Jeff Newman...the musician

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 20 Mar 2010 8:19 am

I was just listening to some of my old instructional material from Jeff. Particularly from the Woodshed Workshop series, Good Hearted Woman and Working Man Blues with Bob Browning. I don't know if these are still available, but man, what incredible picking.

The price of the courses were worth it just for Jeff's playing alone.

Nearly everyone knows about Jeff's expertise teaching steel guitar, but his playing was terrific as well. I was always blown away by his rich tone and brilliant picking.

Sometimes we forget about how great a player he was and all the nice Nashville work and recordings that he did over the years.

We're coming up on the anniversary of his passing in about a month, and I just wanted to say again, Thanks Jeff, for all your dedication to the steel guitar, your inspiration, your teaching methods, and mostly your fabulous playing. We miss you and think of you often.

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 20 Mar 2010 8:47 am

Jeff Was A Good Friend Of Mine For years I Miss Him And Think Of Him A Lot. SONNY.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 20 Mar 2010 8:53 am

Jerry,

He was at his very best in 1992, at the P.S.G.A. INC. annual fall steel guitar show. Bob Maickel, John De Maille, Clay Savage, and Tom Higgins hosted the show in Armonk, N.Y.- Winnie Winston, Herb Remington, and many fine players spurred Jeff on. The showcase was brimming with talent. I had a front row seat.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 20 Mar 2010 9:45 am

Jerry, I'll second everything you said about Jeff.
to me, Jeff and a 10th gr English teacher were the best teachers I've ever had.

Jeff taught in an entertaining sort of way. He made you think and arrive at conclusions by yourself. He didn't just say here's the lick or intro to this, play it like this..no he showed you ways to play so you could figure out those intros by yourself.
I attended about 5 seminars and one week at his college, Intermediate class, 1978. There was something special about being there; you were on Jeff's home turf and discovered what Jeff the man was like. Fran and Jeff treated each student like family. 32 years later, I still remember funny episodes and the feeling of camaraderie and family that Fran and Jeff showed us.

Not only was he a great teacher, but also a superb musician and steel player.
Here is a song in Jeff's memory, showing how he played exactly the way he taught.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC9RijH9E5M

Alan Harrison · Post by **Alan Harrison** » 20 Mar 2010 10:44 am

Hi Jerry, I'm glad you posted this about Jeff, He was a good friend of mine also, but like you, I had forgotten how really good he was as a player.

I happen to run across a couple of vidio's of him on You Tube last week and really enjoyed listening to his great playing. On one of these, he is on stage with Lloyd Green. His tone on these vidio's is second to none.

I think of Jeff and Fran often and really miss him. They only lived about 20 miles from me so I got to see them quite a bit.

If you will go into You Tube and put in Jeff Newman, you will get several vidio's, I think most were at the St. Louis show several years ago...I know you would enjoy them...alan

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 20 Mar 2010 5:09 pm

Jeff single-handedly disproved the old saying "Those that can do, those that can't, teach." More than once I felt that his performances at various conventions I attended over the years were the highlight of the weekend.

What a shame he died so tragically and unnecessarily.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 20 Mar 2010 5:52 pm

When Jeff came to Texas on vacation, he would come out and sit in with the band I was working with. His playing on songs I am sure he had never heard was incredible. And when we did "Big Mammau", he really had his steel smoking. Jeff and Fran Newman, definitely a class act. Jeff was a great musician, teacher, and a dear friend. Miss him a lot. Jody.

Walter Bowden · Post by **Walter Bowden** » 20 Mar 2010 11:48 pm

I understand that Jeff played rhythm guitar on "Harper Valley PTA". I may be wrong about that but when I went to one of his week long courses he sat in on an impromptu jam at the Sho-Bud store on Broadway and he fell right in on a six string.
I was just another one of his students but he treated you like you were the only one there at times when he wanted to correct something from becoming a bad habit or emphasize something you were doing right.
Fran was/is a great cheerleader and supporter and Loretta made us great lunches.
As far as Jeff's accident goes, he was doing something he loved to do and on his own terms and I think that is preferable to other ways of shuffling off this mortal coil.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 21 Mar 2010 4:17 am

Walter Bowden wrote:I understand that Jeff played rhythm guitar on "Harper Valley PTA". I may be wrong about that but when I went to one of his week long courses he sat in on an impromptu jam at the Sho-Bud store on Broadway and he fell right in on a six string.

Walter, I can definitely empathize with that one. My class also went with Jeff to the Sho-Bud store. Of course I had always equated Jeff with steel. Great was my surprise when he took an acoustic guitar down off the wall - it looked like a $35 Sears and Roebuck-
sat down on some stairs and proceeded to play Classical Gas. It was so beautiful that it instantly brought tears to my eyes.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 21 Mar 2010 5:59 am

Don't know if it's still available but Jeff made a solo CD just before his accident called "Once in a Lifetime" that is worth a listen. Tracks are:
Dance With Me
When I Dream
Who's Sorry Now
The Very Thought of You
Canadian Sunset
True Love Ways
Pretty Woman
If I Had You
Here's That Rainy Day
I Don't Believe I'll Fall in Love Today
Sweet Dreams
Old Dogs & Children & Watermelon Wine
I Love You So Much It Hurts Me

Ditto what others have said here. I took a week of instruction with Jeff in the 1980's and learned a lot. I was a military pilot at the time - he seemed as interested in talking flying with me on breaks as I was in learning what he had to teach me about pedal steel. He's sadly missed but I have nothing but positive memories of Jeff and Fran on my trip to Nashville.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 21 Mar 2010 7:14 am

Jeff was one of a select group of men that profoundly changed my life, and I say that not flippantly, but with the utmost seriousness... he was a man who grabbed me by the shoulders, pointed me in a different direction from the path I was on, showed me what I should be doing for the steel guitar community, and said "go for it." Jeff single-handedly got me started in the steel guitar course business, wrote about my teaching material in his newsletter (which cost him money in postage and printing, not to mention sales), and get this: he even asked me for permission to play a couple of my arrangements on shows... as if he needed my permission!

I never took a steel guitar lesson from Jeff, or attended his school, but he was a mentor to me in the truest sense of the word. A dear friend who, when I had success or received recognition for an accomplishment, was probably more proud and happier than I was.

Please indulge me while I share a typically "Jeff" story with y'all.

Our last dinner together was the Sunday evening after the TSGA Jamboree. A bunch of us were waiting in the hotel lobby for the vans to take us to the restaurant, as we usually did after the show. Jeff came up to me with a look of excitement he couldn't possibly contain, and pulled me aside.

"Did they tell you?" he asked me.

Tell me what, I wanted to know.

"Well, it's supposed to be a secret, a surprise. But I had to tell you."

What exactly, Jeff, are you talking about?

"It was unanimous!"

Jeff, what are you talking about? He was grinning uncontrollably, from ear to ear, his eyes glowing.

"The vote was unanimous!!"

Jeff, I have not the faintest idea what you're talking about.

"Well, they're gonna kill me for telling you, but I had to. But you've got to KEEP IT A SECRET. Don't let them know that you know!"

Jeff... stop screwing with me, okay?. WHAT?!

"Well, uh... you're going into the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame!" At that, he grabbed me and hugged me like he would a brother.

We had a great dinner, about 20 of us, said our goodbyes in the parking lot of Tony Roma's Restaurant, and went on our own individual ways. I went back to Austin, Jeff and Fran went back to Watertown.

Then he was killed.

Bobby Bowman gave me the news that afternoon. I still haven't fully recovered, thanks to the memories of this giant of a man.

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 21 Mar 2010 9:04 am

Here's a Pic From 1965, Right before Jeff and The rest of these guys moved to Nashville.

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 21 Mar 2010 9:06 am

One of my favorites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1s054PrC-o

Nic du Toit · Post by **Nic du Toit** » 24 Mar 2010 9:09 am

Jeff will always remain one of my main influences for wanting to play the steel. You only had to attend one of his week long classes he did at his college in Nashville (1980) to really appreciate the greatness of this man. He never failed to mention someone else's 'Feeling' on the steel, yet he would play you a song dripping with emotion and impeccable phrasing,etc, to make your knees go jelly. In my book he will always be considered as one of the great steelers of our time.

Thanks Jerry, for this reminder and a trip down memory lane! (for me)

John Palumbo · Post by **John Palumbo** » 24 Mar 2010 4:55 pm

I went to on of Jeff's (beginners) classes back in the late 70's, what a great teacher and what a great time.
I'd would just like to say (without upsetting anybody)that his instructional material is still the best out there. I have some of his stuff and a few years ago I purchased his Pedal Steel Guitar Illustrated although some what out dated, it is really great, from setting up an amp to tuning and everything else to get off on the right track and not real heavy on music theory. Thanks to Fran for continuing to offer his material.

Roy Rosetta · Post by **Roy Rosetta** » 25 Mar 2010 10:26 am

HERBSTER...Oh, how I remember that Sunday evening and the fun we had at Tony Roma's Restaurant. As I recall Jeff was sitting directly across from me and ...wow... the many great stories that were told over dinner and all the laughter that followed. Little did we know that it would be our last evening with Jeff. Then the terrible news came. Randy Beavers called me to let me know what had happened. Over the years Jeff had become one of our closest friends and we are still very close to Fran. The world of music lost a giant the day Jeff Newman left us and God's heavenly band gained a great musician and teacher.
We miss him very much,
...Roy and Barbara

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 25 Mar 2010 3:15 pm

I remember watching one of the news channels early that morning and the crawl said that Jeff Newman had died...I could not believe it was OUR Jeff but soon found out it was. That one haunts me to this very day !!

Regrets, Paul

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 29 Mar 2010 9:02 am

Bent Romnes wrote:Jerry, I'll second everything you said about Jeff.

Not only was he a great teacher, but also a superb musician and steel player.
Here is a song in Jeff's memory, showing how he played exactly the way he taught.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC9RijH9E5M

Thanks Bent. That's a perfect example of what I was referencing. IMO, his playing had a way of "reminding you" how the pedals/levers were supposed to be used and his timing with them was impeccable. I think he was a "master pedaler". This example is obviously heavy on the steel because it is for instruction and demonstration. This is probably a guitar that he is unfamiliar with and appears to be the Emmons setup, but that doesn't seem to bother Jeff at all.
[Looks like Steve Benzian shot this at one of the shows]

Another example is in the Hank Williams medley. Yes, we know there are pedals and levers being used, but Jeff had a way of sort of hitting you over the head with them...in the most pleasant way.

Of course he could play without them in the vein of no peddlers if and when he chose and did a very nice job on other instruments as well.

Thanks to all for your examples.

John H. McGlothlin · Post by **John H. McGlothlin** » 29 Mar 2010 10:02 am

I still have the LP that Jeff had in his course with Bob Browning singing and the tracks are recorded seperatley so you can cut the steel out and play along with the music and vocals but the recording is higher piched for the standard 440 and I have to play in between the frets to be in tune. I use to have a software program that allows you to set a song to whatever pitch you want in order to be in tune with the recording. There are about 10 songs on the album and it is titled Music To Backup By if I'm not mistaken.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 7 Apr 2010 6:17 pm

Today is the anniversary of Jeff's passing. My best to Fran and the family. Also to Jeff's many close friends.

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 8 Apr 2010 1:38 pm

Like many others, I took Jeff's class in the early 1980's and it changed my life and opened up my mind to steel guitar possibilities.

I was just listening to Jeff's "Once in a Lifetime" CD and marveling at just how great a player he truly was. Some of his phrasings and counterpoint licks were true genius.

I'll miss Jeff as long as I live. jc

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 8 Apr 2010 4:23 pm

I feel the same way, that, you fellows do, about Jeff. I met him in 1976, at a seminar he was giving for the PSGA. I really knew very little about steel playing and he set me on the right course. I attended another seminar, a year later, ( same place, more days, longer hours ) and he really opened up my eyes and ears to understanding and "playing" the steel. I never was able to attend his "College" because of monetary restraints and time constraints and I still feel, that, that was a big mistake on my part. But, Jeff and I were really friends. He and I and Fran spoke many times on the phone and we always had a great time at the PSGA steel shows and in St.Louis. I had a brain hemorrhage in 1994 and was able to make it to our PSGA show, where, Jeff was performing. When he saw me, he stopped everything and ran over and threw his arms around me and hugged me like a lost brother with tears in his eyes. Man, I can't tell you how that made me feel. My hero... concerned about no nothing me! I'll never forget that!
Yes, I miss him, immensely. The steel world just isn't right without him in it. I'm glad that Fran is continuing to sell his courses and I hope she keeps it up, God Bless her.... I have to close now. I'm getting too melancholy about this. I know there are many great teachers, but, never forget Jeff and what he has given us all.

Mike Wilkerson · Post by **Mike Wilkerson** » 13 Apr 2020 1:48 pm

Jeff was one heck of a player and a nice guy who always made me feel I belonged in the steel guitar community. I always was glued to his set during the conventions listening and learning from one of the masters of our instrument. Even though I never had the privilege of attending his school in Tennessee one thing I learned from watching him was his musicianship towards the other band members who accompanied him during his set. Whether it was the fiddle part lead guitar or uncle Roy playing the piano when each individual played their part Jeff always layed out and let the player perform his/her part. That carried over to my playing. In the bands I played in in the past when my ride was over I would lay out while the other members took their turn. Thank you Jeff for being an inspiration to me. RIP!!!! Slim

Mike Wilkerson · Post by **Mike Wilkerson** » 13 Apr 2020 2:11 pm

Letâ€™s bump it and keep it going

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 13 Apr 2020 2:16 pm

I had the great fortune to attend a couple of Jeffâ€™s week long classes, and to become great friends with him as well. I played a show that Jeff was the headliner on. Jeff stood arms length away the whole time I played. Tough enough to play for a room full of steel players, but to have your teacher watching that close, nerves were a wreck. After I played my last song, he leaned over and told me, â€œnow thatâ€™s how it doneâ€. Iâ€™ll never forget his kind words.