The Steel Guitar Forum

This article was done a few years ago. Found it this morning and thought I'd share it here. What I like about it is that Hank tells how they got that old Capitol Record sound on Hank Thompson and Friends. Also I really liked the part about him wanting Bobby Garrett on the album and his reason why. Hank still sounds great on that old Gibson of his. I also think the 3 live albums (Live at the Gold Nugget, Live at Cheyenne Wyoming, and Live at the State Fair of Texas) are among the best stuff I've ever heard. What a band!

Rick http://www.countrystandardtime.com/hankthompsonFEATURE.html

Rick

Rick,
I'll bet that makes you proud to be your father's son.
Erv

Rick,

I will be paying tribute to the Steel Guitarists of Hank Thompson on this Friday's "Swingin' West" show and your dad of course will be featured in one of the sets. Dusty Stewart told me that he will be listening and I also sent e-mails to Pee Wee Whitewing and Bert Rivera. There will also be sets dedicated to Lefty Nason, Bob White and Curly Chalker.

If anybody is interested in listening it will be on live on Friday from 1-4 PM (eastern) on FM here in Connecticut and heard world wide on the Internet on www.swinginwest.com
It streams with either Windows Media Player or Quick Time.

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Mike

Yessir Erv it surely does make me proud!

Thanks for the heads up Mike. I'll give the show a listen. I love that western swing.

Rick

Rick,

It will be my pleasure to have you out there listening.

Mike

Hank Thompson, in that article, hit the nail on the head when it comes to what's wrong with most of today's so-called "country" music. A small cadre of corporate hacks are controlling what gets on the air, passing off what is largely trash as "contemporary country." My late father was a big fan of Hank's, and I grew up listening to the real thing. Thank God that true artists like him are still around and working so that we still have something good to listen to, even if the idiots that run the radio stations won't play it.

Yeah Hank's got a good handle on the obvious headaches coming out of Nashville these days.

Rick

"Hank still sounds great on that old Gibson of his."
I was lucky enough to work a show with Hank about 3 years ago. He was playing a real cool Heritage with his name on the neck in pearl. I met him outside the club at his car and he handed me the case and said "Son, would you take this in and tune it up for me?" I'll never forget that!

Dyke, I've done that a couple of times too!

I got to meet Hank up in Mt. Pleasant about 3 years ago. He was scheduled to play at the Burton Harris Jamboree up there. Great guy with lots of stories to tell. Anyhow he sounded just like he sounded 40 years ago. Looked to me like at that time he was playing a Gibson Jumbo. That one had his name on the fret board in pearl too. Could have been a Heritage I guess. I was so taken with the music he was making on it that I didn't pay enough attention to the guitar.

Rick

Rick, I enjoyed Hank Thompson music as well. I want you to know of a gentleman here where I live. He played clubs some in the Dallas area and was telling me about playing one night when your dad was the steel player. He said Bobby was head and shoulders above everyone else, and your dad sure made an impression on him with his steel playing. That has been many years ago and this gentleman still talks about Bobby Garrett.

Hear Bobby Garrett and all of the other great Hank Thompson steel player on "Swingin' West" today from 1-4PM Eastern!
Link in from www.swinginwest.com

Mike Gross

I've had the pleasure of working a few of Hank's shows at Midwest Country. One of the things I enjoyed the most was before and between shows he would sit and talk about music and the people he worked with in the industry. During one of his gigs, the Hank and Friends had just been released, so we were talking about it. One of the things I remember Hank saying about the project was that before they started recording he had a meeting with all the musicians to explain what he wanted recorded. Hank said he pulled out a number of 78rpm's and played them for the group and said, "This is the sound I'm looking for." He told us what records he played, but I don't recall the titles.

Besides Hank's willingness to talk and disucss music history with a bunch of strangers, the other thing that impressed me about Hank was his ability to remember so many details. A very sharp man.

Hey Paul, thanks for sharing that story. What is that guys name that you referred to? I might know him. Also wonder if he'll be going to Dallas to the steel show. Might get a chance to meet him there. Thanks

Rick

Rick, You have email on this topic.

I worked a week with Hank Thompson in October
in Mountain View, Arkansas.He played a beautiful Heritage guitar built for him. He sings as good as ever and remembers every detail of the good old days! His only concession to the years and his health is a stool he uses instead of standing all thru the show. I am going to play two shows with him on Valentine's Day at the McAllen, Texas Civic Center. HE is still one of my favorite artists.

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Jack
I love the flavor of Hanks music .
Rick G !
your Dad has been an inspiration to me & I still
try to get his stile in Hanks T's songs when we
do them . One of my favorite , is , " Hang over Hart "

I'm the worst at an-others stile , But close enough to have fun with his music .

Hick

Thanks Paul! Hope to meet you guys in Dallas.

Bob, don't feel all alone. I can't stay with him either. IN fact I've been working on one particular solo of his from the Hank Thompson and friends album for days. Six pack to go has some really great swingin licks on it. Thanks for mentioning my dad and I'm glad you're having fun with his music.

Rick

Your welcome Rick !
That end tag your dad did on "Six Pack to go"
is something else ! It just makes the song .
I do it on a String Master , so I can't get bang
for the buck that your dad did , but !
Another grate tune !

Hick

Does anyone remember the album Hank recorded, perhaps in the 1980s, where he used both Bob White & Curly Chalker on steel guitar?

It was called "Back In The Swing Of Things" and was done for ABC Dot in 1976.

Mike Gross www.swinginwest.com

I think we are all blessed to still have Hank Thompson with us, let alone still touring and recording. It's so great that one of the original pioneers is still alive and able to share his valuable and important recollections of the golden age of country and western swing. I'm very pleased to hear of the the talent that lined up to be part of his new recording.

Of all the western swing artists, I like Hank the most. His vocal style is so warm and friendly. It is so personable, which makes it a pleasure to listen to over and over without fatigue. He is very articulate in his phrasing, and brings a ton of class to any song he sings.