2002 Did any new players or new to you really impress you

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 26 Nov 2002 11:37 am

This year has been a great year,Another great ISGC and Dallas show.And so many annual regional shows and new Steel jams have sprung up all over the Country, actualy all over the world. Having attended and participated this year in some I truly was treated to so many new and great players.Some who have been around for a while but never found themselves spotlighted and talents exposed...Lets not forget the NTSGA which put on several jams that were worth recording as classics. My point for the post is I would like to spotlight two regional players I have known for years.One who came to work for me when he was barely 14 wow 2o something years ago.This Buddy Emmons John Hughey influenced player can do it all..I don't think there was ever a song I could run by him that he couldn't play note for note like the record and add some.Then he also went out and became a great guitar player..I'm talking about New England phenom Jim Roule..He literally blew my mind again this year as he has done in times past.This is one kat who can play with anyone...The other is of course Smiley Roberts who never revealed to me his entire planned show as we traveled together to St. Louis and then again up to New England...Smileys never been a secret to me just that his debut in St. Louis was a highlight in my year 2002.

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CJC

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 26 Nov 2002 3:58 pm

Michel Rose and the Feral Swing Katz. That show at the ISGC was something to behold...

JB

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"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
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Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 26 Nov 2002 4:15 pm

Yes Yes I agree Micheal Rose I really enjoyed what a player and what a great group..two others one I am forever impressed and indebted too is Jim Smith who sits in with someone elses steel and they don't want it back...Jim traveled after having severe neck problems and surgery to boot and was simply Jim Smith. The Other is Jim Cohen whose CD is wearing out in my car so I'm going to copy it. Now I won't but in anymore.

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CJC

Frank Estes · Post by **Frank Estes** » 27 Nov 2002 7:40 am

I did not catch their name and perhaps that is who you are referring to, but I was very impressed with that group from Australia (I think) which played late on Saturday night. The steel player was playing a Franklin. They were extremely tight and very impressive all around. I wish I could have heard more.

Chuck Norris · Post by **Chuck Norris** » 27 Nov 2002 8:23 am

The two player`s I would like to throw in the hat are by no mean`s new player`s, but player`s that have been out of the loop for a while and coming back strong.
Albert Talley, from Hank THompson, Bob Wills, and Ray Price fame to today he`s been a major player in the Dallas market since the 60`s. Look for a CD with Albert and guitarist Leland Green in 2003.
Jerry Brightman, of Buck Owen`s fame, a master of the E9, and killer on that C6 also., Although it`s been held up, soon you will hear a new CD on Jerry. Jerry has the talent and creative mind to be a major player in the future of steel guitar, both in country and in contempory music. There`s my votes and Happy Thanksgiving to all. See you at the Texas Steel guitar Show in March.
Chuck Norris NFM

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 27 Nov 2002 10:14 am

I know he is not a new player on the road with one of the new "rock" groups but, I was impressed more with Smiley Roberts than anyone else. Sure, Lloyd, John Hughey, Buddy Emmons and all the others did a great job with their flawless technique and taste. Smiley not only did a great job with his technige but, his taste in material and showmanship was like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Jerry Brightman · Post by **Jerry Brightman** » 27 Nov 2002 10:33 am

Chuck,

Thanks for those kind words...I do intend to impact the current status of this instrument,
and as you know, I have several projects that will be announced Jan.1st. I won't explain the delay of the CD here, and will do it on the annoucement on my CD thread.

Looking forward to seeing you and everyone else in Dallas...

Jerry http://www.slidestation.com
[This message was edited by Jerry Brightman on 27 November 2002 at 10:34 AM.]

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 27 Nov 2002 1:00 pm

Jimmy Roule is indeed a great player--and tasty, too. he deserves more recognition.

Jimmy also plays some sweet lead guitar. We worked together a couple of weeks ago up in Warren, Mass, and had a ball.

Chris

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now living in the Ocean State ....

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 27 Nov 2002 2:56 pm

Another guy who has been making a name for himself the last few years is my friend Pete Burak from Portland. A regular in the Sierra Room at Dallas and St. Louis, and has been playing the Chattanooga show for a couple of years. Pete always has something new and interesting going on with his playing every time you see him.

Wayne Cox · Post by **Wayne Cox** » 27 Nov 2002 9:05 pm

I did not make any conventions this year,but I visited a music store where the proprietor played a few selections off of a CD by Eddie Long. I was sufficiently impressed that I bought one. Most steel recordings don't impress me,but I have played Eddie's over and over. I find his
talent refreshing,and I respect him for not sounding like everyone else.
~~W.C.~~

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 28 Nov 2002 6:52 am

These guys aren't new, but the best pickin' I heard this year.

Jim Loessberg at TSGA: everyone's neck hair was at attention when he played "Danny Boy".
All you could think of was Buddy Emmons.

Hal Rugg at the TSGA Peavey Room: one of my favorite players, his E9 playing is dense yet country.

Lloyd Green at ISGC via internet "radio":
best E9 playing I've heard. I was on the edge of my seat.

Happy T-Day,
Drew

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www.drewhoward.com

Jim Thompson · Post by **Jim Thompson** » 28 Nov 2002 8:06 am

I know he's not new but he really had a chance to shine this year on Brad Paisley's stuff. He's been one of N'ville's best kept secrets,until now. Great job, Mike Johnson. Thanks also to Brad for cutting him loose and letting him do his thing.
The guy who plays in Brad's road band is no slouch either. His name escapes me right now but he's a "player" too.
Mike Sigler is just beyond words when it comes to steel. He's phenominal.( I think that's how you spell it) One of my new "favorite" players.
PS: I'm glad Jerry's back too. I knew him when he was a little snot from Akron that blew everyone away in Wheeling. Now he's a big snot that's still blowing everyone away all over the country. "Love ya man."
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Zum U-12 8&6
John Hughey's biggest fan

[This message was edited by Jim Thompson on 28 November 2002 at 08:10 AM.][This message was edited by Jim Thompson on 28 November 2002 at 08:13 AM.]

David Spires · Post by **David Spires** » 28 Nov 2002 10:28 am

Jim,

That is Randle Currie in Brad's road band, and I second your thoughts on Randle, and most definately about Mike Johnson.

Mike is a monster, and I love the ideas he has - and jealous like hell of the opportunities he has earned!

By the way - I'm a Michel Rose and "The Feral Swing Katz" fan too!

Happy Thanksgiving All,

David Spires

Jim Thompson · Post by **Jim Thompson** » 28 Nov 2002 6:23 pm

Hey David, How's it going. You know you are on my favorites list since that first time I heard you at Hummingbird in '98. This year was even better.

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Zum U-12 8&6
John Hughey's biggest fan

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 28 Nov 2002 10:04 pm

WOW!! THANK YOU,KENNY DAIL.
Well,at least I know that if I ever do cut an album,I MIGHT sell one.

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
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Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 29 Nov 2002 12:36 pm

Terry Bethel's CD really impressed me. I had heard him play before, but I didn't realize how good he really is until I got that CD.

Also, Orville Johnson, who I hadn't heard of until this year. Orville's a great acoustic (dobro) player in the blues tradition.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic), Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6), Roland Handsonic[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 29 November 2002 at 12:39 PM.]

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 29 Nov 2002 1:53 pm

Steve Matlock --who opened our Ozark Steel Guitar Ass'n show at The Bald Knobbers in Branson this summer !!!! WOW! He bought a band with him that Larry King can tell you more about and they all were wonderful and Steve really got my attention big time !!!!

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 29 Nov 2002 2:18 pm

Although I'd heard him on record before (YES, I mean record and not CD!!!! hehehe), I finally got to hear Robbie Springfield live this year. Great chops combined with great taste and a unique style. WONDERFUL!!!Mind you, I woulda enjoyed it more had I not been sitting there knowing I was going to have to go up and play after him...

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 3 Dec 2002 8:47 am

Dana Flood has impressed me the most this year with his smooth style and nice tone. He has been appearing at a lot of the shows this year and adds a lot to any steel show he performs at! Catch him if you can.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 3 Dec 2002 10:52 am

Amen on Dana Flood. What a pleasure!

David Decker · Post by **David Decker** » 3 Dec 2002 7:19 pm

I got to hear Buck Reid at the 2002 Hummingbird Show last April. I thought he is one of the very best players I've heard. One of the most articulate steel players there is! Speed along with smooth. That is my vote for the most impressive player I've heard this year!

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 4 Dec 2002 12:44 am

Robert Randolph!!
JJ

Buck Reid · Post by **Buck Reid** » 6 Dec 2002 11:48 pm

Thanks Dave!!!

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 7 Dec 2002 10:54 am

I'd second the one about Buck Reid.