The Steel Guitar Forum

Another thread about John made me think of this piece.
John, Vassar Clements, Chuck Leavel on piano and Dickey on guitar. 14 and a half minutes of fun stuff.
http://youtu.be/Md7qo7Lb72Q

One of the recordings that made me want to learn steel!

Here is a link from a while back on this subject. Totally agree, one of the best albums around.

http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum10/HTML/002834.html

Great C6 playing by John Hughey! I bought this album when it came out in 1974 and wore it out. In 1981 I took a couple of lessons from John in Nashville and got an up-close look at his C6 playing. What a fabulous player!

Saw the tour supporting this album at East Carolina University. Dickey, Vassar and Chuck. Julian Tharpe was on steel.

I bought the LP "Highway Call" when it first came out and am still enjoying it to this day... I transfered it to CD a year or two back so I could play it in the car...........JH in Va.

I am a lover of this album as well. Made me realize just how much Conway's steel player really, really had it going on...I still have the album and listen to it from time to time and John's playing always puts a smile on my face.

For Spotify users: The album is there but listed under Richard Betts, not Dick...
Wonderful stuff

I first met John shortly after that album came out. Never knew he even played C6th until then. He had some good stories to tell about those sessions.

Also very cool John's photo along with Vassar's was on the LP:

CHUCK LEAVEL NOW LIVES ABOUT 40 MLES FROM ME
HE DOES PIANO CONCERTS HERE IN HAWKINSVILLE ABOUT TWICE A YEAR

Chuck Leavell has beeen a costant in the Rolling Stones' touring band for years. Did you attend a solo concert by him, Buddy?

NO THERE ON SATURDAY NITES AND IM WAS PLAYING SOMEWHERE
AT THAT TIME . I MAY SEE THE NEXT ONE .CHUCK OWN A BIG PLANTATION HUNTING TYPE FARM IN TWIGGS COUNTY GA

Chuck has a tree farm,too...it's about 15 miles from my place...Chuck's is in Twiggs County,Ga...mine is in Bleckley County.

steve you kow im from bleckley co. uhhh
are we branch kin

We might be...you know that Rabun Coley was my cousin...

Me too. This record blew me away. Wasn't playing PSG yet but rather the dobro when it came out. I think I learned as much about PSG backup as bebopping a lead Tx to Hughey. John was a monster on the 6th neck but I recall him telling me don't let a Nashville producer see you playing it. I'll bet that's the reason he became a master at getting that 6th sound on the 9th neck. - ie listen to Vince Gille's "I'll Take Texas"

A recent Dickey Betts interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ztQV-YV-EI

Still available on Amazon and other sites for under $5. Just ordered one.

i can't count the times i heard a new tune on the radio and the steel sound, as mike said, made me smile and it turned out to be john playing.

as for john's c6...oklahoma borderline with vince on some tv presentation..maybe austin city limits..just kills me with the joy that comes through! it was the last tune and it goes on and on. talk about smiling!

and you've got to give vince credit...my favorite killer guitat player...he was smiling so hard he was laughing.

The lead pickers are great but no one mentioned the bass playing. GREAT JOB I will buy this one.

Darrel

I am another who bought this album when it came out. Dickie Betts is one of the most melodic guitarists that I have heard. His solos have always been very tuneful. When I saw John's photo on the back of the album cover at my local record store, I bought it straight away. This is one great album, and I will get a hold of a CD of it if I can.

I found the vinyl of this in a bargain basement last week for £1! Very pleased with myself