Terry Bethel Story

Billy Henderson · Post by **Billy Henderson** » 6 Dec 2006 7:46 am

I got this story from a Bud named Country Jack Harper, Jack is like horse manure he's everywhere and knows more about musicians and stuff than anybody I have ever heard of.

This from Country Jack:

back in '72, yeah, it was '72 or '73, i think, tommy overstreet was hot as a
firecracker and had a fantastic road show to showcase the hit songs that seemed to just keep on comin'. in fact his show was so good, he carried two, not just one, but two, steel players. one of those being, the legend the of flint, michigan library, mr & mrs bethels son, terry. nobody ever sez' nuthin' 'bout this, but, that still keeps me awake at night.....man, 2 steels and already a 7 piece band = 9 pieces. well, maybe
not that many, but 2 steels. how 'bout terry throwin' another log on the fire! is this a hidden fantasy from another life? or is it a page from real steel stories? if so, how was it from behind the bar? inquireing minds wanna know!
Country Jack

I too am a fan of Terry's I got his CD's and in fact listened to them last night. If I could I would own a Terry Bethel Steel. If I could play one song as good as Terry I would![This message was edited by Billy Henderson on 06 December 2006 at 08:09 AM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 6 Dec 2006 11:49 am

I need to check out Terry's latest work. I'm reading many good reports about his prowess on the pedal steel guitar. Don't spare the good words.

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 6 Dec 2006 12:27 pm

I saw Terry play 2 years ago in St Louis. I was so awestruck that i had to go and talk to him. I got to like him so much i asked if he would teach me some stuff. So I changed my tuning to (almost) match his, as he uses a Jimmy Crawford tuning with the 2nd string tuned to D. I went to Branson that Winter and lasso'd him into giving me a lesson or 2. I took enough stuff back to work on for a year. A year later I went back to Branson and took another lesson from him. My playing has grown so much thanx to Terry Bethel that I am getting more compliments than ever before and more job offers all the time. INMHO Terry is one of the top steel players in the world. His emotion and ability to convey his sound continues to awe me more than any other player. I have heard many of the greats and they all blow me away. However, I still would rather listen to Terry above them all.....

[This message was edited by Ron Sodos on 06 December 2006 at 12:29 PM.]

Buck Grantham · Post by **Buck Grantham** » 16 Dec 2006 5:21 pm

He's a great player and also a great guy,One of my favorite friends, and if I lived in Branson I would bug him to death to show me some of those moves he makes on that steel.

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 17 Dec 2006 11:23 am

I met Terry in March 1968, when he played with Leon Boulanger at the famous FLAME CAFE in Minneapolis. At this time he was playing a D-10 Domland Steel Guitar. I used to ask him to play 4 Wheel Drive & a few other instrumentals.
In June of 1969 he left Leon to go on the road with Mel Tillis.

Dean Dobbins · Post by **Dean Dobbins** » 17 Dec 2006 7:40 pm

I just returned from Scotty's H.O.F. fund raiser Christmas Show where I was fortunate enough to get to sing a song with the Legendary Terry-( hey, that rhymes, don't it)? You should have heard his "off the cuff" break he played on "Farewell Party" Absotively, posolutely ASTOUNDING!!!

------------------
Dino

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 17 Dec 2006 8:17 pm

This is only a little tidbit story, but I thought it was worth mentioning:

I was outside the hotel in St. Louis at this year's convention, about 4 in the morning. I was winding down, getting some fresh air. Out of nowhere, Terry Bethel pulls up to the lobby doors. (I later heard that he had driven in from a Mel Tillis gig, hours away.) He is rolling his gear in through the door when he notices me just standing there. He doesn't know me from Adam, but just looks at me with a big smile and says "Hey, how are ya doin'!", as cheerful as if it was high noon. We all know that coming into a hotel at 4am after a gig and a long drive is not usually a recipe for feeling chipper. But his friendly gesture at that ungodly hour made an impression on me, and I made sure I caught his set the next day as well as the jam in the Peavey room. His playing was as great as his personality, always a winning combination.

Rusty Walker · Post by **Rusty Walker** » 18 Dec 2006 3:59 am

Ron,would you kindly post his set-up? I've always been curious Thanx Rusty (e9 that is)

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 18 Dec 2006 10:31 am

Well, I had heard about Mr. Terry Bethel for several years, and in fact owned an early steel guitar instruction book co-written by him, and the late Jimmy Crawford.

When I decided to try the 1st Annual Steel Guitar Convention at Marshfield, MO last July 2006, someone suggested that I invite Terry Bethel, so I did.

The man came and stayed all day long, played a fabulous steel guitar set and encouraged everyone from start to finish. Besides being a world-class steel guitarist, he is as others mentioned a heck of a super nice guy! I have great admiration and respect for this person. Just a super nice guy! Of course he is sheduled to play on our next 2nd Annual Steel Guitar which will be held next June 2007 at Marshfield, MO.

If you would like to hear and see his playing come to the next show. If you don't want to wait until then, you need to order one our 1st Annual Steel Guitar Show DVDs. This DVD features Terry and 9 other steel guitarists. It is two hours and thirty-eight minutes of fine steel guitar playing. Also there is very little talking, we edited alot of the dead space out.

The cost is only $20 and I pay the postage in the USA. Everyone who has purchased one agrees it is a great DVD. All of the proceeds/sales go to fund our next steel guitar show June 2007.

To order send either a check or money order to:

Terry Wood
312 North Walnut Street
Marshfield, MO 65706

May GOD bless!

Terry Wood

Tiny Olson · Post by **Tiny Olson** » 18 Dec 2006 7:10 pm

Terry Bethel = Super Player, Super Dude, Super Friend.

Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" Olson

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 18 Dec 2006 7:13 pm

Tiny, you're a super dude as well..........I also really enjoyed meeting and chatting with you outside the hotel in St. Louis.

Terry Bethel · Post by **Terry Bethel** » 24 Dec 2006 9:56 pm

Hey guys,
The part about Tommy Overstreet is not true. I was with the stuttering lad in 72 and 73.
I do appreciate all the nice things everyone said about me though.

Terry

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 25 Dec 2006 3:49 pm

Terry is one of the nicest guys around. He is very giving of himself. He has helped Austin a BUNCH!!!!!!!!!!! Right now he is mixing Austin and Jerry's new CD ( mostly Austin ). I have heard 4 songs so far. If the rest are as good as these 4 I don't think I can stand it. He is a GREAT producer!!!!!!!!! Thanks Terry.

Donna