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The Steel Guitar Forum
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Webb Pierce Stories
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This topic was originally posted in this forum: Wanted To Buy |
| Author | Topic: Webb Pierce Stories |
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Andy Alford Member Posts: 841 |
posted 17 February 2001 06:12 PM
Do you know any good Webb stories? |
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rayman unregistered Posts: 841 |
posted 17 February 2001 06:31 PM
Yeah, I dropped my Webb amp off a ten foot platform last year and it still worked when I plugged it in! |
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Vern Kendrick Member Posts: 442 |
posted 17 February 2001 07:34 PM
I'd always heard that Webb drank a lot,actually he spilled more than he drank.... |
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Al Udeen Member Posts: 1164 |
posted 17 February 2001 08:24 PM
Funny you should mention that!.In Dec 75 I went to Florida with a local gal singer, "Marilyn Sellars" for a 10 day gig at a theatre in Disney World, Prior to that we did a weekend show at a place called [Burt Reynolds Bowl] at Indiantown, Fl, Webb pierce was part of the show, He polished off a bottle of vodka in the dressing room, where we were all hanging out after the afternoon show, one of the guys in our band filled the same bottle with water and Webb polished that off in quick fashion! He never suspected a thing! What I remember most, is the evening show, We played out side & it was 36degrees and we wore silk shirts! >al |
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Dean Dobbins Member Posts: 395 |
posted 17 February 2001 10:12 PM
In Feb., 1960, I worked a show in Plant City, Fla., with Red Sovine, Mel Tillis (before he'd made it big) and as the Headliner, Webb Pierce. I really had no business being there, because I was'nt very accomplished as a lead guitar player (actually, I stunk), but Webb was a true gentleman about the whole thing. But Al Udeen is exactly right about Webb's pencahnt for vodka. After the show, we went to a restuarant for an early dinner, and Webb ordered a water glass of vodka, and a glass of orange juice. He drank half the vodka straight, chased it with some of the orange juice, poured the rest in the vodka, and enjoyed a pretty stiff screwdriver. One reason I was so intimidated on that tour, wasn't so much the star status of the singers, as much as the Steel player. I won't metion his name, but his initials are Dicky Overby, a monster picker at 17 yrs. of age, on a Fender 1000! ------------------ |
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Jody Sanders Member Posts: 2889 |
posted 18 February 2001 03:53 PM
Webb had an attitude and ego problem as well as a drinking problem, but I liked him anyway . There is no excuse for him not being in the Country Music Hall Of Fame. All those hits with Jimmy Day on steel, and he introduced the pedal steel to country music. I did get a little peaved with him one night at the OPRY when he went ballistic when the announcer, after Webb had done "Slowly," had Bud Isaacs stand up and take a bow. Jody. |
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Vern Kendrick Member Posts: 442 |
posted 18 February 2001 05:16 PM
I agree..he should be in the hall of fame,I always liked him,he could be a pain in the ass,but anybody who drank that much couldn't be all bad |
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Danny Hullihen Member Posts: 1782 |
posted 18 February 2001 06:12 PM
I did five shows with Webb Pierce back in the early 70's, with two of those shows being "private by invitation only" shows at his house. In every case, I found Webb to be a real pleasent guy to work with, and although he did drink, he was never intoxicated when he did his shows. However, when the show was over, "There Stands the Glass" filled up to the brim was quite typical. |
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Ray Montee Member Posts: 4090 |
posted 18 February 2001 07:03 PM
When at his peak, Webb visited Portland to do a show at our big auditorim. I had been backstage many times as a performer and boldly let myself in and strode upstairs to stage side. After about 1/2 hour some crude looking pug came up, questioned me about my presence and then, announcing that he was from the Portland Boxing Comm. and in charge of guarding the door, proceeded to escort me outside to the rear stage entrance. Just as he was about to turn to go back inside, a Limo pulled up and the first one out was Web Pierce. I went right up to him (something I was never known to do)and said "Webb, I came here to hear you and your fine band and this guy just tossed me out and won't let me back in?. Without taking a breath, he leaned back in the Limo and pulled out a guitar case; he handed it to me and told me to follow him and the band members. Mr. McPUGG aggressively stepped between myself and Webb and instantly Webb turned on him and said "He's with me!" To this, the guys jaw dropped to the floor and inside we went. A fond memory from the good ole days! |
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Paul Graupp Member Posts: 3199 |
posted 19 February 2001 06:33 AM
In the late sixties I working with a houseband in southern Illinois. One night the manager came over and said there was a guy at the bar who wanted to sing with us and since we did talent shows once a week and had a lot of locals sit in with us, it wasn't a problem. The guy was a mess and looked like he had had a hard days night but he got one line into "How Do You Talk to a Baby" and I hollwered at the lead player, " That's Webb Pierce !" He turned to me and nodded, finished the song and a drink and I never saw him again. Regard, Paul. |
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Joe Casey Member Posts: 3402 |
posted 19 February 2001 08:30 AM
Around 1963 Webb was booked at a local Amusement Park,I had decided to put my name in the hat for a future gig at that park that day.I showed up early to see the first show and it was one of the funniest shows I ever seen in my life.It seems Webb had to play with a local Union band and they were not Country except for the guitar player.The union must have sent all it's officers to take the gig as they never gave the good ones to anyone.Webb did a 20 minute abreviated show refraining from killing anyone,embarrassed he rushed to the trailer.The park Manager (Walter Marek) grabbed me before I left and asked me how long it would take to get my guys here.Well they just happened to be with me (what a coincidence)Sunday. 4 good decent musicians and professional drunks in time for the second show.We reheased a couple of songs ,but heck all of us were doing webb stuff at that time.Webb was into V/O and out of Vodka by the third show but he sounded great and he came out to our gig that night ,sang and by the time his ride picked him up in the morning we were still in his room) they needed a wheel barrel to remove all the empties 5 or six of us consumed.(he was stone sober) And from that saturday on for many years after until the parks (2)one in the next state closed down I had my featured spots and backed up every uncontained Artist.I never worked with him again or even called him as invited when I went to Nashburg,I regret that I never got to see the pool.He told me not to expect a party if I came,so I figured whats the sense going.That was when you could leave home and find that they played Country Music in Nashville too.Imagine that! ------------------ |
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Bob Carlson Member Posts: 1063 |
posted 20 February 2001 07:40 PM
Come on guys....most everyone involved In music has at one time or another had trouble with the bottle or worse. I went through mine. Bob Carlson Uff Da! |
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Vern Kendrick Member Posts: 442 |
posted 20 February 2001 11:27 PM
The only problem I ever had,One time I left the grape jelly on the counter too long,and I almost got addicted to jelly and crackers,but as far as biphetamine,dexamil,dextroamphetamine,I've heard stories,footballs,christmas trees,great speckled birds,phillips head aspirins,Just hearsay,.....But I wouldn't miss a fire at a Rope Factory |
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Jody Sanders Member Posts: 2889 |
posted 21 February 2001 10:49 PM
If I had any idea I would live this long, I sure would have taken better care of myself. By the way, I never heard of redbirds, black mollys, white crosses , or Los Angeles turn arounds. Jody. |
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Vern Kendrick Member Posts: 442 |
posted 22 February 2001 05:18 PM
Me Too....... |
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Jim Bob Sedgwick Member Posts: 1234 |
posted 22 February 2001 05:43 PM
Yeah RIGHT!  |
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Wayne unregistered Posts: 1234 |
posted 22 February 2001 06:26 PM
Yep!!! Back in the early sixties worked with Webb twice. One show had a fellow that travelled with him named Max...who could drink right with Webb. anyway show went well, I played steel, but Max got tipsy and spilled a drink down over my brand new band jacket.....I wasn't very happy with Max at that point but Webb was cool. On another subject in 80's I worked with local band opened for Geo. Jones. Kicked their bands ass, they were arguing among themselves after the show that locals ate their lunch. Jones left stage after show, didn't sign a single autograph, got in Limo and left, didn't even say 'kiss my ass'. I loved it. Wayne |
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Vern Kendrick Member Posts: 442 |
posted 22 February 2001 07:50 PM
Max barnes???.....I always wondered if Webb ever found out that his prised pontiac bonneville,The one he bought from Nudie, with the steerhorns in the grille .44s for door handles,white mink carpet,the silver dollars mounted in the Glove leather seats,did a few laps at Atlanta intl.Raceway...He sent the car down ahead of time,and Mel Tillis,Buzz Walker,and some of the Race guys took it around the track for a few laps,drunk as hell!..,They were in town for the show before the race the next day |
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Sleepy John unregistered Posts: 442 |
posted 23 February 2001 02:34 AM
Try Max Powell, He traveled with Webb for a long time. ------------------ |
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Vern Kendrick Member Posts: 442 |
posted 23 February 2001 06:50 AM
You'r right Max Powell,I realised that was wrong after I posted,I was trying to remember,He used to live with Webb |
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