,
add another a different one.
And play it like a lapsteel,
that can change on the fly.

And I gotta try "Lean and Mean" too.

I want one of those cassettes too...

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Charlie

I got the first one

frank rogers · From: usa

Al, you know I "second" all the great comments about you. You are truly a "class act". F.R.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Frank and so are YOU

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Thank all of you for honoring Al, He appreciates it more than you will ever know and it gives me much satifaction to see the many friends Al has on this Forum.

Jody Carver

Bill Stafford · From: Gulfport,Ms. USA

Jody, thanks so much for inserting this thread for Al Marcus. Al is one of the greatest and has given all of us in our steel guitar world more than we will ever be able to fully comprehend. He is still ahead of our time, but right on top of his. Al is one of the very few with all that knowledge of the pretty music with that great chord structure a lot of us are striving for. Thanks Al, I am so proud of your friendship to me. You too, Jody.
Bill Stafford

Roy Thomson · From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada

I have never heard Al's playing but he has been a wealth of inspiration and help
to me on this Forum and many others as
demonstrated above. Add to that his emails
of encouragement and I just can't help but love this guy and all he has contributed.
Many thanks Al.

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