The Steel Guitar Forum

I saw Webb Pierce in the mid 1950's in the Minneapolis, MN area--As I remember, Sonny Burnette was the only musician with Webb--local musicians did back up for Webb. The thing I remember is that Sonny retuned his Bigsby while Webb told that Sonny was experimenting with some new sounds; then he sang Slowly and More and More and Sonny did the rest. I've read on the Forum that this Bigsby was made for Johnny Sibert and Webb bought it for Sonny to get the Bud Issacs sound; one place I read said it had no pedals and another place said that it had pedals--does anyone know the true story about this Bigsby and what was Sonny tuning to.

I'm just wondering since the early History of the pedal steel is fascinating.

Bob Jennings

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I'm sure it must have had pedals.
That was the sound that made Webb popular, it sure wasn't his voice.
Erv

The Bigsby did indeed have pedals. The Bigsby was later modified by Shot Jackson and sold to Lloyd Green.

Erv Niehaus wrote:it sure wasn't his voice

Often thought it, feel better now Erv's said it

Ian,
Thanks for reinforcing my opinion.
Erv

Gentlemen:

Thank you for the info.

Bob J.

I remember listening to the Louisiana Hayride as a kid and Webb would be on there every now and then and he almost always had a problem staying on tune.

I disagree, Erv. That's Hillbilly Music at it's BEST.

Bill

Webb obviously wasn't the best singer of his time, but I dont think he was a terrible singer either. I mean he would've had to have been the biggest country singer of the 50s for a reason other than steel guitar.

Of course there's more to being a singer than just the singing.
He may well have had appeal over and above what we hear now just from the records.

Just because you're popular doesn't make you a good singer.
Erv

Erv Niehaus wrote:I'm sure it must have had pedals.
That was the sound that made Webb popular, it sure wasn't his voice.
Erv

Erv, how 'bout a little respect. Webb had thirteen #1 records, another fifty in the Top 20, and a career that spanned over 30 years.

I don't care for Bob Dylan, either.
See how you want to handle that.
Erv

What Bill F. said. Italics, boldfaced, underlined, 48-pt. and excessive exclamation marks.

Thanks, Ben. The great Hillbilly voices that brought the steel guitar to its peak, yet many don't appreciate them. Hard to understand. Same with the 5 string banjo. The great Bill Monroe, and Flatt & Scruggs. The best Bluegrass, ever. Yet, the 5-string gets bad-mouthed here, too. And the Dobro. There is just one (1) great Dobro player, and that is Uncle Josh Graves. Many rave about a current player, but he isn't even close to Josh in Bluegrass quality. Wouldn't consider the current a Bluegrass player.

Don't you love opinions?

Bill

Yes, Sonny Burnette!

The player that (according to Buddy Emmons) first split the A&B pedals.

Erv Niehaus wrote: I don't care for Bob Dylan, either.
See how you want to handle that. Whoa!
Erv

I handle it just fine, Erv. Kinda "apples and oranges", though. You see...Bob Dylan never had a #1 record.