The Don Kelly band

[Chris Templeton]

I used to play for Don Kelly at a club on Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, in the late 80's, before he played at Robert's Western World. Who else has played for him?https://savingcountrymusic.com/end-of-a ... ern-world/

[Steve Hinson]

I used to play for Don Kelly at a club on Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, in the late 80's, before he played at Robert's Western World. Who else has played for him?https://savingcountrymusic.com/end-of-a ... ern-world/

My wife Becky and I used to sub w/Don at the Stagecoach on Sunday nights-the regular cats were Brent Mason(guitar)and Jimmy Carter(bass)...when Don hired us to play, he said"bring that steel, too!"This happened in the early 80's...Don has been a friend of ours for almost 50 years, and a legendary bandleader!He is now enjoying a much-deserved retirement...I worked in the studio all day yesterday with Brent...he and Jimmy Carter are as great as anybody you'd ever want to hear, and I'm so lucky to get to work with them!

SH

[Chris Templeton]

Ah yes, the Stagecoach.
I didn't know of Brent at the time. He might have played when I'd played with Don, I don't remember. Tons of players worked with Don.
The first time I remember being aware of Brent is when he and Paul Franklin played at the Hall Of Fame Motor Lodge. I wish I had recorded one of those gigs.

[Steve Hinson]

Ah yes, the Stagecoach.
I didn't know of Brent at the time. He might have played when I'd played with Don, I don't remember. Tons of players worked with Don.
The first time I remember being aware of Brent is when he and Paul Franklin played at the Hall Of Fame Motor Lodge. I wish I had recorded one of those gigs.

Late 80s?Brent was gone by then...Danny Parks,Troy Lancaster,Sid Hudson,and Red Volkaert followed Brent- you likely played with one of them...

I don't remember Brent playing with Paul at the"Hall of Shame",but I remember Phil Baugh,Sid Hudson,and Thumbs Carlille.
Buddy Emmons and Doug Jernigan were the two steel subs I remember...what a great place to go back then!
Curley Chalker was playing there when I moved to town!Jimmy Bryant would come by and sit in...Wade Ray was the security guard!

SH

[Chris Templeton]

I'm pretty sure it was Redd. That's quite the fleet of guitar players, Steve.

[Steve Hinson]

I'm pretty sure it was Redd. That's quite the fleet of guitar players, Steve.

...and they all sounded DIFFERENT,somehow...

[Roger Rettig]

I recall dropping into Joe Glaser's shop in the '90s (picking up another bender ) and asking where there was any decent music to be heard. Without a pause, Joe said: 'Go see Don Kelley's band at Roberts. I don't know who's on guitar currently, but it'll be someone good.'

It turned out to be Redd. (We visited for a while and, as I was looking for a Tele, he invited me to his place. Early-'60s Esquire Custom for $3k!!!! That was cheap, even back then. I said I'd let him know, but I left it a bit too long - it was sold next day. I should have jumped on it - what a great guitar that was!

After Redd, I do believe I saw Johnny Hiland playing with DK. And, is it possible that Rod Riley was an occasional sub? I remember he and I (during his break) looking in Gruhn's window back when George was still at 4th and Broad.

PS: Redd offered to put my name in for some road-work with Stella Parton. I had to be back in the Old Country for some TV work, but I often think I should have taken that chance instead. I was in my fifties, so time was running out for getting a 'start' in Nashville.

[Damir Besic]

I moved to Nashville in the late 90’s , Don always had the best guitar pickers , but I’ve never seen him using pedal steel in his band …