The Steel Guitar Forum

When I grow up I want to play like Clyde

Didn't you're mother tell you that you couldn't play Steel Guitar and Grow up too.

John, Bill, and Charles,
Thank you so much for the kind words. Being noticed by others really makes an old man feel good.Charles, it has indeed been a long time since I saw you,and no, I don't fool with the trumpet any more. I have some fond memories of those days of long ago,especially playing at different times with the great Danny Gatton and Roy Buchannon.
Clyde

Clyde, one final comment; if I remember correctly, you had been playing the psg for only two years and I was amazed at your level of proficiency, 'cause you were playing the heck out of the C6 and E9 then. I'll never forget the "Blues" on the E9 you did or the verbal instruction you gave me on how to play "Buddy's Boogie" that sticks in my mind today. I've often thought about that moment of instruction and wished that I'd have had the opportunity of another visit. Thank you again Clyde.

Clyde's tone is PERFECT! I've had the privilege and honor to play guitar with Clyde several times, and Clyde bring da funk WOOOOO-EEEEE, Clyde, you know I love ya, man!

Hi Clyde... it's been about 30 years for me too; wish I still had that Emmons you sold me! I sold it to Tommy Detamore a long time ago and he seems to have done alright for himself...

I was always blown away by your playing, between you and Buddy Charleton and Don West you sure kept the standards high for the new guys that came along in DC in those days; still haven't gotten there but I haven't given up trying!

Brian and Joe, thanks for those links. I had to go back and listen to each piece a couple more times. Just awesome.

Pete, you are a modest and humble man. I was at the Oakland show on the last Dixie Chicks tour, and I throughly enjoyed your playing. And as a whole, it was in the top ten concerts of my lifetime, and I have been to a lot of concerts! Just very well done.

Joe's link for "Gentle on My Mind" doesn't work for me.

Clyde Bloodworth wrote:John, Bill, and Charles,
Thank you so much for the kind words. Being noticed by others really makes an old man feel good.Charles, it has indeed been a long time since I saw you,and no, I don't fool with the trumpet any more. I have some fond memories of those days of long ago,especially playing at different times with the great Danny Gatton and Roy Buchannon.
Clyde

I visited Clyde a few years ago at his home and I got to hear him play. He is a bad cat and in talking and playing music he picks up on stuff so fast.

Nicest thing he did was give me his record collection as he was moving and had recorded what he wanted of it onto CD. I have listened to many of them with so much enjoyment. If you could see the different styles of great music and great players in his collection you would understand why he is a fine player and has such a knowledge of music.

Pete, it has been awhile. You were remarkable back then and have gone on to become one of the A-list players in Nashville. I am so very proud of you. Bill, I am so glad that you have enjoyed the albums( about a thousand). I worry that they will hasten your mastery of the steel guitar. You are already one of the world's premier bass and guitar players. Just kidding about the steel. Stephen,I do believe I have in you a fellow "funk" devotee.Thanks to all.

John Floyd wrote:

My only regret is that I didn't have a tape recorder with me at the time.

Knowing Curly Pretty well at about that time, That would have been a quick way to get rid of a tape recorder.

Yeah probably back then. Later, if he knew you and liked you he'd let you tape him. I knew Curly quite well in the 80's to early 90's, used to play guitar on local gigs with him and he had no objection to my setting up a cassette recorder and taping him playing at the Skyline Casino in Henderson, Nevada where he played weekends at the time and I used to go listen every chance I got and frequently sit-in. I asked him if I could do it before bringing the stuff out and he said OK... and I'm pretty sure he mentioned he didn't usually do that... but there are other tapes so he must have permitted a few people to tape him on occasion.

Curly's (and Clyde's) playing has always amazed me because my mind just doesn't work in that way. Curly's passing was a huge blow to our community and I miss his music greatly.

I grew up a few blocks away from Clyde's house and got my first look at a push/pull there. I went there one day while he was rehearsing and he found out I was learning steel. I still remember him asking me what brand I played. I told him and he said, "When you care about your sound, some day you'll get an Emmons." I was mildly perturbed about that comment at the time but years later, as I bought my first Emmons, Clyde's comment was on my mind and I smiled.

He's such a fabulous player and I really wish we could get him on the TSGA Jamboree so I could hear him again.

Jeff,
Even way back then you had that gleam in your eye for steel guitar. I knew you were going to make it; but, you have gone on to far surpass what I envisioned at the time. I remember the first time I saw you performing in the U.S. Navy band. I was so pleased and proud. I wanted to jump up and shout"I know that young man"!
Clyde

OK CLYDE, you are receiving alot of "ATTA BOYS" here. Are you attending the TSGA in March?


Roger

Roger,
Yes, I plan to attend and hear some of that great western swing. Hope to see you there.
Clyde