The Steel Guitar Forum
Bar Chatter Archive
Sonny: 70s Steel Savior?
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone!
profile | register | preferences | faq | search
Steel Guitar Strings Strings & instruction for lap steel, Hawaiian & pedal steel guitars http://SteelGuitarShopper.com |
Ray Price Shuffles Classic country shuffle styles for Band-in-a-Box, by BIAB guru Jim Baron. http://steelguitarmusic.com |
This Forum is CLOSED. |
|
|
The Steel Guitar Forum
Bar Chatter Archive
Sonny: 70s Steel Savior?
profile | register | preferences | faq | search
|
This topic was originally posted in this forum: Wanted To Buy |
| Author | Topic: Sonny: 70s Steel Savior? |
|
Jeff Evans Member Posts: 554 |
posted 21 September 2000 03:54 PM
quote:
Do ya'll recall an obscure 1970s player named Lloyd Green? [This message was edited by Jeff Evans on 21 September 2000 at 03:59 PM.] |
|
Donny Hinson Member Posts: 9192 |
posted 21 September 2000 04:00 PM
Who the heck is "Happy Goodman"?  |
|
C Dixon Member Posts: 5912 |
posted 21 September 2000 04:09 PM
"Who the heck is "Happy Goodman"? You ARE teasing aren't you? carl |
|
JB Arnold Member Posts: 1615 |
posted 21 September 2000 04:21 PM
Scuse me-but It was in the 70's that I first got interested in Steel, but it was because of Buddy Cage, Jerry Garcia, Sneaky Pete, Bobby Black, Neil Flanz, Jay Dee Maness, and Lloyd Green. They weren't playing country, per se, but THAT's the stuff I cut my teeth on. I think the 70's were a GREAT time for steel-Lots of guys doing new stuff all the time. Lots of new players were influenced to take up the instrument at that time. If I hadn't heard Buddy Cage I would never have heard Buddy Emmons,or Bud Charleton. If I hadn't heard the Grateful Dead I would have never heard Merle Haggard. To my mind, the 70's may have been the last real Golden Age of steel. Been an uphill road ever since. john ------------------ |
|
Mario Cuppetelli Member Posts: 141 |
posted 21 September 2000 04:29 PM
The Happy Goodmans are a Southern Gospel group. Country is not the only venue that Steel Guitar is played on. Steve Rabbit Easter is one awesome Steel player and he has a gospel group. Many of the quartets use a steel on their recordings. Mario |
|
Donny Hinson Member Posts: 9192 |
posted 21 September 2000 04:43 PM
I'm aware of other kinds of music...I just hadn't heard of the "Happy Goodmans". You probably haven't heard of "Dexter Do and the Dont's", but I wouldn't chastise you for it! Around here, about the only "Southern Gospel" music we hear is in a movie soundtrack! |
|
VERNON PRIDDY Member Posts: 301 |
posted 21 September 2000 06:31 PM
Every One Should Know Lloyd Green He Is At The Top Of My List. Sonny. |
|
Jeff Lampert Member Posts: 2636 |
posted 21 September 2000 06:39 PM
quote: Very true. |
|
Bobby Boggs Member Posts: 3623 |
posted 21 September 2000 07:42 PM
I think Weldon and Hal had a pretty good run in the 70's as well. |
|
Bob Carlson Member Posts: 1063 |
posted 21 September 2000 08:23 PM
You guys left out so many, I'm not going to even try to list them all cause I'll leave out a few also. Bob Carlson [This message was edited by Bob Carlson on 21 September 2000 at 08:24 PM.] |
|
Mario Cuppetelli Member Posts: 141 |
posted 21 September 2000 08:35 PM
Donny, I did not mean for it to sound like chastisemnt or anything like it, I am sorry and ask your forgiveness. Mario |
|
Franklin Member Posts: 742 |
posted 21 September 2000 09:39 PM
The early seventies were fine. Everybody worked alot. The Urban Cowboy period of Country music during the late seventies when the DX7 synthesizer pretty much sent every steeler in Nashville back into demo land for about 5 years is what Gregg was talking about. All the traditional Country artists were trying to crossover into the pop world because the movie brought them exposure to a larger audience. In the seventies even Conway stopped using Hughey on his sessions. That should tell you what an impact the DX7 had on Country. If it was not for Sonny Garrish we would have had a four to five year run of no steel on country records. The fiddles got dropped completely during that period. Gregg, with his statement, told you the truth. Yes, there were a few records where other steelers shined like Emmon's on Ray Charles, Weldon on the Oak Ridge Boys, and Hughey on Milsap but pretty much the majority of producers decided if they could not track with Sonny they would just overdub him later because he alone was delivering what they really wanted to hear at that time. Lloyd told me he was unwilling to use effects during that period and lost many of his accounts to Sonny because of that decision. Sonny played on the Gene watson stuff during that 14 Kt. period. Sonny doubled everything he played which also made him sound unique from the rest. Even Pete Drake's work fell off to nearly nothing which coupled with his failing health led to his retirement. In the late 70's Nashville producers were looking for someone a little more pop oriented and Sonny stepped up to the plate and hit a major grand slam. I would venture to say that if Sonny hadn't found a home for the steel on those records during that period most artists would have dropped the steel completely from their road bands as well as their records. The Oaks, Milsap, and Conway added electronic keyboards as a mainstay to their bands pushing the steel into the background. Heck even Tillis hired a guy to play synth. Lucky for me like many others holding down road gigs, Sonny was putting enough steel on Mel's records to keep me employed. Paul |
|
Gregg Galbraith Member Posts: 314 |
posted 21 September 2000 10:44 PM
Paul, Thanks for articulating what I was trying to say.You have given me comfort in knowing that I wasn't talking entirely out of my @$$. Gregg |
|
Marty Holmes Member Posts: 177 |
posted 21 September 2000 11:22 PM
I think that Sonny Garrish,Paul Franklin,John Hugey,and Buddy Emmons Are the four best steel guitarist on the planet.Think about it folks These people have been on records at least for the last thirty or fourty years.In my oppinion These are the grand masters of this beautiful instrument.There is just simply no two ways about it. |
|
Steve Hinson Member Posts: 1837 |
posted 21 September 2000 11:35 PM
...and that's exactly how it happened...those Mickey Gilley records(Stand by Me,etc)are perfect examples of what Paul and Gregg were talking about-doubling keyboard parts,using effects,playing something that fit the song-Sonny kept the steel guitar in the game.He was using chorus,delay,etc.early on-I was at a session he played on and he was using a Doctor Q-an envelope filter-about 1977! |
|
Dan Tyack Member Posts: 3552 |
posted 22 September 2000 12:51 AM
Paul and Gregg, how dare you bring some insight and good sense into this perfectly good flame war...... I was attempting to break into the studio scene (in LA) during those dark days of the late 70s and early 80s, and it was brutal, because the producers in LA were saying, hey if they aren't using the steel guitar in Nashville, why should we? Sometimes Sonny did too good a job fitting in with the synth, because there were times that the producers (out in LA at least) didn't even know there was a steel on the session. It's funny that the characteristics that Sonny has been knocked for by steel guitar purists (highly processed sound, and non-traditional parts) are the very elements that kept the steel on most Nashville records. I crack up every time I hear people complain about the lack of traditional steel in todays country music, in that there are so much more traditional sounds on todays records than during this dark era for the steel. I have never met Sonny in person, but the people who matter, his peers in the studio, have the very highest respect for his musicianship and creativity. ------------------ |
|
Mike Sweeney Member Posts: 2715 |
posted 22 September 2000 01:42 AM
Jeff, You are right on your information except for "Kiss an Angel Good Morning". The steel player on that particular record was the late Gene O'Neal. Lloyd did play on a bunch of Charlie Pride records but not that one. But you are right in saying that Sonny Garrish wasn't the only game in town. Although he did some fine things during that time Sonny hadn't hit his stride yet. The '70's still belonged to Lloyd,Pete,Weldon,and Hal. I'm a big fan of Sonny and love his playing but he hit his full stride in the early '80's. |
|
Bill Cunningham Member Posts: 381 |
posted 22 September 2000 03:53 AM
IMO, to get a feel for Sonny's unique style of playing that Paul and Gregg are refering to, listen to the Eddie Rabbit album that has "Drivin My Life Away" and "I Can't Help Myself". Sonny blends with the keyboard and Reggie Young in a way that complements the songs. A totally different approach to Lloyd et al. This is mid to late 70's stuff and I didn't hear a lot of Lloyd then as I recollect. Example: The Borrowed Angel turnaround referenced earlier was the second thing I learned on steel guitar in 1972; right after I struggled through The Waltz You Saved For Me ------------------ |
|
Bobby Boggs Member Posts: 3623 |
posted 22 September 2000 07:06 AM
I think if Gregg had said late 70,s early 80's most would have agreed.I was out of the music scene at that time,for other reasons and had forgot how bad it was.Also I was not buying records thin and assumed a lot of what turned out to be Sonny's work as Weldon. |
|
John Lacey Member Posts: 1843 |
posted 22 September 2000 07:17 AM
I think that there was a reference to a much earlier Gregg Galbraith quote. What happened to it? |
|
Theresa Galbraith Member Posts: 2369 |
posted 22 September 2000 07:37 AM
John, That quote was from another post under Bar Chatter Sonny Garrish in Hall of Fame. Theresa |
|
John Borchard Member Posts: 224 |
posted 22 September 2000 08:32 AM
In the '70s & '80s when I was living in Austin, we used to refer to that dark age as the "Urban Cowboy Scare". And if I'm not mistaken, I believe the first person that I heard use it was our own Herb Steiner. JB |
|
Peter Dollard Member Posts: 705 |
posted 22 September 2000 08:51 AM
I do not who it was but there was a Roddy McDowell's song "I've Got Wandering Eyes" that had a really wicked Dr. "Q" solo in it..you cannot miss it. Was that Sonny?Pete |
|
Steve Hinson Member Posts: 1837 |
posted 22 September 2000 10:02 AM
Pete,I believe that was indeed Sonny Garrish on that Mc Dowell record-great solo! |
|
Herb Steiner Member Posts: 6119 |
posted 22 September 2000 11:55 AM
Correction, Bro. Borchard... the phrase you heard me use was "the Progressive Country Scare," of the early 70's centered in Austin, phrase coined by Steve Fromholz. The PCS was best exemplified by artists like Michael Murphey, BW Stevenson, Jerry Jeff Walker, and the rest of the guys. Most of whom either you, Jimmy Day, Stu Schulman, John Macy, Charlie Holman, Lloyd Maines, Danny Hawk, Josh Dubin, the late Billy Marshall, Lynn Frazier, yours truly, and forgive me for forgetting the rest, played with. The "Urban Cowboy Incident" occured, for me, in the very early 80's, with the song of the era being "Lookin' For Love." Though I believe there was a some good music, especially for steel, that came from that period, we steel players also had to come up with something to play on songs like "Wind Beneath My Wings," coming from bandstand singers not even of the same quality as the original (mostly non-steel artists) like Kenny Rogers, Lee Greenwood and Gary Morris. And everyone in the audience, man or woman, dressed alike... wearing knock-offs of Charlie One-Horse straw cowboy hats, painted and with hatbands that looked like you hit a quail going about 60mph. Seriously, I enjoyed playing during all those periods since I thought my band at the time, Texas Fever, was a pretty musical outfit and we just came up with good stuff to play even on Lee Greenwood and Gary Morris stuff. And we made good money for the time. But it was more comfortable to play the traditional Price/Bush/McCall stuff. Thank God for George Strait and Randy Travis during that period. But Randy didn't come along until, what, 1985? Double thank God for George Strait. I too think there is a lot of good steel on todays music, much more than in the early 80's. And when guys, usually younger, complain about playing Travis Tritt covers, etc., I put on my Walter Brennan imitation and tell them "you weren't there for the Lee Greenwood era, sonny!" Enough mindless rambling. Herb out.
[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 22 September 2000 at 11:58 AM.] |
|
Larry R Member Posts: 553 |
posted 22 September 2000 12:22 PM
Sonny is still currently turning out great stuff. The Tracy Lawrence CD "Lessons Learned" is just one of them. |
|
Bruce Bouton Member Posts: 324 |
posted 22 September 2000 10:42 PM
I was playing with Lacy J Dalton during the Urban Cowboy period when I was offered a job with Ricky Skaggs. I almost didn't take it because it was too country. I was afraid the radio wouldn't play his music. Thank goodness I was wrong. Do you think history might repeat itself? Bruce |
|
telecat Member Posts: 134 |
posted 23 September 2000 03:12 AM
I think that everyone on the forum wishes and prays that good country music comes back, because I would much rather sing Ray Price, Darell McCall, and Gene Watson type stuff, but till then Ill guess we'll have to do with George Starit, Alan Jackson, Steve Wariner, Brad Paisley, etc etc etc BB |
|
Steve Allison Member Posts: 396 |
posted 23 September 2000 04:52 AM
Let's see, I remember another pedal player in the 70's that sorta' turned everyone on by the name of, let me think, Ral, uh, Ralph, uh, oh yeah, RALPH MOONEY!!!!!!!!! |
|
bill ramsey Member Posts: 249 |
posted 23 September 2000 05:25 AM
well now, let me tell you all something. traditional country is coming back, and it's gonna shake up the music industry. you steel players out there. whenever or wherever you play, insist on playing some pure country music. if you do you will see the difference,mho. bill ramsey and the pure country band, and proud of it. ------------------ |
|
Gary Lee Gimble Member Posts: 932 |
posted 23 September 2000 06:05 AM
"Do you think history might repeat itself?" And if it does, will you be playing for Skaggs again, Bruce? I hear he is playing bluegrass? That means you'll be picking banjo! Gary Lee |
|
C Dixon Member Posts: 5912 |
posted 23 September 2000 07:37 AM
I remember distinctly, when Ricky Skaggs appeared at the ISGC him saying over the PA how much he loved the steel guitar and how he would always have a steel on all his recordings. I also remember a Western Swing tune called "Time Changes Everything" My my my. God bless you all, carl |
|
Dan Tyack Member Posts: 3552 |
posted 25 September 2000 03:41 AM
I always called it the 'Irving Cowboy' scare.... Here are some interesting lists: CMA entertainer of the year: CMA single of the year: Song of the year: |
|
John Macy Member Posts: 2290 |
posted 26 September 2000 02:16 PM
My first master steel session in Nashville in the early 80's was for Gary Morris, and I shared the steel duties on that album with Sonny. For me, that still is one of the highlights of my musical career--having my name listed along with Sonny's (and I actually got top billing). Coming from a studio background, my influences were always the session players--Pete, Lloyd, Weldon, Hal, Jay Dee, Sonny, and now, Paul. While I truly appreciate everyone else, I was always way more impressed how these guys could find the perfect note or phrase to fit in the art of making commercial records. Sonny's a gem. |
All times are Pacific (US) | This is an ARCHIVED topic. You may not reply to it! |
Note: Messages not explicitly copyrighted are in the Public Domain.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46
Our mailing address is:
The Steel Guitar Forum
148 South Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA
Support the Forum
