What guitar player influenced you most?

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 6 Jun 2003 7:04 am

Every one of us has our favorite steel players that influence our playing or maybe were instrumental in our decision to take up the steel in the first place. When I think about my own style, approach, attack, attitude, technique, etc., I honestly have to give credit to some of my guitar heroes. What I would like to know is:

Were you influenced by guitar players and who were they?

My major influences are:
Rock - Hendrix, Clapton, Page
Country/Bluegrass - Don Rich, Tony Rice

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Terry Edwards
Fessy D-10; Nash 1000
Martin D-21; Flatiron F-5

Billy Woo · Post by **Billy Woo** » 6 Jun 2003 7:32 am

Boy, Do I love this thread..

George Harrison, Leslie West, Brian May, Keith Richards, Danny Gatton, Brent Mason and others..

Bronco Billy

David Reeves · Post by **David Reeves** » 6 Jun 2003 7:41 am

The guitarist who 1st influenced the most was Don Rich, then when I was a little older I was futher influenced by Roy Nichols and Grady Martin. Grady was the best in his day and many would be hard pressed to match skills with him today.

I can't leave out Merle Travis, Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Doc Watson... man! This thread is tough!

I am really impressed with Brent Mason now'a days. He has got to be at the top of the food chain right now.

I wish I knew more about Steel Guitar players than I do, but I am really impressed with Roy Thompson, Dr. Hughley, Smiley Roberts, and even my buddy Gene Jones. I think there be a myriad of great steelers right here on the forum.

It is too much to ask for one to choose a 'most influential' as so many have so much to offer.

I apoplogize for not listing every one of you great musicians in this post, but it would just be too much to type out in a years time.

Stump

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[This message was edited by David Reeves on 06 June 2003 at 08:43 AM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 6 Jun 2003 7:52 am

Jimmy Bryant, for his fabulous speed and dexterity (when everyone was raving about lesser players).

Les Paul, one of the true innovators, and still one of the smoothest players to ever grace a 6-string.

Billy Sanford, who was doing 35 years ago the same thing everyone is raving about in today's players.

Grady Martin, who had a wonderful ear for simplicity and what is "commercial".

Danny Gatton, who was never appreciated for his fantastic ability the way he should have been. (Clapton "couldn't carry his case").

And lastly, Lonnie Mack, who will (in my eyes) always be the "king" of rock guitarists.

Tony LaCroix · Post by **Tony LaCroix** » 6 Jun 2003 7:57 am

BB King.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 6 Jun 2003 8:01 am

As far as steel guitarists go, Buddy Emmons, Paul Franklin, John Hughey, Jaydee Manness, and Bruce Bouton made me want to play steel, but I've always been a fan of guitarists Chet Atkins, Steve Wariner, and Vince Gill. I wish I could play like those guys. Brett Day, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10[This message was edited by Brett Day on 19 December 2004 at 11:33 PM.]

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 6 Jun 2003 8:24 am

many guitarists influenced me, so i can't mention one but a few:
T Bone Walker Chuck Berry
Albert King Earl Hooker
Jeff Beck Jimi Hendrix
Jesse Ed Davis Ry Cooder
Chet Atkins George Benson
Baden Powell and nowadays Brent Mason

Charlie Vaughn · Post by **Charlie Vaughn** » 6 Jun 2003 8:30 am

I always admired the playing of Phil Baugh. He had pedal setup on his guitar. I heard him play many times and he played steel licks on the guitar that would make any steel player take notice. I also like Vince Gill, Brent Mason and Steve Warnier. Gee I hope I spelled all the names right[This message was edited by Charlie Vaughn on 06 June 2003 at 09:31 AM.]

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 6 Jun 2003 8:34 am

Interesting thread, I'd have to say guitarists like Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins), Bob Mould (Husker Du), Allen Epley (Shiner), Allan Holdsworth, Alan Sparhawk (Low), and Leo Kottke really influenced my guitar style, and their ideas about harmony, texture, tone deeply influenced my playing. I aspire to bring some of their ideas to the steel, but that is hard row to hoe. Maybe I should trade my Evans for Marshall or a Hi Watt.

Gerald

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 6 Jun 2003 9:55 am

Hendrix, Beck, Page, McLaughlin for notes, Santana and Allman particularly for tone. I now listen to Steve Morse and Eric Johnson for both. Steel guitar - Doug Jernigan and Buddy Emmons for tone and notes, Speedy West for the lunacy factor.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 6 Jun 2003 9:58 am

Well for me in the earlist days ...

( age alert! )

here's my primaries..

Nokie Edwards and the Ventures
Chuck
Carl Perkins
James Burton ( Ricky Nelson era )
obviously more

Then

Eric Clapton
Keith Richards ; remember when he was young ?
Mike Bloomfield
All of those King guys
BB, Albert, Freddie...Larry..oh.not him..
many more thru the era

then

James Burton - he's baaaack
Albert Lee somewhat
Ray Flacke
Jimmy Capps

then

Robben Ford ( mostly and still )

and including
Grant Giesman
Mike Stern
Larry Carlton
John Scofield
you see whee I was at this time..

did I mention Robben Ford ?

then and now
James Burton --back again
Erics back too..
Brent Mason
Jimmy Olander
Steve Wariner
Vince Gill
and a host of other real fine Tele players
and still Robben Ford of course..

Eric Johnson makes me think about what I can do and how to apply it..I don't play anything that he does. I don't even attempt it.

Of all the players thru the years that have had the most effect on my playing,listening and approach, Robben would be the guy..

great thread, thanks for starting it..

tp

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 06 June 2003 at 03:20 PM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 6 Jun 2003 10:00 am

Couldn't name a single one if my life depended on it. But, on a bit of a different tangent . . .
Blind Blake (favorite of all time)
Mississippi John Hurt (close second)
Rev. Gary Davis (maybe a tie for second)
Robert Johnson
Doc Watson
and, later,
Rick Ruskin (WHO?)

for the electric (or is that eclectic) rock stuff . . .
George Harrison
Eric Clapton
Jimi Hendrix
Johnny Winter
Stevie Ray Vaughan

non-rock electric . . .
Chet
Merle
Thom Bresh
Phil Baugh
Lenny Breau
just lately, Tommy Emmanuel (most ALL styles)
Brent Mason
and the jazz guys . . .
Joe Pass
Barney Kessel
Herb Ellis
Pat Martino

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 6 Jun 2003 10:32 am

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 6 Jun 2003 10:46 am

The first for me?

DENNY WRIGHT!!! the unbelievably fluid and inventive player on Lonnie Donegan's first hits. Then Jack Marshall, who I heard on my older sister's Peggy Lee records.

After that, they're more predictable - Scotty Moore, Chet (with the Everlys), James, of course, with young Ricky...

Johnny Smith - that wonderful 'Moonlight in Vermont'!

Barney Kessel, who I was lucky enough to see at a seminar in the West End at Ivor Mairantz' guitar shop - illuminating, and he never once talked down us rock'n'roll players.

Pete Dyke (RIP) - London jazz-player who sold me my first good guitar (he worked in the Charing Cross Road music shops) and showed me my first extended chords (he also taught me to be more particular about keeping my nails clean, saying, 'People will be looking at your hands...')

Of course, there are dozens more that I love, but these guys lit a fire under me in the beginning - I owe them!

Roger Rettig
(PS: I had to smile when I saw Herb Steiner and Mike Cass talking about steels as 'horns' - dear old Pete Dyke always called his gorgeous Gibson L5 his 'bugle'....

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 6 Jun 2003 11:11 am

When I took up Steel Guitar,I knew nothing about the steel ( still don't). The first record I got was , The Seel Guitar Rag By Chet Atkins--- I thought it was a steel guitar! I said too my self if I could only play Steel guitar that good. Well what did I know-- It was The Steel Guitar Rag.

Joe

Andy Zynda · Post by **Andy Zynda** » 6 Jun 2003 11:17 am

First & foremost, the Humbler..
Danny (oh my god) Gatton
Then:
Stevie Ray
Steve Morse
Jerry Reed & Chet
Albert Lee & Brent Mason
Brian Setzer
Roy Clark & Glen Campbell
Speedy (holy cripes) West (slide)
Eric Johnson
Flatt & Scruggs
The list goes on, but these styles, in a blender, is what I like to play.
-andy-

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 6 Jun 2003 11:19 am

Good one, Joe!

The first guitar album I bought was Chet's 'Teensville' ('One Mint Julep' still blows me away!) and he did 'Sleepwalk' on that - I knew it was six-string, but I preferred it to the hit version!

In my post above, I should have mentioned Jimmy Day - he played a GREAT solo on Don and Phil's 'Lucille' in 1960, but I had no idea what a steel was - I spent ages trying to nail it on my Les Paul Junior! It was seven years before I learned the truth....

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 6 Jun 2003 11:47 am

Chet was my main influence, although I never could play that style. Then I got into Jazz: my favorite player in that genre is Howard Roberts. Bobby Caldwell of the ISGC etc, blows me away with his skill and the way he can back up anybody on any style of music and he never tries to steal the spotlight.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 6 Jun 2003 12:02 pm

OOPS, double post.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
[This message was edited by Darvin Willhoite on 06 June 2003 at 01:02 PM.]

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 6 Jun 2003 12:10 pm

Back in the 70's, when I was learning steel, all the greats influenced me immensely.I couldn't play like them, but, the infuence was there.But, as to guitar work, I choose the late Clarence White for the most influence on me. Then-
Albert Lee
Ray Flacke
Bob Warford
James Burton

Greg Vincent · Post by **Greg Vincent** » 6 Jun 2003 12:18 pm

Steve Howe --"the Roy Smeck of rock guitar"!

[This message was edited by Greg Vincent on 06 June 2003 at 01:18 PM.]

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 6 Jun 2003 12:31 pm

I used to play a lot of Chet&Merle and lets
not forget Jerry Reed.Used to make extra money teaching those styles.Jerry Douglas'
dobrd playing also a big influence.The last
few years I played a lot of Eric Johnson.
As far as steel guitar goes,Tom Brumley's
playing seems to just reach down deep and shake the s*#t out of anything I've heard
him do.I always admired the emotion he can pull out of a phrase.Lets not forget Buddy,Mooney,b0b ect......

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Larry Robbins
Sho-Bud ProII,
Morrell lap steel,Reagl 75 dobro and Marshall half stack(I know,I know)

Randy Beavers · Post by **Randy Beavers** » 6 Jun 2003 12:46 pm

LARRY CARLTON!!! Mike Smith introduced me to his music around 1981. Since then I've collected everything I know of that he's done. Check out his most recent work on "Fourplay's" albums.

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 6 Jun 2003 1:34 pm

Son House. I still have the National Style O my parents bought from him after a show House put on for my school when I was in seventh grade.
Also, Mississippi Fred McDowell, who coincidentally played for my school the following week.
Carlos Guitarlos.
Hollywood Fats.
Luther Perkins.

RMckee · Post by **RMckee** » 6 Jun 2003 2:17 pm

Chet Atkins.
Dewayne Friend.
Ernie Maxwell.
James Burton.
Eldon Shamblin
Albert Lee.
Roy Nichols.
Roy Buchanan.
Merle Travis.
Roy Lanham.
Bobby Caldwell.
Grady Martin.
Jimmy Bryant.
Rich O'Brien
Pete Wade.
Tony Rice.
Tal Farlow.
Charlie Christian
and too many more to name!

Randy
[This message was edited by RMckee on 07 June 2003 at 03:13 PM.]