Bobbe Seymour-Memories of My Visits With Bobbe

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 18 May 2014 5:45 pm

Bobbe Seymour was a friend of mine beginning in 2002 when I purchased a vintage 1936 Gibson lap steel from him. He enjoyed looking at and playing vintage lap steels. Often, he insisted on giving me CDs, Videos, and Instructional Materials.

Bobbe was an excellent lap steel and pedal steel player and Steel Guitar Hall of Fame Member. He will be missed by steel guitar players.

BOBBE SEYMOUR-MEMORIES OF MY VISITS WITH BOBBE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSjrgwBmdVM

Robert Allen · Post by **Robert Allen** » 18 May 2014 7:31 pm

I used to buy parts from his store, then one day the phone wasn't working and after doing a search discovered Bobbe had passed away. The web site is still up including the cart to enter orders, pay and checkout. I heard the store had closed. Are they open now or has someone neglected to take down the web site?

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 18 May 2014 7:52 pm

Robert the store is closed with no apparent prospect of re-opening.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 19 May 2014 6:22 am

There's a long discussion in the Gone Home section of this forum. Read page 9 and onward to learn the status of the store. At this point it's closed.

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 20 May 2014 3:00 pm

I talked with Bobbe's Uncle Doug this afternoon. Uncle Doug was kind to give additional information, and a YouTube comment, and for recalling Bobbe playing my vintage steels in the video. Lavern Skarzenski, a Forum member, who was called "Cousin Vern" by Bobbe, also sent me an email with additional information.

Uncle Doug said that Jim "Shorty" Luce, the bass player, now deceased, was from Erie, PA. Also, that he and Shorty played together when he, Uncle Doug, got his first steel. That steel was an Airline from a mail order catalog. Uncle Doug stated the video was "Nice Memory".

Information from Cousin Vern stated that he drove Uncle Doug and Shorty from NY to Bobbe's store in Hendersonville, TN. He said Shorty's wishes were "At the very least a chance to play bass with Bobbe. He got his wish." He also stated that "In the video between time 2:14 and 2:42 you can get a glimpse of me sitting off to the side of Bobbe."

Thanks to you, Cousin Vern, and to Uncle Doug for the additional information. I am glad that I had saved the photos and could publish the YouTube video. You are both great guys.

Sincerely,

C. E.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 20 May 2014 3:36 pm

Bobbe played at the MassBash several years ago, and I drove him from his hotel to the venue and back again after the show. It was about a 45 minute drive each way, so we chatted quite a bit, and what great stories he had! He knew Everyone in the business and he had lots of inside info and insight. He hooked me up with some steel guitar parts I needed and he gave me a great deal on them.
Another one of my Bobbe memories was way back about 1979. I saw him play in a small club in printer's alley in Nashville. The band did Rocky Top and Bobbe played a blazing speedpicking solo using his delay setting, Albert Lee style. I was blown away! He also played his signature Travis style picking on C6 on a couple of songs. I spoke to him during the break and he was very gracious to this goofy long haired youngster from the frozen North!

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 20 May 2014 6:36 pm

Doug, thanks for your comment. Bobbe seemed to respect and take time with people, young or old, amateur or professional. I found him to be that type person.

C. E.

Michael Lester · Post by **Michael Lester** » 20 May 2014 6:57 pm

In the early 80s, my family was a guest of Bobbe's at the Opry. My wife, 10 year old son and I were to meet Bobbe at a back door for the artists...Bobbe was playing that night with Jean Shepherd...

When we got to the door, a gatekeeper informed us that our son couldn't get back stage because the age requirement was 12... Bobbe immediately picked up the gauntlet and enlisted Jean Shepherd...who, it turned out, takes no crap from anybody...by the time she was done, the guard had withered a good bit and we were back stage...

Bobbe introduced us to Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, Oswald and countless others - ALL knew him.

What a memory he gave us that night.

Michael

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 21 May 2014 5:54 am

Michael, thanks for the comment. A wonderful memory for you and your family. Again, this incident shows that Bobbe was a friendly and helpful person.

C. E.

Tom Gray · Post by **Tom Gray** » 21 May 2014 7:07 am

In the 1980s I used to visit Bobbe's store every time I was in Nashville. A lot of steel players hung out there, and for somebody starting on the instrument it was a great place to be a fly on the wall. Bobbe always took time to ask about me and what I was doing. This might sound a little crazy, but later at home he became my imaginary teacher. If I got stuck on a bit of technique I would think of Bobbe and how he might approach the problem. Something must have seeped in on some level, because he was often quite helpful.

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 21 May 2014 11:31 am

Thanks for sharing those great memories, Tom. Bobbe took time to talk, ask questions, and share his steel guitar techniques with players. What a great friend!

C. E.

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 21 May 2014 11:52 am

I just received this photo from Bobbe's Uncle Doug.

This photo is in 1947 after Uncle Doug had graduated and joined the band "SUNSET RAMBLERS" where he called the square dances and played steel. He said that he later converted this Epiphone to a triple neck and gave it to Bobbe when he purchased a MultiKord steel.

Bobbe certainly had a great inspirational example to follow as he grew up.

C. E.

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 21 May 2014 3:54 pm

Received another email with history of Bobbe's early learning to play steel guitar from Uncle Doug. He would be posting himself, but he has lost his log in information so I am posting information for him. Here is a copy of his email:

"I gave Bobbe an 8 string lap steel, a Keisel, I think and then later gave him the home-made Epiphone triple neck I had when I got my MultiKord. I just got him started as a beginning teen.....he lived with me and my Mom & Dad while his Dad was in the Navy (WWll) so he was there when I got my Montgomery-Ward 6 string lap Airline. That was when I met "Shorty" as a senior the fall of 1946. I was calling square dances and had learned "Georgia Steel Guitar" enough to get through it. It was easier for me than "Steel Guitar Rag" which I eventually learned also. Shorty played muted trumpet and guitar and later played bass that winter when the leader went to Florida for a vacation. The bass player switched to fiddle & Shorty did the bass. Bobbe visited me at Xmas & New Years about 1967~ and showed me the 4 string grips he had learned in Texas. I worked on them (C6th) for 6 months or so before I got so I could use them well. He taught me much more than I ever taught him! I just helped him get started.....he was already interested! Uncle Doug"

Thanks Uncle Doug.
C. E.