Hank Corwin

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 8 Jun 2006 2:36 am

DSSGA, Gulfport, Ms. was most fortunate this past Saturday-June 3rd. Hank Corwin was in the audience and it was so neat seeing him getting his "steel guitar itch" cranked up again. Of course, listening to Terry Bethel, Joe Wright, Buck Grantham, Danny Harrell, Billy Carr, Jim Parker, Royce Tarver and others on stage would generate lots of scratches. Hank informed me that he will be on our next program on August 5th.
Overheard Terry talking about Hank's playing stating that this man plays more big time chords on E9 than anyone. Hank has a new steel and is looking for a seat. Contact me if you have one for sale and I will get you in contact with Hank. Thanks so much.
Bill Stafford

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 8 Jun 2006 3:33 am

Hank also knows lots of music theory. I used to pick his brains everytime he came in to Little Roy Wiggins' music store.

He knows C6th, too. He would come into the store with a lead sheet and sit down at a steel and learn the music, reading it and playing it on the C6th.

Chick Donner · Post by **Chick Donner** » 8 Jun 2006 4:31 am

Should me no suprirse - hank has a Master's degree in music from Juilliard in New York, where he grew up.

One of the finest musicians I've ever known, and one of the finest human beings I've ever known. Met him in 69 or 70, and have always enjoyed knowing him.

Oddly, even with his little short fingers, his "official" instrument is bass fiddle. He down pretty well on one of them, too.

AND, you ought to hear him on a xylophone and such instruments. He's great.

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 8 Jun 2006 4:54 am

And to think that he now resides here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with us. How fortunate can we be!!! A statement, not a question.
Bill Stafford

Richard Bass · Post by **Richard Bass** » 8 Jun 2006 5:37 am

Hank is an old friend. We hung out alot while he was in Nashville, even worked a few gigs together. He is one of the finest musicians I've known. Whether its steel, 6 string, bass, or keyboard, Hank knows his stuff. Great chords and wonderful taste. Bill, please say hi to Hank and his wife for me, I think of them often.
Richard

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 8 Jun 2006 5:37 am

Does he still Have the black Porchse?

Kurt Kowalski · Post by **Kurt Kowalski** » 8 Jun 2006 5:52 am

To echo what was said.

Hank is a Genius and also a great guy.

Hank is certainly a big chord machine on the E9th neck.

Last I knew since he retired. Was that he was raising dogs.

Hey Henry... If you read this. Please, come back to playing. We miss you and give me and Jerry Johnson a call someday.

My best to all,
Kurt

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 8 Jun 2006 11:47 am

Great guy, Hank. I happen to have a shot of him in my online archives. 4th one.
www.calsharp.com/music/Photos1.htm

C#
www.calsharp.com

Bobby Caldwell · Post by **Bobby Caldwell** » 8 Jun 2006 5:57 pm

Hank and I go way back. He is a dear friend. He is a great player and knows his music. He also can play just about any tune you want to hear, be it country, pop, or jazz and play them the way they should be played. I sure miss our time of getting together with a good bass player and drummer and pickin' into the wee hours. We need to do that again. Hank if you see this I loveya pal, E-mail me so we can stay in touch. Bobby[This message was edited by Bobby Caldwell on 08 June 2006 at 06:58 PM.]

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 8 Jun 2006 10:49 pm

Hank is,pretty much,the one responsible for me moving to NashVILE. And if I ever see him again,ah'm a gonna whip his butt!!

The first time I met Hank,we were,both,workin' an amusement park in Ligonier,Pa. I was w/ Jimmy Stephens from the WWVA Jamboree,& he was w/ Little Jimmy Dickens. Geo. Morgan was.also,on that show. By the time I got down there,he was workin' w/ Ferlin Husky. He had a job offer from Jim Ed Brown,but wanted to stay w/ Ferlin,so he recommended me to Jim Ed. I took the job,& stayed w/ J.E. for about 3 months. I left J.E. on account of "illness". J.E. got sick of me. But,nevertheless,Hank & I remained friends. I call him every once-in-a-while to see how he's doin'. I'm glad to hear that he's gettin' the "steel-bug" again.

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

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 9 Jun 2006 7:48 am

Hank and I, too, go back a while....did a lot of stuff together in Nashville.....super great guy, and I'm so glad he's "saddlin the horse" again, if there's anything that I can do buddy, let me know.......HAL

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Be Blessed........HAL
'03 Carter D-10,(8 & 5) 95 Carter 9 & 7 Hilton Vol. Pedal, BJS Birthstone bar, 2 Racks w/Evans Pre-amps, Lexicon MPX500 & MPX550; (1) Nashville 400, (1) Webb 6-14 E Amp(2)1501-4 BW's in custom built cabs by T.A. Gibson, & Sound Tech PL802 Digital Power Amp; Steelers Choice seat with back rest and side-kick. Walker Seat w/o Backrest
Hal Higgins....Be blessed and "Keep Steelin'.....

Tiny Olson · Post by **Tiny Olson** » 9 Jun 2006 5:37 pm

I followed in Hank's footsteps in a band in the Hudson Valley area before I too left for Nashville. Now... I'm alot bigger than Hank in physical stature but I surely never filled his shoes.

Hank's a great player and a super guy. You guys are correct, he really does play some great, big chords on the 10 string E9th tuning.

Glad to hear that he is well. Thanks Bill and please pass our regards on to Hank.

Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" Olson

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 10 Jun 2006 1:52 am

I wonder what happened to the 72 Blue D-10 Emmons he had with the narrower, 12 string, spacing. He waited a long time for Ron to build it.

He got it right around Fan Fair time, picked it up at the Bus Station and brought it over to Little Roy's and set it up. He played it a little and then told me play it and help break it in as he had to leave for a recording session.

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 10 Jun 2006 6:02 pm

All these wonderful comments about Hank are most appreciated. I will copy this thread and hand deliver it to Hank middle of next week so more of his friends can wish him well and be able to have contact with him again. It will be a good day at DSSGA at our next show with a man of this caliber in the building. Thanks to all for all their concern and friendship to and for Hank Corwin. Our steel guitar world needs to hear his music. Let him know just how much, folks.
Bill Stafford

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 10 Jun 2006 7:26 pm

Bill-Thanks for the post on Hank. I remember him from way back.He is a fine Musician, no doubt about it.
I wish I could see him and attend your show and see you again, but, it is nice reading about it anyway...al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 10 Jun 2006 8:00 pm

Hank joined a band I was in but a few years before I got there. He played one gig and the next day the band was going to see Porter Wagoner up in Albany, NY. They saw Porter and Hank on the same stage where they put on quite a show as the bands played a lot of solos back then. That was the last they saw of Hank but none of the local guys could believe the stuff he was playing!

Greg

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.gregcutshaw.com"><img align="left" src="http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Greg%20Band2.jpg" width="80" height="80" ></a>
Greg's Web Page
MSA/Steel King Sounds

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 11 Jun 2006 8:32 am

Hank was the one responsible for me initially playing a p/p Emmons. We were in Roy Wiggins' store together. I believe it was 1969. I told him I was interested in trying an Emmons. He picked up the phone and called Ron Lashley. The rest is history. I would really like to see Hank do a course on playing C6 on E9. He's one of the very best at that. Hank, if you read this, man I really miss 'ya.

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Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 11 Jun 2006 9:38 am

Hey Bob Hempker, now I'm responsible for him playing a new GFI, I sent it to him a week ago, new, and yes, I truly agree with everyone about Hank's talent, it's a 100%plus! Also , a wonderful person and close friend for over 40 years.

Bobbe

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 11 Jun 2006 1:43 pm

Just spoke w/ Hank,& he's really lookin' fwd. to thw jam in Aug. He invited me to come down,but I'll be in Middletown,N.Y. w/ Jett Williams that day. However,I will take him up on his offer one of these days.

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

Fuzzy Plant · Post by **Fuzzy Plant** » 12 Jun 2006 12:05 pm

Bill Stafford; I'd like to send you a photo of Hank and our band in 1958. I don't know how to post it, so I'm sending it to you on email. Check your mail in maybe 10 minutes.

Fuzzy Plant

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 14 Jun 2006 3:54 am

Smiley, you have an open invitation from all of us here at DSSGA. Fred, thanks for that photo. Please send as attachement so I can copy it on my old computer. This is all so good to see this interest with and for Hank. Thanks.
Bill Stafford

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 15 Jun 2006 4:22 am

Got the picture. Thanks so much. I know Hank will love to see this one. He might even remember what brand steel he was playing too.
Bill Stafford

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 15 Jun 2006 4:46 pm

Well Bill.....let's see it. We're all eyes.

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

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 16 Jun 2006 6:51 am

Smileys quote: "were all eyes" Smiley you Got that right ,you have four of them like me nowadays .I believe that is Hank on the "Nashville on the road show" with Jim Ed.being shown on RFD tv weekly on Thursday nights.

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Florida:Where its not against the Law to get caught Steelin.

Lee Holeman · Post by **Lee Holeman** » 16 Jun 2006 9:52 am

Hey Bill, glad to hear about hank. I gave him his first job in Newburg, NY while he was still in high school. Talked to him a few months ago, then lost his phone number. He was always a very talented musician--we played twin steels, he doubled on guitar, and I doubled on fiddle. A fine young man. When you see him ask him to give me a call, OK? Thanks.