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Topic: Opry steel players |
Alan Miller
From:
, England, UK.
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Posted 17 Jun 2007 4:11 am |
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Michaels thread on the first steel performance on the opry was gerat , I was going to say Pete Drake but then noticed his name had been mentioned.
It got me wondering who were all the resident opry steel players over the years and the dates of their stay as opry steel player.
I have two vinyl LPs of the 39th and 40th anneversary of the Grand ole opry (live recordings ) released here in the UK in 1965 and 1966 Pete Drake is on both LPs.
He did a fantastic backup on Red Sovine's giddyup go on the 39th anneversary LP. The whole backing band is in fact identical in every way to the Minnie Pearl follow up of giddyup go currently on youtube.
Could this have been taken from the mixing desk at the live recording and Minnies version dubbed ? |
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KENNY KRUPNICK
From:
Columbus, Ohio
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Posted 17 Jun 2007 6:01 am
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Hal Rugg, Sonny Burnette,and Weldon Myrick.  |
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Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 17 Jun 2007 7:12 am
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| Jeff Newman 1965-1971. |
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Alan Kendall
From:
Maury County Tennessee
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Posted 17 Jun 2007 10:12 am
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Jeff told me some very funny stories about his stint at the Opry,but I had no idea he was there that long.I personally don't think Jeff gets anywhere near enough credit as a steel player.He gets plenty as a teacher,but the depth of his talent as a player seems to be vastly underated.
Alan Kendall |
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Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 17 Jun 2007 12:26 pm
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| ...and today's member, the astonishing Tommy White! |
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Paul King
From:
Gainesville, Texas, USA
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Posted 17 Jun 2007 2:03 pm opry
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| I remember the days of seeing Rugg, Myrick and Burnett on the Opry. Today, Tommy White takes a back seat to no one. Tommy is well qualified to handle any steel playing duties given to him. Tommy White is what makes me want to watch the Opry today. |
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Alan Miller
From:
, England, UK.
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Posted 17 Jun 2007 3:05 pm
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Roger puts Jeff newman in there from 1965 -71,so as Pete Drake is on these two live LPs I have (39th & 40 th anneversary GOO ) he must have been there 1964 -65 and sounds like Jeff Newman took over.
Any more historians out there that can add more dates to names ?? |
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Pete Finney
From:
Nashville Tn.
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Posted 17 Jun 2007 3:16 pm
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I thought I remembered reading in an interview with either Hal or Weldon that in the days before they became "staff" players (along with Sonny Burnette) that there weren't really regular "staff" players; that a lot of guys just picked up as many spots as they could with different artists. I know I've seen a lot of early pictures from the Ryman with Pete Drake's steel in them... And obviously many of the greats (Emmons, Charleton, Day, etc.) would have played there a lot at least with the artists they toured with.
Just my vague second-hand recollections; I for one would look forward to hearing more from more knowledgable sources. Something tells me Steve Hinson could add a lot to this!  |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 17 Jun 2007 8:24 pm
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| Jerry Byrd and Billy Robinson. Jody. |
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