The Steel Guitar Forum

My thought on this whole thing is as follows: I think Reece should have been in the HOF a long time ago before some who are there. Whatever he's accused of has no bearing on him not being elected to this "Honor". He's made contributions to the Steel Guitar World such as his use of a Universal tuning 30 or more years ago. His playing ability needs nothing from me it speaks for itself with it's greatness. He manufactured a precision quality steel guitar while others were still experimenting with their's. MSA's quality back then is probably equal to what's out there today.
To me this is kind of like the Pete Rose thing in baseball. Pete should be in the baseball HOF too. What he did on the field should be the only criteria for his election just as Maurice's contributions should be the only criteria for his entry to the HOF.

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Have a good 'un! JH U-12

If any of you have ever been in business for yourself at some point you were in a deal that went bad. No matter what you did you could not please the customer. If this is the standard we use as to who will be in the hall of fame, well most of the people in business should not be in their. I have heard stories on every dealer that deals in steel guitars from people that felt they had been cheated. But I know every one of these dealers did all they could to please the customer. But once you feel you have been done wrong it's hard to get over that. Whats the Bibles say,"judge not least you be judged". Who can say huh to that, not me!

Well said Bob.
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MSA S12

Jerry, let me preface my comment by saying that I am a supporter of Reece for the HOF, but to quote your analogy about Pete Rose:

"To me this is kind of like the Pete Rose thing in baseball. Pete should be in the baseball HOF too. What he did on the field should be the only criteria for his election"

I tend to also agree with you about Pete, but there are exceptions. What about O.J.?
www.genejones.com <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 12 July 2001 at 03:32 PM.]</p></FONT>

O.J. was found to be "not guilty" in criminal court. They couldn't prove that he did anything wrong. He's still in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His induction preceded the infamous murder trial, and he's never been removed.

I read the MSA story that Reece published, but couldn't ascertain exactly why MSA went out of business. I certainly don't want to start a big debate or argument here! If it is "confidential stuff", someone can email me to edit this post, and I'll comply. I can be discrete, and I would like to know only for my own curiosity.

Was it a slump in the market, a much underpriced (and therefore "profitless") guitar, or a "difference of opinion" among the factory owners?

Good question Donny,Why did MSA go out of business? There was no "slump in the business in that year, Thats when I started Steel Guitar World in Nashville.Business boomed from the start,all over the US, and world. I even had three competitors in Nashville at that time,Sho-Bud,Duane Marrs Music,and The Steel Guitar Emporium.Maybe the future will tell.
Those that know arn't saying much on the forum, but then, maybe they shouldn't.Who would believe them anyway?
Robert---------

Yes Bobby, I know all of that.....It was a rehetorical question! www.genejones.com

OJ rushed for over 2000 yards in
10 degrees below zero in Buffalo, NY
on the WEAKEST TEAM in the NFL. CASE CLOSED!!!!

Hey Gene,
As far as OJ goes, he was aquitted in criminal court but found liable and responsible for the deaths of those two people in civil court. To me he's guilty as Hell but the same applies to him as far as I'm concerned. He made his mark on the playing field so he belongs in the football HOF. As I stated before, Reece made his mark as a player, manufacturer, teacher, etc. so he belongs in the steel guitar HOF. I hope it's soon! I'll be there for that induction.

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Have a good 'un! JH U-12

As I said above...it was just a rhetorical question. I take no issue with anyone for having an opinion! Gene

I have already received several emails concerning the demise of MSA. I would like to thank those who took the time and trouble to do so. Though I own other guitars, my MSA has been with me longest, and I just wonder, sometimes, "what might have been"...while at the same time being quite thankful for "what was".

This thread saddens me.

I've known Maurice Anderson for almost twenty years, and he is one of the most decent and unfailingly kind human beings I have ever knowm. And as a musician, he is one of the very few who have revolutionized the way the steel guitar is played - physically and conceptually.
When I first met him, in the very early eighties, we would get together and just play; he was the best music teacher I ever had -- and I owe a huge debt of gratitude in my style to the things I discovered in those sessions.
Everyone is different; people come in all sizes, shapes,and personalities. No one can like or be liked by everybody, but Maurice is a giant in the steel guitar world - a world peopled with too many blind worshippers, too many small minded bigots, and too few who truly care to use this beautiful instrument as an art - to discover and emotion, meaning, subtlety, and beauty in a way that is ultimately very personal.

I've never paid much attention to or given much creedence to any awards -- steel guitar included. In my mind, they're pretty political and meaningless. And Maurice Anderson's greatness will not be enhanced or diminished by any award. He is so far above that.

-- Susan Alcorn

<SMALL>And Maurice Anderson's greatness will not be enhanced or diminished by any award.</SMALL>

Yeah, Susan, that's pretty much what I said in another thread.

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Rick Richtmyer
Good News

J. R. Hall wrote:

<SMALL>Case closed</SMALL>

Is that a promise, Jim?

Seriously, Reece and Tom have refrained from posting their accusations here at my request. From my correspondence with both men, it's clear to me that neither has any "fear of retribution" should their positions be posted as "general knowledge".

The primary reason for lack of detail about the dispute is that the accusations from each side can be construed as slander from the other side. Slander is not allowed on the Forum.

Case closed.

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