The Steel Guitar Forum

Great discussion and links.

Somewhere out there is an Austin City Limits episode with Neil Young and his band. Ben Keith and Rufus Thibideaux are featured a lot. If it can be found online, it is certainly worth watching. I saw it on TV many years ago.

I would estimate that the most popular, longest lasting, and most widely listened to record with Ben’s playing is “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young. I remember the first time I heard that, and it really got my attention.

Ken Mizell wrote:Somewhere out there is an Austin City Limits episode with Neil Young and his band.

Is this the one?

https://youtu.be/u21Y-efZAo4

Paul: Indeed, changing musical trends over the decades have made playing steel guitar a rough and rowdy career choice for many, even for heroes like Ben Keith, Jimmy Day and Buddy Emmons.

When Elvis and rock 'n' roll roared onto the scene in 1956 and caused country record sales to implode, the Phillip Morris tobacco company lured nearly half of the Grand Ole Opry's artist roster onto a months-long cross country package tour to promote -- you guessed it -- tobacco products. Little Jimmy Dickens signed on for this tour too; because the promoters insisted on using one backline band to trim costs, Dickens was forced to break up his beloved Country Boys band. Over night, Buddy Emmons was out of a job.

Fortunately for us, Buddy's down time led to his rich period of growth and discovery through endless jam sessions, not to mention his partnership with Shot Jackson to form Sho-Bud. One door closes and another one opens.

Regarding Ben Keith, I love his playing. I was incredibly honored to be able to interview him about his jamming days with Buddy and Jimmy only two weeks before he passed on.

Stephen Pride wrote:

Ken Mizell wrote:Somewhere out there is an Austin City Limits episode with Neil Young and his band.

Is this the one?

https://youtu.be/u21Y-efZAo4

I don’t think that is the one I saw before. I think they were older in the one I saw, however, this is a really good one to watch too. As good, if not better.

Ben's playing on "Crime in the City" on Neil's Freedom album is so good. Very understated steel playing but it absolutely makes the song.