Ralph Mooney..1928-2011

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 21 Mar 2011 5:37 pm

Ralph Mooney...

Unforgettable.

To quote ol' Waylon... "One more, Moon!"

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 21 Mar 2011 5:39 pm

Just got Bobbe's email. Wow. This is a sad day. I got to meet Ralph in Dallas last year and see him perform. He was killer. What a sound. Incredible. He was kicking ass at that show. Rest in peace, Ralph. You are a hero to many all around the world.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 21 Mar 2011 5:48 pm

He gave all of us so much, and we all thank him.
Vaya con Dios, Uncle Ralph.

Joshua Grange · Post by **Joshua Grange** » 21 Mar 2011 6:02 pm

Sad! But what an incredible legacy to leave behind. Moon will certainly be discovered and appreciated by many, years after we've all gone home.

Al Brisco · Post by **Al Brisco** » 21 Mar 2011 6:34 pm

I feel that a part of me has left this world, as Ralph was my hero! I learned to play pedal steel by copying his licks on the early Buck Owen's LP's.

My condolences go out to Wanda, the family & friends.
God Speed!
Al Brisco

Jerry Foster · Post by **Jerry Foster** » 21 Mar 2011 6:50 pm

my heart go's out to the family & friends, what a great person & steel player. God bless, Jerry F.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 21 Mar 2011 6:53 pm

heres a little tune by Shane Worley. . . .seems fitting as a tribute to MOON at this time!

Ralph Mooney Had His Back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htPm4g_WK_c

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 21 Mar 2011 7:00 pm

RIP Mr, Moon. Prayers to the family and friends.
I got to meet Moon for the first time in 1976 at a Waylon concert in Laramie. Him and My buddy John Daughtery were friends and had played the west coast
together. I've since got to visit with him a couple times in St Louis. A great person from the old school.

Emmett Roch · Post by **Emmett Roch** » 21 Mar 2011 7:14 pm

We all owe something to the Moon, I'm sure we all play at least one Mooney lick per gig...I know I do.

When you play his lick where the third wiggles down & up & down, look at the crowd and see how many smiles you get; not only us steel players admired him.

Ralph told me that back in his day, in order to get work you had to sound different from everyone else...well, he did it.

We all are so much richer for having had Ralph Mooney to listen to and learn from.

Joe Rogers · Post by **Joe Rogers** » 21 Mar 2011 7:20 pm

The very first time I put my hands on a pedal steel guitar was to search for the licks on Swinging Doors and The Bottle Let Me Down. The steel parts on those two songs resonate from my childhood and I know I will take them to my own grave....

Moon, thanks for the memories.....God Bless you...

Joe Rogers

Lee Barber · Post by **Lee Barber** » 21 Mar 2011 7:40 pm

The Music world will miss you MOON! I talked to him once very Nice, Humble, and Great man. What a band there is in Heaven. Missing you MOON.

Fred Jack Family and the Moon Family my thoughts are with you.

Ken Mizell · Post by **Ken Mizell** » 21 Mar 2011 7:50 pm

God Bless Ralph Mooney. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all those who supported him through the rough times lately, especially Fred Jack.

I still regularly listen to his many contributions on recordings over the decades. I became a Moon fan years before I figured out the name of the man doing all that great picking.

I put together a compilation of The Moon's music over on the Steel on the Web section as a tribute, here:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... 90#1759190

RIP Moon!

Louie Hallford · Post by **Louie Hallford** » 21 Mar 2011 8:03 pm

As much as my allergies hated that old smoke filled room of Moon and his buddies up at ISGA show in St Louis,I would never turn down an invitation to go up and listen to all the tall tales,and a few lies

freely floating around.

Moon enjoyed life and people and everyone around him seemed to have fun with him. Although many knew the end was near unless a miracle occured,his passsing was still came too soon. Glad to have been a friend.

Robby Turner, if you are out there,thanks for letting me share a day you the Waylon band and Moon that include dinner,sound check/ rehearsal and back stage seats on one of you guys Texas trips. We still call that "Being IN Hog Heaven" here in Texas.

Skeeter Stultz · Post by **Skeeter Stultz** » 21 Mar 2011 8:04 pm

In 1959 I drove here out from Ohio with a T3 Stringmaster thinking I'm going to play some Western Swing but Moon's pedal sound was at the top of the heap. Therefore my playing was almost obsolete. Six years later Moon's sound still held an influence over our heads.
RIP Friend

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 21 Mar 2011 8:23 pm

I knew Ralph from the late 40's in So.Calif. Before the pedal style kicked in we even competed for some gigs. After I came back from the Army in 1954, Moon was cornering the Market here in L.A. He was always a good friend to me and everyone else. He will be missed. What a great career he had, May he RIP.

Billy T.

Chris Buchanan · Post by **Chris Buchanan** » 21 Mar 2011 8:25 pm

I feel like I've been punched in the gut. Can't believe it.

Chet Wilcox · Post by **Chet Wilcox** » 21 Mar 2011 8:33 pm

This has left a big whole in my heart ,I loved Ralphs playing and him as a person,Chet

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 21 Mar 2011 8:39 pm

If your going to play steel in a Honkeytonk Band, you are going to play some of Moon. His sound will go on for ever.

Jerry

Bill Bailey · Post by **Bill Bailey** » 21 Mar 2011 8:51 pm

: God bless the Spirit of Ralph Mooney. And bless his family, especially "Mrs Moon". Dee Carestea was my first steel guitar hero. I took some lessons from him in Ft Collins Colorado. He taught me to tune it, gave some licks to get started and said, Put on those Buck Owens records with Mooney playing and just see what you can find. The great ones never really leave us.

John Rickard · Post by **John Rickard** » 21 Mar 2011 10:07 pm

Goodbye Ralph, Gonna Miss You.

JR

pdl20 · Post by **pdl20** » 21 Mar 2011 10:10 pm

Gonna Miss you Moon,Thanks for all you have played and your talent and friendship to so many Your style will never fade away.You will never be forgotten by those who knew you and will be discovered by a yet unborn generation.

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 21 Mar 2011 11:24 pm

Just nothing like an original, and Mr. Moon was indeed an original. Wish I'd met him in person but feel lucky to have had his music wash over me. Condolences to this "one of a kind"'s family and frends. Now to go home and try a few of those tunes. stevet.

David Hartley · Post by **David Hartley** » 21 Mar 2011 11:24 pm

I met him for the first time in 2006 at my first TSGA visit.
We both chatted for ages outside about everything steel. He lit my cigarette and it was a while before I realised who I was speaking too.
Simply a legendary player. RIP Ralph.

My 94 year old next door next door neighbour died while I was away in Dallas this year too. RIP Hubby.

I will miss them both..

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 22 Mar 2011 2:41 am

Now, blue ain't the word for the way that I feel,
There's a storm brewin' in this heart of mine.
This ain't no crazy dream, I know that it's real.
You're someone else's love now, you're not mine.
RIP Mr Moon

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 22 Mar 2011 3:38 am

What a tremendous loss for the steel guitar family. Mooneys sound and style fit perfect with Waylon Jennings. A true legend and a fine man as many people have stated. May God comfort his family and friends during this time of greif.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Ralph Mooney..1928-2011

Mooney

Moon Glow

Deepest condolences to the Mooney family

Thanks, Mr. Original

Rest in Peace