The Steel Guitar Forum

In this iconic footage of Bob Wills, I've always wondered who this guy "Bobby" was. Been learning about Leon, Herb, Noel and others but still not sure.
Watching this is still mesmerizing for me and is the epitome of everything I love about the early Steel sound.
Any guesses also to what's going on here with tunings?
Thanks

Full Song
https://youtu.be/5sS5jSbV0Vg

Right to the good stuff
https://youtu.be/5sS5jSbV0Vg?t=79

Might be Bobby Koeffer

Ahhh, I had seen that name in posts here but didn't realize he was in the Playboys. I think you're right- Thanks

Yes that's him. Unusual style, eh?. Thumb and holding an old flat bar that way. He likes to look straight at the audience and not at the fretboard.

Scotty's has some tunings listed for him (third row):

http://www.scottysmusic.com/tunings.htm

Thanks - I see his E13 is same as McAuliffe's.
I guess it is a bit unusual using just the thumb now that I've seen some others play.

Bobby Koefer

Here he is with Pee Wee King.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GiD7r0H2PU

Thanks Landon

You're most welcome. You and I both share a common love for the non-pedal steel, it seems!

Brentley Dahmer wrote: Watching this is still mesmerizing for me and is the epitome of everything I love about the early Steel sound.

I AGREE!

He was with Bob Wills the same time my mother was (circa 1950) and on this MGM recording of hers.... https://youtu.be/0g82tFC28eI

A couple more clips of Bobby and my brother a few years back...enjoy!

https://youtu.be/nvg7jrVYvT0

https://youtu.be/8SYSaBcUpb4

...and just ONE thumb pick !

Wow, Great stuff Mr. Blair.
Thanks for sharing.

I think that is Cotton Whittington playing what looks like an old Epiphone upside down no less.
I sure do like the steel on these recordings as well.
Would love to have any of those guitars, lap steel or the old single cutaway.