James Morehead RIP

[Ben Elder]

A Monument to James's Genius:



I was very sorry to read Ricky's post this morning, being away from a computer (and the photo above) for hours and not being able to post immediately.

As recounted elsewhere on this Forum, I scoped this D-10 Professional out long distance before a 2008 Christmas trip back to Oklahoma City. Once in hand, I posted an SOS on the SGF which led me to James.

Oh, yeah, that guy--the maniac who seemed to delight in the photo of his next "project": a pile of disassembled parts, looking like so much tornado aftermath, but purporting to be a complete deconstructed Sho-Bud doubleneck. (Or three, to my non-technical eye.) Complex mechanical processes (even simple ones) are deeply troubling to my arts-degree psyche. The photo of James's abstract alleged Sho-Bud disturbed and panicked my soul like nothing from the imagination of Stephen King or John Carpenter ever could. ("How could anybody ever get all that back together?!?")

As he detailed in the link at the bottom of the post, he made the somewhat neglected D-10 into a time traveler from the Lower Broadway "Sho-room" from a time when I was a senior in high school.

One thing I neglected to discuss in later having him add third and fourth knee levers was requesting to leave the E-lowers in the antiquated RKL position. When I found it relocated to LKR, I decided my minimally-skilled playing would have to change, because I wasn't going to mess with James's masterful work.

It seems the last few years have been particularly rough on Planet Sho-Bud.

I was already missing him and Tree after they moved from Prague to Arkansas and now--there are no words. My best to Tree and family.



---
James's account of the fix-up of the red/natural Professional:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... light=bens

[Tony Prior]

So very sorry to learn of James passing. I never met him or Theresa but spoke with them both many times over the last year or two. I felt like I knew them both for years.

Prayers and peace to Theresa and family, James was a one of a kind .

[Wayne Morton]

RIP James. Our thoughts & Prayers are with Tree & the family.

[Rick Rian]

My condolences to Tree and family. James will be missed by steelers he helped and especially us ShoBud guys. Rest now my friend, God be with you ...

[DG Whitley]

My sincere deepest condolences to his family and friends. My thoughts and prayers for all.

[Brian Saulsman]

My thoughts and prayers go out to James' family and friends. This makes me sad.

Brian Saulsman

[Abe Levy]

RIP James.

[Ron Frederiksen]

James and family , Just great people. Always enjoyed them when they came to the Arklahoma Steel Guitar Club and played and sang. Praying for peace for the family. RIP ol friend. You will be missed.

[Dave Mudgett]

Oh, my. I'm so sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences.

[Thomas Pickett]

so sorry to hear this i learned of this tonight at my gig always fun to be on stage with as he loved his steel guitars as well as playing them will miss him r.i.p. tree

[Tom Wolverton]

James taught me a lot about ShoBud restoration. I owe much to him. RIP James. Prayers to Tree and the whole family.

[Walter Stettner]

Sorry to read this. My condolences and prayers to the family.

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

[Paul King]

I remember the day I met him and his wife. Great people to be around. My condolences to his family. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.

[Stu Schulman]

Condolences!

[Andrew Roblin]

Thank you, James!

I offer my condolences to his loved ones.

[Mike Neer]

RIP James.

[Frank Freniere]

Sincere sympathies to Tree and the family. What a guy - none better.

[Chris LeDrew]

Awful news. James and I were close in the 2008-11 time period but drifted apart a bit after I stopped going to the shows around then. We had some great times in Dallas and St. Louis, and we shared a fond affinity for the Sho-Bud. Very sad to hear of his passing. Condolences to Tree and the family. A true loss to the pedal steel world. And an honest-to-goodness GREAT guy.

[Scott Duckworth]

Condolences and prayers going up.

[J R Rose]

So very sorry to hear this news. I knew he was pretty sick but did not know it was this bad. James was a great guy and loved the Sho-Bud guitar better than about anyone. I met him and Tree a couple of times and they were just as everyday as you could get. They were a great couple but were partners in their work on steel guitars. They both loved them. RIP James and Tree, may God Bless and Keep You. J.R. Rose

[Rick Abbott]

Very sorry to see this. My sincere condolences to all of James's family and friends.

Few folks understand 'Buds the way he did. Our great loss.

Peace be with you and yours, James.

[Gene Haugh]

When someone has a passion as James did it shows in the friends he collects in life. James had a passion for Sho~Bud like no-one I ever knew. I have worked for Sho~Bud since 1980 and he helped me. My most sincere condolences to Tree and the family. RIP James my friend.
Gene Haugh

[Jerry Van Hoose]

I've always held James in the highest regard and was truly saddened whenever I read the news of him being under hospice care for I knew what the eventual outcome would be. My thoughts and prayers are with James's family and friends. May he rest in peace.

[Dale Rottacker]

Very Sad... one of the nicest guys I’ve ever had the pleasure of talking with... James and Tree both had a way of making you feel like you were old friends from your very first visit with them... You couldn’t talk to James without leaving that conversation with a smile on your face... Wish I’d had the opportunity to meet him face to face.

[jim flynn]

Really sad that we have lost another craftsman of the steel guitar family. I am sorry he had to suffer so much, and pray that the family and friends find peace and comfort in
Jesus.