The Steel Guitar Forum

Last evening, Jill and I were privileged to attend The Southern Legends Entertainment & Performing Arts Hall of Fame Banquet in Oklahoma City.

We knew Bobby Flores was to be inducted and that later in the evening he would do a set with his band. So, after enjoying the tremendous all-you-can-eat barbeque supper and the awards ceremony, we suffered through a couple hours of the house band, an Elvis impersonator (yes, another one), and Conway's son (Lord, spare us!), before it was time for Bobby's set.

Bobby's band consisted of himself on vocals and fiddle, Jim Loessberg on steel, a bass player and a drummer. That's it....and that's all they needed: Bobby's vocals and fiddle playing, and Jim Loessberg's phenomenal steel playing.

Folks, we really did try to dance to every tune Bobby's band played, but often found ourselves standing over to the side near Loessberg and just staring in amazement as he worked both necks on that EMMONS. And while I was visiting with him after the show he confirmed what I was seeing from the dance floor: GUITAR>VOLUME PEDAL>NASHVILLE 400.

Let me close this novel by advising every steel lover to make every reasonable effort to go hear Jim Loessberg.

And thanks to Jim and Bobby for "keepin' it real".

Jim is one hell of a musician.

Jim Loessberg is among my all-time favorite steel players, and I've told him so to his face many times. And he just modestly says, "aww man, come on. I can't find my butt with both hands tied behind my back."

Yeah, right.

The guy is world class, and I'll put up with no contrary argument, thank you very much. Not that I could find one, anyway.

He's focused, he's disciplined, he's a serious student of whatever music he's applying himself to, and getting it right is paramount to him. That's what it takes to be a player of his caliber, and few amongst us make it there.

And he's a great drummer, as well as an excellent record producer. His father, Les Loessberg, was one of the good Austin steel players back in the day, and his brother John is an excellent bassist. So music just runs in their family. Lucky us.

Incidentally, I could say the same things about Bobby Flores. BF is the among the greatest studio musicians I've ever had the pleasure and privilege of working with, and I have worked with some of the best.

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I'm always happy to see Jim getting some well deserved recognition. He is right up there with all the great Texas steel players whether he believes it or not. Ofcourse, he is modest to a fault and therefore has no idea how great he is, just like all the other greats!

WOW is such an understatement!

Check out Jim's instructional material. Great stuff!

Got 5 of Bobby Flores'CD's. They spin a lot in my CD players. "When Your House is not A Home" about blew a hole in me the first time I heard it (a little close to home I might add...) and the steel on these CD's is FABULOUS. Jim's artistry as well as the work of Jerry Blanton, Gary Carpenter, Tommy Detamore, Dicky Overbey, Rick Price, Herb Steiner, and Bobby Flores is all over the steel on these disks.

Interestingly enough, on all 5 CD's it's "Drums: Jim Loessberg...".

As great a player as Jim is on trad-country material, he is equally awesome as a bebop jazz player. His facility on all levels is stunning.

The first and only time I heard Jim was in at Jinnies in Austin with Justin Travino. They were a trio and they blew me away. Jim is also a great drummer.

Check out his cd, Sawed-Off Shotgun, it's great!

Jim Loessberg, all of the above and then some. Great at anything he does - steel guitar, drums, recording, and let's not forget his radio show.

Jim Loessberg is first class!!!

he is my hof and that is all that counts to me

JR, you got that right! Loessberg is one of the greatest and a super nice hombre! Always willing to share all kinds of steel guitar knowledge! If don't have one of his courses, get one! If get a chance to visit with him, do it! Kudos on everything Re: Bobby Flores and band. He's at the top! IMHO

Amen to what Herb said. Bobby

Jim is a well rounded musician . And a super nice Guy . Buck Grantham

Jim is one of the players that I look foward to seeing and hearing play in Mesa at the SWSGA IN Jan.He always says hello and will talk to everyone,I hope he will be in Mesa again this year.
Dean Batye
Concord, Ca.

Jim is one of those guys that can do it all and does an exceptional job at everything he does!

Don Sowersby hit on another good point there! The Legends radio broadcast that Jim does is first class, I dont know how he finds all those great old classics with loads of great steel parts, some of the tunes I have never heard before on any other station Jim is putting it out there for us. All I can say is thanks Jim and keep up the good work.

I know this is getting to be a broken record, but I have to jump on this bandwagon. I also saw Jim with Justin Trevino, and loved every minute of it. He plays steel like it should be played.

Joe

Jim is A # one, so is brother John and Sowersby ain't no slouch his ownself. Jim let me play a set at Ginny's one night with him staring down. I am sure he now knows how to not play pedal steel.

Herb, I do agree with everything you said, however, he does bear watching and I wasn't.

I met Jim here in Amarillo when Jim was about 21-22 years old, that would be in abou '78-'79. He WOWWED me then just he does now. He was very nice and willing to show me anything he had time for. He is still the same very nice guy and still teaching me with his courses. They just don't get any better than my friend Jim.

Jim is one of the most exciting steel guitarist that I have had the pleasure to work with. Herb Steiner described Jim perfectly and I agree with every word. WOW....what a player, great guy and so very humble.
.....Roy