The Steel Guitar Forum

This is a great concert from ‘81. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=94nNyutXuF0
Who’s that ripping on the pedal steel?
Thanks,
Nick

Big Jim Murphy

I saw Paycheck in Louisville around this same time along with Elvin Bishop. I'm pretty sure one of the Murphys was on steel. Either Big Jim or Wally. I think it was Big Jim, but it's been a long time.

{Edit:} Never mind, I see Darrell has beat me to it.

That is Big Jim Murphy on Sho~bud pedal Steel. And here's a picture of me playing that very Sho~bud Pro II Custom....as I used to keep and tech all of Murph's steels when he lived here. Gosh I miss him and you got me teary-eyed as I watched/listened almost through that whole video. Murph always monstered over everything he played...incredible.

Ricky

Thank you guys. Man, he tears it up. If anyone wants to post a link to another video of him that you recommend that would be great.
Thanks,
Nick

Just do a search here with Big Jim Murphy in the box. It will turn up a bunch of stuff.

I don't know how much you know about him and you may already know this, but he passed away a few years back. He was a monster player on pedal guitar and those without pedals too. He was also a killer sax player and lord knows what else.

I used to go see him at Gabe's around Nashville in the 90s. I know he did some things with Mr. Telewacker himself, Redd Volkaert. Just great.

Was Jim Murphy playing steel for Paycheck in '84?

Jim and Redd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7n6jcSP06w

Jerry Overstreet wrote:Just do a search here with Big Jim Murphy in the box. It will turn up a bunch of stuff.

I don't know how much you know about him and you may already know this, but he passed away a few years back. He was a monster player on pedal guitar and those without pedals too. He was also a killer sax player and lord knows what else.

I used to go see him at Gabe's around Nashville in the 90s. I know he did some things with Mr. Telewacker himself, Redd Volkaert. Just great.

I don’t know nearly enough about so many steel players, but thanks to you guys I’m learning a little every day.
Thanks,
Nick

It looks and sounds like Wally Murphy to me.

Jerry Overstreet wrote:I know he did some things with Mr. Telewacker himself, Redd Volkaert. Just great.

Heybale

Fred, 100% Jim Murphy. As far as I know, Wally never toured with Paycheck.

I had the pleasure of doing a cd with Jim several years ago called Memories of Shot.

And Johnnie Barber on drums
IMHO the best shuffle drummer to come out of Nashville
W

Nice full two-handed blocking at 4:20.

There's also a corresponding LP from this concert "Live at the Lonestar Cafe NYC"

Totally great stuff!

I was in a band that fronted Paycheck in 1984 for 2 nights in a row. I remember Paul Justice coming in the first night and when we finished he asked to borrow my volume control so he could practice the next day with Paycheck's band. Their band was fantastic the first night, but sounded even better the second night with twin fiddles. I can't remember who played steel, but I don't think it was Murphy.

Floyd Lowery wrote:I was in a band that fronted Paycheck in 1984 for 2 nights in a row. I remember Paul Justice coming in the first night and when we finished he asked to borrow my volume control so he could practice the next day with Paycheck's band. Their band was fantastic the first night, but sounded even better the second night with twin fiddles. I can't remember who played steel, but I don't think it was Murphy.

Floyd,that could have been Chuck Mandes,Jack Smith,or Bucky Baxter you saw w/Paycheck...all personal friends of mine.

SH

Steve Hinson wrote:

Floyd Lowery wrote:I was in a band that fronted Paycheck in 1984 for 2 nights in a row. I remember Paul Justice coming in the first night and when we finished he asked to borrow my volume control so he could practice the next day with Paycheck's band. Their band was fantastic the first night, but sounded even better the second night with twin fiddles. I can't remember who played steel, but I don't think it was Murphy.

Floyd,that could have been Chuck Mandes,Jack Smith,or Bucky Baxter you saw w/Paycheck...all personal friends of mine.

SH

Yep, who ever it was, he was a great picker. It was at a large dance hall by the name of "The Rusty Spur" just outside of Birmingham.

Norman Evans, thanks for posting that video of big Jim and Red. Wow, the second tune, Bubbles In My Beer, illustrates a style of steel guitar playing absolutely no other instrument can mimic. That's why I love the pedal steel.

Ricky Davis wrote:That is Big Jim Murphy on Sho~bud pedal Steel. And here's a picture of me playing that very Sho~bud Pro II Custom....as I used to keep and tech all of Murph's steels when he lived here. Gosh I miss him and you got me teary-eyed as I watched/listened almost through that whole video. Murph always monstered over everything he played...incredible.

Ricky

Ricky, here in Nashville Jim had a gig that was every Saturday night. When he got the job with Asleep at the wheel, he called me and asked me if I'd be the ongoing sub for him at the gig. There was one stipulation, if he got back in town on certain weekends, he could call me and take the gig that night. That lasted for about 7 years for me.

Anyway, it was a nice honor for one of my idols since I was a kid to be asked to do that. I also had Hal Rugg as my sub when I couldn't do it. I remember calling Hal to sub and he said he was on his way to Arizona and decided to move away from Nashville.

That is so Cool Ron; thanks for sharing the Memory.
Ricky

Great thread gents...Here’s Big Jim doing some bluegrass, beautiful chops. https://youtu.be/j0-xU6Rsclg

Hey Larry; thanks for posting that memory. That was another Sho~bud I kept up and set up for Murph and it was a rare Sho~bud Pro~II originally Built for Doug Jernigan early 70's.
Then Doug turned it back in when he got his next one and Shot Jackson gave it to Jim Murphy. Here's a couple pics after I finished refurbing it as it sat in the case a long while when Murph got his Dick Miller and Bethel steels.
But here's that beautiful two-tone Pro~II green/blonde and yes count'um 10 pedals 8 knee levers.....wow...he loved it.


Ricky

That’s one sweet looking steel!