The Steel Guitar Forum

I have some long overdue debts I need to pay in the public forum. Many of you that are familiar with my career assume that Zane Beck is a great influence in my life. You assume correctly, however, I have to tell you the other part of my story.

Many years ago when I was just a kid from a farm in Arkansas Bobbe took an interest in me. He is THE ONLY professional player that encouraged me to come to Nashville. He took a belief in me like no other. This was critical because I had just lost Zane Beck just as I was graduating high school. Bobbe may not realize just how much influence he had at that precarious point in my young life. At that point most professional steel players had heard about me thanks to the opportunities that Zane Beck had afforded me. I'm not sure why other pros did not encourage me but Bobbe went WAY above and out of his way to insist that I needed to move to Music City.

I say all of this because I have had an amazing career in Nashville ever since. That career has not necessarily always been about steel guitar but it has been incredible. I think about those times when Bobbe was literally the only person offering that kind of belief and encouragement. I believe God used Bobbe in a significant way at that time. Even today Bobbe continues to speak into my life. I've heard Bobbe say to me a thousand times that he loves me. A thousand times I've returned the same. Today, Bobbe I'm beating you to the punch....I love you Bobbe!

I thought it was high time to let you know how much you influenced me. There's still more to the story but that will do for now.

Zane, this is very unusual, to be thanked at all, much less on a public forum like this. It seems as though most folks just offer a quick private "thanks" and move on. This is indeed much appreciated, however you have proven to me and the music busines in Nashville what a great mind you have and what talent you possess.
You came to my studio on music row sixteen years ago broke and looking for a new direction, all I said was DO IT! You did and you did incredibly well. As a record producer and steel player. The piano talents you have are astounding.
NOW, I want everyone to read this on the forum and know what a monster you are as a steel player musician.
I know you have a slot playing at Scotty's show this year in St. Louis, This is where I saw you first many years ago and was impressed beyond belief. I hope everyone will go by and catch your part of the show there, I WILL!!!

Bobbe

ZANE!, Before I go here I want to wish you the best of luck and help in any way I can in you teaching others to play steel, I feel with your talents the teaching will and can be one of the greatest things you can do for the youth and players of the world.
God bless you ZANE! He has and will even more!


Bobbe Seymour

It's refreshing to see a thread like this.

Zane, it shows that Bobbe really believed in you. Somebody believing in you can keep you going when the times get tough.

It's nice to read things like this because so few people show their gratitude and appreciation. Especially years later.

In sharp contrast, Bobbe told me that if I ever show up in Nashville, he was going to have the Sheriff arrest me and have my butt extradited back to California!... Ha Ha..just kidding about that last part Bobbe

FOR THE RECORD! FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE!
BOBBE SEYMOUR IS IN MY HALL OF FAME!

I've been out of the steel guitar "loop" for awhile and imagine my surprise when I look at the current Hall of Fame inductees and I can't find the great Bobbe Seymour. Somebody please tell me that I missed that somewhere. Are you kidding me? All of those that are in are very deserving but this man should be in there NOW!

Does anyone know who is going in this year?

Thanks for the comments Danny! And that's really funny about the Sheriff/California bit.

Like I stated before, Bobbe has a heart that is big as the all outdoors.

No Kenny, it's my stomach that's as big as all outdoors, not my heart!

Lil' Bobbe

Zane, I guess devoting your entire life to the steel guitar, much less recording, teaching and playing it with a unique style (that's instantly recognizable) and helping other musicians through thousands of sorted steel guitar tribulations for decades isn't something recognizable.... at least by somebody.

It seems like somebody associated with the SGHOF would easily recognize how hard it is just being in the steel guitar business... Maybe it's a competitive factor?... Who knows? I know I don't want to get involved trying to figure those kind of politics out.... I guess the soldier in the trench often gets overlooked by the generals.

It is amazing how just one word can make a difference in anyone's life. I always encourage my grandchildren or any child, when I have a chance, that they are very intelligent and can learn anything, and do anything that they want to. Sometimes I chauffer two naval officers son to a private school and I offer good advice to him when the opportunity is there. Once I remarked that maybe his parents may have said the same thing, and he replied, "reminders are good".

The question of why Bobbe is not in the Hall of Fame surfaces every year or so. It is indeed a mystery to myself and others that know him or even know of him, as to why Bobbe has not been elected. He is always encouraging and promoting the joys of the steel guitar. If you have any doubts of this man's sincerity, simply drop by his store and meet the guy. Actually, his whole staff is a great bunch of people!
Hopefully Zane and other pro's can jog the Hall of Fame big shots to open their eyes and see the light.
Thanks Zane for saying what a whole lot of us already knew and have wanted to say for years.
Gotta love this Forum!!

Zane,
One among many things that I love about Bobbe is he treats everybody like they are somebody. If there ever was an ambassador for steel that would have to be Bobbe.

When I first got into steel guitar, and found out about Bobbe, he was the one to field the beginner's questions with patience.

When my brother Sammy Burnham was overseas fighting for our Country, Bobbe responded back to my brother through email with encouragement and understanding.

Some of the best lesson regarding steel ever given was never performed with picks and bars but with a kind and encouraging word, those words that Bobbe offered me.

You'll always be mine and my brother's hero Bobbe,


Dan

Bobbe is in 2 Hall of Fames of which I am aware......the Texas Hall of Fame and MINE!!! If others fail to recognize him as HOF material, well, it is certainly their loss. As a matter of fact, there is another HOF of which he is a member...if you don't believe me, just ask the furry ones that literly owe their lives to him and his flying buddies. Just to emphasize the point....my 4 furry friends have asked me to list their names..... Fancy Dancey, Autumn Lillie, Dexter Cheyenne, and the dreaded, Rodney Nugent. We all love you, Bobbe...which also includes Carol and me.

Aside to the Herbster of 'grammar police' fame.....I have tried to use proper English and to also spell the words correctly....if I have failed, please let me know and I will endeavor to not pilfer anything from you......(this is a test of your memory from the TSGA Jamboree)

Careful or we all will be considered members of this society!

Zane King wrote:FOR THE RECORD! FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE!
BOBBE SEYMOUR IS IN MY HALL OF FAME!

I've been out of the steel guitar "loop" for awhile and imagine my surprise when I look at the current Hall of Fame inductees and I can't find the great Bobbe Seymour. Somebody please tell me that I missed that somewhere. Are you kidding me? All of those that are in are very deserving but this man should be in there NOW!

Does anyone know who is going in this year?

Thanks for the comments Danny! And that's really funny about the Sheriff/California bit.

Someone once said "Stupid is as stupid does". I think Honchos in all industry seem to think honoring someone as great as Bobby when they are long gone is "Attention getting and admirable". These types of egomaniacs belong in the "Idiots Hall of Fame"-----Disgusting!!!

Let's hang in there, he'll get enshrined soon into the SGHOF.

ZANE....
As posted by me this past spring ,I have sent Bobbes bio packet to the "New York State Country Music Assoc" for possible induction into the "Hall of Fame".

The "Hall of Fame" show will be in October and I am getting anxious to say the least.

Maybe a new catagory of "The Best Friend A Steel Player Could Ever Want" could get more attention?
IT WILL HAPPEN SOON
Thanks Zane for this post .

****Bob V****

Bob,

That's terrific! You are right on!

To all, I didn't start this post as a lobbying attempt for Bobbe Seymour. To be honest, I look it up after I got the first reply and I was shocked to not find him listed. For some reason, I just assumed that in my multi-year absence from actively engaging with the industry that he was already enshrined. I'm confident he will go in soon. I'm sure it would mean a lot to him but I also know that he genuinely loves steel guitarist and those of us who recognize his contribution likely means more than the plaque.

ZK

It's true that people often get into a Hall of Fame after their death. Seems like it takes losing them to make people appreciate them. Bobbe certainly belongs their, not just for his playing but for all he has done to help others.

I tell my friends that I don't want any flowers at my funeral. If you want to send me flowers, do it while I can see and smell them. Make sure people like Bobbe get to see and smell the flowers.

Yes i agree with you all about Mr. Bobbe Seymour . Bobbe is a fun loving type of guy and good for the steel guitar world . But i am still waiting on the plane ride he promised me ! You Da man Bobbe . G.P.

Last week I stopped in Bobbe's store while visiting Nashville, and was browsing around the store picking on steels and he stopped what he was doing in his office, pulled up a chair and we talked about steel, airplanes, US Air Force, & cars for over an hour. I was a total stranger and he took his valuable time to hang out with me!! I left just totally impressed! What a guy! We need to get him into the SGHOF. He has done more for SG than anyone else that I can think of. What will it take to get him inducted?

Just to add to the story;

I'm a Sydney-based steeler. I ran out of strings and chose some of Bobbe's Cobra Coils. I hadn't used them before but saw a review somewhere and thought I'd try them. I placed my order and payed my money (including the US$35 freight!!). Anyway, when the strings arrived it turns out they were not the E9-ers I ordered but C6-ers. I emailed Bobbe, who sent an immediate reply apologising and suggesting the new staff member might have something to do with it.

He sent a new set of 6 E9 strings at no charge to me, and suggested I give the C6 strings away locally. My mate Tomi Grasso (left hander!)will get some freebies!

That was a make or break moment for me as a client, but I must say I was impressed. Sydney is a long way from anywere, and to get such GREAT service has won me over. Kudos to Bobbe Seymour.

Dr Stuart Devenish.
Green Show Pro SD10 6x6, Fender Steel King.
(and Cobra Coil strings!) Never sounded better!

I used to think "That Bobbe Seymour is sure nice to me" ...now I find out he's nice to everyone!!

Paul M. Matthews wrote:Someone once said "Stupid is as stupid does". I think Honchos in all industry seem to think honoring someone as great as Bobby when they are long gone is "Attention getting and admirable". These types of egomaniacs belong in the "Idiots Hall of Fame"-----Disgusting!!!

Please clear something up for me, Paul. Just who, specifically, are you calling an "egomaniac," "stupid," an "idiot," and "disgusting?"

Me? Scotty? Bob Maickel? Chuck Lettes? Al Brisco? We're all on the HOF Board, and we're all here on the Forum. Maybe it's not the HOF Board you're referring to, or maybe you just don't have the stones to call us out by name with your snide ass comments?

Usually, when someone insults me, they have the balls to do it to my face.

Ya know, I've personally just about freakin' had it with some of you "champions" of your heroes when complaints about HOF choices wind up being insults to the intelligence and integrity of the Board members. I'm talking not just about this thread, but many others over the years. Whoever taught you people that insulting others will get them to do your bidding did y'all a grave disservice, IMHO.

I'm not speaking for the other HOF Board members, only myself. Personally, snide remarks about my integrity and intelligence piss me off, and I don't particularly feel like being "Forum brother" friendly with the makers of those statements. I recall one incident awhile back when some guy basically said online that I was being bought off with money because his hero hadn't been inducted yet, then he comes up to me at a steel show all friendly like and wonders why I didn't shake his hand and smile the big smile.

Maybe for you, it's okay. But for me, being insulted publicly and apologized to privately just doesn't get it, y'know what I mean?

Most of the time, I just let this crap roll off my back, but sometimes the blathering of guys who know so little about the process that they embarass themselves without even realizing it gets to me.

Read Tom Bradshaw's explanation of how HOF inductees are chosen http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=188778

Also, you might check out the Forum rules, paragraph one:
You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not post any material which is knowingly false, defamatory, libelous, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, racist or illegal.

One more thing, Paul. Your hero, who's a good friend of mine and with whom I had shared several meals and many enjoyable hours this past weekend, spells his name "Bobbe." You should at least get THAT right.

BTW, Zane, I don't include you in my rant above. I think you understand the process.

uh oh ! zee Herbster is unleashed ! - that's a nono cause there ain't no stoppin' him once he's loose
better invite him in & offer some liquid entertainement & apologies

when i discovered this forum & the world of steel 9 years ago, Bobbe was the first person i dealt with
i copped a nice Bud D10 from him & he treated me real good
of course we all know, he deserves more than a plaque in a hotel lobby
where would we be without him ?