Meeting Norm Hamlet

Lana Rosselli · Post by **Lana Rosselli** » 20 Apr 2006 9:34 pm

Hey ya'll I just wanted to share with you my evening. Tonight I had the opportunity to join Scotty and go to the Merle Haggard show and meet Norm Hamlet (and Merle). I spent the show back stage and could hardly hear Merle but I heard Norm pretty well. Man he's awesome! And a super nice man. I have this thing about harmonics and Norm did a whole song with harmonics and rhythm. I was in Heaven!

While standing backstage, I noticed a blonde Fender D8 non pedal guitar. I asked Norm if it was his and he said, no that it was Bob Dylan's guitar. I wonder how Mr. Tambourine Man sounds on steel?

Anyhow, I had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed meeting Norm as well as Merle. Here is a picture of me with Norm outside the bus.

Thanks Scotty for asking me to join you and giving me the opportunity to meet one of my all time favorite artists as well as the great Norm Hamlet. And thanks for letting me share my adventure with all of you here on the Forum.

Miss Lana

[This message was edited by Lana Rosselli on 20 April 2006 at 10:36 PM.][This message was edited by Lana Rosselli on 20 April 2006 at 10:39 PM.]

Brett Anderson · Post by **Brett Anderson** » 20 Apr 2006 9:59 pm

Lana, I went to see Merle a few years ago here in Phoenix. I went with my friend George Edmonds who is also a steel player. We saw Norm get off the bus and said hello. He then came over and talked guitars and everything else with me and George. Then he pulled a couple of all access passes out of his pocket and handed them to us. I was amazed at what a great person and player he is. A friend to the pedal steel guitar and psg community. Anybody wants to hear what a great player he is (aside from the Haggard stuff) get a copy of Redd V's "No Stranger to a Tele". He plays some really great stuff on that CD.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 20 Apr 2006 11:57 pm

Lana, that's an amazing picture! Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 21 Apr 2006 4:35 am

Neat!

Bill Cook · Post by **Bill Cook** » 21 Apr 2006 4:54 am

Miss Lana, Bless your Heart!!!! You are Blessed. A fine gentleman and Steeler who represents our beloved instrument well. Happy for you. Bill and "THE ALABAMA GANG".

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 21 Apr 2006 6:15 am

Great picture of Mr. Norm!!!

He just looks like the Great Steeler he is!!

Larry

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 21 Apr 2006 6:26 am

And doesn't he dress with class!

Chris

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 21 Apr 2006 7:46 am

When I was a spry young man, I was lucky enough to be invited to Merle's Bakersfield studio, and met Merle's brother Lowell. A really nice fellow as well, he showed me a wall filled with Merle Haggard albums, and said take whatever I wanted... to my surprise I found 2 "Strangers" instrumental albums.... wish these were more widely available to other steelers, as the tracks Norm has laid down on them are just great. A particular instrumental favorite of my from these albums is a duet with Roy Nichols and Norm, called "Stealin' Corn" way too cool for sure. Lucky you Lana.

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Dave Wren
'96 Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box www.ameechapman.com

[This message was edited by David Wren on 21 April 2006 at 08:46 AM.]

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 21 Apr 2006 9:19 am

That's great Lana. He sure is a super nice guy! We hung out at a Merle show when we opened for them and he took the time to show some techniques, share some stories, etc. He's been with the Hag for 37 years! Talk about a steady gig!

And since we're sharing stories and photos, here's one of me and Norm:

Norm rules!

Dave

Larry Petree · Post by **Larry Petree** » 21 Apr 2006 9:39 am

Norm is a very underrated steel guitar player. The more you listen to his style of playing, the more you will agree. Plus he loves to talk steel anytime he has the time.
He must hold the record for working the road and studio, with the same act. I think this November will make it 38 years.
As it has been said, you will never meet a better person.

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 21 Apr 2006 11:46 am

Dave,
Yer kind of a "snappy" dresser yourself!!! Like that shirt! lol..

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 21 Apr 2006 12:49 pm

Did you check the non pedak stuff Norm did on the Hag album Roots? Sooooooo tasty!

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 21 Apr 2006 12:55 pm

Haven't heard those Billy but I'd like to get my hands on some of those Strangers instrumental albums with Roy and Norm.

Edited for spelling. [This message was edited by Dave Zirbel on 21 April 2006 at 06:34 PM.]

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 21 Apr 2006 1:05 pm

Hi Dave.

I just did a google search and found one, "Merle Haggard, Introducing My Friends The Strangers" here a link, but it says product not available... might look at ET Record, etc... This is the one with the "Stealin' Corn"... hope it is available on CD somewhere.
http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,97338,00.html

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Dave Wren
'96 Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com

Post by **Joey Ace** » 21 Apr 2006 1:46 pm

Norm's real gentleman, and a national treasure.

Moving to Steel Players.

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 21 Apr 2006 1:58 pm

In the late 70's, I was playing with "the Collins Kids" in Lake Tahoe. We were in the lounge and Merle was headlining in the Main room. When the curtin went up for our 2nd show of the night, there were all the guys from Merle's band sitting ringside to see our show. Lets just say I had a little extra vibrato going during that set! They came backstage after the show and Norm was so nice and complemented me on my playing.
JE:-)>

Mark Lind-Hanson · Post by **Mark Lind-Hanson** » 21 Apr 2006 2:18 pm

Well, I can tell you this much about the Fender of Dylan's- he doesn't play it but uses it as a stand for his keyboard onstage. Weird, huh?
I'm still hoping to hear him play Mr Tambourine Man live, at a show I get to , myself.
And I think they make a great pair for a musical evening.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 22 Apr 2006 3:57 am

I have all of the Strangers albums. Norm is one of the main reasons why I play steel after hearing an early recording of his. His duets with Roy Nicholls were tremendous.

Dave Brophy · Post by **Dave Brophy** » 22 Apr 2006 10:09 am

"uses it as a stand for his keyboard onstage."

That's incorrect.He has it set up near his keyoard,and once in a while puts a lyric sheet on it.It's there for the vibe.Think of it as hillbilly feng shui.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 22 Apr 2006 12:06 pm

And doesn't he dress with class!

Speaking of class,how 'bout Miss Lana there too. She's,also,lookin' pretty sharp!

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre>

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 22 Apr 2006 1:05 pm

Speaking of class,how 'bout Miss Lana there too. She's,also,lookin' pretty sharp!

Indeed! Emphasis on PRETTY!

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 22 Apr 2006 11:37 pm

In the 70s, Norm had dark hair with some gray specks, if I remember right. Now his hair is all white, I think that's the only difference, he still looks the same.

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Howard

Daryl Stogner · Post by **Daryl Stogner** » 23 Apr 2006 5:14 am

I was fortunate back in the 60's to work with Norm before he joined the Strangers. I don't know what Norm can't play? The guy is just a major talented musician and a class individual!

He should be in the Hall of Fame.
[This message was edited by Daryl Stogner on 23 April 2006 at 06:14 AM.]

Lana Rosselli · Post by **Lana Rosselli** » 23 Apr 2006 9:31 pm

Wow guys! Thanks for sharing your stories and the fine compliments. Looks like there's more Merle & Norm stories out there so keep on posting - it's great.

According to Norm - Dylan does play that guitar on a few songs. Regardless, it was a privilege just being back there and that close to such a fine instrument.

Miss Lana

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 23 Apr 2006 9:57 pm

Lana, I've never met Norm, but I e-mailed him right after I got my GFI and he was happy to hear that I'm now a GFI player. I'm a huge Merle Haggard fan too and I think Norm is a great steel player. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10