Ralph Mooney Appreciation Thread

Paul Honeycutt · Post by **Paul Honeycutt** » 16 Nov 2006 10:17 pm

I've been on a Waylon Jennings kick this past week and I can't get the sound of Waylon's Telecaster and Mooney's Sho-Bud out of my head. And I love how Waylon and his band look like a bunch of cowboys and Texas hippies and Ralph looks like a barber. Is he retired or still playing?
Any favorite tracks?

Fred Bova · Post by **Fred Bova** » 16 Nov 2006 11:29 pm

Sign me up. I'd be happy to be included in the Ralph Mooney Appreciation Club.

Tore Blestrud · Post by **Tore Blestrud** » 17 Nov 2006 1:19 am

On of my favourite albums: http://waylon.com/discography/2003_Waylon_Live_Expanded_Version.asp
I love Moons playing, and he shines on that album. Saw him in Dallas in March, he is getting older, but still has the magic.
Here's a pic of Dag Wolf, Moon and me:

Ted Solesky · Post by **Ted Solesky** » 17 Nov 2006 1:50 am

I copied Ralph's pickin as close as I could when I was learning. I liked his clean touch when I was listening to those ol Buck Owens albums. His talent was admired by all.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 17 Nov 2006 2:06 am

"I'll go back to her" is one of the all time great "Waylon-Mooney" collaborations. Waylon did such a great job backing up that steel break

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 17 Nov 2006 5:40 am

I too love Mooney's playing and how it blends with Waylon's unique guitar style

Great *ensemble* sound from his group(s). Not just a collection of individual pickers.

Count me in as a strong fan.

Chris

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Carter SD-12 Extended E-9 with 5 & 6; Peavey N 112; Small Stone, Hughes & Kettner Rotosphere.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 17 Nov 2006 10:06 am

I've told this story here before, but I never get tired of it, because it's one of my all-time favorite days of music.

It was about 1974-I say about, because I don't remember the exact year.

Kezar Stadium in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, the former home of the 49er's.

Three bands on the bill:

Opener: New Riders of the Purple Sage with Buddy Cage on steel.

In the middle: Waylon and the Waylors.

Headliner: Grateful Dead

It would seem sort of incongrous to those who only think of the Dead as a hippie jam band on acid. But you have to remember that they absolutely loved country music, did many covers thereof, and wrote a lot of songs that had a very country & western flavor.

At any rate, all three were great that day-and I loved how the folks, in all their tie dye and smelling of patchouli oil (I could never stand the smell of that stuff!) took to the Waylors, and they absolutley loved Moon. He would take a ride, and the crowd went nuts! I can remember Ralph grinning from ear-to-ear after hearing the applause.

Great music transcends all supposed barriers.

I just love how the man plays a steel guitar!

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Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 17 November 2006 at 10:10 AM.]

George Rout · Post by **George Rout** » 17 Nov 2006 1:36 pm

Waylon's bedroom ballads, such as "If I Could Touch Her At All" and "I Can't Keep My Hands Off Of You" are just superb because of Moon's touch in there.

Does anybody know who is the steel player on the album "Mackintosh & TJ" starring Waylon's voice????? Geo[This message was edited by George Rout on 17 November 2006 at 02:32 PM.]

Stan Steinberg · Post by **Stan Steinberg** » 17 Nov 2006 3:32 pm

George, Mr. Mooney played his steel on all of the songs on that album

BJ Jenkins · Post by **BJ Jenkins** » 17 Nov 2006 7:02 pm

I appreciate Mooney's steel work !
I call it "Steel Pickin With an Attitude"
He doesnt just "pick it"... He "Whupps It!"
Count me in..
bj

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BJ Jenkins

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 17 Nov 2006 8:31 pm

There ain't but one MOON out there and he is the only MOON. He is alive and pickin' as good as ever. One of my dearest friends. Jody.

autry andress · Post by **autry andress** » 18 Nov 2006 7:01 am

I never heard of Ralph Mooney until "Rainy
Day Women" came out around 73. When I hear
that Intro & Ride Ole Ralph got me hooked
on the Steel guitar. Hearing Mr. Mooney
play at The TSGA, well I wouldn't miss it
for anything. In my little black book Mr.
Mooney still rules.
God Bless The Moon.

Buddy Elkin · Post by **Buddy Elkin** » 18 Nov 2006 7:24 am

Check out the "Ralph Mooney Interview" in the 'Interview Section' on www.ntsga.com

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 18 Nov 2006 8:46 am

one of the Greats

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“Back then, everything was different, and you only saw it once; now everything’s the same and you see it over and over again"
-Peter Case

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 18 Nov 2006 10:32 am

My life's so much better since I took Ralph Mooney as my personal savior.....JH in Va.

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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!

George Rout · Post by **George Rout** » 18 Nov 2006 3:17 pm

Thanks Stan S. I appreciate your response.
George

Eddie Cunningham · Post by **Eddie Cunningham** » 18 Nov 2006 9:07 pm

Does any body know if Ralph Mooney played steel on a Capital L.P. back in the 60s by Rose Maddox = "Sings Bluegrass" with Red Smiley and Don Reno ?? An fast , awesome sounding steel in bluegrass !!

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Joe Yednasty · Post by **Joe Yednasty** » 19 Nov 2006 8:33 pm

In my opinion, Ralph Mooney is the best steel guitar player of all time because his skill was so great and his sound was so unique. It's very hard to not know who's on steel when Mooney is the guy playing. I'm 22 years old so I was never around when he was with Waylon but those are my favorite songs and albums of all time. I try to collect every live Waylon album with Mooney pickin on the steel. Does anyone know if he'll be doing to the steel guitar show in Texas this year (or any other shows)? I'd love to see him in person before he stops playing.

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"Eskimo" Joe Yednasty

Emmons P/P S-10
Peavey Session 500

Ralph Mooney Fan

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 20 Nov 2006 8:43 am

The last time I talked with Ralph, he told me he doesn't do steel shows anymore. However, I think he can be persuaded to play from time to time.
Having worked a number of gigs and sessions with Ralph, I can say that he is a great guy to work with and had an influence on my steel guitar playing. And I might add that he is a barrel of fun to hang out with, on and off the job.
Ralph, thanks for the memories, my friend.

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www.home.earthlink.net/~johnd37

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 20 Nov 2006 9:31 am

Eddie,

The credits for Rose Maddox Sings Bluegrass indicate that Wayne Gailey played steel on that album. I believe a year or two later Norm Hamlet did some recording with her.

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HagFan

[This message was edited by Ron Page on 20 November 2006 at 09:32 AM.]

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 20 Nov 2006 9:43 pm

Testifying here ! It's not what Moon plays
so much as how he sounds playing it. One
of his simplest, most straightforward intros
is on Buck Owens/Rose Maddox' "Mental
Cruelty". It just drips with that "attitude".
I still believe his "Under Your Spell Again"
is the best steel break ever recorded.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 21 Nov 2006 6:29 am

What Clyde said! Another of my favorite breaks is Ralph's work on Wynn Stewart's "One More Memory".......JH in Va.

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Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 22 Nov 2006 5:30 am

Jerry, this is a bit off topic, but do you have that recording "One More Memory" so you can tell me who got credit for writing it?
Wynn, Norm Owens and myself, sat up all night at Norms house, writing that song.
Later, after I moved to Missouri, I saw the title on an album. The writers credit, I think, was listed as Bobby George. That is still a mystery to me.

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www.home.earthlink.net/~johnd37