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Bobby Koefer
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Bar Chatter Archive
Bobby Koefer
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This topic was originally posted in this forum: Wanted To Buy |
| Author | Topic: Bobby Koefer |
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Keith Hilton Member Posts: 1649 |
posted 29 February 2000 10:07 PM
A few years back at Scotty's International Steel Guitar Convention, I noticed many name players gathering around the front of the stage. There was Buddy Emmons ,Doug Jernigan ,and a host of other players sitting on the floor in front of the stage. They were waiting to hear a guy named Bobby Koefer play non pedal stand up steel. When he started playing I knew why so many name players were there on the floor watching him. He had the strangest way of picking the strings and holding the bar. His single string work was fast and smooth. It sounded like he had pedals. I watched closely, and to this day, can not figure out how he was getting all those big cords. The cords were so big they just went on and on, and ran into the next big cord. I'd love to hear him play again. He only made one trip to Scotty's convention. Does anyone know where he is at and if he is still playing? Seems like he was from somewhere in Oregon. ------------------ |
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Johnny Cox Member Posts: 935 |
posted 29 February 2000 10:23 PM
Bobby is one of the true legends of steel guitar. He played with Bob Wills and Pee Wee King amoung others. He is still living in Oregon and still playing. He plays with none other than the Texas Playboys. The band is now headed up by Tommy Alsup & Leon Rausch and working western swing festivals and dances all over the country. I would love to see Bobby return to St. Louis or Dallas. Johnny |
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Steve England Member Posts: 542 |
posted 01 March 2000 09:13 AM
If any of you are in the Tulsa area this weekend come over to Cain's Academy, Bobby Keofer will be playing with the Playboys for Bob Will's birthday bash on Friday and Saturday night, plus a radio broadcast Saturday afternoon. I agre Bobby is one of the kings of steel guitar, and he has totally his own way of doing stuff. Watching and listening to him play "Some Mother's Eyes" is a revelation everytime. Tulsa Straight Ahead!!!! |
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ed packard Member Posts: 1355 |
posted 01 March 2000 09:47 AM
Bobby K is not only a great player, he is a great showman, ..watch his eyes re the audience while he is playing, he makes it personal! Check out the front of his instrument neck where his right hand anchors. |
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Smiley Roberts Member Posts: 4424 |
posted 01 March 2000 11:54 AM
Duh...gee...Bobby Koefer. I ain't never heered o' him.  I have been tellin' you guys,for TWO YEARS now,why he needs to go into the S.G.H.O.F.,before he joins the ranks of Chalker,Day,Garrett,& others,but nobody will listen to me. The next time you play,"Curtain Call",think of Bobby Koefer. He wrote it. ------------------ |
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Frank Venters Member Posts: 182 |
posted 01 March 2000 01:14 PM
I just read recently that Bobby could play that steel without looking at his hands, and just looked and smiled at the audience.So I got on my Fender Stringmaster and tried that. Oh Yeah... sounded like, well you know!!!!! I agree with Smiley, the Hall of Fame for Bobby Koefer. And I don't believe that story that he buried his steel in his back yard up in Fairbanks ,Alaska. There only two days a year you can dig a hole in the ground in Alaska, July 4th and July 5th, been there and done that. LOL!!!!!! |
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memphislim Member Posts: 143 |
posted 01 March 2000 01:22 PM
I worked the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee a couple of years ago and Bobby was playing with Truitt Cunninham's band. This was a legendary lineup including Bobby Boatwright and Curly Lewis and I believe Manny Garcia on guitar. Bobby was great, you have to see his version of Hawaiian War Chant to believe it. They were the smoothest guys of the 100 or so bands at the Jubilee. They followed us on at least half of the 10 shows we played that weekend and were always gracious and supportive of the Swing we were attempting to play. Great guys. You could sit all night and listen to Truitt tell stories of the old days with Bob Wills. Here's a link where you can find a recording on cd of what they did that weekend. http://www.jps.net/sanantone/ |
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wayne yakes md Member Posts: 650 |
posted 01 March 2000 02:06 PM
At that convention Bobby Koefer played, Buddy Emmons credited Bobby with the licks he used in "Night Life". Quite a tribute! |
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Keith Hilton Member Posts: 1649 |
posted 01 March 2000 09:37 PM
Yes, Buddy Emmons got up on stage and gave Bobby credit for the stuff he did on Night Life. Emmons said he was on tour with Tubb. The band went to see Bobby and his band, after they did their show. Emmons said he watched Bobby do this really interesting passage. As soon as they got back to Nashville, he had what Bobby was doing on his mind when he did the Night Life recording with Ray Price. This is not just me saying this---Buddy got up on stage after Bobby played and told this story. I'm tell you---- it don't get any better than Bobby Koefer! That was a great Convention. Probably my favorite Convention in St. Louis,of the 27 or so I have attended, was the one with Ray Price and Buddy Emmons. I think the hair on the back of my neck stood up the whole performance! Yes, it was that great. ------------------ |
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Steve England Member Posts: 542 |
posted 02 March 2000 09:12 AM
I think I'll print this topic up and show it to Bobby this weekend. I bet he'll be tickled pink. Memphislim, that was Benny Garcia on guitar. He is an amazing guyitar player who used to play with Spade Cooley and Tex Williams Western Caraven. And yeah his Hawaiian War Chant is a sight to behold, especially when he gets someone up on stage for the "dance" and they have no idea what to expect |
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Dave Mayes Member Posts: 221 |
posted 02 March 2000 10:51 AM
There are a couple of Bob Wills video collections out there that have GREAT shots of Bobby taking solos - switching necks in the middle of a solo and NEVER LOOKING down at his guitar! Or so it appears. Saw him with T. Cunningham at the Sacto Jazz Jubilee (early June ? every year) and seeing was believing. A true PHENOMENON. JB covered Bobby's "Blue Mist" on his last CD. S.G.H.O.F. NOW ! |
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Keith Hilton Member Posts: 1649 |
posted 02 March 2000 12:05 PM
Steve, if you print this and give it to Bobby, I want to say something else. Bobby was so nervious when he played that Convention at Scotty's---he could not get his guitar plugged into the amp at the start. His hand was shaking so bad the 1/4 inch jack would not hit the hole of the amp. Finally the fiddle player went over and plugged the cord in for Bobby. Once he started playing, you would never of known he was nervious. Once he started playing--he was in total control. ------------------ |
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Garland Nash Member Posts: 143 |
posted 02 March 2000 02:13 PM
Bobby is one I've tried to copy for years, but haven't suceeded. He is the best when it comes to the single notes and his phrasing. Wish I could see him, but Texas is a long ways. Garland Nash.(and still playing non pedal) |
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Steve England Member Posts: 542 |
posted 05 March 2000 09:14 PM
I gave Bobby a copy of this thread last night at Cains. It was too dark for him to read it there but he seemed pretty chuffed by it. "This is all about me?" He was totally top notch as usual. Played "some Mothers Eyes" Friday and Saturday, did the Hawaiian War Chant dance with Luke Wills. I'm looking forward to Turkey, Texas in April to hear it all again. Ed I see what you mean about the front of his guitar. That shows he's done years of serious playing on that old Fender. I can't believe I've used the words serious, and Bobby Koefer in the same sentence  Dallas this weekend. life can be great!!!! |
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Ben Jack Member Posts: 393 |
posted 06 March 2000 07:49 AM
Keith, I went to Cains last Sat. and visited with Bobby, he is playing the same as ever, GREAT!!! What a stylist, you certainly dont have any problem wondering who is playing steel. Hope to see you in Dallas. Ben |
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daynawills Member Posts: 652 |
posted 06 March 2000 08:11 AM
Bobby Koefer is the most positive guy you will ever meet. He is always smiling, always "up". He never has a bad word to say about anyone, and he won't listen to gossip. Add these qualities to a great player and you have "somethin' special". I am going to do a write up on Bobby soon and post it on my website. My hubby and I have known Bobby for about 12 years now. One year we gave him a lift to the Amarillo Airport after Bob Wills Day. Bobby and I talked for the hour plus ride, and he told me some great stories about his life and his amazing travels all over the world. And! It's all on tape! That Keofer's a real gas! ------------------ |
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Keith Hilton Member Posts: 1649 |
posted 06 March 2000 11:20 AM
When is the big blow-out in TURKEY, TEXAS? ------------------ |
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Steve England Member Posts: 542 |
posted 06 March 2000 12:50 PM
Kieth It's the last weekend in April. Thursday night there is usually a jam in the old school gym, Friday Night the Playboys play a dance at the School Gym building then on Saturday Afternoon the Playboys do the free concert on the football field. There are ususlly a few jams going on invarious locations, especially if the weather is fine. Hey Dayna I heard you and Gary get to stay at the hotel this year.... way to go!! |
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Keith Hilton Member Posts: 1649 |
posted 06 March 2000 09:00 PM
Hey Ben Jack, guess who I found out was at Cains saturday night also? Your former band member, Louis Shaw! There must of been a lot of people for you not to have seen Louis, your former fiddle player. Louis called me last night and said he and a bunch of the old band members get together in Tulsa. As you probably know, the occasion was Bob Wills 95th birthday party. I ask Louis if Cain's still looked the same. He said yes, and it still has the floating dance floor. We talked about Bobby Koefer for a hour. Louis said Bobby holds the bar like a baby holds a spoon. Come to think of it, it does seem similar. ------------------ |
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Larry Sasser Member Posts: 41 |
posted 07 March 2000 09:13 PM
If your ever in Atlanta and want to hear some GREAT nonpeadl steel try Garland Nash he is real good. Hi Garland!!!! Larry Sasser |
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