Who is the oldest active steel player you know ?

Skip Cole · Post by **Skip Cole** » 17 Jul 2007 4:38 pm

I'll start by naming my good friend Eddie Rice of Memphis, TN , at 83 years. He doesn't get to play as much as he'd like, but still pickin on his Carter universal 12 string. He was asking me if i knew some senior pickers and their ages and i told him i'd ask you all. Thanks ---Skip

Lowell Whitney · Post by **Lowell Whitney** » 17 Jul 2007 6:10 pm

Alex Martinez, 82(at least),Lubbock, Texas, formerly from Woodward, Okla. I haven't heard him play in a few years, however, a friend who plays gigs with Alex says he still plays as good as ever.
Lowell

Pat Carlson · Post by **Pat Carlson** » 17 Jul 2007 6:23 pm

Hall of Fame member L.T. Zinn is a little older than me

Still is a super player!

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 17 Jul 2007 6:38 pm

Jim Evans of Evans Amplifiers. 82 years young. He was playing on the Lousiana Hayride with Jimmy Day and Zane Beck in 1954!

Ken Williams · Post by **Ken Williams** » 17 Jul 2007 6:44 pm

Jack Matthews, Magnolia, AR. It's not that Jack is that old. I can't say for sure but I think he's around 75. But, active is the key word here. Jack loves playing more than anyone I've ever met. He suffered a stroke about a year or so ago but that hasn't slowed him down. Jack will drive 150 miles to jam somewhere when he had just played till 2:00 am the night before. Jack's been playing for well over 40 years and he has the same passion for playing that I had during my early years of learning he steel. I admire him for that.
By the way, Jack's a great player and a heck of nice guy too.

Ken

robert hays · Post by **robert hays** » 17 Jul 2007 7:03 pm

The legendary DON HELMS is 80 and last time I heard him he was playing great!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also the great Mr Moon is about the same age I believe and he is still playing that great mooney sound! Don Helms and Ron Elliot just completed a gospel C D that will be at the ISGC.

George McLellan · Post by **George McLellan** » 17 Jul 2007 7:12 pm

I hope he doesn't mind, but my good friend "Bro" Les Swanson is 84 and plays every day. He's not out on the job anymore but he still is a great player.

Geo

Lana Rosselli · Post by **Lana Rosselli** » 17 Jul 2007 7:38 pm

Perhaps you could add Hank Pell to your list, I am told he is in his 90s as is Ray Montee. So I'm told...

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 17 Jul 2007 8:45 pm

THANKS for the 'mention' and altho' I feel that I am at least 100........(I can recall my two olde friends Lewis and Clark as we tied up the dug-out canoe along the mighty Columbia River......seems like only yesterday) but I haven't gotten there quite yet.

Ernest Cawby · Post by **Ernest Cawby** » 18 Jul 2007 12:47 am

I hardly qulify at 77 but thats not bad, sometimes I feel like a hundred does that count. My Professional is set up in the office and play some every day, the Carter is set up in Quitman Ga. 90 miles and play there ewice a week, tues. friday nite senior dance 4 hours, 7 till 11:00, these old folk have a ball. It is worth the effort to see them have so much fun. We had picture night Friday nite think I will post them when time permits bac to work tomorrow.

ernie

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 18 Jul 2007 3:55 am

I was at Howard Whites 80th B'day party in Nashville last year,,I think March or April....what a nice Man !!!
Tony

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 18 Jul 2007 4:07 am

Jim Burrus at a young 82 years of age. He played a nonpedal for years and last year bought a pedal steel, a MSA Universal.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 18 Jul 2007 8:07 am

I'd have to say it's my illegitimate father, Kenny Dail. I have no idea how old he is but he used to tell me stories about how he played his acoustic lap steel (electricity hadn't been invented yet) with the Indians and the rest of the Pilgrims after they'd came over on the Mayflower. Here's a shot of Kenny today....JH in Va.

PS.....I love ya Dad........

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 18 Jul 2007 8:32 am

I'm only 77 now, but I plan to eventually win this contest. My plans are to live to be 100, then be shot by a jealous husband. (Don't tell Laurie I said that.)

I talk to Ed Rice every week. He recently went through surgery and is not recovering as fast as he had hoped. Let's all send up a prayer in his behalf.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 18 Jul 2007 9:45 am

Oh yeah, Kenny Dail! How old is KD? When he went to school, "history" wasn't a subject yet!

Just kiddin' KD... you know I love ya!

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 18 Jul 2007 10:31 am

Herby Remmington is still very active. Not sure about his age,but I think he is about 80.

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 18 Jul 2007 10:52 am

ACTIVE steel players ??? All the steel players I know, just sit on a seat and look pretty doggoned PASSIVE to me.

btw, Mooney is 78. His birthday is in September.

Jack Francis · Post by **Jack Francis** » 18 Jul 2007 11:10 am

Fred Justice is somewhere around 94 I think.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 18 Jul 2007 11:19 am

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Al Marcus. I don't know how old he is but he remembers when dirt was young.

Don Poland · Post by **Don Poland** » 18 Jul 2007 12:49 pm

Fellow forumite Reggie Duncan's daddy (J.L. Duncan) is one fine picker. Not sure how old he is, but if you haven't heard him play, you need to contact Reggie and get a copy of his dads CD. You won't be sorry.

Keith Junot · Post by **Keith Junot** » 19 Jul 2007 3:51 am

my longtime friend , Mr. Jessie Hickl down in El Campo, Texas is 89 & still playing a few nites a week on his 10 string Deckly ...

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 19 Jul 2007 8:34 am

Al Marcus did come to mind Toot Sweet when i first saw this thread
since i was'nt exactly sure what was meant by active
i laid out
Glad you did mention Al David

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 19 Jul 2007 12:08 pm

David and Crowbear- Thanks for remembering me. I will be 86 on Dec 10 and still active playing and still working on a CD. I hope to never quit playing my steel guitar, 70 years and counting....al.

:)

Paul Norman · Post by **Paul Norman** » 19 Jul 2007 1:09 pm

Jerry,
Thanks for putting Kenneth Dail's picture in.
He is a North Carolina Idol.

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 19 Jul 2007 3:15 pm

Smiley Roberts 70 + mileage = 150 at least.

Ray

The Steel Guitar Forum

Who is the oldest active steel player you know ?

Who is the oldest active steel player you know ?

Oldest Steel Guitar Players

Honored to have been included with such a distinguised grp.

hi

age

J.L. Duncan

kenneth dail