The Steel Guitar Forum

My own personal-opinion has always been that Pete Drake is grossly underated as a steel-guitarist! I've heard it stated that he wasn't a great picker, but; he was more inovative than most, IMHO!

If you are ever called upon to play like Pete Drake, the first two Johnny Rodriquez albums are excellent for studying Drake's mature style. They are: "Introducing Johnny Rodriquez" (Mercury SR 61378)(1973) and "All I Ever Meant To Do Was Sing" (Mercury SRMI 686)(1973) Unfortunately, these records have not yet been reissued on CD. They are also examples of the "A Team" at it's peak.

Amen to that Bob!! Those Johnny Rodriquez records sparkle!

Sometimes I get a feeling he had a few dozen (very recognizable) signature licks that he played on EVERYTHING. But a lot of times those licks were just SO right. There are many great recordings out there that just wouldn't have been so great if anyone else but Pete Drake had played on them. Early Tanya Tucker stuff, John Anderson... not to mention George Jones's best work. I love the way he uses the volume pedal.

I would also agree that the johnny Rodreguez albums are the finest examples of Pete Drakes great steel playing, I played them both to (almost) destruction but recorded them onto tape just in time when I noticed they were deteriorating.

I also have two live opry LPs, of the 39th and 40th anneversary recordings, pete plays on both and is superb .Does anyone have (or heard ) these albums?

Red sovine does "Giddyup go" the bands backing was spot on and , I recently heard this exact backing arrangement note for note on the Minnie Pearl followup which is on on youtube at the moment.
Could the original live arrangement have been used for the minnie pearl followup? or would it have been a seperate session ?
have a listen .....to me that is classic Pete Drake stuff.

Jim Baker played on Red Sovine's stuff... and Mel Tillis' "Heart Over Mind" as well...

Michael I didnt know jim Baker was Red Sovines Mel Tillis's steel player but it is definately Pete Drake on these two LPs I have, and his name is mentioned a couple of times by the MC theres also a photo on the cover of pete playing steel next to Red.

Hey, Mikey; If Alan claims to see Pete playing these tunes, why would one question that this Baker guy always backs Sovine and Tillis. Pete backed many recording artists but wasn't always on the road with the individuals whom he recorded with. I believe Alan knows whom he see Pete playing with. Oh, well, my two cents worth.. Bernie

In December of 1962 I reported to Fort Chaffee Arkansas after completing basic in California. By early April 1963 I received orders to ship out to Germany. On my way to Minnesota to visit Mom and Dad I took a detour to Nashville to attend the Grand Ole Opry in early May. I don't recall who the steel players were on the Opry, but I met Pete Drake at the Ernest Tubb Record shop playing on the Midnight Jamboree. I don't recall our conversation, but it was the very first time I had seen a PSG. Yikes! that was 44 years ago and it was a few days before my 20th birthday.

Bernie, I have no doubt that Pete played on the albums Alan has in his possession. If that's what they say, that's who it is. Players do vary from project to project. My point was that Baker, one of our not so well known guys around town here, was one of the regular players on Sovine's sessions, and he also is the guy that played on Tillis' recording of "Heart Over Mind." He was not a road guy.

Back to the music....

If you want to listen to two tracks from the Johnny Rodriguez album "All I Meant To Do Was Sing", here you are:


http://www.lloydgreentribute.com/Austri ... /Forum.htm



Enjoy the music!


Kind Regards, Walter

Thanks Walter,for posting those songs.Pete Drake certainly had a knack of playing the right thing at the right time,whether he was respected by other steelers or not.One of my favorite tracks that he played on was "Pass Me By",but I haven't heard it in twenty five years or so,and would love to see if it still sounds the same to me.Do you have a copy that you could post,as I would love to here it again.

Some years ago I wrote an article for Ozark Steel Guitar Association with the above title. I was listening to Dan Dugmores beautiful playing with Martina McBride on the song Wild Angels. The vibrato he used perfectly conjured up my memory of Petes soulful backup. While I wouldn't say he was copying Mr Drake I think it might have influenced him in some subconscious way. The gist of the article was that the way Drake laid out when you expected music and came in when you least antisipated it was characteristic of all great stylists who leave you wanting more after the song ends. I once heard a well known steeler say anyone can play like that, but they certainly could'nt think like that.Peter

Alan,

I have added the track - you can listen at


http://www.lloydgreentribute.com/Austri ... /Forum.htm


Enjoy!


Kind Regards, Walter

Thank you Walter...as always !

Thanks a lot Walter.Listening to that certainly put a smile on my face,and yes it is as good as I remember it.His playing is simple,straight to the point,and more importantly, boy does his it work for that song.

In early 60´s I heard steelguitar in songs. I had no one to ask for what it was I heard, or any one to guide me!
Later I found it was Pete Drake playing steel!!
He was a great man at the steel. Love all this old songs he played.
Regards
Uffe

Does anyone remember a tune Pete played on the C-6th neck, "My Bluest Day". The tune seemed a bit out of character for Pete.?? The tune was written by Hal Rugg, but with a different title. Hal told me he used his daughter's name for the title of this tune.

Hey guys, do you remember when Ralph Emery who did the late night WSM show (like from 12 midnight to about 5am) used Pete Drakes' "The Spook" as his theme song? We got the WSM signal strong (up in Pa.) at 12 midnight but it got weaken by 5am.

This is one of Pete Drake's rigs, on display at Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Broadway this summer(it may still be there). I know the pic is dark but with a glass showcase had to be careful with a flash.

Dave Ziegler

Pete wasn't a real flashy player, but he still played with great class and imagination, IMHO. And, he also played in tune...a quality that seems to escape a good many players playing today!

Barry Blackwood wrote:As long as I knew him, Pete used a one piece Standel with one 15" speaker.

Pete always played a Sho-Bud amp at least after 1971 or 72. Not sure if picture posted was on Nashville Skyline album/ Jack

Does anyone remember a tune Pete played on the C-6th neck, "My Bluest Day".

Pete's version of that tune is one of my earliest steel guitar memories. My dad had the green Pete album that was all talking steel stuff except for "My Bluest Day". I was about 4 years old and would play that tune over and over.

Herb Steiner also did a great job covering "My Bluest Day" on his first CD, "Texas Bandstand Favorites"

And I really agree with the comments about the Johnny Rodreguez Mercury albums and Pete's playing. So perfectly tasty!!

Jack, to clarify that statement, I knew Pete in the '60's.

Pete didn't use "Goldie" for the "Talking" steel guitar? Because that ain't "Goldie"...