James Morehead RIP

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

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Ben Elder
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A Professional Among Professionals

Post by Ben Elder »

A Monument to James's Genius:

Image

I was very sorry to read Ricky's post this morning, being away from a computer (and the photo above) for hours and not being able to post immediately.

As recounted elsewhere on this Forum, I scoped this D-10 Professional out long distance before a 2008 Christmas trip back to Oklahoma City. Once in hand, I posted an SOS on the SGF which led me to James.

Oh, yeah, that guy--the maniac who seemed to delight in the photo of his next "project": a pile of disassembled parts, looking like so much tornado aftermath, but purporting to be a complete deconstructed Sho-Bud doubleneck. (Or three, to my non-technical eye.) Complex mechanical processes (even simple ones) are deeply troubling to my arts-degree psyche. The photo of James's abstract alleged Sho-Bud disturbed and panicked my soul like nothing from the imagination of Stephen King or John Carpenter ever could. ("How could anybody ever get all that back together?!?")

As he detailed in the link at the bottom of the post, he made the somewhat neglected D-10 into a time traveler from the Lower Broadway "Sho-room" from a time when I was a senior in high school.

One thing I neglected to discuss in later having him add third and fourth knee levers was requesting to leave the E-lowers in the antiquated RKL position. When I found it relocated to LKR, I decided my minimally-skilled playing would have to change, because I wasn't going to mess with James's masterful work.

It seems the last few years have been particularly rough on Planet Sho-Bud.

I was already missing him and Tree after they moved from Prague to Arkansas and now--there are no words. My best to Tree and family.



---
James's account of the fix-up of the red/natural Professional:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... light=bens
"Gopher, Everett?"
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Tony Prior
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Post by Tony Prior »

So very sorry to learn of James passing. I never met him or Theresa but spoke with them both many times over the last year or two. I felt like I knew them both for years.

Prayers and peace to Theresa and family, James was a one of a kind .
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
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Wayne Morton
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Post by Wayne Morton »

RIP James. Our thoughts & Prayers are with Tree & the family.
Emmons 82 SKH, Emmons 93 Legrande II, Emmons 72 Fat Back, Mullen G2 Purple Heart, 82 Zum
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Rick Rian
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Post by Rick Rian »

My condolences to Tree and family. James will be missed by steelers he helped and especially us ShoBud guys. Rest now my friend, God be with you ...
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DG Whitley
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Post by DG Whitley »

My sincere deepest condolences to his family and friends. My thoughts and prayers for all.
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Brian Saulsman
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Location: Washington, USA

Post by Brian Saulsman »

My thoughts and prayers go out to James' family and friends. This makes me sad.

Brian Saulsman
All the best
Brian Saulsman
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Abe Levy
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Post by Abe Levy »

RIP James.
Mostly Pre-1970 guitars.
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Ron Frederiksen
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Location: Van Buren, Arkansas, USA

Post by Ron Frederiksen »

James and family , Just great people. Always enjoyed them when they came to the Arklahoma Steel Guitar Club and played and sang. Praying for peace for the family. RIP ol friend. You will be missed.
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Dave Mudgett
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Post by Dave Mudgett »

Oh, my. I'm so sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences.
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Thomas Pickett
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Location: Iowa, USA

james moorehead rip

Post by Thomas Pickett »

so sorry to hear this i learned of this tonight at my gig always fun to be on stage with as he loved his steel guitars as well as playing them will miss him r.i.p. tree
thomas pickett sr.started playing drums in country bands in 1957
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Tom Wolverton
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Post by Tom Wolverton »

James taught me a lot about ShoBud restoration. I owe much to him. RIP James. Prayers to Tree and the whole family.
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
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Walter Stettner
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Post by Walter Stettner »

Sorry to read this. My condolences and prayers to the family.

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria
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Paul King
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Post by Paul King »

I remember the day I met him and his wife. Great people to be around. My condolences to his family. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.
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Stu Schulman
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Post by Stu Schulman »

Condolences!
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.
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Andrew Roblin
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Post by Andrew Roblin »

Thank you, James!

I offer my condolences to his loved ones.
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Mike Neer
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Post by Mike Neer »

RIP James.
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links
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Frank Freniere
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Post by Frank Freniere »

Sincere sympathies to Tree and the family. What a guy - none better.
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Chris LeDrew
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Post by Chris LeDrew »

Awful news. James and I were close in the 2008-11 time period but drifted apart a bit after I stopped going to the shows around then. We had some great times in Dallas and St. Louis, and we shared a fond affinity for the Sho-Bud. Very sad to hear of his passing. Condolences to Tree and the family. A true loss to the pedal steel world. And an honest-to-goodness GREAT guy.
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com
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Scott Duckworth
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Post by Scott Duckworth »

Condolences and prayers going up.
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it

I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!
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J R Rose
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Post by J R Rose »

So very sorry to hear this news. I knew he was pretty sick but did not know it was this bad. James was a great guy and loved the Sho-Bud guitar better than about anyone. I met him and Tree a couple of times and they were just as everyday as you could get. They were a great couple but were partners in their work on steel guitars. They both loved them. RIP James and Tree, may God Bless and Keep You. J.R. Rose
NOTHING..Sold it all. J.R. Rose
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Rick Abbott
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Post by Rick Abbott »

Very sorry to see this. My sincere condolences to all of James's family and friends.

Few folks understand 'Buds the way he did. Our great loss.

Peace be with you and yours, James.
RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer 1963 Gibson Falcon
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Gene Haugh
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Location: Arkansas, USA

Post by Gene Haugh »

When someone has a passion as James did it shows in the friends he collects in life. James had a passion for Sho~Bud like no-one I ever knew. I have worked for Sho~Bud since 1980 and he helped me. My most sincere condolences to Tree and the family. RIP James my friend.
Gene Haugh
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Jerry Van Hoose
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Post by Jerry Van Hoose »

I've always held James in the highest regard and was truly saddened whenever I read the news of him being under hospice care for I knew what the eventual outcome would be. My thoughts and prayers are with James's family and friends. May he rest in peace.
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Dale Rottacker
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Post by Dale Rottacker »

Very Sad... one of the nicest guys I’ve ever had the pleasure of talking with... James and Tree both had a way of making you feel like you were old friends from your very first visit with them... You couldn’t talk to James without leaving that conversation with a smile on your face... Wish I’d had the opportunity to meet him face to face.
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jim flynn
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Location: Salado,Texas

Prayers To The Family.

Post by jim flynn »

Really sad that we have lost another craftsman of the steel guitar family. I am sorry he had to suffer so much, and pray that the family and friends find peace and comfort in
Jesus.
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