The Steel Guitar Forum

Having known this great player for many years and admiring his steel playing with Buck Owens and his merchandising for S.I.T. strings a few years ago, I finally got to spend a day with him, hearing him play, talk about the past and hearing his plans for the future.

I was astounded. This is a very intelligent, hard working, creative and incredible classic steel player kinda guy.

Jerry has taken a few years out of the steel guitar world to make his second million, but is now back and we can all expect some great things from his inventive mind, playing, building, and just plain being a new and great force in the steel world. I'm looking forward to hearing him play some steel shows in the near future.
We will all benefit from his return to steel and he seems to be going full force, 24/7.



Just remember where you heard it first!


Bobster,

I have been lucky enough to speak with Jerry on a number of occasions and you are right Bobbe, he is very inteligent. He is also very thoughtful in his aproach to other steelers. His love of country music is heard in his playing and felt by those of us that feel the same way he does about real country music.

I would love to meet the man in person and catch him playing live at a show.

What! Jerry's been back the last four or five years and is doing some great new stuff. He has given us glimpses of this over the last several years. C'mon now, Jerry's been "back" for a while!!!

Well, he sure has been 'laying low' for much of the past year, and I look forward to learning (and hearing) what he's been up to!

I first met Jerry about four years ago.From the time we met I felt like I had known him all my life.And even being the Super steel guitar player that he is,he is alway's willing to listen and give advice in a way that doesn't make you feel inferior. He is now fulfilling another one of his dreams/goals in life building a very nice guitar.I wish him much success.He is also very creative in his music.

Jerry has to be one of Ohio's finest. I met him a few years ago, at Scotty's, and have had the pleasure of seeing him on a number of shows since. All of the superlatives above are true.

He started his comeback with a couple of great instrumental CD's-- Back Again... and Back Again to the Country. Seems that folks really wanted to hear that good old Buckaroo pickin' and Jerry delivered. The last one I picked up was the Red Kilby CD from 2 years back, called "Keeping It Real" where Jerry shared the steel work with Moon, Lloyd, and Dicky Overbey.

I was in a jam room at Scotty's and Jerry and a much lesser known player were sharing the steels. The other player was obviously right at home, I assume on his own steel. Jerry, meanwhile, after each song or two would subtly reach under the strange guitar he was playing and fold up a knee lever. The other player was playing it hot and playing it well-- maybe over playing a bit. Jerry laid back and let him shine and then fired away when it was his turn. By the end of the set Jerry must have been down to 3 pedal, maybe a knee, and using bar slants. Jerry obviously enjoyed sharing the stage and not hogging it. The next day I made it a point to meet Jerry. I complimented him on his playing and especially his behavior in the jam room. He said he didn't think anyone notice him folding up those knees, but at least a few of us had.

Jerry is a genuinely nice person and dedicated most of his time away from steel to his family and raising children.

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HagFan

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Ron Page on 16 August 2006 at 06:50 PM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Ron Page on 16 August 2006 at 06:54 PM.]</p></FONT>

Jerry is my friend and great player he is tops in my book,Chubby Howard

Yes, I forgot, Jerry also picked up a new Peavey "Jerry Donahugh" model lead guitar and played "Buckeroo",,,, brought tears to my eyes. He played this song with Don Rich many times.

This guy is what you all have said, a true legend. And his future is looking very bright, as per his name!

I thank you all for your great and positive posts.

Bobbe

Jerry rocks...

but he doesn't have an Airplane !

t

I've met Jerry at the Wheeling Jamboree back in the '70's. I thought he drank too much coffee back then because he had more energy than anybody else there. His playing was enough to make me green with envy. He is the same guy now that he was then with more wisdom and undertanding. He is not only a great country musician, he is a great musician period. His non country recordings are as impressive as his country. He don't play bad 6 string either.
As far as I'm concerned he's always
been "back".

Is he still building the Performance pedal steel? <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 17 August 2006 at 06:38 AM.]</p></FONT>

Jerry Who? I think I heard the name before. Oh, actually I have met him, didn't think he was very bright though. Well anybody that gets into building steel guitars can't be that bright.

Just Kiddin' Jerry, you rock!!!!!!!!

I've known Jerry since he was 16 years old. I've always loved him as a person, and he is one of the most under-rated players around. I'm so happy he's back playing steel guitar. A talent like that should be shared with the world.

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What hasn't been mentioned about The Bright Man is that he's a monster on lead guitar as well as a speed demon with great notes on the steel. And also bass guitar. He's played me some studio stuff he's produced with him playing all the instruments,... not country either, good rock... and it was awesome.

Simply put, he's a brilliant man who's totally focused on what he's doing at the time. That's why he was a success at business during the couple of decades period he was out of the steel guitar game.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

I admit it! I can't remember names. Twenty or so tears ago I met Jerry at Don Dixon's music store in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Twenty or so years later, my old band mate calls to tell me they're going to be playing with a steel player. "Jerry something" was the reply when I asked for the player's name.
"I don't know, Jerry somethin.'" I said," Jerry Brightman?" "Yeah!" said Bobby Lee. Now I admitted it, I can't remember names. but I remembered Jerry's after talking to him for maybe five minutes 20 years ago. Why? Nice guy,GREAT player. Made quite an impression.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by John Billings on 17 August 2006 at 01:56 PM.]</p></FONT>

Thanks to everyone for your kind comments.

I too enjoyed my visit with Bobbe and especially seeing him play his "Travis" style live and in person...Somebody better grab that Peavey guitar...I was really impressed with it...for a steel player

Jerry

JERRY BRIGHTMAN!!!!

I am proud to call this gentleman my friend, and he is indeed a True Friend!!!

I met Jerry a few years back at the ISGC in St. Louis, and right off the bat we became friends, he is such a humble person, and you would never know he knew anything about a steel, UNTIL!!! he sits down behind one of them!!! Then the magic comes thru, From that 1st time I saw him play in the Fulawka Room back in 2002, with all those Knee Levers folded up, and using only a couple of those Pedals, with Lots of Bar Slants, I knew this was a player I wanted on my next project.

I am so proud and honored that Jerry said YES when I saked him if he would be part of my project "Keepin it Real" 2 years ago, Jerry played 2 songs on my CD, "I'll come running" which he is SUPER FAST on, and Twin Steels with another great friend of Ours Lloyd Green, on "I'm gonna knock on your door" You can see pictures of Jerry in action, at my site www.redkilby.com

You can hear and see more from this Legend of the Steel Guitar at his personal website www.slidestation.com
Lots of Pictures from his Early Years, thru the Buck Owens years, and the Present!!!
Also Please do yourself a favor and check out his 2 CD's also "Back Again" and "Back Again, To the Country" Both Great CD's, and HE PLAYS EVERYTHING!!!!!!

I am also Very Proud to say that he is not only one heck of a Friend, and a Player, but he is also a Steel Guitar Builder also, with his own line of Steels, PERFORMANCE STEEL GUITARS, and you can check them out at this website www.steelguitaramericas.com.

I know that I have said before, But I will say it again!!!! I am very proud of my friend<<<<<<, JERRY BRIGHTMAN!!!!!!!!

Hello friends,

I wanted to advise everyone who may be interested, that we have recently up-dated the Performance website with lots of new pictures and information.

Thanks again to all of you for your support and interest!

Jerry
http://www.steelguitaramericas.com