The Steel Guitar Forum

Back in 1971 I recall going on a couple occasions to a club somewhere in the north end of Seattle, or maybe just beyond the city limit, and watching a top 40 style country band. I was a long haired young guy who really didn't fit in with the crowd, but no one bothered me as I was obviously there to hear the steel player.

I used to sit behind the steel player and absorb everything about his playing. He played an Emmons D10 through a Twin Reverb with JBLs. He tuned the E neck down to D to reduce string breakage. He certainly impressed me at the time, but I can't recall his name. I'm wondering if that might have been Ray Monte. Does anyone remember who he was?

PS: He was definitely not the long haired steel player from Lance Romance, whose name I've also forgotten. And it was not Lee Gillespie who gave steel lessons down around Federal Way.

Was it the Lil Red Hen? Was it Dave Harmonson?
Just a guess...
All the best
Brian Saulsman

I don't recall the name of the club, but it was a pretty good size place. The crowd was older people, not young hippie types. I think the band was the house band and probably played there 5 or 6 nights per week.

I would guess the steel player was in his mid 30s, which was old to me at the time. He was certainly not new to the instrument. I don't know if that describes Dave H or not.

I also remember that the mystery player was pretty good on the C6 neck and did some nice two foot work on the pedals.

I think it was established in the ‘50s. Don’t know how long a Country Dave has been playing there regularly but he’s there a lot. He’s a member so I imagine he could tell you for sure who you’re thinking of.

You could ask at Trading Musician, the guitar store at Aurora /84th, Emerald City, Mike's guitar bar, guitar shops like that, those guys have been on the scene for decades and some of them have crazy good memory for a lot of PSG players I never heard of. And they actually like answering questions like that if they're not too busy. Kinda like Brian

Course all those shops are closed right now.

Paul Sutherland wrote:He played an Emmons D10 through a Twin Reverb with JBLs. He tuned the E neck down to D to reduce string breakage. He certainly impressed me at the time, but I can't recall his name. I'm wondering if that might have been Ray Monte. Does anyone remember who he was?

This is just a wild guess but could it have been the great Jim Webb? He's an exceptional player that I believe is from that area and he plays an Emmons D-10 bolt-on.

Another name that pops out is Ray Robinson. Great player from the Seattle area.

I have no recollection at all of his name, but thanks for the suggestions. All I remember is the steel and amp. Funny how that goes.