THEN and NOW!!!!

Bob Strum · Post by **Bob Strum** » 12 Oct 2002 4:40 pm

Hey guys, Alvino sure impressed me. I wore out or unfortunately broke all those Bluebird records. As a kid, I set up the bandstand at the Trianom(?) ballroom in Seattle. But the first pedal steel I saw and amazed me was from the traveling Gospel group, the Humbard Family. This was in the 40's, campmeeting time! It was Clement Humbard using a wide pedal steel knocking my socks off with "Lifes Railway To Heaven". Your entrys brought back wonderful memories, thanks for sharing, Bob

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 12 Oct 2002 4:52 pm

Jody:

After reading that fantastic story, I'll buy that book as soon as you tell me when it's published and where to buy it.

Roy

Wayne Morgan · Post by **Wayne Morgan** » 12 Oct 2002 5:27 pm

Hi Jody,, that was such a short story,, I loved it and wish it had been longer. please post when book is available.
I have a '63 super reverbe and a '71 Tele, Leo Fender,,,'WoW"

------------------
Wayne Morgan
BMI D10 8x8, Nash 400,Profex II,'63 Fender Super Reverbe,and '71 telecaster custom

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 12 Oct 2002 6:16 pm

Jody: Please don't stop with your stories. I don't go as far back as you, only to the 60's, but I love war stories about the music business. You should have been a novelist (Hey, come to think of it you are

We love your stories on the forum. My own opinion on sharing tunings: Why not? You can show someone the exact way you do something and they cannot duplicate it anyway. Thank God for that or we would all sound exactly alike anyway.[This message was edited by Jim Bob Sedgwick on 12 October 2002 at 07:17 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 12 Oct 2002 7:22 pm

Time after time,I have hesitated on posting my stories,,I realize they are long,that is
why I have been hesitant about doing what I have just posted.I have often times tried to quit this Forum,but fully realize there are many people out there who are of the positive
and not about to take issue for something that is un-important,,,this life is short,thats difficult for you younger people to understand,but before you know it,,,time will creep up,,,,as Bob Nolan the great songwriter and founder of the Sons Of The Pioneers wrote,,,The song was "That Old OutLaw "TIME" truer words were never spoken.

I fully realize Iam open to critisism and sometimes ridicule,sure this was a story with
what I remember as a sad ending..but there R
many others in my book with humor and fun of times gone by.

Lets show Roy Ayres what the "now players" are thinking and their attitude towards other
players of today. Im certain Mr,Ayres is well
aware of the "yesterdays" of his life,,lets
welcome him by showing what the players of today are made of,.

We are all supposed to be of the same cult of
lovers of the same instrument,,lets show a little respect to a new member.There are not many left.

If you feel my posts are too long,,I have a
tendency to agree,,I take the time to try to entertain you,,its of no cost to you,only your time is what you give to what I write.

I have every intention of trying to satisfy as many people as I can,,I realize that is impossible,,but I will try.

My book will be of a human interest nature &
as I have said before will not deal with technical issues.

If that is what you are looking for,,you can find many fine books out there by much more qualified people other than myself,,by the same token,,my intentions were to give you what was my time with the Fender company and what it was like being there while it happened.

If I took advantage with the length of my stories,,Im sorry,Im not out to make anyone
unhappy,,to the contrary I want to make friends and share my expieriences with all of you.

I hope my book will satisfy my stories of what working with Leo Fender,,Forrest White,Don Randall was all about, there are many stories of people like Buddy Rich,,Herb
Alpert,Roy Clark,Chet Atkins,Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs,,my final chapter will be something that I will never forget as long as I live,,in fact I couldnt live long enough
to re-live all I have been part of. Im just trying to entertain you,,.in a short amount of time telling my memories that date back over 50 years,,I find it difficult to condence that amount of information in a short post,,,,that is why Im writing a book.

Im very pleased to see that Mr.Ayres has joined the Forum and I know he will tell us
some interesting times in his lifetime,,

Mr,Ayres,,if you are reading this,,I want to tell you that many times I would sit by my old 78 speed record player many years ago and
tried hard to memorize the part you played on the "bridge" of the Tenneseee Waltz..I think it was great and I still do. I have to admit I tried hard to sound like you,,,,I got
close,,but not close enough to capture the feeling that I heard when you played that with Pee Wee and the Golden West Cowboys.

I regard your'e joing this Forum as an honor
and wished we had the good fortune of having others with your backround as Forum members.

The newer players of today are great,,in many
ways,,maybe much more steel guitar educated than we older guys,,,,it is my hope that they
too someday can share and have the memories that people like yourself and others such as
Gene Jones,,,Ray Montee,,Paul Graupp, Al Marcus,and others from that time frame. Everett Cox another brilliant man posts on occasion but when he does,,his posts are always encouraging and kind,,he too is a fine
player yet does not brag on himself,,he is a
fine man and an important part of this Forum.
I regard him as the ambassador of good will among steel guitar players as well as just plain ole human beings,,he has as they say..
"The Right Stuff".

I have said enough tonight,,maybe too much,it
is time for others to take the floor as our
veteran steeler Kenny Dail stated,,,and to quote Kenny And The Beat Goes On...lets hear that beat,,I have offered my part,,lets give
the others a chance. We have Buddy Emmons,we lost Chalker,,we have Herby Wallace,,Joe Wright,Tommy White Speedy,Herb Remington Maurice Anderson,,,,there will come a day when many of us will no longer be here,,lets enjoy what we have while we have it. Like that old Jimmy Davis song..If we cant be sweethearts,,lets be friends..Is That a Deal
Or What.

Jody Carver

Bob Carlson · Post by **Bob Carlson** » 12 Oct 2002 8:13 pm

It's a deal Jody. And as i've said before, if the only way your posts come is long, thats ok with me.

It's not required reading, if some don't want to read them they don't have a gun to their head.

Bob.

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 12 Oct 2002 9:33 pm

Jody, that's one of the best stories yet. We keep hearing about the book, How about an update on the progress. You'e sure giving us enough teasers here on the forum. I can hardly wait for my autographed copy so I can get to the meat of the meal. BTW I can have your autograph made into a rubber stamp (Lotta fun with that.
Luv ya bro

(edited to remind Jody to include his bank account number with the autograph. Baby needs a new set of gold wound strings)

------------------
"Let's go STEEL something"
If it feels good, do it. If it feels COUNTRY, do it twice
jpp

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 13 Oct 2002 3:27 am

Jody, a great story and some great advice to those who have a story to tell...don't wait too long to tell it.

I am reminded of that everytime I visit my parents current resting place in a small cemetary in southwestern Oklahoma, where there is a small, weatherbeaten headstone nearby that has some words on it with similar advice that is as appropriate today as when it was placed there some 100 years ago.....

..."LOOK AT ME BROTHER AS YOU PASS ME BY
AS YOU ARE NOW, SO ONCE WAS I,
AS I AM NOW, SO YOU WILL SOON BE
SO PREPARE YOURSELF, TO FOLLOW ME".....

Don't wait.....do it now!
www.genejones.com

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 13 Oct 2002 3:37 am

Jody:

Your flattery is appreciated but exaggerated and unnecessary. My steel work was very ordinary. If it offered anything worth listening to it was because of the great musicians that surrounded me in the band and our great leader, Pee Wee. The band philosophy was to do everything possible to help the soloist at the moment shine through and sound like more than he actually was. There is nothing like music to teach one the importance of working together with others in his group or organization -- no matter what the business or goal of the group may be.

Your stories are wonderful. They are entertaining and are NOT too long. Keep 'em coming as much as possible without detracting from your book.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 13 Oct 2002 5:57 am

Roy
Isn't that what it is all about? teamwork? playing with a group or band to blend together each one's efforts to make a complete sound?...Your playing to my ears was not exaggerated by any means,,sometimes
and more often than not,,"less is more" what you may have thought of as being un-important
and overstated is a matter of opinion.

To my ears,,,your playing was fitting and fine and the blend with the group was as always one of my favorites. I have many Pee Wee Kings recordings and I have yet to hear one I didnt like, Redd Stewart was and still
is one of my favorite singers.

As a whole,,I thought your playing and the group in general was great....the song wasn't
too bad either

.

Thanks for all of your compliments,,,but I will hold off on posting any stories in the future as Im preparing my book now. Your thread started me off on my story,,if it were
not for your thread "Then & Now" I would have not posted it.

When the ink is dry and my book is ready to go,I will let you know,so until then,thanks again and have a good time on this Forum,,nice to have you here.

I have other issues to deal with at present &
my book has been put on the back burner for the time being,,,but you can bet I will let all of you know when its ready to roll.

I hope that was a Fender guitar and amp you were playing on Tennesee Waltz. If not,,well
it sounded great anyhow.

John P.If those strings were available I would gladly send them to you,,I can have a rubber stamp made up for you,,no problem,

Gene,as always your comments are something to
think about and always have something of interest.

Bob Carlson,,,you always say nice things and I appreciate your kind words.

Be well and, I hope I can get that book going
out there before too long.

Hurry place your order NOW,,operators are standing by,,for the price of $29.95 you will recieve this fine book with a wealth of knowledge by one of the longest story tellers
in history known to mankind. Order NOW as supplies are "limited" have your credit card
ready,,,,BUT W A I T......if you order now
for the price of $29.95 you will rceieve 2 books of "The Last Fender Guitar"...you may qualify for a free trip to Nashville all expenses paid and a week with Bobbe Seymour at Steel Guitar Nashville,,,,meals and lodging at Bobbe's house included.

As a bonus offer,,you will receive an 8x10 photo of Smiley Roberts in his "Hanes Underwear" and if you order right now an 8x10 glossy photo of Bobbe Seymour in his Bikinl bathing suit will be included,,
,,,,,DONT WAIT,,,,,,supplies are limited
Be the First in your neighborhood to receive
this wonderful offer.. This is a a limited offer and will expire January 1, 2009...Thank you. I have the exclusive rights
to Bobbe and Smileys photos,,,thats why I placed my copywrite signature to this.

Sorry but the John Deere tractors have been omitted from this offer,,what do you want for
$29.95? Have a good day.

Jody

edited for spelling,,,thats why its taking so long to write the book,,Im sort of well,,,,stupid,,,"DUH"

------------------
Copyright(c) 2002 by
Jody Carver "All Rights
Reserved"

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 13 October 2002 at 07:00 AM.]

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 13 Oct 2002 7:38 am

Roy - you mentioned something about "steel stories;" well, this is somewhat related, but, more related to a fun thing about Elvis. In the '50,'s when I fronted my 10-piece Western Swing band at the Eagles Nest at Lamar & Winchester, Memphis, Elvis, Scotty, and Bill came in on Fri. and Sat. nights and filled our intermissions in return for free beer and the opportunity to meet beautiful chicks. One night, I announced a 20-min intermission, and that a trio would be up to fill in for us. Scotty and Bill were already on the bandstand, but no Elvis! I called him on the P.A. several times then Bill went outside and into the parking lot about 100 feet to his old Chevy. There was Elvis in the back seat, getting his clothes in order; he and the little 19-y/o brunette soon came back into the club: Elvis with lipstick all over, and she with a red face, although very cute. "And the show went on." Bill said that was Elvis's first conquest! He seemed to shake on the bandstand more after that. (By the way, the guy who played 3rd fiddle with my group was Jim (Red) Stewart, who a few months later founded Stax Records; our band photo is on page 4 of Rob Bowman's best seller: "Soulsville U.S.A.--a History of Stax Records," released about 3 years ago. This is NOT "The Rest of the Story," however. --HUGH

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 13 Oct 2002 8:40 am

Jody:
Sorry to disappoint, but that was a National double neck on Tennessee Waltz. My first Fender was a 3-neck Leo gave me later for an endorsement.
Roy

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 13 Oct 2002 9:20 am

Jody:

Your question about Tennessee Waltz started me remembering the session. I made a mistake on that record that I've never admitted to anyone before -- I'm putting it here for all the world to see.

That was my first real, live recording session in a real studio. They placed a microphone directly in fromt of my amp -- about 6 inches from the grill cloth. I was using the standard old National steel finger picks. Because of the proximity of the mike, it picked up every little extraneous sound. We tried everything to find a way to hide my pick noise. If I attacked the strings too quickly, they caused a "clicking" sound. If I tried to "sneak up" on the strings, the vibrating string against the picks created a "buzzing" sound. Finally, we took a long break and I ran out to a music store and bought a couple of plastic finger picks. It took quite awhile: you know the RCA studio was out on the outer loop near the Navy pier. Pee Wee had a lot of faith in the song and insisted we take the time to "get it right." Those plastic picks were terrible. The would soften up from your body heat and slip around on your fingers -- and if your hands sweatted, forget it. After the session I threw them into my case where the remained for ages. Later, after Tennessee Waltz made such a hit, I retrieved them from the case and salted them away for posterity. I still have them in my desk drawer as we speak. After 55 years they are cracked and very brittle, but still intact.

But that's not the thing I wanted to finally confess to the world. After umpteen cuts, we finally came up with one that was acceptable. When they played it back, I felt like sinking through the floor. At the very end of my bridge, I accidentally hit some chord that I still, to this day, can't put a name to. It was very weak, and you have to listen carefully even to hear it. It was a very dissonant chord; sounded a little like a ninth with a flatted fifth on top. One of the guys said, "Hey, that was a great subtle ending chord." I just smiled and said, "Thanks." I think I must have accidentally touched a string with my right hand and created a harmonic on one of the strings that was still vibrating. All I know for sure is that THAT CHORD AIN'T NEVER BEEN ON ANY STEEL OF MINE.

There, Ive said it. I'm sorry you guys. That's the only mistake I ever made on steel.

((Darn my hide. I should have kept my mouth shut. One of these guys with a lot of pedals and strings snd weird tunings may have been trying for years to duplicate that chord. And, given enough time, he may have been to name it. I can see it now. "Hey, you guys, I finally found Ayres' secret tuning.")

Roy

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 13 Oct 2002 10:09 am

Roy
Sure I remember that chord,,but ya know what?
I FOUND IT YEARS AGO. Im listening to it right as I write this, and ya know what else?

You didnt sound so good after all playing that National guitar

I thought it was a
Fender,,Oh well,,cant win em all.

Nice story though,,,do you still have that triple custom Leo gave to you? Are you messing with the steel at all? Let us know
what you are doing and you ought to get back behind that steel,,but one thing,,,,if you do
make sure its a FENDER

Thanks,,,,I found that "lost" chord of yours
years ago,,I have a few of my own that I cant
find. With headphones the chord you played is very clear to my ears. With the exception
of the National guitar,,you sounded great

. PS Leo one time told me Noel Boggs
told him that pedals were for bicycles...not
guitars. Joaquin didnt need pedals,nor did
Noel,,listen to Tom Morell,,he dont need a bicycle either. A D-10 pedal steel is a "Bicycle built for Two (2).

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 13 October 2002 at 11:15 AM.]

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 13 Oct 2002 10:09 am

Hugh:
Good Elvis story. He's probably the only musician who ever did anything that uncouth, huh?

I'm sure you know that the guy who played first fiddle with us was Henry (Redd) Stewart -- two d's. His brother, Gene, played bass with us; he passed away a few years ago. Redd had another brother, Al, who played several instruments. Redd was outstanding on many instruments -- expecially guitar. As far as I know, Redd is still living in Louisville -- although I have lost all contact with him.

Still looking forward to your CD, which should arrive at any time.

Roy

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 13 Oct 2002 10:27 am

Jody:

If you are wondering why I'm sending so many posts, it's because it's Sunday Afternoon and my wife is visiting with our daughter in Norfolk who is expecting her first little one any day. No one here except me, my Pomeranian and my Beta.

No, I no longer have the triple Fender. I gave it to my brother, Vearl, years ago. He played for awhile with Hank Snow and at another time with Jimmy Dickens. He passed away several years ago in Mobile. His wife, Luverta, offered to give the steel back to me. I declined and said all I wanted was his bar. It was a small, round Oahu. It was the only one he ever had, and I felt like that would be a good token to remember him by.

I went to pedals when I got a Fender 1000 years ago. Eight pedals and two after-market knee levers. I still have my old black-face, tube type Fender Twin Reverb, in which I replaced the speakers with twin 12" JBL's. Still sounds great, and would still blow the back end out of Carnegie (sp??) Hall.

I got out of music in 1962 when I received my M.S. in physics at age 27. I saw the hand writing on the wall when a good friend and outstanding tenor sax man hit 40 and couldn't get a job in a Class C night club. I keep telling myself I'll spend more time behind the steel, but there never seems to be enough time. Another reason: no one around here to play with, so I would have to play with myself -- and that may not be nice.

Roy

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 13 Oct 2002 10:28 am

Posted twice. Sorry. Roy

[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 13 October 2002 at 11:30 AM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 13 Oct 2002 10:48 am

Nice story Roy,,,dont sweat posting twice,cause sometimes twice is twice as nice.

I understand why you are at the PC,,Its much the same here,,however,my wife has been ill
& to try to get away for a bit to ease the
pressure on my mind,,I get on here and jibber
jabber. I have 2 Lhasa Apso male pups that I
have to keep an eye on,,, I wish you and your wife good luck with your newborn whether
it be a boy or girl,,,My best to you my friend and to all of you.

That Fender Twin is a Killer,,now you need a Fender guitar,,If I were still with Fender,you would get a knock on the door from the "Fender Delivery Boy". There are
some real nice guitars out there and you can
check the Forum from time to time,,would be nice for you to get another guitar, would do you good,,as well as those who get to hear you play.

Thank you my friend and stay in touch,,I'll be off for a few days,,,its Doctors time again. Be well and good luck Grandpa.

Jody I still have my triple,,,,,,maybe I can find one for you,,Kenny Dail is looking for one as well,,,lemmme see whats shaking out there. Need pedals?,,,,get a bicycle

need a guitar? get a FENDER non pedal guitar.

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 13 Oct 2002 11:37 am

Yeah Roy - I remember. Paul Howard used to call me often to join the Arkansas Cotton Pickers, but I knew some of the guys and they really made long over-day, over-night hauls. That turned me off; anyway he got Billy Bowman who later went with Wills. As per fiddlers, one of Paul's fiddlers--Merle(Red) Taylor and I sort of grew up in Tupelo; he and Paul's other fiddle man(??)- I forget his name, but he had done a lot of symphony work up north; he and Merle did some great twin work with Paul. The last time I saw Merle (Red) was on the HeeHaw Show; about 12 years ago Bill Monroe did a benefit for him due his struggle with cancer; he died in Tupelo a little later. He also wrote and recorded a tune with Bill Monroe called Mr. Peen. Also you mentioned WCBI, Columbus; when I was with the Big Diamond Band, we had a Sat. night broadcast from the WMOX auditorium that came out on the Mid South Network---13 stations, owned by Bernie Iams. My niece's husband is a journalist and knows Bernie well; he's still in Columbus and doing well.---Hugh

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 13 Oct 2002 12:41 pm

Yeah, Hugh. I remember Bernie. He must very old by now, as I was about 15 when we played on WCBI and he already owned the station and the Commercial Dispatch. I always wondered which came first: our Midsouth Ramblers or his Midsouth Network. I also remember Billy Bowman, and Paul Howard's band was one of my favorites. The did some good western swing stuff.
Roy

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 13 Oct 2002 1:43 pm

To Roy and others: I sent in a rather long Post about Alvino and the psg 3-4 weeks ago if you care to go back. Anyway, Alvino designed the first psg and put it together with the help of a machinist( named Mason I think )in the 1920's. I've seen it at the Smithsonian in D.C. encased in glass. Alvino also designed the first hollow body elec. Sp. guitar for Gibson---and for which Les Paul received the credit! Alvino and the Gibson Co. parted company;, Alvino went his own way; then Les Paul stepped in. Also, Alvino was toying with gadgets then (throat mics, etc) that are now called SYNTHESIZERS!! --Hugh

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 13 Oct 2002 2:17 pm

Hugh:
That's good info. I can't find a thread under your name in the last 60 days. Was it a new thread or a response to some other thread? Was in in the Steel Players section? Whose name was it under -- or what was the topic. I would like to read it.
Thanks,
Roy

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 13 Oct 2002 2:55 pm

Jody,
Thanks so much for that "Part 2" story.
I give you my word that I'll buy your book. Tell your publisher that your "samples" are making sales.

Your past story about Dylan cleared up a question I always had. (Why is Bob playing a bas left handed.)

Thanks again, Pal!

PS

"hey ya wanna guitar instead of money???"

I swear I saw a few of those ladies standing near the Port Authority, back in the 70s, holding Jazzmasters.

Now I understand.....

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 13 Oct 2002 4:38 pm

Hey, everyone:

Check the thread I started Sunday called "Who played steel on Matilda."

I played it again today, and I've just gotta know. Answer here or in that thread.

Thanks,

Roy

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 13 Oct 2002 4:40 pm

Hey Joey

Thanks.