|
Author
|
Topic: More bad news. R.I.P. Jim Unger
|
Frank Estes
Member From: Huntsville, AL
|
posted 26 September 2006 07:09 PM
profile
My condolences to Jim's family. What a great musician and a clever wit. I was extremely honored to have the chance to be on stage with him at the final Chattanooga show. |
Richard Bass
Member From: Hendersonville, Tn
|
posted 26 September 2006 08:09 PM
profile
I am numb, completely shocked. I was fortunate to work many gigs with Jim. We met when he was working with Crash Craddock. We worked a long time at Gabes and did many sessions together. I've seen him get out in left field and think how's he going to get out of this one, you know what, he always did. My prayers are with Milissa and the family. RIP my friend, it is my honor to have worked with you and to call you my friend.
Richard |
Daryl Stogner
Member From: Yuma, AZ (next to nowhere and north of been there)
|
posted 26 September 2006 08:25 PM
profile
Jim's Funeral Service Info, just got from Dennis.Cole & Garrett Funeral Homes 127 north main st.
Goodlettsville, Tn. 37072
615-859-5231
9-28-06 Thursday visitation 2:00-8:00 pm
9-29-06 Friday visitation 10:00 am-2:00 pm
service at 2:00 pm Lord I'm gonna miss this guy!
|
robert kramer
Member From: nashville, tn usa
|
posted 27 September 2006 08:48 AM
profile
A couple years ago I was on a show and Jim Unger was on the house band. We had never met but I had heard he could play. The first thing I said to him was: "Harlem Nocture Fm." Without hestating, he went right into it! |
Bob Knight
Member From: Bowling Green KY
|
posted 27 September 2006 09:18 AM
profile
Jim was one of the good guys. I worked a few gigs with him and believe me, each was a unique experience.  We'll miss you pal,
Bob |
Jerry Fleming
Member From: Moneta, Virginia, USA
|
posted 27 September 2006 12:28 PM
profile
I am so sorry to learn of Jim's passing. I met Jim several years ago at a steel jam. He made a lasting impression on me. Jim was so expressive and tasteful with his playing. He was also a joy to talk to and had many funny stories.RIP Jim My sincere condolences to Jim's family, may God grant you peace and guidance always. Jerry |
Charles Curtis
Member From: Bethesda, Maryland, USA
|
posted 27 September 2006 01:38 PM
profile
Does anyone know where Jim was originally from? |
Gary Lee Gimble
Member From: Gaithersburg, Maryland
|
posted 27 September 2006 02:01 PM
profile
Charles, I believe when Jimmy & I played in a bluegrass band together in the early 1970s, his family lived around Northern Virginia. His mom and dad currently lives in West Virginia. BTW, Jimmy Unger Sr plays one heck of a fiddle too. I remember when Jimmy Jr. was fooling around with some triple stops, he told me the idea came from his dad.[This message was edited by Gary Lee Gimble on 27 September 2006 at 02:02 PM.] |
Dave Grothusen
Member From: Scott City, Ks
|
posted 27 September 2006 03:20 PM
profile
Thanks to Brian for the great picture. I was able to print it off. As I stated earlier I just met Jim one time but he made a lasting impression on me. His picture is going in my photo album. |
Mike Headrick
Member From: Jasper, TN, USA
|
posted 27 September 2006 05:18 PM
profile
I've been following this thread, but just couldn't bring myself to contribute until now. I really feel a great loss at Jim's passing. He has been a great friend and has really been good to me. I've called him at the last minute more than once (actually more than a dozen times) to drive a hundred miles to my place for a session. He would always squeeze it in somehow. He liked to beat the early morning traffic and I have arrived at the studio at 7:00 AM before, only to find him sitting there in his car waiting for me (with his hair not quite facing the same direction as his face). He was always cheerful' and was always up for whatever workload I had for him. Just when I would think I might be wearing his patience thin, He would say "You got an extra track on that song? I want to try a third part". I remember asking him to play on a songwriter demo called "Painful Stain" a few years back, and every time the lyrics came around to the title line he would double over with laughter. He was a real hoot. He was the king of jokes and puns. He must have had a cache of a hundred thousand or so, because in the fifteen or so years I've known him I've never heard him tell the same one twice.If I asked him to play something "Gimblesque", a broad smile would cross his face and bright twinkle would gleam in his eyes. He could do it, too! He was a mighty fine musician and He had fire. That fire may have gone out here on Earth, but it's burning bright somewhere right now. A spirit like his cannot be quenched. [This message was edited by Mike Headrick on 27 September 2006 at 05:26 PM.]
|
Ron Kirby
Member From: Nashville ,Tennessee USA
|
posted 28 September 2006 07:20 AM
profile
I was lucky enough to work with Jim in the early 80s with Jesse Smith & The Lone star Cowboys band in Houston Tex. I will always treasure those days. Jim was a great player and a great friend. I will miss him. |
Tommy Detamore
Member From: Floresville, Texas
|
posted 28 September 2006 09:45 AM
profile
I got this from my pal Steve Watson. He asked if I would post this on his behalf:"I consider it one of the blessings of my musical life having known and
worked with Jim in the 1980's . I first met Jim when he was working with
Nesler in the house band, "Texas Tradition" for Bill Starnes', "Palace",
here in Beaumont, Texas. I already thought he was a monster player, but not
at all personable. I sure was wrong about the latter. After Emmitt
Brinkley left my band, "Texas T", I hired Jim to work with us for several
years in the house band at "Yvonne's Club". Not only did I often pinch myself to be standing on the same stage with he
and Mark because of their musical gifts, but Jim became a trusted friend.
How trusted? When I left on my honeymoon, I gave Jim the checkbook and keys
to my club. Musically, y'all already know this, but I gotta say his talent was just
endless. He could play harmony as well as anyone I've ever heard, and yet
when the situation called for it he could play rock guitar lines or cover
Larry Carlton's beautiful work on "Sleepwalk". Sometimes just for fun we'd
be doing some honky tonk standard, and I'd just call out a fiddler's name to
him, "Tommy Duncan!", and he'd cop it with no sweat. He spoke with upmost
respect for his mentors like Dale Potter, Charlton, Gimble, Vassar, and all
the greats before him. Hearing he and Mark Nesler ripping through a hard swing tune was a musical
experience I'll never forget. I respected him so much I stayed in touch with
him for the last 20+ years, just tried to call him last week, in fact. My condolences to Melissa and Jim's family. I remember when they first met
in the honky tonk and hit if right off. Didn't too many folks just "hit if
right off" with Jim, but he and Melissa kept hitting it right off for two
decades. I loved him like a brother, and I'll think about him the rest of my natural
life. And I'll treasure the hours of tape I have playing with him. So, Jim, I'll be done with all this boo-hoo'ing crap in a bit, and I'll
toast a drink to ya, laugh at one of your crudest jokes, and keep on
picking. Oh, and if anyone's out of tune, I'll give the 'ol Unger stare." Thanks,
Stephen "Doc" Watson
The Coin Group
7350 Phelan Boulevard
Beaumont, TX 77706
409.861.1232
------------------
Tommy Detamore www.cherryridgestudio.com
|
Daryl Stogner
Member From: Yuma, AZ (next to nowhere and north of been there)
|
posted 28 September 2006 05:37 PM
profile
Oh, and if anyone's out of tune, I'll give the 'ol Unger stare."Hahaha, this reminds me of watching Jim in the recording booth while in the midst of a solo. The look on his face was that of someone possessed. Funny as heck. Just showed how involved and into he could get into music. If ya didn't know him, he could scare the heck out of ya. These memories will definately last a lifetime. |
Dave Grothusen
Member From: Scott City, Ks
|
posted 29 September 2006 05:07 AM
profile
Did Jim have any of this own recordings that would be available somewhere? |
Daryl Stogner
Member From: Yuma, AZ (next to nowhere and north of been there)
|
posted 29 September 2006 05:46 AM
profile
Jim and Dennis sent me an album Jim did called "The Unknown Fiddler".
1. Meditation in B Major
2. Corrina Corrina
3. Ode to Western Spam
4. Kitty Kastles (commercial)
5. Difgnu's Nite Out
6. SloMed
7. Cherokee
8. Birth of the Blues
9. Boney & Claude
10. Difgnu's Funk
11. "What The" medley
12. Rebecca RebeccaIt is such an amazing compilation of music and styles coming from that one guy. I'd suggest contacting Dennis Payne to see if anymore are available. His website has an email link.... www.dennispayne.us
Daryl
|
Smiley Roberts
Member From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075
|
posted 30 September 2006 06:37 AM
profile
The service for Jim Unger was most impressive. He did his final appearance to an S.R.O. crowd consisting,mainly,of his music peers. Several people got up & told their humorous "Unger Tales". Unfortunately,I didn't get a chance to tell my favorite,so I'll do it here.For several years,Jim Unger,Dennis Payne,myself,& several other friends in the music business would put on a free Christmas show for the Salvation Army (an organization that I fully support) rehabilitation residents. Some of the other people that,also,performed were Bill Monroe & band,(who did this every year until he passed away),Billy Walker,& several other G.O.O.artists. Anyway,getting back to my "tale",Jim had an old red van that he carried his musical equipment in. The paint was faded to the point that it looked like primer. Well,I pulled into the S.A. parking lot that night,& was greeted with the following: On the side of his van,he had taken masking tape,& had,very "haphazardly",formed the following: "THE SMILEY ROBERTS ROAD SHOW" Then,underneath it,he formed a 6-pointed star (of David.) Well,we,all,roared about that. But,the final joke was on him because,when he went to remove the masking tape,THE VAN PAINT CAME OFF WITH IT! So,I was permanentely "immortalized"!  Didn't mean to take up so much space. Just thought y'all'd appreciate one of my own personal "Unger Tales" Thanx to everybody who attended the service,& to everybody who posted their condolences. REST PEACEFULLY JIM. ------------------
~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
|
Robert Rogers
Member From: the big town of Petersburg,Tn"Blink and You'll miss it"
|
posted 30 September 2006 08:54 PM
profile
Jim Unger; man what can I say that hasent already been said about him.Man what a nice guy.He always took time with me If I had any questions about the business.He was always a good friend.He will be truly missed. Robert Rogers
|
Smiley Roberts
Member From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075
|
posted 06 October 2006 08:26 AM
profile
If I may indulge one more time,Melissa Unger (Jim's wife) wanted me to post this poem that she had written about him. Thank y'all for understanding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I MET A MAN WITH A FIDDLE IN HIS HANDS
I SAW THE LOVE THAT GOD HAD PLANNED
EACH TIME HE WOULD DRAW THAT BOW ACROSS STRINGS
THERE WOULD BE NO LOVE FOR OTHER THINGS
JUST LOOK IN HIS EYES WHEN IT'S HIS TURN TO PLAY
AND YOU'LL SEE THE SPARKS FLYING AND THE PEOPLE AMAZED
HIS MOM TOLD THE STORY OF WHEN HE WAS YOUNG
HOW HE MESSED WITH THE FIDDLE BUT HIS CHILDHOOD NOT YET DONE
SO HE CLOSED THE LID ON THE CASE AND STASHED IT AWAY
TO GO PLAY BALL BUT HE WOULD BE BACK ONE DAY
AND WHEN HE CAME BACK THE MAGIC WAS THERE
AND WHEN HE PLAYS NOW HE TAKES YOUR BREATH FROM THE AIR
SO ALL THAT LISTENS TO THIS MAN WITH FIDDLE
WILL FEEL THE POWER AND SOMETIMES FEEL LITTLE
BECAUSE THERE'S NO LOVE LEFT OVER FOR HIM TO SHARE
JUST LOOK HOW HE HOLDS THAT FIDDLE WITH CARE
HE CARESSE'S EACH NOTE WITH SUCH LOVING HANDS
YES WHEN GOD MADE HIM HE NEW WHAT HE PLANNED.
MELISSA UNGER------------------
~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
|
The Steel Guitar Forum
