The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello again: A few days ago I posted a question about one of the Mother's Best shows that Hank Williams did; I had wondered about the steel player on the show that starts out with Hank singing "I Can't Help It" for possibly the first time..think the show was aired in April of 1951. I had thought all along that a different steeler was ussed other than Don Helms on that recording. Last night, I decided to go to Jett Williams' site and see what I could find out there. My intent was to send Jett an email, asking the same question; instead..I got a nice note from a lady named Gina Coletti who sent me this reply which I am going to post here as I think all might be interested:
Mr. Kaufman,

Thanks for the email and interest. You have a good ear. I've been told that the show you are referring to, Don Helms is not the steel player. They believe it is Johnny Sibert who played with Big Jeff Bess, then, Carl Smith's band The Tunesmiths.

Best regards,
Gina M. Coletti
Executive Assistant
AdJett Productions

Don Helms was definitely on those Radio Shows with Hank Williams from 1949-51. Here is a picture of Hank's Drifting Cowboys Band during that time.

http://www.otrcat.com/mothers-best-flour-p-49207.html

Roger: No one here is doubting that Don wwas with Hank during those years; he indeed was on most of the Mother's Best shows..but not all of them!

Tom, I'm sure it was customary for Steel Players to sub for each other on shows like that. I am a fan of Johnny Siebert and know he certainly could do the job for Hank, as he did so well for Carl Smith.
I did not mean to imply that Siebert didn't play on some of those shows. Jerry Byrd may well have played on some of them since he was on several of Hanks records too.