John Henry

jess dodson · Post by **jess dodson** » 5 Feb 2003 4:29 pm

In the early 50's who was the steeler and the lead guitar player on Hank Thompson's "John Henry"

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 5 Feb 2003 6:34 pm

Bobby Garrett/Merle Travis www.genejones.com

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 5 Feb 2003 7:24 pm

Pee Wee Whitewing played steel.-------bb

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 6 Feb 2003 3:56 am

Different recordings. I was referring to the album recorded at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 06 February 2003 at 04:46 AM.]

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 6 Feb 2003 6:31 am

I don't know about the steel player but those old Capitol recordings on 78 & 45 actually had Merle Travis' name listed on them along with Hank's. It was at the bottom of the label and said something like "Merle Travis, guitar".

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

[This message was edited by Jerry Hayes on 06 February 2003 at 06:32 AM.]

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 6 Feb 2003 7:10 am

On the original 45' release, the guitarist was Billy Carson, the man who co-designed the Stratocaster. He played a Tele on the recording though. And like Gene said, Merle and Garrett were on the later live version.

jess dodson · Post by **jess dodson** » 6 Feb 2003 9:15 am

Thanks guys...thats close enough for me

Larry Harlan · Post by **Larry Harlan** » 6 Feb 2003 12:43 pm

I'm thinking he did that song on Hank Thompson's "Golden Nugget" live album and Bobby Garrett was playing steel with him there at the "Nugget." I talked to Boddy one time in Tyler, Tx., and he had some kind of an ageement (not sure I remember what it was now)with Hank in that Hank would put Rose City Chimes on the album, and did. So, yes, Bobby, at least on that album, did the steel work on John Henry.
Best regards, Larry[This message was edited by Larry Harlan on 06 February 2003 at 12:44 PM.]

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 6 Feb 2003 3:05 pm

I thought we were talking early 50's??