The Steel Guitar Forum

Reece- In those days, we never even recorded our own bands let alone someone else's band. Remember, everything was reel to reel, and not everyone had one. I sure wish I did have a recording of him; I would gladly post it. I was hoping that someone from Texas would have something of his.
Fuzzy Plant

Reece, I don't have any of Vance's playing at the present. I went with Norm Hamlet, Gene Breeden and a couple others to the club Vance was playing in Oct of 60. I think you can remember the Napa 68 show, where Vance's steel was there but he wasn't. Chuck Wright attempted to sit at Vance's guitar but wasn't used to his tuning and had a tough time.
The tape of that show is buried somewhere in my storage along with the Johnnie Lee Wills album with Pooler. I haven't listened to it in 30 years or more, but it's safe, (I think) I'll see if I can lay my hands on it. The Napa tape is a copy that Bill Wilhelm made and it's really incognito for the moment.

Does anyone remember Donnie Vibbert from Indianapolis.We played together in the middle fifties and he could copy anything Emmons played.He taught guitar at Arthurs music store on Shelby Street.

Hey Billy,
I have Brisbane Bop, and I'll post a clip.
What track would be best?
I love 'em all, but I can't post the entire CD!!!

Jay

Gary W....Sure would be appreciated by many of us if you can find the tape. Gene Pooler and Vance Terry were incredible players.

Jim B....I have heard the name Donnie Vibbert many times. Do you have a sound clip you could share with us?

Jay F....Thank you so much for offering to share the sound clip of Vance Terry. I'll be anxiously waiting to hear it as will many others I'm sure.

edited to remove file links...

Buy "Jimmy Rivers and the Cherokees-Brisbane Bop" on Joaquin Records. for some amazing playing by Vance Terry!!!and Jimmy Rivers <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 24 September 2005 at 10:15 PM.]</p></FONT>

Thanks Dave for posting those Vance Terry files. I've been reading about him for years here on the Forum but this is the first thing I've heard from him. I didn't expect it to be so country! Nor did I expect such cool tone and rhythmic feel. He sounds like recordings of Buddy Emmons from the Texas Troubadours days.

Dave....Thank you so much for sharing and going to the time and effort which allows us all the opportunity to hear an exceptional player who contributed so much and should never be forgotten!

I only hope others can do the same by submitting sound clips of those who influenced them as well.

Reese
I don't know of any sound clips for Donnie. He never went anywhere with his playing except in Indiana as far as I know.

Wow, thanks for those great sound files. I had forgotten what a monster player Vance was. What a right hand he had and the mind to match.

If you want to hear Vance shred, get the Jimmy Rivers "Brisbane Bop" Cd.
Dave

Yes, as Dave Ristrim said, get the Jimmy Rivers and the Cherokees "Brisbane Bop" CD from Joaquin records

that CD's the source of the two clips I posted (and will soon remove from my site- I just wanted to give y'all a taste, not take $$ out of the indie label's pocket- they deserve every penny they get for putting this great stuff out!!)

recorded by Vance Terry in the late 50's early 60's on a reel to reel he kept by the stage, from my understanding, the reels lay fallow til this release

Jay, how 'bout Steelin' Home since it's a steel feature. He gets in about 8 bars of melody then it's all Vance Terry after that. A man at the very top of his game!!

Hey Billy, DVA did it already, in the post at the top of the page.
Otherwise I'd be glad to.
Jay

Ooops! I understand there are 30 reel to reel tapes in the Brisbane collection. Wouldn't it be nice if we could hear some more of these? I for one would not complain if there was sound problems. Here's a funny Vance story for you. Vance was watching the band I was in at the time attempt to play one of the tunes off of Brisbane Bop.(Back Bay Shuffle) At the end of the song we tried to play the crazy ending form that recording. Then Vance goes "Aw come on guys don't play that train wreck we did at the end of that song!!!!

I don't believe anyone in this thread has mentioned Donny Buzzard? He was a marvelous player, who to my knowledge never got the recognition he deserved!

Reece....when I first started out playing PSG in Denver, Donny Buzzard was definitely one of the legendary cats that people spoke about in hushed and reverant tones. I don't think he lived there, but the honky tonks around Denver were a part of the South West US circuit that alot of great players played in those days. Donny and guys like Wayne Gayley were legends to alot of us rockers and jazzers who just discovered the pedal steel's potential. I think Rusty Young looked up to him quite a bit too. Donny was another one of those guys that gave me an insight early on that it was possible (and only natural) to play EVERY kind of music on the steel.

Oh yeah....I also heard someone say that Donny's wife was also a great steel player. Can anyone shed more light on that? <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Rick Schmidt on 11 September 2005 at 10:52 AM.]</p></FONT>

Talk about players who didn't get recognition, anyone ever heard Dave Musgrave do "Sweet Georgia Brown"?

Awesome stuff 40 years ago...and it still is!

I just now read with great sadness that we have lost the wonderful and unique Gatemouth Brown. My only experience hearing Donny Buzzard was with Gate and Donny's playing was great with him! Two great and unique players from (I believe) very different musical backgrounds and the whole was even greater than the sum of the parts.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Chris Bauer on 11 September 2005 at 08:58 PM.]</p></FONT>

I did not know about Gatemouth Brown that is very sad to hear.

I totally agree with the appraisal of Vance Terry's playing. I have 2 copies of each of the Billy Jack Wills recordings on vinyl and Brisbane Bop(very worn from over playing!)and also on CD, In my book Vance's playing is just astounding every time without fail. "After Youre Gone" and "Tippin In" are particular favourites. 30 more reels!!! It would be great to hear some of that.

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Jimmy Douglas on 12 September 2005 at 11:28 PM.]</p></FONT>

I was teaching music at the Cross Music Centre in Cheyenne, Wyo. when Donny Buzzard who was about 13 years old came to me for guitar lessons. When he walked in my studio room I happen to be pluckin on my steel. He listened for a little bit and asked me what kind of an instrument I was playing. After a little bit he said, "thats what I want to play". We rented him a single 6 lap steel and started him on lessons. After about a year his dad bought him a Gibson Multiharp.
About a year or so later We sold him Fender 1000. I always felt he had something that non of my other students had. When buddy Emmons came out with 4 Wheel Drive, I was trying to learn the song. When Donny came in for a lesson, I gave him the record and assigned him to learn the song. Ya and behold he came back in about 2 weeks and played 4 Wheel Drive almost as good as the record...I THEN KNEW I HAD A WINNER....
I got him a job playing in the Red Wells band for Frontier Days in a local bar and from there he went on to join the Judy Lynn band. Donny's playing awed many musicians who was fortunate to hear him play.
His first wife Linda played Pedal Steel at different clubs around Cheyenne. They were married for a few years then divorced.
Thank you Reece for bringing back some great memories to me of Donny Buzzard.
Lee Gillespie

I would love to hear an mp3 of Jack Richards if anyone has one to post or email to me? this sparked my interest - thanks

Mac Atcheson, from Stone Mountain Georgia, was a phenominal steel player, and was one of those who had to work 9 to 5, but he did manage to play weekend jobs in and around Atlanta. He also played on a local live TV C&W show in Atlanta (this was when TV was all black and white). Mac was not only a great steeler, but worked "magic" on many player's guitar by modifying and rebuilding them. Not a greater guy around than Mac. If he could help you in any way, he would do it. God rest Mac Atcheson.

Evan,

thanks for your post, please check your email.

JD

The Donny Buzzrd post is interesting as I had the pleasure of seeing him when I first met Zane Beck in '77. I actually recorded him at the St Louis Convention that year. He was pretty wild ... a great player. Zane liked the fact that he played his tuning on one of the necks (tuned down a tone I believe). I think he also had the 9th tone of the C6th "in line" (on his 12 string?) ... which made it very similar to Zane's 13th tuning.

Graham