Steel Player on "Walking After Midnight"

Roger Woods · Post by **Roger Woods** » 18 Jan 2007 1:08 am

Anyone know who played steel on that Patsy Cline song? Was it C6 on 8 strings?

Thanx,

Chef Roger Woods

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 18 Jan 2007 1:21 am

Don Helms, probably on E13.

Kevin Ruddell · Post by **Kevin Ruddell** » 18 Jan 2007 3:00 am

Wasn't Don using E6 and B11 on his D-8 ?

Mike Wolfenbarger · Post by **Mike Wolfenbarger** » 18 Jan 2007 6:41 am

It was Don Helms; he played that intro for the audience in St. Louis this year.

Ken Levesque · Post by **Ken Levesque** » 18 Jan 2007 7:45 am

Hi, I believe it was Jerry Byrd from the pic i have on the Patsy Cline Story...Decca DXB 176 album.As far as the other question ,im not sure of the tuning on the D8.

Ken

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 18 Jan 2007 8:10 am

Interesting...Ken throwing a wrench into the works by "playing the Byrd card."

I'm wondering, does anyone know if Don ever toured with Patsy as the steeler in her band?

Who is a buddy here of Don's that can call him up and get the straight scoop?

Definitely one of the greatest country songs of all time...

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 18 Jan 2007 8:57 am

It was Don Helms on his E6 neck in the key of C. I think this is one of the greatest non peddal country tunes ever recorded. It's one of those songs that always goes over well and both Guys or Gals can sing it well. Swinging and sexy. I would love to see this song included in Don's tab book one day. It's right up there with Steel guitar rag and Sleepwalk as a great classic for sure. Great job Mr Helms...!

Al Johnson · Post by **Al Johnson** » 18 Jan 2007 9:31 am

there is a picture around of Jerry Byrd setting on a piano bench at the session at that time I believe Jerry was a publishers rep. pushing and promoting songs
I believe in the many years Jerry Bryd lived in Nashville he did just about many many jobs really a top hand. Al

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 18 Jan 2007 10:16 am

While we're on the subject, is there a 5# in the intro?

Been a long time since I've heard the orig. version.

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 18 Jan 2007 12:34 pm

It was Don Helms..

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 18 Jan 2007 12:39 pm

Don and Hazel live around the corner. It was he...

Leslie Elliott · Post by **Leslie Elliott** » 18 Jan 2007 3:25 pm

I just talked with Don and he said that he did it on his 'Hank Neck' which was the E6 neck in the key of C. Incidently, on Patsy's record Don was the only lead instrument. He played the intro, turn around, etc., no other lead instrument was used. Also, on all of Hank's songs, Don played them on the E6 neck...thus he called it the Hank Neck. He said to thank all of you guys for your kind words. He's leaving in the morning for the Birmingham show...so maybe he'll see some of you there.
Musically yours,
Leslie Elliott

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 18 Jan 2007 3:41 pm

Don did the intro and turnaround but he shared the fills with fiddler Dale Potter.

Mike

Ken Levesque · Post by **Ken Levesque** » 18 Jan 2007 3:49 pm

Thanks, i stand corrected.

Ken

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 18 Jan 2007 4:22 pm

Nice work on making it official, Leslie!

Colm Chomicky · Post by **Colm Chomicky** » 18 Jan 2007 4:55 pm

Maybe some of you guys might enjoy. Here's a little Walking After Midnight video clip I took - Russ Wever at an outdoor venue back in September 06.

Also no other lead instrument, Russ does it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFA6j81GcpQ

A little dark, but good enough to get some of the flavor. (I'm still a learnin on this video stuff and all I had was a small camera to do this one).

Roger Woods · Post by **Roger Woods** » 18 Jan 2007 7:14 pm

Thanks for all who responded and provided info.

Anyone have the string set up for E6. I play a 10 string E9th neck. Old Domland D10, 10 floors, 3 knees.

Roger Woods

Kevin Ruddell · Post by **Kevin Ruddell** » 19 Jan 2007 2:52 am

lo-hi
A C# E G# B C# E G#

Don Walters · Post by **Don Walters** » 19 Jan 2007 7:53 am

From the Rebel & Ricky Site:

E9 and C6

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 19 Jan 2007 1:00 pm

Don Helms

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 19 Jan 2007 2:56 pm

Outside of one TV shoot, Byrd never did anything with Patsy.

Paul Redmond · Post by **Paul Redmond** » 20 Jan 2007 12:16 am

It was most definitely Don Helms. He told me so himself. And so did Carol Lee Cooper one night on the Midnight Jamboree on 650 AM WSM.
PRR

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 20 Jan 2007 8:47 am

Don Helms He told me himself.

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