The Steel Guitar Forum

As Jeff Strouse pointed out, these were from the Drifter series that Marty recorded in late sixties. I believe Marty recorded four Drifter albums, featuring Jerry Byrd on two of them. They were put out in VHS format and have not been available for several years. I did find them on E-bay in DVD format a while back. Came from England and the DVD format did not allow them to be be played on our USA format DVD players. However, they do play fine thru the computer.
This was one of the best threads on the Forum in a long time. Jerry & Marty were best of friends in Nashville and both had a ton of talent.
Thanks, Baz, for making these available to everyone.

Dave

deleted

This is what Jerry told me many moons ago. These were to be the first episodes of a 13 wk or hopefully a 26 wk series on tv. Right after they cut these two, color TV caught on and the moguls did not want B&W so the project died for lack of buyers. Jerry also stated that that the music was prerecorded. he had cut some songs for TV with someone else but could not remember who. The reso was tuned to c6 mostly but he also used E7 and Amaj on a couple of songs.Even though the songs were prerecorded Jerry payed the songs as if they were live so the video would look authentic. I too thought the reso was a seven str but Jerry said he did not remember as Marty brought the reso to the studio. Marty had one of Oswalds resos but this wasn't it. To get close to an unamplfied sound on the docks; in the studio he thought he played the blonde rick but could not remember. The amp was turned over with the face on the floor and the mike placed further away than usual so not to have too much presence. I was surprised that Jerry remembered this much; due to all the recordings etc he made. cc

Even though the songs were prerecorded Jerry payed the songs as if they were live so the video would look authentic

I think another one of the embellishments that Jerry passed on to you C.C.
I don't believe what he told you, the acoustic guitar is strummed just once or twice before some of the songs and it's tone and microphone distance is identical when the song or tune gets going, and the lip sync is far too good for that era, also there are only edits twice in the 24 minute show, and to REMEMBER how play the EXACT notation and positions of 4 songs in a row so closely as to be undetectable by a pro player, is beyond belief.
Ask any pro you know this question, is the playing 'live'
I already know the answer, but you may need reinforcement of my opinion, so go ahead, inquire.

Also ALMOST beyond belief but patently obvious is Jerry Byrd's superb control of pitch.

I agree with Baz.

The tunes were taped live. There is no "hand-synching" going on.

I'm sure that JB executed these songs differently each time he played them.

The synching is too perfect. Nobody could do it. JB was great but not "that great".

Thanks for the reinforcement Gerald, I also think that Jerry elaborated somewhat when he told C.C.

color TV caught on and the moguls did not want B&W so the project died for lack of buyers

SUDDENLY overnight ALL the shows were in colour, that was some changeover.

As I've said before Pat and I really love you C.C. no matter what.

I too thought the reso was a seven str but Jerry said he did not remember as Marty brought the reso to the studio

There's no way Jerry could have used a 'Borrowed' guitar, because any other reso player would have been using G or D or E STANDARD tunings. If Jerry tried to tune to C6 with those gauge strings they wouldn't, they'd break.
And as for playing the steel parts on an electric guitar and placing the amp far away, I think HE was 'away' (With the Fairies)

BTW he retunes on the video to A6 to play Maui Chimes, you hear him do it, AND on the introduction to Kohala March He demonstrates the way a guitar is played, did he also pre-record this ?
And he is DEFINITELY in C6, he plays a chord in the preamble.

He's such a convincing storyteller he could have got a job on Sesame street !!

All that aside, isn't the playing out of this world, something for all to admire and aspire to. No matter how far out of reach it may be, he is certainly an inspiration to all reso players in these clips.

I knew Jerry many yrs so I believe what he told me. You fellows can believe whatever you want to. All of us that knew Jerry well and for many yrs will accept what he said. I believe that some of you just don't realize how good Jerry was. cc

Hi Jeff...I have that Chas. K. L Davis (JB) lp. I also found the lp I was refering to in my previous thread...Lehua SL7023 "JERRY BYRD STEEL GUITAR HAWAIIAN STYLE".

Chas. K.L. Davis was an excellent musician, thoroughly versed in the Hawaiian language, a great singer with an impressive operatic background. We became good friends during the last decade of his life. He loved the steel guitar, always welcoming me to sit-in. Charles played at Kemoku Farms in Wahiawa, then later entertained at the Queen Kap Hotel. While in Wahiawa, many of best entertainers of Waikiki, (Sterling Mossman, Boyce Rodriques, Violet Lilikoi, Aunty Genoa, et al), would pop in. It was THE hangout for good Hawaiian music and fun. Great memories.

C.C. I said :-

isn't the playing out of this world, something for all to admire and aspire to. No matter how far out of reach it may be, he is certainly an inspiration to all reso players in these clips.

I've never said that he wasn't one of the best ever, why else would I spend two days of my life processing these video clips for ALL to see.
You say "All of us that new Jerry well", sometime I MUST put up on the forum the comments he dedicated to me in the copy of his autobiography I have.

I've worked in television for many years. These clips have none of the characteristics of a lip synch shoot and they're just too complex for that IMHO. I'm with Baz and Gerald ... those segments were played live and what's more, the scripts are all ad lib'd around the basic premise. Byrd's fabulous playing didn't surprise me but his completely relaxed and natural abilites at ad lib his performance in a fictional role did. Fabulous clips! Thanks for sharing these with us, Baz.

Everyone has an opinion. I thought virtually the same as you Baz until I had the conversation with Jerry and he should know what he did or did not do. BTW in the studio when they were recording the music, the rhythem guitar player was either Homer of Homer and Jethro(Jethro Burns) or Luke Brandon as per Jerrys recollection.

On the same series, I recall JB playing "Loma Linda" with Marty backing him. Same set, with them sitting there and chatting first.

I'd like to see that one agan if it's around.

never mind.

Did anyone recognise this one, no-one has told me the name yet !
5. Unknown Hula - Click Here

Considering that colour TV was being transmitted coast to coast by 1954, WHY were these made in black and white, and secondly, I think that the late sixties dating of these particular clips is 10 years too late, more like the late fifties.

Dave Clark said :-

As Jeff Strouse pointed out, these were from the Drifter series that Marty recorded in late sixties.

The Drifter series was in colour.

I wish I knew the name of that song too, Basil. These are great clips, and it's a great service for you to provide them. Thanks for sharing!

Regardless of whether they were pre-recorded or played live (I vote for live, but if he says they were pre-recorded, who am I to argue?), they really show off Jerry Byrd's technique and style.

Very nice Baz!
Thanks for your time in providing.

Roy

Thanks for the input guys.

I think he was a great player two ways, one on the guitar and the other with inquisitive minds.


Edited, out of respect.
Sorry Brad AND Steinar

Basil,

I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish by hiding the quote you entered above.

I'm sure not many of you appreciate just how sardonic and dry Jerry Byrd's sense of humour was. He was deep, just check out his references to his father in his biography. And he was Playful (surreptitiously) with those of a lesser stature, In that he often gave ambiguous answers, and was an expert in misdirection.

Well Brad it was intended to be found by those who look at posts more than 'superficially' !
But I'll apologise and withdraw them, I would rather the thread continued so more can see Jerry's Playing.
It WAS meant to be hidden, THANKS..

The Drifter was shot in black and white, as we all can see....I'm sure they could have shot it in color, but most of the folks in the audience didn't have a color set, so why even bother?

Here's some more info from MartyRobbins.net:

The Drifter - 1965
Starring Marty as a singing cowboy, known only as "Drifter". Marty taped this TV series in black and white just when color television was on the rise. They never aired, but instead, Marty put them away in storage.

I discovered them about 12 years ago, and only purchased the two episodes with Jerry (although I'm sure I would have enjoyed seeing the others). "Going Aboard" was the first, and "Songs From The Islands" the second. I wrote to Jerry and told him how much I enjoyed it. I didn't ask whether or not it was live or pre-recorded tracks...however, Jerry for sure would know, so CC has settled that one. The only thing I can recall is that Jerry did say on another occasion, that there was no rehersal before filming it...

Then, "How", a chap might ask, "did they play them so perfectly"? Marty and Jerry's album "Hawaii's Calling Me" was recorded a couple of years before in '62-'63, containing most of these songs.

But no matter what one believes, or what actually happened, ONE thing is for ABSOLUTE certain...beyond ANY shadow of a doubt....

I believe that some of you just don't realize how good Jerry was. cc

CC, my friend, we share the same belief....And the accuracy in that statement has been seen many times here on the SGF!

The set was taped live. Clear as day. If after watching those clips you still think it was pre-taped... then you probably also now believe you won't find a Mexican without his guitar.

I've watched them countless number of times, and it looks "live" to me as well - I just always assumed it was live. Perhaps there was some re-mixing, overdubbing, or something added, and that's what Jerry meant?? Maybe the two of them were recorded live, and the music background added later. Who knows...who cares?....stop watching it...close your eyes and just listen!...they are probably the finest examples of acoustic steel playing ever recorded, and have been a treasure of mine ever since I first saw them.

they are probably the finest examples of acoustic steel playing ever recorded

What Jeff Strouse says is just slightly wrong..(IMHO) The word probably should have read "CERTAINLY". and "Live on video"
I think without a doubt the finest lesson in relaxed playing you're ever likely to find.
To use a Byrdism, no "Burlesquing"
Accoustic Steel without the "Music Hall" connotations so seemingly popular nowadays.
IMHO

Just visit this site and read more about




Jerry Byrd Fan Club Site - Click Here

I didn't know I was going to start an all out debate when I posted what Jerry told me in a casual conversation. I guess though that is what a firum is for, so people can express their opinions. I respect all your opinions even if they are wrong. I hope all of you respect mine. I've made em, for example yrs ago when I posted that sonny burnett had died and was corrected immediately. Those of us who Jerry well (I've known him since 1948) know that Jerry was a straight shooter. But so what if Jerry made an honest mistake. The guy had so many sessions I don't know how he kept up with any of them. As the above post states lets just enjoy the music. One other vinette from Jerry. Some yrs back Dolly Parten came to HI to shoot a one hr show and Jerry was the musical director. When the songs were decided on Jerry took Hiram and Kalani to LA to lay down the trax and according to Jerry, Hiram and Kalani had a ball. I taped that show and watch it often. Melveen gets prettier ever time I see it. cc