An unexpected Jerry Byrd Appearence

Deirdre Higgins · Post by **Deirdre Higgins** » 27 Apr 2014 7:56 pm

After this beautiful song was sung by the legendary Johnny Cash and the Carter sisters to my surprise none other than Jerry Byrd walks out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM14-JucaLI

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 27 Apr 2014 8:53 pm

Here's the first part of that show with JB and the Carter Family. This features a great performance by Jerry, just steel, accompanied by a guitarist, live TV!

----> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM7Vx2fm_Ig

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 28 Apr 2014 5:14 am

He's in complete control, isn't he? Beautifully executed and loaded with good taste!

Any thoughts on that arch-top Gibson? A double-cutaway L-5-sized guitar - probably a custom build. Does anyone know any more? Who is it?

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 28 Apr 2014 6:06 am

Roger, the guitarist is Billy Byrd (no relation to Jerry). He played with Ernest Tubb. He and Hank Garland designed the Byrdland guitar for Gibson in the 1950s. I don't think the guitar he's playing here is a Byrdland though, because it's a double cutaway.

Yes, Jerry is in complete command of the instrument, totally confident, almost cocky in his demeanor... I like that! He boldly dives into the slants and nails them, perfectly in tune, picks aggressively, and makes good eye contact with the camera. What a player!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 28 Apr 2014 6:22 am

Thanks, Doug.

So - that's Billy Byrd? I've never seen a Gibson quite like that one. Perhaps the fact that he'd ordered a custom guitar led to he and Garland collaborating on the 'Byrdland'. You're right, of course; that's not a Byrdland.

Jerry? I'm trying to conceive of that level of confidence in front of cameras on live TV! He nails everything, as you said, including the harmonics. His demeanour is almost offhand - I'd be a basket-case within eight measures!

Deirdre Higgins · Post by **Deirdre Higgins** » 28 Apr 2014 6:29 am

Thanks Doug, What an outstanding performance, and his demeanor is a combination of confidence, along with kindness, and sincerity. He truly did play from his heart.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 28 Apr 2014 7:47 am

I think this show is from 1962, definitely early 60s. The Byrdland was introduced in 1955, so I'm wondering why Billy Byrd is not playing one here. It's a short scale guitar, good for "stretch chords" and for players with small hands!

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 28 Apr 2014 7:58 am

Here's a picture with that guitar, I am not a specialist, but could it be a custom made Byrdland?

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 28 Apr 2014 9:34 am

http://www.geocities.ws/dkyle21/pictures2.html

There's a picture of it here. In the clip it's had a Bigsby tailpiece fitted but the caption in the link I've posted says it's alleged to be a 'one of a kind' Byrdland.

Thanks, all.

I really should be better acquainted with Jerry's work - this has really opened my ears!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 28 Apr 2014 9:58 am

They introduce this instrument as a lute. It is absolutely nothing like a lute. This instrument has four strings and a drone string, exactly like a banjo, and the body of a flat-backed mandocello. A lute has multiple double courses, rarely fewer than fourteen strings, and always has a round back.