The Steel Guitar Forum

I have my first gig tonight with long time opry singer Charlie Louvin at the Ocean Opry in Panama City Beach, Fl. We play tonight at 7:30 and I have never practiced with him. I guess that's making me a little gittery. Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem.

Does CL have any 'signature' steel intros or turnarounds that are a vital part of his repertoire?

If so, get those down 'pat' and he'll be delighted - the rest will be plain sailing; have fun!

RR

I don't recall Charlie using much steel on any of his songs. I'd ask him, how much and how country do you want me to play.

Can't beat being up front and honest.

Bob

Kinda reminds me of when I played FOR, not opened for Rhett Akins about 3 months ago. The guitar player had NOT shown up yet for the practice rehersal, and we was doing the # of his that put him "on Top", which was, "Brake for Brunetts", which has a GUITAR part. I just filled in the guitar parts,(With the Steel) and his Rythem Guitar player turned around and said:...I want YOU to play that tonight, OK? And Rhett came over after the practice and said, "Don't worry about the Guitar player, I would rather have you play it on the steel anyway".
It went over real nice, except the lead guitar players' A%$# was "Chapped", and he wouldn't talk to me for a WEEK.
I told him to be on time the next time we have to play for someone that is "A Big'Un"
I'm sure you will do Great, Robert.
Let us know how it goes. Good Luck, Pal

Robert, I had a 5 nighter with Charlie at the hippest Jazz clup in the San Francisco Bay Area, Yoshi's. Charlie is a class act all the way. We luckily did have a chance to rehearse with him and he worked us for about 24 hours straight. I introuduced him to my mom and she stuck her hand out to shake his hand and he said "I don't want to shake your hand!" He then reached out and gave my mom a big hug. At the end of the week he handed each of us guys in the band a $100 bill tip. I wish I could repeat here some of the hilarious stuff he told us during that week. We played all the classic Louvin Brothers tunes and even Charlies hit "See the Big Man Cry" Fabulous gig. I loved it. Tell Charlie "hi" from Billy Wilson from California. BW

I have done a package show a couple of times where we backed up several nashville acts and legends. The show was put on by charlie daniels and included everything from buck trent, bobby lord, leon rausch right up to some new acts i had bever heard of at the time.(and of course charlie!great guy) No charts ahead of time and each act got 7 minutes with the band (organizer was very...uh organized!!!) we rehearsed from 1 to 5 and then did the show from 7 to 9:30. rehearsal was more nerve rackin then the show was but it was an experience none the less. the next night we would have a "jam session with these nash cats and that was a nervous experience. But i also got the thrill that evening as i got to play steel for ray benson and a few other select members of asleep at the wheel. they're just normal folks and if you mess up the most of them just keep on rollin. I did do one gig with a country legend that made very nervous! he forgot the song he was singing then forgot the arrangement then looked at us in desperation
like" crap what do i do now? the lead player with nerves of steel just hollered "OUTSIDE" and we got out of it. he apologized later...aw the life of a sideman has it's adventures


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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

Robert Charlie is a down to earth person. No need to get worried about anything. Just go out and do the best you can do and he'll say that you did great. I worked with Charlie a few years back when Steve and Debbie Wilkerson were with him. I grew up with Steve and Debbie and we all had a ball. So just go out there and have fun. You'll do fine.

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Mullen Royal Percision D-10 Red Laquar Pearl inlay 8&8
www.dbcooperonline.com

Well, I'm back and everything went great. Charlie was great as always, and I think everyone had a great time. Thanks for all the encouragement from the members.