The Steel Guitar Forum

Who played steel on these Dolly Parton recordings? They are on the 2-CD set “The RCA Years 1967-1986” Probably are on other albums too. Thanks in advance.

Put It Off Until Tomorrow (sounds like 2 steels on this one)
My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy
Just Because I’m A Woman
Down From Dover
The Last One To Touch Me
Daddy Come And Get Me
Touch Your Woman
Making Plans

I'm pretty sure Pete Drake is on several of those songs... Also if you think you're hearing two steels some of it may be Buck Trent on his electric banjo, really awesome and unique stuff. I know he plays very prominently on "Just Because I'm a Woman"; almost like "Mooney" steel mixed with "chicken pickin" tele. He was in Porter Wagoner's band, played on a lot of Porter's stuff and a lot of the Porter/Dolly duets (along with Pete Drake). If Steve Hinson's lurking here I bet he could add some useful info on Buck's playing... Steve? <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Pete Finney on 07 April 2005 at 09:51 PM.]</p></FONT>

Pete, thanks for your reply. That other sound is like "Mooney" steel. I had no idea that it might be Buck Trent on electric banjo. Some of the steel on Touch Your Woman sounds like Mooney but overall I would guess it is some else. I heard Mooney was Pete Drake's idol, so that might explain how it could be Pete. Hopefully there will be more replies today when this topic gets bumped up.

Pete Drake had many steel guitar heroes.Jimmy Day then Mooney then Buddy and on and on.I know in the 70's Stu Basore played on a lot of Porter and Dolly's records along with Pete. But Stu could tell you better than I. Jack

Stu Basore recorded with Dolly too.

The Mooney sound almost has to be Buck Trent IMHO, I doubt Pete Drake could have sounded like Mooney if his life depended on it.

Jay. I must take up for Pete on this.Although he might not have been as poficient as some players,he was a stylist and preferred to play his own style on record dates. As far as beeing able to play like Mooney I heard him very often doing just that.And very well I might add.So don't sell little Peter short, he was better than some would give him credit.And thats my story and I'm sticking to it Jack

Jack,

I'll stand up with you on this. Pete was a great musician that is overlooked by many steel guitarists because showboating was not his direction.

Paul

Also that would have been Buck Trent as Pete would not likely tried to play like Mooney even if the producer asked him too.
Pete loved and respected all steel players.
Just take note of all the production he did. For example Curly Chalker and the slide albums.

Thanks Paul. You and I pobably new and loved more than anyone Jack

I'll join the chorus of praise for Mr. Drake... when he was "on" his tone, phrasing and choice of notes was as moving as anyone, a very soulful and MUSICAL musician, and on a personal note more responsible for making me want to learn the instrument than anybody... Versatility can be a wonderful thing, but sometimes maybe it's good to just know what you do well and stick to it. Of course Pete was well known for helping other players along too, Paul Franklin being a classic example as I believe he has pointed out here on the forum before...

But I don't really think my old pal Jay Jessup was bad-mouthing Pete Drake; I'm guessing his point was something we can all agree on; that Pete always sounded like Pete and never like Mooney or anyone else. Just my two cents of course...

I'd still love to hear from Steve Hinson (or anyone who's knowledgable) about Buck Trent's playing on Porter and Dolly's records. Steve and I have talked about that before, he knows a LOT more than I do and I've forgotten what little I knew!

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Pete Finney on 12 April 2005 at 11:36 PM.]</p></FONT>

Buck also played on a Nancy Sinatra record,"Country My Way"...Buddy Emmons is on it too-great stuff!My favorite Buck turnaround is on"Keeper of the Key"by Porter Wagoner...check it out if you can find it...

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"Southerners don't read books-they write them"...William Faulkner