Don Curtis

Bob Taillefer · Post by **Bob Taillefer** » 30 Sep 2010 1:32 pm

Very sad news!

I always enjoyed talking to Don.

May he rest in peace.

He will be missed.

Bob and Debra

Jack Mansfield · Post by **Jack Mansfield** » 30 Sep 2010 1:41 pm

He helped me many of a time over the phone, with my steel related problems. He was such a nice person! It's gonna be hard for scotty to replace him.
Jack

DeWitt Scott · Post by **DeWitt Scott** » 30 Sep 2010 1:49 pm

We are all shocked at sudden death of our friend and brother, Don Curtis. He was my right hand man in the steel guitar department of Scotty's Music for over 10 years. Here is a quick bio on Don. Scotty

Don was a Premier musician not only in the St. Louis area but was also know around the world for his expertise on his favorite instrument, the Steel Guitar! This lead to him being called upon the join many local bands plus also from time to time he would join Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen on stage every time they were in St. Louis and invited him to join them in other states as well. He also played on one of their CD’s recordings! Don was great playing Country Music and few even knew that he was equally at home playing rock and pop.

I mention “Steel Guitar” being his favorite instrument but he was equally proficient playing the Drums, Bass, Dobro and Banjo. This, of course, qualified him as “Utility Musician” and he was never out of work. To top that off he taught these various instruments at Scotty’s Music in St. Louis to the beginner and advanced players alike. Don was in charge of the Steel Guitar department for me for more than 10 years. He was a great asset to me and my two sons, DeWitt Jr. and Michael.

There seemed to be no restrictions to Don’s ability – his desire to help Steel players got the best of him and he published many instruction items to help them learn to play the Steel Guitar better. These courses were sold to players in the US and many foreign countries as well. He wrote arrangements for both the Pedal Steel guitar and the non-pedal steel guitar. The total number of his instruction courses is 7 along with 11 single solos. All of which was written in the highest quality. His solo CD’s totals 7 and covers a wide variety of music. Don wasn’t satisfied to use a rhythm track as his band. He always used a live all of his recordings.

Don came to St. Louis from Indianapolis, IN as worked along side of DeWitt “Scotty” Scott – a relationship that was admired by both Don and Scotty. I pride myself in saying, “Don worked with Scotty” rather than “Don worked for Scotty”! We traveled to many steel shows together and on occasion we played duets together. He could have lost me at any given time or for better words, overshadowed me, but he didn’t do that. All he ever did was to try to compliment our playing. I appreciated that.

There is much more to tell about Don but it would take a book to list it all. One thing I did notice was his devotion to his family. He would always take time to drive to Indianapolis to visit with on occasion. When Don and I would play at the Indy Steel Guitar Club Don would always stay a day longer to visit with his kids.

I feel like I have lost a brother or even an adopted son – I will surely miss him.

DeWitt “Scotty” Scott
St. Louis, Missouri

Joshua Grange · Post by **Joshua Grange** » 30 Sep 2010 3:07 pm

Truly sad. I met him several times at Scotty's, and he was always so gracious and funny. I'll miss seeing him there.

Bob Callaway · Post by **Bob Callaway** » 30 Sep 2010 3:15 pm

We are stunned about the news of Don Curtis. He will be missed more than I can say. We pray his soul is with the Lord and his comfort is with Don's family.
Bob&Barb Callaway, Margit Stepp.
Derby Steel Guitars.

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 30 Sep 2010 3:39 pm

Sorry to hear this! Don was such a great guy and great musician! Just hard to believe this has happened.

We send our prayers and may GOD be with his family and friends!

Terry and Lisa Wood

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 30 Sep 2010 5:04 pm

Scotty mentioned Don's devotion to family and reminded me of the time Don was looking for something, I forget what but I had found it and called him up to tell him THE NEWS...

He said he had company and was busy and then I realized, it was a Sunday. He certainly had his priorities right and I was embarrassed for having intruded.

R I P Don C !!

Regrets, Paul

Charlie Alper · Post by **Charlie Alper** » 30 Sep 2010 5:07 pm

Having been in the Scott Family "Vortex" for over 30 years, this really hits home as to how quickly our lives can change. After many, many convention years of guests and customers asking that one question: "Have you seen Don? or Do you know where Don is?, I truly know the answer now. Peace be with you, Brother! All my prayers to the family and of course Linda.

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 30 Sep 2010 5:25 pm

Unbelievably sad. I'm honored that Don listed me as his first steel teacher. He sure flew past me in a hurry. He always reminded me of my advice to him; "get a steel with pedals".
My love and prayers to his family. Rest in peace my friend.

Neil Harms · Post by **Neil Harms** » 30 Sep 2010 6:02 pm

Couldn't believe it when I heard the news on Bobbe's newsletter. Don gave me first steel lesson. It was how to set up a Fender 400. It was over the phone to guy he'd never heard from before. He talked me through just like he had nowhere else to be and nothing at all better to do. I'm sure he had both but you'd have never known. Probably one of the most valuable phone calls I've ever had and it didn't cost me a dime. Great generous guy. He'll be missed. My prayers up and out for all his friends and family.

Robbie Bossert · Post by **Robbie Bossert** » 30 Sep 2010 6:21 pm

Always courteous. Always helpful. Always the consummate professional. I spoke to him several times over the years. Bought many of his recordings. He will be missed. God bless his family and help them get through this difficult time. RIP
Rob Bossert

Ronnie Miller · Post by **Ronnie Miller** » 30 Sep 2010 6:32 pm

Jerry Fessenden just called to tell me the sad news about Don. I don't know what to say. Don was one of the good guys, and I along with many other friends will truly miss him. RIP my friend..Ronnie & Ginger

Matthew Carlin · Post by **Matthew Carlin** » 30 Sep 2010 9:01 pm

Sigh... Don was one of the nicest guys, I had stopped by Scotty's and only been playing a month or so. Don spent a good two hours with me showing me some of the in's and outs of pedal steel. Everything he taught me that day has carried with me and really opened my thinking about the instrument.

As I was leaving that day a teenager walked in with a cheap old acoustic guitar. He want to play but they neck was pulling out and the action was a good inch of the board. Don grabbed a slide and said not to worry just play it like this, made it sound like a million bucks.... I bet that kid is still playing slide.

Thank you Don.

BOBBY JACKS · Post by **BOBBY JACKS** » 30 Sep 2010 9:35 pm

UNBELIEVABLE, Don was my first ever teacher, I will always remember Don From a steel show in Waterloo,Iowa He came to me one night midnight or so and said man I'm Hungry, I throwed him my keys to my suburban and said go eat I'm see ya in the morning HE NEVER FORGOT IT and I've have always loved the guy! I was just joking to him In St.Louis about getting married. Will take me a long time to get over this one. RIP Don My Friend,Buddy and Teacher. BJ

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 1 Oct 2010 12:24 am

This can't be true - Less than a month ago I had a nice talk with Don in St. Louis. He was always such a nice guy and a great musician, I can't believe that he is gone. My prayers and condolences to his family.

RIP, Don

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

Suzanne Parkhouse · Post by **Suzanne Parkhouse** » 1 Oct 2010 1:16 am

So sad, such a nice man. My condolences to all his family.
Sue Parkhouse.

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 1 Oct 2010 3:48 am

sorry to here the news of don's passing. he had work
on alot of guitars for me in the past. a great guy to
know. RIP....

P.W

Doug Rolfe · Post by **Doug Rolfe** » 1 Oct 2010 4:32 am

I am stunned beyond belief, having just seen him at the ISGC in St. Louis. He was always pleasant and had a smile on his face. When I bought my steel from Arthur's Music here in INDY, it was a 12 string extended e-9th. Don convinced me to convert it to a U-12. I purchased the parts and he set it up for me. I've never been sorry that he pointed me in that direction from the beginning. He spent a great deal of time explaining the U-12 setup and why it was a good choice. He never seemed too busy to talk shop and was very informative with his wealth of knowledge about music. Before he moved to St. Louis and joined Scotty's business, he routinely came to the INDY Steel Club meetings and provided us with a very helpful workshop. He certainly was one of the reasons the club meetings were so well attended at that time. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers go out to Scotty and Don's family.

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 1 Oct 2010 5:32 am

There is nothing I can add here that has not already been said by others, but I did want to express my sympathy to Don's family and close friends. Peace be with you, Don.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 1 Oct 2010 7:12 am

Such a great person and what I remember was that he was always the person to extend a hand when you first saw him. I will miss Don.

Michael Scott · Post by **Michael Scott** » 1 Oct 2010 8:08 am

We received the final arrangements from Don's sister, Brenda...

To celebrate and honor Don’s life, we will be holding a memorial service on Monday, October 4 from 2 p.m until 6 p.m. with the Memorial at 6:00 p.m. at Conkle Funeral Home, Avon Chapel, located at 76 N. State Rd 267, Avon, Indiana. Memorial donations can be sent to: Don E. Curtis Memorial fund.

Mark Horn · Post by **Mark Horn** » 1 Oct 2010 9:49 am

So sorry to hear that, unbelievable R.I.P
my friend

Tommy Young · Post by **Tommy Young** » 1 Oct 2010 11:06 am

we keep loosing the good one's my condolences to him and his family may he rest in peace.

Mike Gross · Post by **Mike Gross** » 1 Oct 2010 12:57 pm

A Major loss! May he rest in peace!We will certainly miss him.

Jeremiah Hanley · Post by **Jeremiah Hanley** » 1 Oct 2010 2:50 pm

Too soon we had to say good-bye to one of our team members at steelradio.com. Everyone talks about the wealth of knowledge that Don had about the steel guitar and his friendliness. We've listened to his shows as he would interview steel players and it always seemed he had the right questions to ask the players and it kept the interview really interesting. Without a doubt, he will be missed on steelradio.com. Our sympathy goes out to the family!!

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Don Curtis

Don Curtis

Don Curtis

Don.....................

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