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[Bob Hickish]

Lt. Joseph D. Rebo and crew. Rear, Lt. Francis B. Byrnes, Lt. Robert R. Bacon, Lt. Joseph D. Rebo, Lt. Albert M. Eichin. Front. T/Sgt. Harold E. Hashberger, T/Sgt. Richard H. Matthews, S/Sgt. David J. Ladshaw, T/Sgt. Vernal A. Stevenson,

S/Sgt. Roger H. Blythe. (p152)


Is this the same Roger Blythe

[Cal Freeman]

That is 'one and the same'

[Emmett Roch]

He had white hair by the time I met him, but I recognize that crooked little grin.

Speaking of his white hair, one night close to Halloween, he decked himself out like the Pope, and looked very convincing (except for the battered black Emmons P/P in front of him). That was typical of his sense of humor.

[Fred Shannon]

Emmett, nothing wrong with white hair, but that's Pappy. I'm wondering where and when the picture was made. I've asked by PM.

Phred

[Emmett Roch]

nothing wrong with white hair

Absolutely not, didn't mean to imply otherwise...in fact, I wish mine had turned white instead of turning loose...

A lot of our guys went to Greenham Common for TDY when I was stationed at Upper Heyford in the early 70's.

The drummer in a short-lived band we had on the base told me he had a Sho-Bud Professional waiting for him in the States...I wish I could remember now who he was. Maybe he's even here on the Forum.

[Bernie Gonyea]

Hello Emmett:
Not to change the subject, but is Dripping Springs just down the road from Soggy Mattress?
Enough of the Geo. Carlin Humor. Would you send me an address where I can purchase the CD with Roger playing Steel; I don't know why but his name rings a bell, in the back of my mind, for some reason. I was a number one fan of Hank thompson & BVB back in the 50's & 60's..I had a sister whom lived in Okla. City at the time when Hank was # 1 on the charts; I recall there being two steel players in his band, at the same time; possibly Roger was one of them. Thanks, Emmett..Regards, Bernie

[Emmett Roch]

Bernie, I emailed Mike Gross, who contacted Mr. Higgens, who sent me the CD. Go to any of Mike's posts on this thread, click on "email" and he can get you going in the right direction.

You won't be sorry when you get the CD. I'm already trying to steal some more of those licks myself.

[b0b]

Hi Bob,

I've been reading through a thread on your site and wanted to offer more information, but don't really have the need to join the site since a pedal steel is way beyond my comprehension.

I played with Pappy for a few years and was in touch with him for quite a few more, starting in 1982 until his death. During a lot of road conversations while playing with Pepper Martin's band, we had time to talk about all kinds of things that Pappy had seen and done over the years.

I remember him mentioning having played with Jim Reeves, Ray Price, Jimmy Dickens and Eddy Arnold. He had also played with just about everyone in Texas over the years. He had more experience by himself than all the other musicians I knew at the time put together!

One thing that I remember distinctly was that he would let us throw down our best solo pieces, then he'd casually smoke us with his mastery and look over with his grin as if to say "See there kid...THAT's how it's done!" Then we'd kinda duck our heads in shame and pay our respects to "Da Man".

Over the past 30 years I've had the opportunity to play with a lot of really great musicians, but Pappy stands out as the greatest musician that I've ever heard. I consider it one of my greatest pleasures to not only have known him, but to also have shared the stage with him for many a night!

Diggy Bell
Keys/Guitar/Bass Guitar

[Roger Shackelton]

Bernie, I believe the two steel players in Hank Thompson's band in the 1950's was Bob White & Pee Wee Whitewing.


Roger

[Danny Letz]

I played with Roger one time. Had to be over 22 years ago. I had not even considered playing steel at the time. I was on 6 string. I think it was at Benjamin, Tx. He was probably brought there by Alvin Coe, who was playing bass and singing with us. Roger was based in Abilene, Tx. at the time. I can't remember much about except he was a good ole guy and played great. I do think they called him Pappy.

[Tommy Martin]

Hey everyone, I actually started bugging Roder the third week of oct. 1979. I had just finished doing 3 years of correspondence courses w/Jeff Newman & attending Jeffran College. I moved back to West Texas (Midland/Odessa) & went straight to the Odessa Stardust where I officially met Rodger. He was playing w/Les Crow & Ronnie Manus. About a month later Ric Vickery moved back from Nashville & we started working together & every chance we got we hung out w/Pappy & the crew. A couple of years later (1982/83), Roger & Ric went to work for Pepper @ the Midland Stardust & I was playing w/Ronnie Warner @ the Odessa Stardust. Too, my dismay I didnt' have a D10 when I was hangin' w/Roger. I have been playing C6th, for a while now, & Roger is still my favorite C6th, player. If you ever heard him play any of those old big band tunes or classic's like "Night Life" you know he had intonation & tone to die for. Pappy was one of the most giving people I have ever known. Ever time I walked in, he would get off his axe and come shake my hand. On breaks he always would spend them w/me & always wanted to know how I was doing. When Pepper would go out of town, Roger didn't like to travel, so we would come over from Odessa & I would play guitar & Pappy would play steel. Talk about a kick. Roger Blythe was my friend, mentor,& profound inspiration to me & others, musically & personally...... Love Ya' & miss you my friend, thanks for the playing & living advice.........