Steel players in Robert Altman's "Nashville"

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 30 Apr 2002 7:49 am

Me again, I rented this movie last night; it is definitely a hoot, and FILLED with beautiful traditional steel playing in just about every scene. Now did my eyes deceive me or was that Doug Jernigan playing with the western swing band (the only scene with C6 playing going on)? There were numerous other scenes featuring a steeler I didn't recognize going to town on a black Emmons D-10; anybody know who that was or have any thoughts on this rather wild, rambling movie?

Peter Dollard · Post by **Peter Dollard** » 30 Apr 2002 7:54 am

There was also a quick cameo of Jeff Newman playing the banjo at a recording session. I'm not sure of this but I think Lloyd Green was shown too at a recording session.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 30 Apr 2002 10:11 am

Yeah, I recall seeing Lloyd Green at that recording session near the beginning of the movie. And Doug Jernigan in that club scene.

VERNON PRIDDY · Post by **VERNON PRIDDY** » 30 Apr 2002 10:24 am

Stu Basore Played At Least Two Long Sceans In Nashville. SONNY.

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SONNYPRIDDY

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 30 Apr 2002 8:05 pm

Don't miss the end of the riverboat scene at opryland where Stu blows the last (harmonic) note of the tune and cusses on camera. Beautiful! That's really a great flick. And it REALLY ticked off some of the powers that be in Nashvegas. Too close to home maybe?

Winnie Winston · Post by **Winnie Winston** » 1 May 2002 3:40 am

Yes!
Jeff played banjo in the first scene and Lloyd was on steel.
Jeff told me he got the gig because he had short hair.
Weldon did some beautiful stuff in the Opry sequences.
Stu Basore was in the stuff at opryland.
GREAT flick. World love to see the uncut version-- many characters (like Jeff Goldblum) were further deeveloped but left on the cutting room floor.

Winnie

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 1 May 2002 8:20 am

Hey thanks you guys. So it was Weldon during the Opry scenes...don't recall any shots of the steeler, but man was that some nice playing. I thought I was imagining things when I saw/heard Stu blow that harmonic, but I guess I was right after all. What a great movie! How many other films have so much steel playing both onscreen and in the soundtrack? But the singing!! Good Lord. It looked like Altman wanted to keep it as real and unpolished as possible, having the actors sing on-camera. Anyway, recommended viewing for all.

G

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 1 May 2002 11:55 am

In the Opry scene Henry Gibson actually refers to Weldon by name when he takes a break.

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 1 May 2002 12:55 pm

I love Altman movies but that movie is horrible. You keep waiting for something meaningful to happen and it never really does. With out the steel aspect I would have been completely bored. I think I saw Larry Sasser in a scene but I'm not sure.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 2 May 2002 10:26 am

It's a long time since I watched it, but didn't Doug J. appear with Vassar Clements in that scene?

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Roger Rettig
Emmons LGIII(D10), MCI D10 and Fender Stringmaster (triple-8)

Winnie Winston · Post by **Winnie Winston** » 2 May 2002 5:08 pm

well gerald...
The singimng was not all that great but... the folks not only sang their stuff, they WROTE it themselves. Check the credits. And in the first scene-- the long-haired piano player (frog?) who gets canned happens to be the musical arranger for the whole pic.
A very funny movie filled with subleties as only Altman can do.
I just came across a card I sent home from Nashville after visiting the first time (which was right after the movie came out) it said: "Well, I'm here. The movie was kind."

Winnie

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 3 May 2002 8:31 am

Dear Winnie,
I feel lame. You're absolutely right about the singing, and I didn't mean to suggest I thought it all was lousy, David Carradine did a great job singing, picking and writing. Please allow me to thank you for your great book on learning to play the steel guitar; I use it nearly every time I practice and feel honored to have you respond to my post. Man, did "Red River Valley" drive me nuts the first few months...But I've stuck with it and thanks to your book, two years later I fool some people into thinking I can play!! So thanks!!

G

Will Bartell · Post by **Will Bartell** » 3 May 2002 7:10 pm

Gerald, I think you mean "Keith" Carradine...who also wrote "I'm Easy", if I recall correctly