Indianapolis Steel Legend Gene Monday passes...

Don E. Curtis · Post by **Don E. Curtis** » 19 Aug 2010 12:08 pm

Devastating news as Gene Monday, Steel Guitarist & Mentor from Indianapolis has passed away from a long bout of bad health. Gene was president of the INDY Steel Club for many years and performed in and around the Indianapolis area his whole life along with a stint with Freddy Hart. (Easy Lovin')
We saw Gene last year at the INDY show but he was unable to attend the concert this year.
He will be sadly missed.

Gene Monday
3/21/34 - 8/18/10
R.I.P.

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 20 Aug 2010 5:18 am

1st met Gene when I worked at Arthur's, ('68-72 ish), & I was just starting to get into steel. Remember riding with him to a gig. A quiet man, very nice to me, & patient, considering I was a seriously wet behind the ears teen. Had a late 60's Emmons, wonder if he kept it. (Don?)
I remember the Freddie Hart stint & did talk to him a little during that time, which then & there was major news. Gene played fiddle with Freddie, & though I know Uall have been with Gene MANY years longer than I have, he was the 1st accomplished utility man I got to witness. Played steel great, played fiddle great. A very talented gentleman.
Last I saw Gene was at the IN state fairgrounds, going to say mid-80's. I dunno if it was a fiddle competition or what, but after some small chat (Gene didn't talk much, probably because I wouldn't shut up

) I asked him where he was headed with cased fiddle, he said, "Well I'm gonna head in here & show 'em how it's done." Though I didn't hang & moved on, I'm MOST CERTAIN he showed 'em how it's done.

Thanks for posting this, Don. My condolences to Gene's family.
R.I.P., Gene.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 20 Aug 2010 6:01 am

Just talked to Bernie Waldon. Bernie said Gene played Fiddle for his band way back and he's known him for many years. He remembers his lead guitar with the pedal steel type pulls on it.

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 20 Aug 2010 6:17 am

Although I never got to meet Gene in person, we talked on the phone many many times after Cope McDaniel hooked us up to each other.
Gene had a million stories to tell like most of the old legends do.
Go rest in peace now Gene Monday, I will meet you one day.

Doug Rolfe · Post by **Doug Rolfe** » 20 Aug 2010 11:12 am

I knew Gene had been in ill health for a long time but am so sorry to hear of his passing. Gene is one of the very first people I met when I went to an INDY steel club meeting at Arthur's music store. He was always an encouragement to me and like others have already said, was willing tell stories about his experiences in the music world. Gene, RIP my friend.