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Ever play a Patsy Cline tribute?
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Bar Chatter Archive
Ever play a Patsy Cline tribute?
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This topic was originally posted in this forum: Wanted To Buy |
| Author | Topic: Ever play a Patsy Cline tribute? |
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Drew Howard Member Posts: 2390 |
posted 08 February 2001 09:42 AM
Dear forum, I'm playing steel in an Always Patsy tribute Thanks, ------------------ |
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Chuck S. Lettes Member Posts: 658 |
posted 08 February 2001 10:15 AM
Hello Drew, I played an "Always...Patsy Cline" show in Denver for about 2 years. I alternated with some other steel guitarists as there were 8 shows a week. I loved the experience and hope to do it again, if the show ever returns to Denver. The songs were perfect for the steel guitar. I played more C6th than E9th, a rare experience. Best of all, my playing improved from the constant repetition and the friendly competition with the lead guitarist. We evenb worked up some twin stuff. The other musicians were first rate, and the two actresses were a joy to watch. I bet you also will enjoy the Patsy experience. It beats playing in bars anytime. Chuck |
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Herb Steiner Member Posts: 6119 |
posted 08 February 2001 10:51 AM
"Always... Patsy Cline," November '95 - February '96, with Rusti Rae as The Cline and Joy Johnson as Lucille. Anybody run into Rusti since she moved to N'ville? ------------------ |
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Ernie Pollock Member Posts: 1227 |
posted 08 February 2001 10:58 AM
I played the 'A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline' at the Cumberland Theater in Cumberland Maryland. We did 24 shows, it was fun. Bernadette Galanti Played Patsy. Our group had a piano, rhythm guitar, drums & bass + me on pedal steel. It was fun for me because the other fellows didn't have a clue about country music so I was kind of the 2nd in command helping them get a little feel for it. We did 6 shows a week for 4 weeks. I did get invited to do it again but I had to turn them down because my business had me just to busy. We kicked each show off with the Steel Guitar Rag and played a packed house at just about every show. Ernie Pollock http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75 |
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Roger Rettig Member Posts: 2979 |
posted 08 February 2001 03:21 PM
Drew I've played in ten different productions of 'Always - Patsy...' over the last two and a half years; it's turned out to be the 'bedrock' of my work since coming to the US in '98. I agree with Chuck (by the way, Chuck, I'm currently working in Key West with your old 'Patsy' MD, Anthony... we're doing 'Honky Tonk Angels') that the repetition is great for sharpening up your playing! I've played it in California, Massachusetts, Virginia, NY and more - this time last year I was in Atlantic City and Jeannie Sealy was our 'Louise'! That was a nice experience! I've been lucky enough to work with some fine actresses and some super musicians....AND you get to leave your steel set up for weeks on end! It definitely beats bar gigs..... I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, Drew - good luck! |
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Donny Hinson Member Posts: 9192 |
posted 08 February 2001 03:29 PM
No, not really a "tribute", but I did play a few nights with a woman who only did Pat's songs. It was a real hoot doing some of her early stuff like "Runaway Heart", "Three Cigarettes In The Ashtray", "Winkin' and Blinkin'", "Shawnee Moon", "Oh Me, Oh My", and "What's New With You". You just don't hear those songs anymore. |
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Walter Haynes Member Posts: 176 |
posted 08 February 2001 03:58 PM
I played on a lot of Patsy's records, the biggest one was "Crazy" the producer didn't want regular steel guitar on this cut so I did what sounds likes Vibes using tremelo and palm chimbs. Did the Opry shows with her and her TV shows as well. Quite a gal!!!!Still sounds great today-- Walter Haynes |
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chris ivey Member Posts: 1105 |
posted 08 February 2001 05:37 PM
i played the 'always...patsy cline' show for a six week (six days a week) stint for the Sacramento Theatre Company's season kick off show last year...it was a big success, a very enjoyable play with great people, fun music to play, jobs for a few of my picker friends i enlisted, and 6 bills a week...ten blocks from my house. a great gig....i also subbed wed. nights in san francisco a few years back doing the same play with joni morris as patsy in some upstairs downtown playhouse. another fun show i've done several times at sacramento's music circus is 'best little whorehouse in texas'. all you have to do is count measures on the sheet music and pretend you're reading it. i recommend that anyone given these opportunities take advantage of them...they're good for you! |
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Danny Hullihen Member Posts: 1782 |
posted 08 February 2001 06:48 PM
Drew: I played the "Always" shows for about a year. It was a lot of fun. |
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Wayne unregistered Posts: 1782 |
posted 08 February 2001 07:04 PM
Been There..done That! 40 shows last spring at Allenberry Theater in Boiling Springs PA. Used small 40 watt tube Fender plenty to play the room, sounded nice and warm, fun to do. Had offer to go on to FL, AL, GA for three weeks turned it down. Maybe next time. Almost forgot show was 'A Closer Walk' and Patsy was done by Emily Walters. Wayne-Bob |
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Smiley Roberts Member Posts: 4424 |
posted 08 February 2001 07:07 PM
I did the "Always..." show,several years ago,up in Metropolis,Il.,at the Merv Griffin Theatre. That name,"Rusti Rae",sounds awful familiar. It coulda been her. Not sure 'bout the other gal. Did it just one week. No....they didn't fire me. We were just booked for one week.  ------------------ [This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 08 February 2001 at 07:13 PM.] |
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Hook Moore Member Posts: 1605 |
posted 08 February 2001 07:18 PM
yep i did it here(Charleston WV) a couple years ago..i enjoyed it a lot..i think its booked sometime this summer again [This message was edited by Hook Moore on 08 February 2001 at 07:19 PM.] |
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Roger Rettig Member Posts: 2979 |
posted 09 February 2001 02:54 PM
Great to hear from Walter Haynes in this thread! If you read this, Walter, can you confirm or deny that you played on the Everly Brothers 'Sleepless Nights'? It was on an album (their first for Warner Bros) made in 1960, and the tremelo effect steel was a hauntingly effective addition to the clever chord sequence - the song was written by the Bryants, and was lovely... Gerry Hogan and I did a twin-steel session in London for BBC Radio back in the seventies (in the Old Country!!) and we selected that tune - I got to attempt a replication of your 'part'; the whole thing came out pretty well. Now, it seems, I've had the honor to 'step into your shoes' again by playing countless performances of 'Always - Patsy Cline' here in the US. I guess back then they wanted the steel guitar to be a little less obtrusive in the face of Rock'n'Roll hysteria; the tremelo/chimes idea was an effective ruse! Well done! |
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Herb Steiner Member Posts: 6119 |
posted 09 February 2001 03:29 PM
Yes, great hearing from Walter on this one. I have a neat anecdote about Jimmy Day that will be understood by those who knew his sense of humor. As y'all know, the show usually ran 8 shows a week, and I needed a night off. I called Jimmy to sub for me. He answered the phone and I said "Jim, this is Herb. Do you want to do a Patsy Cline gig?" Without dropping a beat he said "NOT YET!!!!!" Man, I miss that guy. Anyway, "Always... Patsy Cline" might be like "Best Little Whorehouse" was back in the 80's... the Full Employment Act for steel players. ------------------ |
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Walter Haynes Member Posts: 176 |
posted 09 February 2001 08:02 PM
I can't remember many of the songs by the Everly Bros. but I recorded a lot with them during that time span. I used that set-up quite a bit after "Crazy" guess I rode the horse 'til it wouldn't run anymore! Thanks Roger for your question, wish I could be more helpful-- Walter Haynes |
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Larry Dahl Member Posts: 49 |
posted 10 February 2001 05:52 AM
I have worked on two shows here in Fl. Have done "A Closer Walk" for 8 weeks on steel, and "Always" for 3 weeks on steel and guitar. Had a great time on both shows. |
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Drew Howard Member Posts: 2390 |
posted 10 February 2001 07:38 AM
Dear forum, Thank you all for your remembrances. All: What were your experiences with bandleaders? Where you under a tight leash, or could you (tastefully) ad-lib without being yelled at? Thanks, ------------------ |
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pdl20 Member Posts: 436 |
posted 10 February 2001 12:51 PM
i did it here in little rock at the ark rep.i alternated with another fine player who had the job but had to travel with his band some. Robert Jones and i became friends after that gig.it was fun to do.go for it dude. |
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Roger Rettig Member Posts: 2979 |
posted 10 February 2001 03:12 PM
Hi Drew I've had nothing but positive experience with regard to the Music Directors I've played for; most seem to understand that the music in question was ad-libbed to an extent in the studio and, as long as you play the important 'signature' licks (intros etc.), the rest takes care of itself. I've often found that the allocation of 'fills' or splitting of solos will be left to the steel player and guitarist (and fiddle player, if there is one) to sort out ourselves in a sort of musical democracy! The charts for these shows are specific in places, but it doesn't need to be considered 'written in stone'; the key, as with any musical situation, is good taste, with a dash of 'less is more' thrown in! Some of the scenes in the 'Always...' show are set in 'live' situations, and there's usually a chance to play out here and there... It'll all depend on your Bandleader, of course - I'm playing another Ted Swindley show ('Honky Tonk Angels') here in Key West, and our MD is Anthony Edwards; as Chuck Lettes will confirm, he's a pleasure to work under, and is happy to hear suggestions, or just leave it to the guys... I'm sure he'd soon speak up if he wasn't happy with what we were doing. It's a happy show for everyone (apart from Anthony 'taking' me and the fiddle player for $20.00 in last night's poker game!) I bet you have fun, and will want to do another show whenever the chance arises! Good Luck, and welcome to the 'Always - Patsy Cline family!!! |
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Jim Thompson Member Posts: 333 |
posted 12 February 2001 07:02 PM
I just did the "Always" show the first weekend this past October at the Powers Auditorium in Youngstown, Ohio. It was a great time. Maureen Collins was Patsy. |
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Stu Schulman Member Posts: 812 |
posted 13 February 2001 08:35 PM
I did the Anchorage Alaska production of "Almost Patsy"we call it that because the promoter hosed the band out of our last six weeks of pay.We had two Patsys.The nice Patsy"Jessica Welch",and the not so nice Patsy"Rusty Something".It was something else! |
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Jack Stoner Sysop Posts: 8119 |
posted 14 February 2001 05:33 AM
Funny this has come up. I just had a call from another local steeler wanting me to take over the local Patsy Cline tribute show, but I already had commitments and couldn't go it. |
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Jerry Erickson Member Posts: 565 |
posted 14 February 2001 05:47 AM
I didn't get to play "Always Patsy", but I did get to fill in on guitar with Chuck Lettes on steel in the "Patsy DeCline and the Lazy Boy Rockers" show a few times when I was out in Denver. That was fun, but only a few Patsy Cline songs. |
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wayne yakes md Member Posts: 650 |
posted 14 February 2001 01:10 PM
Walter Haynes, Buddy Charleton, Jimmy Day all come to mind with Patsy Cline in her time. I remember taking Jimmy, Marilyn, and Marla Day to "Always Patsy Cline" in Denver and Jimmy leaning over and saying to me, "Chuck really has a great feel for the songs and plays them very well. His left hand is strong. I want to see his steel and set-up after the show." So Jimmy Day and Chuck Lettes talked after the show and Jimmy sat behind Chuck's steel and "tinkered" with it. I don't think Chuck will ever sell that steel!!! |
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Kenny Dail Member Posts: 2583 |
posted 16 February 2001 09:30 AM
I did the "Always...Patsy Cline" show in Norfolk, Va. in '97. Anthony Edwards was the Md with Joy and Jessica doing Louise and Patsy. It was a hoot. The rumor mill says they are coming back to Norfolk sometime this year and I will be asked to do the steel chores again. I hope it is true because not only are you working with pro's but it is good music and easy to perform. You will enjoy it Drew. ------------------ |
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rayman unregistered Posts: 2583 |
posted 16 February 2001 06:37 PM
Yep. 98/99 at Artpark in Lewiston N.Y. Absolutely the most professional effort I was ever involved in. We had one of Brenda Lee's former bass players as well as a killer fiddle and telecaster player. Most C6th that I ever got to play in one night. Some nights 4000 people. Walter Haynes you are one of my heros. So good to hear from you on the forum. Bless you sir. |
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