The Steel Guitar Forum

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

To Tommy White: I am truly honored, sir. Thank you very much.

I've posted an advance copy of the complete 6,000+ word historical liner note essay contained in The Big E's CD's booklet at the MPI Music Producers Institute website. Just click on this link, then scroll down below the album cover and you'll find it:

http://www.musicpi.com/buddyemmons.html

Mr. Fishell

Thank you for undertaking this project and thanks to all of the musicians who contributed.

For people like me, a steel player of 45+ years now, I was just a 13 year old boy the first time I saw Jimmy Day and Buddy Emmons. Jimmy with Ray Price in Pueblo, CO. Buddy with Ernest Tubbs later in the same club, The Silver Saddle. Those memories are as fresh and wonderful today as they were exciting to me way back then. I saw Jimmy before Buddy and that's why to this day I still play a Jimmy Day setup.

Buddy started me on a life journey with my instrument for which I will be forever grateful to the players of his generation.

I wonder sometimes if he realizes all of the unknown people like me whose lives he's touched and influenced.

He should not go unrecognized for that. And I'm glad while he is still here with us that such recognition is given him.

Thank you for having the interest and desire to do that.

And congratulations to Mr. Buddy Emmons, one of the early and continuous influences in my life as a pedal steel player.

To Paul Carestia --

Your gracious post reaffirms all of the reasons why Buddy's legacy needs to be celebrated. For decades he has touched the lives of so many people with his gift of musical genius, and now is the time for the rest of the world to understand just how musically influential and technically innovative this man truly is.

Thank you for your kind words, Paul. They've made all of the work worthwhile.

Steve Fishell

Lately, I'm mostly afraid to open my mailbox...
I couldn't believe the record was already in it.
I can't find the right words to describe how good it is.
Thank you to Fish and all the others!

Steve great job on a great project.

Larry Behm

Got mine yesterday

Great! Although the fabulous fine print liner notes will strain over 60 eyes,( I read it with my contacts out), this is a well recieved tribute to The Big E. I am really impressed with Jimmy Dickens still being able to cut the mustard. The Johnson's came up with an outstanding arrangment of Someday Soon, rather than trying to clone the original. Is Raul Malo a son of Ray Price? Wow is that guy a great singer on Nightlife. Wild Mountain Thyme is the tone monster on this album for me. I never heard of Greg Leisz, until he toured with EC this spring and now to finally hear him all by himself another WOW! The finale kick for me is to hear Duane Eddy , it took me back to my childhood in the 50's and 60's to hear that signature sound. Thank all the players and Steve Fishell for this labor of love for the greatest steel player to walk the face of mother earth.

Got a copy via Amazon Cloud yesterday and the CD today, happy camper now.

Larry Behm

Thank you everyone for your kind words. Thanks also to everyone on the Forum for supporting this team effort display of respect and gratitude to Buddy and all he has given us. Please spread the word to everyone you know that - thanks to Vince & Paul's Bakersfield project plus this community effort for The Big E - pedal steel is not on life support.

Very well done. Nice variety of music. I really like the one by Mike Johnson and Joanie Keller
And what would today's shredders make of Duane Eddy?
A great tribute and excellent producing by Steve

The CD is great ...great song selection, fine production and amazing steel playing. The unexpected "surprises" for me are the incredible vocal performances. Raul Malo, as always, stunning. I love the way Willie's voice and the sparse arrangement fit in.

I believe there are only two kinds of music--good and "other." Avoid "other"...

THIS CD IS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MUSIC (although, truth be told, I'd have put more jazz on it but that's just me)

A fitting tribute to Big E

Doug Jernigan is one of the few people on the planet that could do justice to "Buddie's Boogie." Not a literal reading of "Buddie's Boogie," Doug pays homage by putting his own indelible stamp on "Buddy's Boogie." Now when I think of Doug, I think "Streets of Laredo" AND "Boogie." And how hot is that band!

It's easy to forget how good a steel player our beloved Fish is. It's that style of playing (and EmmyLou) that got me hooked on country music and the steel in the first place. And in his role as producer he touched every magnificent base in E's career - even an ISGC performance - and arced it back to Little Jimmy Dickens.

Steve graciously replied to my e-mail about song selection etc, with:
"Truthfully, there are many, many steel guitar masters who should have been invited to participate; I simply ran out of resources and most importantly, I ran out of time. I hope someone makes volumes 2,3,4 & 5.

Ray Price, who is battling cancer, was scheduled to record in Nashville with producer Fred Foster to sing a new version of "Touch My Heart" dedicated to Buddy, but the session was cancelled due to Ray's health. Reluctantly, I knew I had to finish up the compilation without him. I wanted to be certain that Little Jimmy Dickens had copy of this CD in his hands as soon as possible. But Ray Price really tried to make that session happen, and I thank him for his incredible efforts."

I always thought Peter Freiberger was just a regular FoBro who contributed interesing posts but he plays some really fine bass on his cuts. As Ali G. might say: "Respect!"

Who knew Randle Currie could really honk on that back neck?

Did JayDee record with a new rig? The tone was really different from what I'm used to (Highway 101, Desert Rose).

Didn't know Gary Carter played an extended E9 - all I ever see is the D-10 Zum he plays on the Marty Stuart Show.

I can't quite make out who Vince Gill is calling out on "Country Boy." Does Paul take the first solo and Tommy the second , or vice versa?

We gotta get our non-steel-playing friends to buy the CD/download.

Thanks, Frank! It really is a great CD. It was a privilege to be involved.

There's a LOT of music on that CD. LOVE the deluxe arrangement and production on Wild Mountain Thyme. Just beautiful. I was really happy to see that tune on there.

Great booklet. The inside cover picture with Buddy with his eyes closed on the Fender D8, too good.

Hey Fish, do you recall what amp Jay Dee used on This Cold War With You ? Sounds like the same amp on Norman Hamlet's "Invitation to the Blues"? That's some inspired "Little Darlin'" tone on those tracks.... of course having either gentlemen's incredible hands helps . Just curious if you happen to recall.

Thanks for putting this CD together!

Scott, JayDee played his P/P through a Session 400 Limited. Norm had a red LeGrande III that he played through a Nashville 1000.

Just got my cd, and all I can say is, this is the best project I've heard in many years. Some songs get you emotional, and others make you want to go to the dance hall. Great playing by everyone, and I liked the distortion Fish used with Chris. Thanks very much to everyone involved with this.

Just got my copy today! Wonderful job by all involved.
Great choice of songs, and musicians. Lots of surprises
for me (haven't heard Greg Leisz sing in a long time).
If I may repeat myself...Way to go Steve!!

GB