The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi all, I'm posting this for my buddy Deke Dickerson, please read and send your replies here!:

"I'm interviewing Norm Hamlet on FRIDAY and in addition to asking about the Farmer Boys, the Desert Stars, Wynn Stewart, Merle Haggard & the Strangers instrumental records--can you list people fill me in on some other things to ask Norm? I'm not a member so I can't post but I can read your posts, so if anybody has anything important they think I should ask, post it here!"

Thanks everyone in advance!!

edit: Deke (and myself) forgot to mention that he will be interviewing Norm for the upcoming Bear Family Merle Haggard box set. This box set, I believe will continue where the first one left, and thus include the great instrumental albums by the Strangers. So, here's your chance to get some first hand information to the box set about the things YOU wanted to know! <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Jussi Huhtakangas on 13 December 2006 at 09:39 AM.]</p></FONT>

Jussi- Hi from a Bakersfield Boy.

Please ask Norm about his memories when he was the steel player on the Dave Stogner TV program in Bakersfield during the mid-1960's. I believed he played a three-neck Bigsby back then. That was before he became a Stranger, of course. May I get a copy of your interview?? Thanks.

Hey Deke (via Jussi) Ask Norm about taking steel lessons from Vance Terry. He talked about this at ISGC this year. Very interesting. His set there was AWESOME!! How cool is it that Bear F. will include comments from the steel player on the liner notes?

Bumping this up, c'mon guys, sure there's something you always wanted ask Norm. Also, Deke will interview Fuzzy Owen too, so post your questions please!!

I think Norm has one of the most distinctive styles, often recognizable. I wonder how he developed it. I hear Moon influences, but mostly just Norm. I also know that he can play a lot hotter then you hear on Hags records.

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Howard

I agree with Howard, Norm has a unique sound and does stretch when playing live.What interests me is approach to intros and turnarounds,often so simple but also perfect for the songs.He is just a master of good taste, "less is more" if you will.It would be nice to hear his insight that approach. thanks Bill

Hey Deke. Bill from Atlanta. You might remember me from our days on the Ampex group and fooling with the old Ampex tape machines. Hope things are well with you. Just in case you are out there starving and can't afford the $5 to join the Steel Guitar forum I would be glad to make your bail so you can participate here!

Gary H.:

Thanks for that question, I'm sure the rest of Dad's family will be tickled to hear you asked, and of course Norm's answer. Norm and Dad go way back when he was a youngster.

Don't worry Norm I ain't telling how old you are!

I concure, with Billys Vance terry question ie how much was he an influence and, also Deke get hold of David Wright he has killer Wright custom brochures with Norm, they would sure look good in that Bear family booklet.
Lee

This is a little late but...I wonder what it was like teaching Barbra Mandrell the pedal steel ?

In October 1960, I had the pleasure of accompanying Norm and Gene Breeden driving down to Brisbane, CA club where Vance had been playing. We got to listen to Vance do what he could do best. At the time, I had no idea what giants in the music business were in my eyeshot at the time. I'd love to get in that Delorean, dial up the date and travel back in time with my video camera and record for a great piece of history.

Jussi & Deke,

You might ask Norm to tell you some Roy Nichols stories....

I'm sure we'd all like to know, with touring slowing down a little bit, if there is another instrumental album in Norm's future.

And since it's been a hot topic here recently, you might ask him what induction to the Steel Guitar HOF would mean to him. I know a lot of us believe that his time is coming (soon) for that.

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HagFan

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Ron Page on 18 December 2006 at 08:41 AM.]</p></FONT>

Thanks everyone, Deke went and interviewed both Norm and Fuzzy Owen last Friday. Lots of interesting stories, I'm sure we will read about them in time when the new box sets are released. If I understood correct there will be two massive sets, something to ad on your next Xmas wish list. In the meantime you can check Deke's liner notes in the recent Johnny Paycheck/Donny Young cd Shakin' The Blues, also by Bear Family. Great pre-Little Darlin' recordings with lots of incredible steel playing.

I have to second Jussi's comments on the Donny Young compilation. Its the earliest cuts on the man we love so much. Jimmy Day is mostly throughout the whole thing, but I believe there is some Emmons and maybe some Ben Keith. Songs written by Bill Anderson, Don Gibson, Wayne Walker; Back-up vocals by Roger Miller and Darrell Young(McCall)Donny's brother , how can you miss! The folks at Bear Family did it again.

I got my Donny Young CD about 3 weeks ago(I preordered)...some good stuff!

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http://home.comcast.net/~steves_garage

I apologize Norm to bring this up in a topic about him but I believe the steel player on the first few songs on the BF Paycheck cd is the unsung hero of early Nashville steel, Jack Evins. It just sounds so much like his work with Ray Price and the time when Paycheck recorded them is when Evins recorded with Price. But yes, Jimmy Day is all over that cd and there are some with Big E too.

For Eddie Lange. Maybe you were kidding about the Young brothers so to set the record staight for the others members here. They are not brothers even though D Young brought Darrell to nashvile and they tried to make their debut as the Young Brothers. It didn't work. Anyway they were very close friends but not related. Jack Solomon

Yes I was kidding Jack. I think thats a neat little part of history that alot of people dont know though. Two of the greatest singers our business has produced.