It has been my experience over the past 60 years or so that the top-notch, world-renowned, professional steelers (the “Greats”) have given us many examples of what is meant by a “Class Act” when, in numerous cases, they have stopped for a couple of minutes to help beginners and “unknowns” – or to be nice to their fans. It seems that those who have truly reached the level of greatness are the most humble. I cite as examples a few of the top-notch steel guitarists I have had the pleasure and honor to cross paths with at some point in my life: Alvino Rey; Joaquin Murphey; Noel Boggs; Leon McAuliff; Bobby Koefer; Buddy Emmons; Bill Stafford; DeWitt Scott; Billy Robinson; Jerry Byrd; Roy Wiggins; Jody Carver; Pete Kirby; Joe Wright; John Hughey; Doug Jernigan; Lynn Owsley; Mike Sweeney; Walter Stettner; Herb Remington; Herb Steiner. (I know that I must have left out a number of Greats I have met that my clouded old hard drive didn’t retrieve, and for that I apologize.) The ones I mentioned above are some that I have personally seen “stoop” to help or be congenial to someone “below” them. A couple of recent threads on the Forum where Buddy Emmons has responded to questions by the younger set are actually what triggered this post regarding “Class Acts.” Some other specific examples I can cite are John Hughey who I recently saw get down on the floor at a steel guitar show to get the model number off of some of his equipment for a fan, Bill Stafford who treated me like a long lost friend the first time I met him when he didn’t know me from Adam at that time, Alvino Rey who many years ago when I was just a green kid invited me out to the club where his big band was playing as his guest and got me a table next to the bandstand, Noel Boggs who looked me up and called me on the phone years after I had first met him, Joaquin Murphey who showed me his tunings and some of his licks back in the 40’s when I was totally unknown and everyone had told me he wouldn’t reveal his “secret tunings” – and I could go on and on with examples. Just keep your eyes open and watch: when you see a steeler shun some fan or look down upon some novice steeler, you can bet your big bippy he is not one of the true “Class acts” displaying a humble attitude that, in my opinion, is a prerequisite to achieving “Greatness” as a steel guitarist.

Roy Ayres
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My Web Site

[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 14 June 2004 at 04:02 PM.]

I was about 2 years down the wrong road of learning steel guitar and a friend of mine (Doug Childress) knew PeeWee and introduced me to him one night at an opry show in Kirbyville, Tx. I didn't know anything about PeeWee, I just thought after hearing him he was a very good player. When I talked to him about learning steel he told me to contact Reece and that he could get me on the right road. PeeWee seemed to be just like any other regular guy and I had no idea of his history until months later.

After hearing PeeWee play I figured anyone he reccommended would be good enough for me. So I called Reece in a few days, again not knowing anything of Reece's history either. Reece came across as we all know him, just like a regular guy and very understanding of my downfalls in learning to play. He never once tried to sell himself or gave me any idea of "who" he was.

I did end up going to Reece's for lessons and after 3 days of lessons I had learned more than I had ever imagined but still had no idea of "who" he was!! All I knew was he was a great person and teacher. I didn't even know how well he played because he did very little playing while teaching.

It was weeks and months later only after telling different ones who I had taken lessons from that I found out who Reece Anderson really was.

In a way I'm glad I didn't know of him before I called him, because if I had known of his accomplishments I probably would have never bothered someone like that with my steel playing problems. Thinking of course that he would never have time for a beginner like me. That thought of course could not have been further from the truth.

I have found since then that steel players in general are some of the most humble musicians I've ever ran across!! It seems like the higher up you get on the talent chain the more humble they are.

I still don't think of Reece or PeeWee as top shelf pro players simply because of how I first met each one of them. I just think of them as friends of mine. Then when I think about their accomplishments I just thank God for friendships with such great people!!

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Fessy S-12U, Future MSA Millennium S-12U, Stereo Steel

Drew

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Fessenden D-10 8+8 / Magnatone S-8 (E13)

There's also a few who come across as "terribly unconcerned", and not really involved with their fans, unless they can sell them something!