The Steel Guitar Forum

<SMALL>I remember Wayne saying that their "schtick" became Wayne singing and Jerry mimicking him and making fun of him. Apparently it got worse and worse until Wayne finally quit the act and went on his own.</SMALL>

Yeah, but after he went out on his own, everybody made fun of him...

The Newton Rascals, as they were called for a while . .

Hear them with Wayne playing steel & singing here.

That was some cool soundin steel

ZZZZowie!! RA, a time-capsule revealed. Wonder if Wayne's heard this recording of himself recently. Sounded like a one-take sing/play effort to me, really amazing. The Newton Rascals comin' at ya...Thanks again. ~JZ~

Jeff and Rick,

Thanks for the information about Wayne and Jerry. Always interesting to hear.

I liked his steel guitar player much better than his singing.

I am on the road, so I am just checking into the Forum ever so often.

Aloha,
Don<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Don Kona Woods on 15 November 2005 at 05:03 PM.]</p></FONT>

I just enjoyed the heck out of this whole thread and the old Newton Brothers recording. I'm kind of a history buff, and I really enjoyed Jody's reminiscing. I live in Fullerton, the home of Leo Fender and his little radio shop that grew into a musical giant. Sadly, the place where his shop used to be is now a 5-level parking garage, but it is marked with a historical plaque. I pass by there a lot and wonder what it must have been like back then....

This is the Fender Factory on Santa Fe Avenue in Fullerton - late 40s.

More Newton Rascals with Wayne on Steel here.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 16 November 2005 at 04:16 PM.]</p></FONT>

Every guitar that came out of that factory is now worth more than the factory.

Earnest, it's too bad that doesn't apply to Steel Guitars too.
I have a Dual Pro and a Champion that were made in that factory.
Well at least they're worth over 10X what I paid for them . .

I wonder what Wayne Newton's Dual Pro would be worth on the open market? That was a real nice sounding guitar. He played standing up and didn't use a volume pedal.

Rick--Thanks for posting the pic. That corner looks a lot different now. Lots more traffic, too. Our city museum had a Fender exhibit a few years ago, that included some vintage steels. I wish they would bring it back, it was fascinating.

Dave, you can say that again!

Some old Fender Steel Guitars can be seen here.

I met Elmer for the first time in 1982 at the Winchester, IN Aloha Intern'l convention. Elmer told me that he gave Wayne his very first music lesson and steel guitar lesson in Roanoke, VA. Also Elmer passed away in the late 90's and as CC mentioned his ashes (some) were spread off shore at Waikiki (somewhere below Kuhio Beach I believe - 1999). Jerry organized the memorial and picked the occupants of the outrigger -- myself, Haunani and Pulewai Waters, Frank & Donna Miller, Don Sweatman and another person from New York. There were four crew members. Appropriate words and thoughts were expresed. I believe it is the exact spot or area where Jerry's ashes were also spread in April of this year.

I have learned that only the crew and close family can be occupants of the outrigger today -- I believe since Elmer's ashes there was some litigation involving an accident where someone fell overboard or drowned. I have seen a video of Jerry's outrigger and there were only the four crew members in the outrigger -- I guess Kaleo and Jerry's daughters did not want to go.



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Thanks for the stories, Jody! I can't wait to read your book. I love stories like this. A year ago the Celtic band I play in was doing a festival in Rapid City and an elderly gentleman who worked at the hotel used to sing for Lawrence Welk. Man, did he have some stories! History is best when heard from those who lived it. Thanks for sharing yours.

Wayne Newton is now playing (through the Christmas season, at least) at the Flamingo in L.V.

Dapper dude....in a Trini Lopez kinda way.....Ba da da da da da La Bamba......