Who was the steeler?

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 23 Sep 2001 8:16 am

1973 Cal Smith record, something about "I know I'm a sinner, but the Lord and I will have a talk about it later tonight."

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 23 Sep 2001 9:55 am

I would guess John Hughey or Weldon Myrick.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 23 Sep 2001 11:06 am

Didn't Buddy Charleton do some of his sessions?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 23 Sep 2001 4:22 pm

The Lord knows I'm drinkin', and runnin' around. And He don't need your big mouth, informin' the town. The Lord knows I'm sinnin', and sinnin' ain't right. But me and the good Lord's gonna have us a good talk later tonight.

(At least, I think that's how it went.)

Cal did this in '71 or '72, I believe...and the song was called "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking" I believe the steelman was either Pete Drake, or maybe Buddy Charleton.[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 23 September 2001 at 05:43 PM.]

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 23 Sep 2001 7:10 pm

I always thought it was Pete Drake.

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 24 Sep 2001 8:22 am

It was John Hughey!!!!!!

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 24 Sep 2001 11:30 am

I worked for Cal back in the early 80's & loved to play those chops on the show.John Hughey, I believe.
An interesting sidenote to that particular band we had;Danny Groah(guitar), now plays for Alan Jackson, Randy Hardison(drums) is now a successful songwriter & session musician here in Nashville.
Dana Williams(bass & vocals) is a prominent member of Diamond Rio.
as for me.....I wish I was still working with Cal, best job I ever had

[This message was edited by Mike Cass on 24 September 2001 at 12:38 PM.]

Bob Knight · Post by **Bob Knight** » 24 Sep 2001 11:33 am

Richard gets the cigar.

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 24 Sep 2001 11:40 am

trust me Bob, it was John Hughey ....

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 24 Sep 2001 12:13 pm

Bob....no more phone calls please...
this is ridiculous to take this item to this extreme....I learned the chops, played em on the gig & BELIEVE ME!!! ....Pete couldnt have played those licks on his best day ...

now I think I know why some of the other pro's stay away from this forum, or just lurk....something I think I'll practice from here on out....unbelievable!!!!! ROFL!![This message was edited by Mike Cass on 24 September 2001 at 01:15 PM.]

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 24 Sep 2001 12:14 pm

penned by WHispering Bill Anderson...

always loved the steel no matter who it was...

"yes that's my bottle, and yes that's my glass, and I see you eyballin' this purty young lass...
it ain't none of your business, but yes she's with me..."[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 24 September 2001 at 01:14 PM.]

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 24 Sep 2001 2:26 pm

Don't leave Mike, we need you on the forum! Who played for Cal in 1979-1980? , he had a curly perm doo and a mustsache, played an Emmons Larry P.S. No leg humping intended[This message was edited by Larry Miller on 24 September 2001 at 03:27 PM.][This message was edited by Larry Miller on 24 September 2001 at 03:31 PM.]

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 24 Sep 2001 2:46 pm

thanx Larry....

the fellow youre speaking of might have been Chuck Bartlett.
He passed away in the late 80's. Chuck was one hellacious player !!
Many of his peers spent many nights @ the old Gabe's Lounge listening to him.He was a very close friend of mine & quite alot of help in keeping my head above water when I moved to Nashville.I dont remember him playing an Emmons,tho. He did have a beautiful Sho-Bud Pro 2 or 3 that Paul Franklin sr. built for him.
Also, one Smiley Roberts played with Cal somewhere around that time.....
not to mention the great Johnny Cox.

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 24 Sep 2001 3:21 pm

Thanks for the info Mike!

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 24 Sep 2001 4:06 pm

Thanks to all, esp. Mike Cass.

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 24 Sep 2001 4:16 pm

I don't want to get in the middle of a pissing contest but I checked on allmusic.com and this is what I found so you will have to continue to guess who it is.
http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Acqv8b5t49sq0

Gregg Galbraith · Post by **Gregg Galbraith** » 24 Sep 2001 5:04 pm

Mike W.,
I checked out your RMG source, and that looks like a re-make of Cal's greatest hits to me, probably a project that Pete produced in his last years. The guys listed in the credits were all members of Pete's regular crew. I suspect that if we're talking about the original hit by Cal of "The Lord Knows I'm Drinkin'", we might want to take Mike Cass's word. After all, he was there, and no doubt knows of what he speaks. Perhaps Walter Haynes will see this thread and give us the definitive answer, since he was Cal's producer at the time. Also, the person who originally said it was Pete Drake who played on the record may have had the song confused with Charley Walker's "Don't Squeeze My Charmine", since the two songs are very similar, and Pete DID play on the latter.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 24 Sep 2001 6:55 pm

Wow, I never would have guessed John Hughey. Thanks for clearing this up, Mike.

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 24 Sep 2001 7:47 pm

The one thing I'm sure of is that it wasn't me who played on that session

! As for the who really did it, they did a great job that turned out memorable.

Walter Haynes · Post by **Walter Haynes** » 24 Sep 2001 9:27 pm

I was Cal's producer during the 70's and did produce " The Lord Knows I'm Drinking" MCA Records and if I remember correctly, I had Weldon on steel for that one. I also think Weldon played on "Country Bumpkin" for us!! It's been a long time but I'll try and check the paper work to find out for sure----

Walter Haynes

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 24 Sep 2001 9:53 pm

It was John Hughey!!!!!!

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 25 Sep 2001 7:39 am

Who cares who it is....just enjoy it....

Too many times this forum gets too wrapped up in the name game.....

Appreciate it for what it is. Somewhere archived, is the studio log listing the correct steel player.

I am thinking that we will find out before long.......

Geeez

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 25 Sep 2001 8:22 am

Al.....was that a double post?
Im with you..but its hard to argue with Walt....

My main reason for thinking it was John is that the tone, feel & chops are very similar to some of the Conway & Loretta things from the same period that John was on....not to mention seeing his name (along with Weldon's),on the album jacket I believe.Perhaps Walt produced those things too?
[This message was edited by Mike Cass on 25 September 2001 at 09:35 AM.]

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 25 Sep 2001 8:41 am

Hi Mike! No It was not a double post, It was a repeat of what I said earlier, I remember when the song came out in 72, & it was John! It amazes me how many different oppinions of who it was? It will be interesting, when all is said & done! I hope all is well with you! We sure go back a long way! Remember the nite a BlaineBrook? > Al

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 25 Sep 2001 9:47 am

Al, I think you and Mike are correct. After listening to the song a few more times, it sounds more like Hughey than Myrick to me.
Cal Smith had another tune called "I Love You a Thousand Ways". Lefty Frizzell recorded it back in the 50's I believe? If I'm not mistaken, Lloyd Green played on that cut...and Play he did! One of the best turn arounds I ever heard Lloyd do.