What Vocalist Has Done More For The Steel Guitar

Mark Metdker · Post by **Mark Metdker** » 12 Oct 2004 3:29 am

I have never heard a Johnny Bush song that didn't have steel in it.

Bob Wills
ET
Charley P.
Ray P.
Merle
Waylon
Buck
Alan J.
George S.
Johnny Rod
Vern G.
Connie S.

....hmmmmmmmm.....don't see a lot of new artists on this list.

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Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 12 Oct 2004 4:48 am

The defining moment: A solo that others will want to play. The key word is want.

That being the criteria, I'd say Ray Price should lead the list. But the others mentioned all fall in close behind.

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Jim Florence · Post by **Jim Florence** » 12 Oct 2004 11:16 am

I agree with most of those allready mentioned
but I don't think you could talk about vocalists and steel guitars in the same breath without mentioning Hank Snow, even though he didn,t allways mention the steeler's name, His voice blended with the steel guitar sooo well. Remember Moving On,Isle of golden dreams, Rhumba Boogie, etc

Joe Alterio · Post by **Joe Alterio** » 12 Oct 2004 11:25 am

I think you have to look at the vocalists that helped to bring steel guitar into the mainstream.....without them, none of the past 50 years may have occured.....

My two votes would be Hank Thompson and Hank Williams, both whose sound was intertwined with steel guitar and made it popular and acceptable in country music.

Joe

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 12 Oct 2004 2:30 pm

Myron ,Lets be fair, Toby really doesn't need a steel but he carries one and his records or CD's do have a great deal of PF and good stuff too.Maybe he is not as country as many like but his last CD is a good one. And he won't do weed with Willie anymore.

I like most have realized I had my time now it's others turn in the barrell. However I would like them to not destroy what many have carried the banner for years.

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Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 13 Oct 2004 5:16 am

I agree with all of the above but.........
I don't think Eddy Arnold should be left out of the mix either. "Little" Roy's playing made a lot of people want listen to Eddy Arnold's records. "Little" Roy was the player who first influenced a LOT of players of today, myself included.

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 14 Oct 2004 5:57 pm

Don't forget the combination of Johnny Paycheck and Lloyd Green. Truly a match made in heaven!

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 14 Oct 2004 7:39 pm

"Mississippi gaaaaal... I luv yeuuuuu."
Oh I'll nevah bothah yeu againnnn..." "ding, dang, ding, doo."

GaryHoetker · Post by **GaryHoetker** » 15 Oct 2004 12:03 pm

Buck and Wynn by 20 lengths.

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 17 Oct 2004 6:15 am

Webb Pierce, through the great hands or Bud Isaacs. They took it up a notch. Joe

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 17 Oct 2004 9:53 am

"Done more?" if your question was to the advancement pertaining to the popularity of hits which brings more players into the fold. I would have to add Judy Collins, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Poco, The Eagles, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Clapton, and Knopfler to the list. They certainly brought alot of players to the instrument who might not have been listening to country music, Especially guitarists who want to double on the instrument.
The sales of steels always rises when there is a huge pop exposure. RR is also the biggest singer/player advancing the popularity at presesnt.
Paul

Charles Turpin · Post by **Charles Turpin** » 17 Oct 2004 10:55 am

I had to think back to what made me go from guitar to steel to figure out who i think done more for steel. The surprize for me was Roy Nichols that played with Merle Haggard. He was bending them strings on songs like the bottle let me down and other of Merle songs, and just being a two kids on the scene Glen a guitar picing friend of mine we would try to determine if all them licks where steel or guitar. Then Merle i think he recorded everysong with Roy and Mooney. TheN Buck Owens was on the scene i think he had a steel on every song, and in the dance era back then you just couldn't play dances without that steel guitar sound. So i have to say Roy Nichols and Don Rich caused even me to switch to steel.

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Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 26 Oct 2004 5:53 pm

I think Teddy and Doyle, the Wilburn Brothers did a tremendous job promoting the steel guitar by having Don Helms, Hal Rugg, and Curly Chalker front and center on their TV shows that no doubt were viewed by millions each week. They paid them great respect, and called each one by name numerous times.

I remember once when Jimmie Crawford was on the show backing someone up, I "think" it was Bill Anderson, but anyway, they gave Jimmie and Hal an opportunity to play a steel duet. How cool is that!???

Lem

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 27 Oct 2004 2:23 am

That was back in the good ole days when no country artist would record or tour without a steel because it wasn't country without it! ....and also, juke boxes just didn't sound right without a steel!

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James McPhail · Post by **James McPhail** » 31 Oct 2004 8:23 pm

Commander Cody (duck!!)

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 1 Nov 2004 5:46 am

I'd vote for Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

After them, Johnny Bush (seriously, this time.)

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Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 1 Nov 2004 8:51 am

Shania!

Gary Carriger · Post by **Gary Carriger** » 1 Nov 2004 9:40 am

I'm with Ray Montee, in that I give credit to where credit is due....to our Western Swing pioneers. In particular, Bob Wills (he's my favorite - maybe only because he was a fellow Texan). Nuff said....
Gary

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 1 Nov 2004 9:50 am

.....my favorites from that era was "Creedence Clearwater Revival".....but how much better it would have been if they had recorded with a steel guitar!

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Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Nov 2004 10:16 am

Wow, there are so many. Herb, thats an interesting pick. I thought that you would have picked someone else. I'd have to say probably, ET and Buck Owens, but there are so many. I agree with The Wilburns. Chris Hillman, NRPS? There are many.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 3 Nov 2004 9:49 am

George Jones and Conway Twitty (w/JH) have also done a lot, Conway being an acquired taste but Mr. Hughey sounding excellent...