The Steel Guitar Forum

I was not familiar with Kayton Roberts but learned of his new CD recently.

He was the steel player for Hank Snow for 30 years.

He's got a recently released CD called "Valley Of The Roses" that really allows his console steel work to shine.

Also on the recording is Marty Stuart, Kenny Vaughn, Ranger Doug, Chris Scruggs and others.

I've never heard a console player with his level of ability, touch and technique.

Several discussions of Kayton here:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... on+roberts

and here:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... on+roberts

I wanted to get this over here in the steel without pedals section.

It would be great if someone on here could tab out Valley of the Roses. Amazing album by the way. I bought as soon as I watched the Marty Stuart vids.

That YouTube clip for "Valley of the Roses" is about the prettiest thing I've heard.

Yes, Kayton is awesome.

Here is Jerry Byrd's earlier (1961) recording of Valley of the Roses ----> Click

I saw Kayton at the Canadian steel show last year, what a player and showman. He was the only steel player I saw there ,everyone else was playing pedal steel. Kayton, in my opinion, blew them all out of the water! He put on an excellent show, his energy level belies his age. Someone described him as the oldest teenager in Nashville, that pretty much summed it up.

Paul DiMaggio wrote:...his energy level belies his age.

That was my thought too after watching him with Marty and the boys. His joyous additude comes out in his playing. There's a lesson to be learned there, I think.

I had no idea that Roy Orbison was co-writer of Valley of the Roses, Doug!

...his energy level belies his age.

Yes, he's so animated and energetic!

Looks like Kayton still uses his DeArmond volume pedal. Wonder what kind of pot is in there.

Tony Lombardo wrote:That YouTube clip for "Valley of the Roses" is about the prettiest thing I've heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLM9iJCdI80

That clip was just soooo great. Thanks.

...and I like Marty's "Duane Eddy" style solo. He has a killer tone on that Telecaster.

Kayton is the King of volume swell, but in the harmonic section, after Marty's guitar motif, Kayton plays some upward slides with an effect I cannot figure out. Its at 1:56 and sounds like the notes are "squeazed." Can someone enlighten me there please?

At 1:56... as far as I can see he's just sliding the bar up and down and working the volume pedal.

Oh I get it. The old volume-pedal trick! (Maxwell Smart voice.) I missed that. Thanks Doug.

Hi,

There is another lesson to be learned: Kayton has played the same steel--and only that steel--since he bought it new in 1951. That's a lesson I have yet to learn.

He also uses a Stevens bar, which is "all wrong" for electric steel. Too bad he doesn't know any better.

Dave C.--I just got the CD. Maybe I'll let you hear it...

Best,

Bob

I had never heard of Kayton Roberts until I heard him On the Marty Stuart Show a while back but I am really glad that I know about him and his great playing now.

Bob, yes, it's amazing that Kayton has been playing that same Fender D-8 for 60 years. He's never played or owned any other steel guitar! I became aware of Kayton back in 1970s when I discovered his "Twin Steel Guitars" album (Kayton and Roy Wiggins). That record knocked me out! I love his aggressive "all in" style of playing.

Thanks for the nice photo Doug.

David M: I am pretty sure he is working the tone knob for that wah effect.

There a couple of cool old photos in the CD liner. One shows him with the Fender ca 1955 in Dixie Co, Florida, before he painted it red. The other is a Hank Snow band shot that includes another great Florida musician, Chubby Wise.

Bob

Was his guitar blonde before he painted it Bob? The reason I ask, is because there are a couple of what look to be recent videos on YouTube where he is playing a blonde one. here is one with his son.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv6JTQwGK6Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-3DFoift68
Maybe got the old girl refinished?

Hi Paul,

It was originally blond.

That must be another steel he is playing in the video with his son. (He's got some nerve playing another steel, even if it is the same model!)

Recent videos--and the CD cover shot--show him playing the red one.

He painted it red sometime after joining Snow's group. Apparently not immediately, as it is blond in the old band shot in the CD insert.

What a guy!