Jack Greene by Buddy Cage

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 25 Mar 2013 3:42 pm

Buddy's been on the road and didnt have time to get this to me until now.

Mr. Greene

I just heard Jack Greene had passed away – he died. He picked up his hat and coat and done left.
I knew he was sick as far back as 2006 , I had dropped in Scotty’s Sept. shindig to check out a Japanese steel, I was just browsing and saw him being helped to walk along the hallway. I wept to see him like this – someone mentioned he was ‘getting better’. What the hell did she mean by that?
I was at the old site of the DJ Convention, I was a kid, 17 yrs. old. I had driven 6 or 7 new steels and Ron Lashley, Sr. in my Olds – hauling ass. Ron and I had done some touches on these new custom Emmons’ steels (one was Weldon Myerick’s first Emmons) – we were meeting a deadline and had gobbled numerous bennies to make the convention in time. When we unloaded the guitars at the Emmons’ display room, I was free to boogie. Ronald got some needed shuteye.
I heard the Troubadours were slated for the Decca room soon – time is everything! I made my way to the first Hospitality room and this gentleman asked if he could get me drink. Oh My! I was 17, 1963 – they would ‘serve’ me if I wasn’t wearing short pants. Different days. I used my Man Voice, “Why sure – I’ll have a CC and ginger. Please.” I’m rockin’ – my cocktail in my fist, still buzzing on bennies and SOON, Charleton!!! I’m trying my best to not be a bozo.
I found the Decca room, nobody there, I positioned myself in the Cat-Bird’s seat – per-fect. A couple of swigs and this tall, REAL tall galoot shows up. He’s got a trap set, he’s loading solo, in parts. And when he’s fixing his drum stool, he stares at me. And says, “Uh, let me guess – you must be waiting for ‘the steel player’ huh?”
Amazing, he’s reading my mind! jesus, he’s all decked in Troubadour costuming – v-e-r-y impressive. But I don’t place him. I know enough music to assume he’s the new drummer for ET. Holy Cow. Never seen him before, never guessed he sang too. But that surprise will come down in a few weeks.
And as he starts to assemble the set, he says’ Hey Kid!” Oh, oh – I’m been uncovered, unmasked. “Would you do me a favor and hold onto my hat for awhile?” christ, will I??! Ab-solutely!!
And he comes down off the stage to me and hands me this precious Stetsen. He goes back to the stage to finish work. I’m holding this hat like I’m holding the Crown Jewels and of course, I start toying with it [fer gawd’s sake don’t drop it, you crazy bastard!!] And I peer into this beautiful hat and it has a hand-sewn label stating it was expressly made for Jack Greene by Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors. Yikes! And it adds, “The Hell This Is Yours!” I cringed, remembering he could READ MY MIND!
The rest of the band appeared, played a few songs sans Ernest – Buddy was superb. Mr. Greene didn’t sing so I was still in the dark – then, out of the blue, Decca released the Troubadour lp with Jack singing The Last Letter and MY MIND WAS SHREDDED. Un-believable.
In my estimation there’s Jones, then Jack Greene.
There was a You Tube with Jack singing “Don’t You Ever Get Tired…” – a setting with all these c/w songwriter legends sitting around and when he sang that song, everybody fell over. It was common knowledge in the Opry, Jack Greene had no equal.
And he was a kind, gentle, warm man who treated a punk kid like me, like I belonged, like I was someone. I’ll never forget Jack Greene.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 25 Mar 2013 5:50 pm

Great story - thanks to Buddy for telling it and John for posting it.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 26 Mar 2013 4:13 am

Great story! Thanks for posting JB, thanks for writing it, BC.

I remember sitting in the first row of the 1999 ISGC when Jack Green was the headline opener.

Great time. He'll be missed.

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 26 Mar 2013 10:08 am

I met Jack several yrs. ago at Bill Testers 1440 Club in Santa Clara Ca..A fine gentleman & treated me with respect & kindness.Rest in peace Jack.

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 26 Mar 2013 1:16 pm

Terrific story told with humor and great respect...

bruce fischer · Post by **bruce fischer** » 26 Mar 2013 1:26 pm

how is buddy doing??????
bruce & lynn

John Cadeau · Post by **John Cadeau** » 26 Mar 2013 6:58 pm

This brings back a wonderful memory. When we were young Buddy Cage and I went to an Ernest Tubb show in Toronto. After the show we got to meet Buddy Charleton. We asked him if he could tell us how he tuned his steel to that Nashville tuning. We were taking lessons at the Ontario Conservatory of Music, learning mostly Hawaian music. Buddy Charleton wrote the tuning out for us. That's were I found out what the E9th tuning was.

Bill Bailey · Post by **Bill Bailey** » 26 Mar 2013 10:35 pm

Thanks Buddy, that reminds me of a similar story that happened to me while living in Ft Collins Colordo around 1975 or 1976. My girl friend knew I was a Buddy Cage idolizer and bought us tickets to see you and the New Riders play at the Boulder College theater. After the smoke filled room cleared I aproaced the stage to ask your roadie if Buddy Cage was still here, he invited me back to meet you and you were very kind, and made me feel welcome. I asked about the Hello Mary Lou licks,you explained well enough for me to at least try it. You gave me the advise I needed to go play music for a living and to hell with day jobs, although not in that exact language. I will forever be greatful for your kindness to a newby at the time, my best regards to you.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 27 Mar 2013 4:03 am

Great story, buddy. Thanks JB for posting it!

Like Bill, I had a similar experience with Buddy. It was at the '08 convention. I introduced myself to him in the elevator as a fan, and he was very friendly and down to earth. I asked him about playing on Dylan's Blood on the Tracks and he told me the whole story about Dylan coming in the recording room and stepping on his pedal rack with cowboy boots on while Mick Jagger taunted Buddy from the control booth. Jagger and Dylan had played a practical joke on Buddy, making him needlessly do his parts over and over until out of desperation and anger Buddy flicked the fuzz switch on his steel and played an overdriven, aggressive, bluesy part. That's what you hear on "Meet Me in the Morning," especially in the solo/outro. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axzuSV9zros

Here is a pic of me with Buddy on the left and Neil Flanz on the right. Unforgettable moment.

Bob Blair, you were right there, weren't you? I believe you might have even taken the pic. Great convention that year, wasn't it?

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 27 Mar 2013 4:11 am

That was a great convention Chris - I think I did take that picture.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 27 Mar 2013 4:14 am

There another one somewhere of you, me, and Neil. Yes, great time!

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 27 Mar 2013 5:17 am

Hearing Neil play with Gram Parsons/Emmy Lou and meeting them all in NYC at Max's Kansas City in '73 when I was 20,was a huge factor in starting me on playing pedal steel..Fast forward to '85,I was in a blues band playing lap slide and guitars in Stonington,Ct...had just switched tunings a few days earlier and was experimenting.. figured it didn't matter much because who would ever notice in most bars?!... then in walks Buddy Cage!! I thought...damn...just my luck!..he's going to hear some real funky stuff tonight! Had a great conversation and he was just terrific..