Searching for Steelers, Jeffran College 1978

[Bent Romnes]

I thought this would be a neat thing to do: Attempt to round up all the people who took the course at Jeff's Steel College.
The time was February of 1978. The date on my diploma from Jeff says Feb 18/78. We took the Group 2 course - Intermediate.
I am so sorry that I don't remember a single name. I will list a few snippets that I remember, that might ring a bell with you.

I played my green D10 MSA
We doubled up in rooms at the Days Inn. My roomie played a Sho-Bud LDG I think
After classes we would jam. Also, we might buy a 6 pack at the varitey store and discuss the days events.
Hal Rugg was our featured guest. He was instead of Buddy Emmons who had just landed a job and was unavailable.
We all went to Bradley's Barn to record.

Some of the students:
A guitar player turned steel player....When we listened to his recording Jeff remarked: Man, you make it sound like a telecaster there!

To me Jeff said: You were really nervous but practice and get comfortable and you can play that stuff on any stage.

One of you guys had a Polaroid. You took a pic of me recording my song which was Time changes Everything. I kept the pic for years until it became too dark like Polaroid shots do...

Even after 29 years have passed, I remember the warmth, kindness and friendly demeanor from both Jeff and Fran.

I remember vividly the friendliness and camaraderie from you fellow steelers...we were all in the same boat. We learned from the best teacher and we learned from each other. We learned so much in fact, that sometimes we would "OD" right there in class. Jeff knew when that moment had arrived. He would then play a couple of tunes and away we'd go again.

If you read this, please post and identify yourself. Tell a little story about what became of you and your steel playing.

Those were the days, my friends...

Bent

[Tom Mossburg]

Brent, I took the class later that summer. What a great time! Looking back that had to be one of the most fun filled weeks in my steel guitar playing quest. I think it would be next to impossible to explain all that happened that week. Hal Rugg also showed up at our class. We were looking for things to do at night so Jeff told us where stuff was happening. We went downtown and caught Doug Jernigan one night. Next night we went to the Holiday inn where Curly Chalker was playing. Buddy Emmons was on Bass and then Ray Price showed up to sing. That week at Jeffran changed what I knew about and the way I approached music forever. The instruction, camaraderie, atmosphere, It was a great feeling just being there. It was something special! I'd also love to hear from the guys in my class.

[Sonny Priddy]

I Was There For A Week In 1981 We Had two Jam's That Week. Walter Haynes Come Over Two Night's He Played The Frist Night He Hadn't Played For Years He Said But He Dong Great. His Vol. Pedal Went Out And He Used Mine.That Was A Great Week. We Recorded At Hill Top Studio. If Any One Was There Give Me A E-Mail. Thanks. SONNY.

[Paul Phinney]

That was a fun class Bent - I don't think I've ever seen a post from anyone else I recognize as being in that class.

[Al Marcus]

I was there in June 1977 and took the only Teacher's course that he had. I remember some of the guys that were there, but sorry cant recall them all. Although I have a Group Picture of us all on my Website.
Bill Jobes, Marcus Weise, Harry Guffee really enjoyed the whole week and we also went to Bradley's Barn and recorded, I didn't make backstage at the opry with the guys as I came down with a virus .Hal Rugg was our guest artist and had the E6 tuning on his bottom neck. We talked tunings with him.He really tore it up that is for sure. he was great. Jeff was a great teacher and player and Fran was just terrific. I especially enjoyed the lunches we all sat down together and had every noon. It was a great week, I still miss Jeff knowing he is not here helping steel players out, in so many ways....al.

[Bent Romnes]

Hi Al,
Interesting! So you were there just 4 months after me.
Funny you should mention it but yes, the lunches is one little detail that I remember too. It's weird how one remembers seemingly silly details like that, but it must have been the coziness that went along with it.

Yes, Jeff and Fran went out of their way to make sure we had a great time.
This was Steel immersion school at its best!

By the way, Al, did you play at the 1977 St Louis convention? I seem to remember your name from back then. I did read your web site and observed that you have a long career with the steel!
Thanks for your contribution.
Bent

[Al Marcus]

Hi Bent, Glad to hear that you also attended Jeff's School. As you say "that was real steel immersion" all week. He was a great teacher, and a fine person too.He also had a few Philosophical Gems to offer too. I admired his talent and energy.
The Lunches were good old simple Country Cooking that the Cook did right there at the trailer behind the Motel that we stayed at. We were too busy in the School but got to talk and know each other at the lunches.
I always wondered if that was our "Smiley" in our group picture, sitting there.
I was at the 1977 St. Louis Convention, but did not play. Reece ,Buddy and Jerry Byrd performed, and they were great of course. I knew Reece for about 10years then. he and I stood together when Jerry Byrd played and watched. All in all it was a good trip. I was there in 1976 too in St.Charles,MO. Where I did play Reece's S12 Tuning in his suite, he had a beautiful setup on it. I met BE. I really enjoyed meeting and talking to all the famous players. Scotty's Converntions have really been great for the Steel guitar Community. Scotty reminds me of Jerry Byrd on that Frypan.

Thanks for your post, brings back memories of days gone by.......al.:)

[Jim Eaton]

I attended Jeff's 1 week class when he came out to Los Angeles in the late 70's. Anyone checking in here go to one of those classes?
JE:-)>

[Ben Elder]

Al Marcus mentioned Marcus Weise (and I've seen their pics at Jeffran on Al's website). Marcus works...I would say with me...but better: at the same place I do: CBS Television City, LA. Marcus is one of the preeminent videotape technicians/editors/digital experts, especially in high-definition TV, and literally (co-)wrote the Bible/textbook "How Video Works." He has a website, but I couldn't get it to come up after Googling it. He's told me he still has an Emmons D-10 but doesn't play much these days.

[Al Marcus]

Hi Ben-Thanks for the info on Marcus Weise. It looks like he done well, good for him.
I liked him and we talked quite a bit, he having the same first name that my last name was interesting.

If you ever find anything , let me know. I would like to get in touch with him. Thanks...al.:)

[Catus Jack]

I was there in April of 1977. Jeff had a cook, so we could eat together. Jeff and Fran was the best. I was sadden by his death. I made most of Jeff's Jun-Jam. Started in the Watertown Park in a big tent, then he moved it inside, they were great times.
Jack

[Tom Quinn]

I was there, but cannot remember the year... Was in the summer though. Drove a 65 VW bus all the way from Mendocino Ca. Took forever...

Miss that guy.

[Frank Freniere]

You got me thinking now. I went to the Jeffran School for intermediate E9th, it had to be 1979 or 1980. What clinched it for me was a Jeff Newman concert at Harry Guffee's steel guitar shop in Connecticut somewhere. That day really blew my mind!

Like others, I remember the home-cooked meals by Fran, esp. the cherry pandowdie, bunking up with the guys, breakfast at the "Awful Waffle" across the high way, etc. A bunch of us saw Big Jim Vest & a guest appearance by Charlie Pride at the Stockyards. I remember fellow students Mac MacConnell, Matt Cockrell and Jim Flaherty from Chicago, an MD from Louisiana who bought an LDG while there and a really funny guy from MI who was in Nashville producing an indie record & we got to sit on stage at the Opry! Hal Rugg was our resident pro.

A year or so later I went back down to do the C6 week with Buddy Emmons. It was unbelievable to be with Buddy every day. That class had a real funny Canadian guy, a Dutch picker and I forget who else. Thanks for stirring up some fun memories.