The Steel Guitar Forum

I watched and taped this show last night on Blue Ridge Public TV. The Loretta Lynn Show Live in Edmonton, Alberta Canada 1978. This show was with what looked like a 21 piece Orchestera, in addition to all of Loretta's Band and Back Up Singers.
It was one of, if not THE best, live show performance I have ever heard coming through a TV set, although I do have a Bose Sound System on my TV Audio. Bob Hempker's Emmons was right UP FRONT in the mix along with Dave Thornhill on Electric Guitar. I was VERY impressed with Bob's Choice of licks both tasteful and hot....some were Very Hot! The arrangements on all the tunes were flawless as was all of Loretta's Band Playing. Playing with a large Orchestra like that must have been intimidating to say the least. I am glad to have been able to tape most of the show, since I was surfing when I came across it. Loretta said during a live interview last night, that she didn't know that the show was being taped back then. I'm not sure if the Band did or not?
I messaged Bob Hempker and asked him if that was him on that show, since Loretta mentioned Bob doing a take off on one of her tunes and he replied that it was. He sent me a very nice return message which makes me an even bigger fan of his to know what a Great Player he is and how nice he is, to go along with it. I have his permission to post these pictures in this thread. In a nut shell....Bob Hempker is one Hellava Steel Player! Happy Holidays Bob and all.

This is from Bob Hempker.......in part.
Thanks so much for emailing me the pics. I remember doing that special so very well. We flew up to Edmonton in the middle of January. I took a walk from the hotel, and found a little restaurant to get a bite to eat. When I came back, one of the guys in the band was in the lobby. He asked me, "What are you doing going outside, don't you realize it's 30 below zero out there." I knew it was cold out, but there was no wind and it was really dry, so I had no idea it was any where near that cold. I'll never forget doing that.
That was my old '76 p/p Emmons I used on that. They had rental amps for us, so I'm not sure what I played over. I believe it was a Peavey LTD 400. I was using an electro-harmonix "Clone Theory" for a chorus unit at that time. I used it sparingly on a few tunes.

Roger-- the Loretta Lynn concert was on my local PBS too. What I show! I was blown away by Bob's steel playing. I did not know who he was but figured I'd find out here. That was great playing and great audio mixing (especially considering it was 1978)!

Dan, I totally agree with you.....The music was flawless! It don't get any better in my opinion. Country Music at it's finest.

I believe that ITV TV station did a bunch of those shows in the 70's and 80's out of Edmonton, some country and some pop. I just arrived in Edmonton in July of that year, don't think I ever caught that show.

Hey Roger, was Lonnie Godfrey on drums for that show? He works in a band with me here and Virginia and I believe that was in the time frame that he played for Loretta. JH

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

Man, I don't know what to say!! You guys are really flattering. Thanks so much! That's about all I can think to say. Yes, Jerry that was Lonnie playing drums. Please tell him I said Hello when you see or talk to him. Again, guys thanks so much.

------------------

Bob, I caught you with Loretta about two years after that - at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. I wish I could remember the show better, but I remember enjoying your work tremendously. John Hughey was there as well with Conway's band. Steel guitar heaven.

Bob,
Was that a boss-tone pluged into ur guitar?
Robert

Thanks again guys, and yes Robert, it was a Boss Tone. I still use one.

------------------

Now you can see why he's my favorite player! I saw him with Loretta in '81 at the Paramount Arts Center in Aurora IL. I spent the whole time watching him through a pair of binoculars, and his playing just floored me! I've heard snatches of his playing over the years, and am equally impressed every time.
Bob, you should cut a CD so everyone could hear what a "hot" player you are! The only thing I've ever heard you play alone is "Pickn' Shovel" off the "On the Road" album. I'm still trying to figure that one out. E9? C6? I'm lost!

L.A.

I think there might have been an audio recording made of part of that concert as well. I bought a "live" CD a couple of months back, and she mentions Edmonton during "One's on the Way," and calls out Bob's name before the dobro turnaround in "You're Looking at Country." Is this from that same show?