The Steel Guitar Forum

Dear Ann, Bud and all at Carter.

I was stunned to hear the word. The Steel guitar world has lost a most cherished friend, and a giant in the industry. I am grateful to have known John and experienced his countless kindnesses.

Most sincere and deepest sympathies to you all.

He will be remembered fondly.

John Widgren, and family.

Oh boy, I just don´t know what to say!
Though I´ve never met John personally, he was the reason I enjoy playing one of your wonderful Carter guitars so much.
This is a terrible loss for the whole Steel community and an even bigger personal loss for Ann and the family!

Ann, please accept my sincerest condolences.
May you find the strength to go through this time of sorrow.

Pit

Ann,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. As others have said John was very helpful, and will be greatly missed.

May God bless and comfort you and your family during this very difficult time.

Donny

So sorry for your loss Ann. May the Lord comfort you and your family in your grief. Ray

I´m very sorry to hear this.

Dag

Ann and company - so sorry to hear of your loss (and ours). I will miss dealing with you and John who were always so helpful to me. God Bless, Dave

This is a shock indeed especially after seeing both Ann and John at the Irish Steel Festival last October.

Ann, please accept my sincerest condolences.

Dear Ann,

I can not remember a winter that has taken so many dear people away. I am so sorry to hear about John and send my sincere condolence. I am in shock to hear about his passing.

Deepest Sympathy,

Michael McNeill

To Ann & Family,

I am very saddened to hear of John's passing. I wish you all the very best, the steel guitar community will miss him greatly!

Scott

I didn’t know John Fabian; I dealt with Ann back in 2000 over the phone when I bought my Carter D10. A Great company to do business with, a terrible loss to the steel guitar community. Whenever John posted on the Forum, he was always sincere, very professional and to the point. Please accept our deepest condolences.

Chuck and Marcia

Very sad. My condolences. I always enjoyed my conversations with John.

speechless....................

Big loss for the steel guitar. He'll be missed.

Ann,

My sincere condolences.

Marlin

I am very sorry to hear this news. My sincerest sympathy and my prayers go out to Ann and family.

Steve Todd

RIP John.
Sympathy and Condolences Ann.
Sorry for your troubles.

Like as many others have so rightly said. John will sure be missed.

Our Sincere Condolences, to Ann, and those who knew and loved John.

R.I.P.

Don Brown, & family

Ann,

Like everyone before me,words just can't express my sadness for you and your family.

It goes without saying that John will be missed deeply as well as the closing of Carter guitars.

The future Dallas Steel Guitar Shows will not be the same without seeing you all there as I have for so many years.

I'm so shocked I feel like I'm rambling but I hope you read this and know that I admired John for his Kindness,Knowledge and most of all his never having a bad word to say about anyone or anything when ever we had time to chat.

I will be thinking of you and the family as the days go by.

Ann, I'm sorry to hear this. I will miss him.

JC.

Oh, Ann... we are so very sorry for your loss and keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Auset & Brad Sarno

We too are saddened to hear of Johns passing.
My dad Jerry and I always enjoyed visiting with John, several times over the course of any given Convention (you know how it goes during the "wandering around the booths" times of a 2-4 day Convention).
Being a Universal player, John would ALWAYS sit me down and set me up with an S12U at their booth (usually the S12U's never saw as much action as the S or D 10's).

One of my fave John Fabian quotes, about the techno-ergonomic facets of Billy Phelps' playing technique, is... (and I can just see/hear him saying this to us in my mind right now)...

"If it don't have to move, he don't move it".

A huge loss to the steel guitar industry. John was a wonderful person and a great friend. My thoughts are with Ann and family members. Dallas and ST Louis will never be the same again.....

Oh my God !!....I'm so sorry to hear this ....RIP John, and God be with you ....My condolences to you Ann ...I am so sorry ...Jim

Oh my God !!....I'm so sorry to hear this ....RIP John, and God be with you ....My condolences to you Ann ...I am so sorry ...Jim

We read over and over the word stunned and that's what I am right now. John was a true leader in the steel world. I once bought a Carter U-12, trading in a D10 and John didn't embellish the deal. He cautioned me that it was a big change that I may regret. We made the deal over the phone and I did regret it and went back to a D10. When I asked John if he wanted pictures of the trade-in he said "no, just describe it to me". The Carter room was always the center of activity and the Dallas and St. Louis shows. I'll miss that and John.