The Steel Guitar Forum

San Diego 1947:

Ernest Tubb, Eddie Kirk, Roy Hogsed, Butterball Paige, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and an unidentified individual. Anyone know who the guy on the far right is?

Looks a lot like Leon McAuliffe, to me.

No, it’s definitely not Leon.

no it is NOT Leon

Smokey Rogers?

You may be right, Rich. He died there in 1993, and was playing there in the 40-50's time frame.

Bill

It doesn't look like Smokey Rogers to me, based on an internet search.

This is just a wild guess, the guy on the right looks like a very young Billy Mize, But he was usually in Bakersfield or LA area.

It is not Smokey Rogers.

And look at that guitar!

Looks like maybe a Martin 0-45 or O-42.

Jimmy Rodgers' guitar?

I'm thinking that's Leon Rhodes on the right side.

Jack or Bill Drake?

He strikes me as a sideman, but why would he be in a group picture with those singers?

(And yes, I think Ernest Tubb is holding Jimmy Rodger's custom made 1927 Martin 000-45. Rodger's widow loaned it to him when Jimmy passed away and Tubb played it for the next 40 years. It has "thanks" written on the back of it.)

Brad Bechtel wrote:I'm thinking that's Leon Rhodes on the right side.

I agree that it does resemble Leon. But if that picture is really from 1947, then that would make Leon 15 years old, having started playing guitar one year earlier, and he joined ET's band in 1960 - https://www.vintageguitar.com/2858/leon-rhodes/

Dave Mudgett wrote:

Brad Bechtel wrote:I'm thinking that's Leon Rhodes on the right side.

I agree that it does resemble Leon. But if that picture is really from 1947, then that would make Leon 15 years old, having started playing guitar one year earlier, and he joined ET's band in 1960 - https://www.vintageguitar.com/2858/leon-rhodes/

So much for that idea...

Not Billy Mize, he would have been 18 in that picture.

Could it be Jimmie Short? He and Leon Short both played for ET.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V5nUT6jN2E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyQKlttokOQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev1WJKXdB98

Still wondering about this guy...maybe we're wrong thinking he was from Tubb's band? Could'a been another singer, maybe...Rex Allen?




Or...Tex Williams?

I don't think it's anybody yet mentioned.

Of the 5 known guys, only 2 have any known connection to the Tubb band.

The other 3 are well known LA guys.

The unknown guy could well be LA as well.

Are the 2 guys shown below the same person??

how do you know the pic is from 1947? I don't think it is ET looks older than 33 and EF looks older than 28. Not thinking about this pic I pulled up a Texas Troubador vid on utube this morning with Leon Rhodes on guitar and if that ain't Leon in that pic....I don't know ??

Leon Rhodes in 1949; the year he turned 17.

Heavy eyebrows, broad nose.

I don't think so.

I agree that the 1947 date is dubious, but certainly possible.

Roy Hogsed and Eddie Kirk never recorded until mid 1947.

Ernie Ford first recorded in 1949, although he was certainly active in LA before that.

I also agree that Ford looks older than 28, but that can be deceiving............Roy Hogsed, third from left, is only 10 months younger than Ernie.

Eddie Kirk is 1 month younger than Ford, but those sunken cheeks means he is one of those guys who could buy beer at 15. He looks 40 in this pic, but he's 28 if 1947 is correct.

How old is the guy on the far right?

You got a good one going here Brad

no idea but I'd believe Rex Allen

If Butterball is in the picture then the guy on the end would not be Leon Rhodes.