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Who are the Top Ten "Unknowns"? (Page 1)
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Bar Chatter Archive
Who are the Top Ten "Unknowns"? (Page 1)
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| This topic is 3 pages long: 1 2 3 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Wanted To Buy |
| Author | Topic: Who are the Top Ten "Unknowns"? |
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Dave Van Allen Member Posts: 5369 |
posted 17 March 2000 06:10 AM
who are the finer pickers you know who haven't gotten , how shall I say this, well, "National" recognition?? the "local" folks who knock you out at shows or gigs? a few of my faves: Mark Bright, Virginia and of course any fool who takes up the dern thing and has the chutzpah to play in public has my undying respect.... |
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Jerry Hayes Member Posts: 3306 |
posted 17 March 2000 06:58 AM
There aren't too many players where I live now but we have a couple of good ones! I like ol' Kenny Dail first off. He says he ain't no speed demon, but he can hold his own I think. Kenny's main forte' I believe is his wonderful full tone and vibrato. He can milk a note as good as any of the big boys ever could. His only flaw is he plays a P/P Wood Body Emmons! #2 and 3 moved from here to Nashville a couple of years ago. They would have to be Bobby "Muskrat" Reames who was a top notch player in every respect. The other was a left handed player named Darrell Morris. He played a ShoBud Maverick which had been converted to a leftie with no knee levers and only pedals 1 & 2 working. He played it through an MXR DynaComp and got the best dang tone you ever heard. The rest of my list would have to go back to my Southern California days. These are guys who worked the clubs in LA and did a marvelous job in my opinion. These would include J.G. "James" O' Rafferty who could hold his own in any situation with any of the top pros but I think was overlooked because of a little professional jealousy by some of them! The next would be the great Art Sanchez (now deceased). I had the pleasure of working with him at the Swizzle Stik in Huntington Beach for a year and a half. He'd do something hot on the steel and look up at me with a big grin and say "Jerry, the Spic can Pick". What a guy! The next would be Mr. Gene Fields of GFI guitars. I knew Gene for many years in the LA scene and he played his own way and could play anything in the world. His rendition of Little Rock Getaway was a mind blower. Then there's ol' Blackie Taylor! He's known mostly for being a music store owner but he's a top notch player too! Blackie played some of the best Mooney licks I ever heard and when I found out he played A6th and lowered it to E9 I was stunned. He did it backwards but so good. Some of the other great players I knew out there were Jerry Stevens, Billy Tonneson, Bobby Boydd, Johnny Davis, Bookie Modin, and Carl Walden who I never could figure out how he played so well being it seemed he was always playing on a piece of $hit steel. A couple of others of note would be the Forum's own Mike Perlowin. He and I used to play at clubs right across the street from each other. And then there's Steve Silver, David Pearlman, John McClung, Jim Bob Sedgwick, Major Simpson, Bill Kennedy, Skeeter Stoltz, and a lot of others but I've taken up a lot of space by now and I'm sorry. But These people were all influences on me in good ways. ------------------ |
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Gary Steele Member Posts: 1201 |
posted 17 March 2000 07:26 AM
Mike Sigler from Rushville Ohio has a name for a great picker!! |
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RickRichtmyer Member Posts: 2522 |
posted 17 March 2000 07:55 AM
DVA, Curry's last name is Coster, not Costa and he definitely belongs to the list of unknown "greats." I'll add a couple others that I haven't heard in years but were great the last time I heard them - both from Maryland, or perhaps Virginia: Ray Chilton and Clyde Bloodsworth ------------------ |
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Mike Perlowin Member Posts: 6731 |
posted 17 March 2000 08:15 AM
There are a few really outstanding players around town. Earnest Bovine is kind of known as a session player so I don't know if he counts for this thread, but some others are our fello forumites Mike Johnstone, Jim Bob Sedgewick, and Rick Schmidt. Jerry Hays, who as he pointed out, uses to play across the street from where I was playing, Marty Rifkin (who recently did some work wkth Bruce Springsteen), Dave Pearlman, Mark Switzer (Who also plays b@anjo, mandolin and guitar and sings really well too.) John McClung, and Mickey Wells. There's a local great guitar player named John McDuffie who also plays steel, but I've never heard him. I've seen him working with Ernest, but he played guitar and the cow man played steel. I'm sure I forgot some people. |
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Dave Van Allen Member Posts: 5369 |
posted 17 March 2000 08:49 AM
thanks Rick it was a slip of the fingers... I knew it was "er"... one of the most fun evenings I've had was playing twin (or at least dual) steels with Curry one night at the Village Barn near Andrew AFB 'fore it burned down- there's another I've neglected to mention: Don West the "Chord King" from parts unknown and there's some cats I heard in the Berkshires who kick butt too: Jim Roule (sp?) |
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wayne yakes md Member Posts: 650 |
posted 17 March 2000 09:04 AM
BUZZ EVANS and CHUCK LETTES without a doubt! But after Scotty's 2000 convention, that won't be true anymore! |
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Bob Shilling Member Posts: 469 |
posted 17 March 2000 11:46 AM
David Wright! ------------------ |
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Bob Blair Member Posts: 1002 |
posted 17 March 2000 12:57 PM
Just the other day Bruce Hamilton and I were chatting about the late Tom Keates. Bruce and I both knew Tom when we were in Kingston, Ontario. Although he stayed in Eastern Ontario and his exposure was thus limited, a lot of people who heard him pay would agree that he had a tone and touch that was absolute magic. Tom was a steel player's steel player, and could have "cut it" anywhere he chose to. |
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Steve Feldman Member Posts: 2983 |
posted 17 March 2000 01:54 PM
Scott Walls |
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Donny Hinson Member Posts: 9192 |
posted 17 March 2000 02:34 PM
Gary Carter. Nice guy...seldom seen...AWESOME PICKER! And yes, Dave, you are right. Curry is one fine player too! [This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 18 March 2000 at 12:47 PM.] |
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Jeff Agnew Member Posts: 494 |
posted 17 March 2000 03:52 PM
Fort Worth's Gary Carpenter. Impeccable tone, unerring taste, and a touch to die for. Plays everything from Western Swing to Clapton's Layla with equal aplomb. If I had to pick one D-FW player to go hear on a night off it would probably be Gary. And that's saying a lot; there is no shortage of fine players in town. Rick, the last time I saw Clyde Bloodworth was while on tour in Macon, GA. That was over ten years ago and I have no idea what he's doing now except that he retired there. IIRC, he had about 237 knee levers on that Emmons p/p of his. |
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Eddie Lange Member Posts: 662 |
posted 17 March 2000 04:00 PM
Dave Schmitz in Souix Falls, SD. ------------------ |
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louie hallford Member Posts: 812 |
posted 17 March 2000 04:25 PM
Jeff Agnew can't put his name down but I will.Has great show at hhe Grapevine Opr'y This list could get long but it would have to include Jim Loesberg and Billy Phelps. For hot western swing ,ie My Window Faces the South etc. I have a life long friend Bennie "Hawk" Holcomb that fasinates me every time I hear him. I hate to admit he played better when we were in the 8th grade than I will ever play in my life. I have a guitar player friend Jack Brown,who used to work in San Jose area and taught at Jimmy Webbs music store.He played with Barry Blackwood in that area and is very high on Barry as a steel man. Anyone know or play with Barry? or Jack? Most of these guys probably don't qualify as unknowns however. [This message was edited by louie hallford on 17 March 2000 at 04:27 PM.] |
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Michael Johnstone Member Posts: 2535 |
posted 17 March 2000 04:52 PM
There's a guy out of Ft.Worth named Ray Austin who came up with Tom Morrell and all those great Dallas guys.He lived in L.A. in the 80s which is where I met him but he's back in Texas now.He's a monster on both necks and a hell of a fisherman.Funkiest C6 player you ever heard.Ray! You out there? I know you got a computer. -MJ- |
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Terry Wood Member Posts: 1205 |
posted 17 March 2000 06:30 PM
Here is a list of unrecognized steel players and one great Dobro player that are all great pickers and great guys! 1) Michael McGhee (Everton, MO) |
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BDBassett Member Posts: 503 |
posted 17 March 2000 09:04 PM
Around Seattle you might get lucky enough to hear Jimmy Webb or Pat Rowe. Both are real class acts, fine gents and super pickers. Up north a ways you'll find Rick Dunn in Surrey BC. He had a great Rock-a-billy style on steel a telecaster last I heard. |
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pix1 Member Posts: 951 |
posted 17 March 2000 09:34 PM
"TOP TEN UNKNOWNS"? I DON'T KNOW! IF I DID, I COULDN'T LIST THEM HERE. WHY? THEN THEY WOULD BE KNOWN. KEEP ME GOIN' 'ROUND IN CIRCLES. |
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Kenny Dail Member Posts: 2583 |
posted 17 March 2000 10:28 PM
1) Joe Turner, Starr, S.C. 2) Sid Hudson, Hopewell, Va. 3) Clyde Mattocks, Kinston, N.C. 4) Lewis Goodrich, Washington, N.C. 5) Marvin Hudson, Greensboro, N.C. 6) Mark Bright, Fisherville, Va. 7) Bubba Davis, Va. Beach, Va. 8) Jerry Hayes, Chesapeake, Va. 9) Bobby Jones, Lynchburg, Va. 10) Larry Sutphin, Va. Beach, Va. All the above are capable of holding their own on any jam session or GOO act. ------------------ |
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Bob Taillefer Member Posts: 656 |
posted 18 March 2000 07:53 AM
I totally agree with Bob and Bruce , Tom Keates was a great player from the Kingston, Ontario area. He was also a real good friend. He would have been featured on the Northern Steel CD featuring canadian steel players. Other great canadian players include: |
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Frank Freniere Member Posts: 214 |
posted 18 March 2000 08:19 AM
From (mostly) Illinois: Ray Gantek |
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Jim Smith Member Posts: 6399 |
posted 18 March 2000 09:12 AM
Frank, is Ray Gantek in Illinois now? If so, tell him I said hi!  ------------------ [This message was edited by Jim Smith on 18 March 2000 at 09:20 AM.] |
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Michael McGee Member Posts: 246 |
posted 18 March 2000 09:25 AM
I just saw my name in this thread, and I believe it's an honest mistake. My name more correctly belongs in the thread entitled "Who are the Top 100,000 "Unknowns"? But thanks Terry - It means a lot (I'll get your check in the mail). Terry left one name off his list. It is: Terry Woods - Conway, MO (now please return that check when you get it!) All kidding aside, Terry is too humble to include himself on his list, but he's included on mine. Regarding dobro, you're right. Mr. Stowe will scare you with what he can do with no pedals and less strings! Terry, son, you need to come see me and play me some 'Tharpe' music! mm [This message was edited by Michael McGee on 18 March 2000 at 09:27 AM.] |
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Adam Member Posts: 311 |
posted 18 March 2000 09:38 AM
Since Mr.Bassett brought up the topic of Seattle,I would be remiss not mentioning the great playing of Don Pawlak.Don plays with the Seattle honky-tonk band the Souvenirs.Their recently released CD has tons of prominently featured Sho-Buddin'.There may be some sound clips up at thesouvenirs.com if you want to give him a listen. |
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C Dixon Member Posts: 5912 |
posted 18 March 2000 09:39 AM
Wow, Folks there is a man in Atlanta that IMHO is second ONLY to Buddy Emmons. His name is Mac Atcheson. Don't take my word for it. Ask any steel player who has ever heard him play. He is absolutely an incredible musician. And a nicer gentleman NEVER walked on this earth outside our Precious Savior. Second in Atlanta, actually Gainesville, Ga, is a man called Garland Nash. A Jerry Byrd clone! His touch is ubelievalbe. He, like Mac simply are out of this world. Finally as one forumite said, a Joe Turner from SC is great also. He gets the closest tone to Lloyd Green I ever heard. And again, such a super person as well. These gentleman may not be known, but they are really great and I mean great steel guitar players, with Mac being again second only to Buddy Emmons when it comes to touch and tone. God bless these players and all of you, carl |
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Don Discher Member Posts: 359 |
posted 18 March 2000 09:51 AM
If you get a chance to hear or buy Al Brisco's "pickin' up dust" CD it's great,he's one of the best and could be in the top 10 in a previous thread. |
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Steve Feldman Member Posts: 2983 |
posted 18 March 2000 09:54 AM
I can't really say for sure because I never actually did hear him, but I have heard from some reliable sources that DOUG JONES from (well, I guess he moves around a lot - somewhere in the NW) is not too shabby. SF |
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Tim Harr Member Posts: 1589 |
posted 18 March 2000 09:55 AM
The best unknowns I have EVER heard are: Don E. Curtis = St Louis, MO Jerry "MuttonHead" Erickson = Atlana, IL David Crow = Lawton, OK Micheal Hermsmeyer = Nashville, TN tim |
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Doug Beaumier Member Posts: 2346 |
posted 18 March 2000 12:53 PM
Hey Jim Smith, I think Ray Gantek is in Florida now. Dave Van Allen: Thanks for the vote! Another kick butt steel picker originally from Massachusetts: Smiley Roberts Jim Smith also lived and played in Mass back in the 70's and 80's. I learned a lot from JS. dougb |
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Mark Krutke Member Posts: 561 |
posted 18 March 2000 01:33 PM
I think Marshall Hall deserves considerable attention. Not only a tremendous classical steel player is he, but very, very creative along these lines. And jazz! I can't help but think of Curly Chalker when I hear Marshall. A master sight-reader and improvising player in my opinion. |
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JB Arnold Member Posts: 1615 |
posted 18 March 2000 03:26 PM
Are y'all already forgetting Dick Meis? he sat in at St Louis for Del Mullen last year and really whupped it up. (Most remember him as the guy who plays with a flatpick) Also in Denver is John Macy. John ------------------ |
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Bill Myrick Member Posts: 1007 |
posted 18 March 2000 03:49 PM
May I mention a couple from my past that more than impressed me ?? A man (deceased) from Iowa named Garland Dye was a super amatuer talent back in the 80's there. Also a good friend of mine still going strong, DeVere Adamson who is retired from being a music store owner in Indianola. He played a smooth and very good sounding steel and seemed to do it with little effort. And last and certainly well worth mentioning --one of his "kids" from the early days who grew into what I call a super picker and I agree with DeVere when he said "he's the hottest thing in Branson" and believe it or not he's not even playing for a living now !! I'm speaking of Kevin Clemons who used to play for the Shoji Tabuchi show there. Wow !! what a talent. !!! |
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CJ unregistered Posts: 1007 |
posted 19 March 2000 01:08 PM
Hey Terry! Thanks for mentioning my name. And you are difinetly right about Ferrel Stowe he is great. By the way one of my favorites is my neighbor Russ Wever. He is an incredable player and a super guy. Cliff Waterman |
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Johnny Cox Member Posts: 935 |
posted 19 March 2000 01:40 PM
There are two guys in Troy Mo. that pick their fannies off. Bob Delaloye (who has been Joan's teacher and mentor for years) and Duane Dunard. Both are wonderful players. ------------------ |
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Skip Cole Member Posts: 1292 |
posted 19 March 2000 01:58 PM
These are some pickers from the Mid-South that in my opinion are some of the best I've ever had the pleasure to hear: 1.Eral Logan No particular order here, 2.Eddie Rice just off the top of my skull 3.Kenny Forbess 4.Randy Smith 5.Jim Taylor 6.Jim Roby 7.Danny Lyles 8.Charlie Owen 9.Leo LeBlanc 10.Smith Benjamin 11.Dale Stacy viva la Steel Skip&Emmo |
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Lem Smith Member Posts: 1501 |
posted 19 March 2000 11:20 PM
Johnny Cox mentioned Duane Dunard. I've not had the pleasure of hearing him play yet, but D.D. is one of the nicest people I have EVER met. One class act for sure!!! Skip... I know some of the guys you mentioned personally, and you are soooooo right! Jim Roby, Danny Lyles and Dale Stacy could hold their own with anybody...pro or non-pro alike. These guys are nothing short of awesome! Roby is not only one smooth player, he's also an innovator, in that he's come up with some really neat changes I've not seen used before. Danny has a truly wonderful tone on the steel and a super fast right hand as well. Can you say...LIGHTNING???!!! And me, well I live in the same general area as these guys, and I own a steel. That's about as close as I come to their level!!! Lem [This message was edited by Lem Smith on 19 March 2000 at 11:22 PM.] |
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John Lacey Member Posts: 1843 |
posted 20 March 2000 04:13 AM
Ronny Halldorson. |
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Joe Casey Member Posts: 3402 |
posted 20 March 2000 04:34 AM
I sure don't think the following list are unknowns,national attention is hard to get when players are regionalized.But here are some great pickers. Sam Gibson,Jimmy Roule(holds himself back),Doug Beaumier (who by his writing,teaching and playing has gained some popularity but limited visability and living in the Northeast limits him).I found many great players up there and enjoyed the times I was asked to MC the New England Steel Bashes. Paul Manning (deceased)Larry Cox,Frankie Caruso. the following former Northeast players have achieved notoriety Terry Sutton Jim Smith,Jim Heffernan,Smiley Roberts (he's notorius),Peggy Green.Tiny olsum.And lets not forget Jerry Fessenden,Fessenden Steel Guitar co. As you travel throughout this vast country, there are tons of great regionalized players. And goood too. |
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Drew Howard Member Posts: 2390 |
posted 20 March 2000 06:17 AM
From the state of Michigan, where no good weather goes unpunished, I propose: Frank Rogers
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Glenn Suchan Member Posts: 1187 |
posted 20 March 2000 08:22 AM
I agree with Frank Freniere's choice of Paul Carestia. Paul is an outstanding steel guitarist. Anyone fortunate enough to be living in or visiting the Chicago area, needs to go hear this man play. I think the band he picks with is called Rancho DeLuxe. Great person too! The only thing wrong is that Paul shouldn't be on the "Unknowns" list!!! Keep on pickin'! |
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