The Steel Guitar Forum

In a recent 'thread' (re: the 'Night Life' intro) there was some discussion about the 9th string 'lower' on the E9 neck. I 'posted' too, and talked about how invaluable this 'change' is to the tuning.
Then I began to reflect on when and why I added this to my guitar....

Back in the late 80's, when I was still in my native England, I was lucky enough to be booked on a tour with Slim Whitman - I was engaged to play steel and guitar with the 'support' act, and guitar with Slim and the musicians he'd brought over from the USA. These included Andy Riess (now with the 'Time Jumpers'), Harold Bradley (surely the most comprehensive list of session credits of just about anyone - did HE have some 'war stories'!), and the great Jimmie Crawford!

I won't dwell on how intimidated I felt setting up my old ZB next to his guitar at the first sound-check, but I do want to publicly thank him for his graciousness, his endless patience with my dumb questions night after night, and for the respect he showed me as a musician.

It was Jimmie who, when he checked over my set-up, looked at me aghast, saying, "You're not lowering your ninth string? You HAVE to have that change!!!" Over the course of the tour, he proceeded to demonstrate to me why this was so and, needless to say, I added it at the first opportunity!

Thanks, Jimmie, for all the help you gave me, and for all those funny stories on the bus - you're a real gentleman, and I'll always treasure the memories I have of that time...

Similar story.
The band we were with was opening for KItty Wells, and Crawford was playing steel. By that time, I was playing a 14 string Sierra.
Jimmie did the same-- came out, looked it over, made some suggestions. Showed me the "Cluster" he had, and it made loads of sense.
When I decided to re-buid "The Steel" I put the cluster on and a few of the other changes Jimmie suggested.
A few years later I found myself in Nashville working on the "Elements of Style" book with him.
A Great guy!

JW

Jimmie was the first "pro" steeler I ever met, back around 1973, and am proud and blessed to call him a good friend ever since.

I have played his cluster setup since 1979, and though I'll never touch the magic and knowledge he has, I love the setup and all it offers.

Love ya, Jimmie (Elsie, too )<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by John Macy on 24 September 2002 at 08:37 PM.]</p></FONT>

I met Jimmy in 1978 when John Macy brought him
out to Colorado for a clinic. I use some of the cluster and pedal things and my 2nd string on E9 is tuned to D. It works well for me. Never did like those half stops. I've been listening to Chicken Picking Vol 2 today and it's delightful. Both Jimmy and Russ Hicks!

Thanks Jimmy and you too John !

Jimmie is one the greatest and always will be. Just listen to the Steel Crazy album or that little BC pedal thing he did at the end of the I Just Came To Get My Baby Out Of Here turnaround. That lick took me awhile.

I've only had the pleasure of meeting Jummy briefly at the convention, but he is one of my all time favorite players. I just love his steel crazy album.

I spoke with Jimmie just the other day. He said that he would be on the farewell tour of Slim Whitman next month in Great Brittain.

Does anyone know Jimmie's current set-up?<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 25 September 2002 at 09:10 AM.]</p></FONT>

It was you, Roger, who showed me what to DO with my 9th string lower, and I remember you relating that story about Jimmie. So thank you Roger AND Jimmie!

What exactly is the Crawford Cluster? I´ve heard of it, but never known exactly what it entails.

Jimmie is one of my favorites. His bluegrass stuff is absolutely amazing, and "Rhode Island Red" is one of the coolest tunes EVER! Who said C6 was just for jazz?!!


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ShoBud Pro III Custom D-10
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by scott murray on 25 September 2002 at 03:26 PM.]</p></FONT>

A super super great guy.Makes everyone feel special.My favorite of all the builders.A killer player too.

Hey Roger!
I just found out you were a Ruttle!
Now THATS something to have on your CV!
Matt

Yes I was, although only an 'embryonic' one!

Eric Idle decided that the ACTUAL 'Rutles' (for the purposes of the film) had to bear at least a passing resemblance to the Beatles and, at around 280lbs (at that time!), I didn't qualify! Guitarist Billy Bremner suffered the same fate, by the way; we just did some of the recordings, and some TV with George Harrison

You do see a 'still' of me in the film, though .....

Anyway, back to Jimmie (who was also left out of the Rutles film!)

Bucky Reid was kind enough to email Jimmie's schedule. I posted it in Events & Announcements but since this thread had already been started, here it is again. October dates for Jimmie Crawford
Most Showtimes @ 7:30pm / Oct.- 9th and 17th @ 8pm


Oct. 3rd - Guild Hall
Portsmouth
Oct. 4th - Off
Oct. 5th - Congress Theatre
Eastbourne
Oct. 6th - Princess Theatre
Torquay
Oct. 7th - City Hall
Salisbury
Oct. 8th - Off
Oct. 9th - Fairfield Hall
Croydon
Oct. 10 - Royal Centre
Nottingham
Oct. 11 - City Hall
Hull
Oct. 12 - Opera House
Newcastle
Oct. 13 - Festival Theatre
Edinburgh
Oct. 14 - Civic Theatre
Darlington
Oct. 15 - Off
Oct. 16 - Victoria Hall
Stoke
Oct. 17 - Hexagon Theatre
Reading
Oct. 18 - Philharmonic Hall
Liverpool
Oct. 19 - Millenium Forum
Derry
Oct. 20 - Waterfront Hall
Belfast
Oct. 21 - Off
Oct. 22 - Corn Exchange
Cambridge
Oct. 23 - Off
Oct. 24 - Assembly Hall
Worthing
Oct. 25 - Off
Oct. 26 - Pavilion Theatre
Glasgow
Oct. 27 - Off
Oct. 28 - Theatre Royal
Norwich

Any of you guys know who Hoot Rains was? That's who played steel on Slim Whitman's earliest records. I.E. Love song of the waterfall, Indian love call. I still have those songs on R-R tape. Slim and Hoot had a falling out, but they were a great mix on records.
Jim

Don't know what this has to do with Jimmy Crawford,but I do remember a Hoot Rains from the Shreveport,LA area.
W.C.

Mr Crawford brought me bell crank swivels for
a JCH to St.Louis. A very nice thing to do
over a phone call from someone he didn't know. A real gentleman.

Wayne they were talking about Jimmie going to play with Slim, and 50 years ago Hoot was playing with Slim. That's the guy though, Hoot was the Ford Dealer in Shreveport when I knew him in about 57.
Jim

Thank all of you for your comments, I really appreciate them. I haven't had any changes to get to my PC, because of being very busy in getting ready for our trip, but I really appreciate all yoose guys. Thanks JC

Black Mountain Rag has got to be my favorite the way JC does it.