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Author
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Topic: RIP Bashful Brother Oswald
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Brad Bechtel
Moderator From: San Francisco, CA
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posted 17 October 2002 12:43 PM
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I just heard on WSM that Bashful Brother Oswald passed away today at the age of 90. He was probably the most influential Dobro® player ever. I doubt that the Dobro® would be where it is today in music if it weren't for him.
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A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
Paul Graupp
Member From: Macon Ga USA
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posted 17 October 2002 01:03 PM
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Now there is sad news indeed ! He was there at the beginning when steel work was a fun time and gave people many a good laugh. He will be missed by many but Roy Acuff finally has him back home again......Regards, Paul  |
Mike D
Member From: Phx, Az
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posted 17 October 2002 01:28 PM
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That's a shame. Every interview I ever read, showed him to be a great guy. Some of those stories were so funny. |
Mike Sweeney
Member From: Nashville,TN,USA
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posted 17 October 2002 01:57 PM
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Although I'm not a steel player(I married one) or a dobro player, I wanted to write a few lines concerning Os. My Dad(Charlie Collins) worked with Os for many,many years as a member of the Smoky Mountain Boys and after Mr. Roy passed away. Os was a wonderful man who always had a kind word for us kids when we were growing up. His talent will be sorely missed as well as his kindness and his sense of humor. I'm sure he's telling Mr. Roy some of his new jokes right about now. I can almost hear his trademark laugh. Rest well, Os.Teresa Sweeney
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Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 17 October 2002 01:59 PM
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Man, there's a loss, indeed. In my tunnel-visioned view, there's only ever been 4 Dobro players--Os, Josh, Mike, and Jerry. Everybody else is still trying.
We'll miss you, Oswald--HYEH,HYEH,HYEH. |
Andy Alford
Member From: Alabama
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posted 17 October 2002 02:53 PM
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Deacon Brumfield,Jody,Josh, and Shot were and are near the top of my list, but Oswald will always be the king of the dobro.The opry greats have almost come and gone.The show that was is a memory now. Brother Oswald will always be the dobro to me.He made that guitar cry like none other,and defined Roy Acuff's music.Oswald was the real deal a boy from the Mts.of Tn.[This message was edited by Andy Alford on 17 October 2002 at 02:55 PM.] |
PAUL WARNIK
Member From: OAK LAWN,IL,USA
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posted 17 October 2002 03:51 PM
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The spending of a few moments with Bro Os several times as the Opry backstage guest was the grandest time of my entire life-And as Os would say "Thats The Truth If I Ever Told It"-God Bless Mr Acuff's Right Hand Man |
Jim Heffernan
Member From: Nashville, Tn
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posted 17 October 2002 04:55 PM
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If only most of us could live our lives, and had a fraction of the impact Oz has had on our music.
A life well lived! We'll miss you.[This message was edited by Jim Heffernan on 17 October 2002 at 04:57 PM.] |
Jeff Strouse
Member From: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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posted 17 October 2002 06:06 PM
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In high school (when most of my peers were headbanging to heavy metal), I used to tune in a fuzzy WSM every Friday and Saturday night to hear Oz play and sing. Even through the static, I could still hear his signature tone...complete with the tremelo and trills...which were the most beautiful sounds a Dobro has ever made. Listen to his version of "The End of the World" (from the Nitty Gritty Dirt band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" album)...the first time I heard it I got goosebumps! Andy's right on the money that no one could make a guitar cry like Brother Oz. He was also a master of the banjo...playing the old mountain style which is quite rare to hear. Pete Kirby was a rare breed...a musician, a showman, an entertainer, and one of the finest fellows to pass through this world. Our loss is Heaven's gain, as he now plays for the angels...Farewell Brother Oz, you will be missed... |
R. L. Jones
Member From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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posted 17 October 2002 07:26 PM
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I`m deeply saddenedto here "Bashful Brother Oswald", is gone. Now he was my hero that i`ve been trying to sound like. R.L. |
Larry Bell
Member From: Englewood, Florida
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posted 18 October 2002 06:51 AM
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Roy's been waiting.
God bless you, Oz.------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro |
Brad Bechtel
Moderator From: San Francisco, CA
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posted 18 October 2002 09:42 AM
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Here's a link to his obituary at the Nashville Tennessean web site. |
Tim Rowley
Member From: Pinconning, MI, USA
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posted 18 October 2002 08:31 PM
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The two dobro players that influenced me the most were Os and Shot. I remember listening to both of them on the radio and records since before I was even old enough to understand what a dobro was. Most dobro players don't play that good old melodic style anymore, but it's the style that I have always liked best.Rest in peace, Mr. Kirby. You sure gave us a lot of sweet music and good memories. Tim R. |
Gary C. Dygert
Member From: Frankfort, NY, USA
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posted 19 October 2002 06:45 PM
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Os was a big influence on this smalltime dobro player. At age 54, it saddens me to see the musicians I grew up listening to leave us one by one. |
Jeff Strouse
Member From: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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posted 20 October 2002 08:55 AM
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So true Gary...I'm a bit younger, but all my musical heros are from that older generation...I'm grateful to have at least seen the tail end of it, but one by one, they're fading to memories...[This message was edited by Jeff Strouse on 20 October 2002 at 08:56 AM.] |
mikey
Member From: Hawaii, Big Island
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posted 20 October 2002 10:49 AM
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To me, Oz was the father/link from Hawaiian to bluegrass....he was in the phone book, I wrote him many times for advice and he always had a kind word and encouragement...I sent him my first demo tape years ago to listen to and he took the time to listen to it and even give me a frew Ideas to add...Pete Kirby was a great guy and player..He will be missed...
I know you said not to say it Brother Oz, but.
Aloha, my hoaloha.
Mike |
Damir Besic
Member From: La Vergne,TN
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posted 20 October 2002 06:15 PM
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one of the most beautiful dobro songs I have ever heard was "The end of the world" (I think that was the name) on the "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" album.Great player,played his heart and soul out through that instrument.I`m sure he and Roy are jamming "Wabbash Cannon Ball" and having a good time laughin at us who have to put up with todays "country" music down here. |
Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 21 October 2002 12:23 PM
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Jerry Douglas won IBMA dobro player of the year, and I understand that, during his acceptance speech, he acknowledged the only two men who'd mastered the instrument,"Pete Kirby, and Josh Graves."
"Nuff said!!" |
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