Tommy Turman RIP

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 26 Sep 2010 5:38 pm

I just received an email from Sacramento steel player Jay Riley telling me that California western swing legendary guitarist Tommy Turman has passed away.

I met and played with Tommy when I was inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame in 2003. He was a monstrously good guitarist who played with many of the great players on the West Coast. He was based out of San Diego and worked with Smokey Rogers, among others. He was also a collaborator of Paul Bigsby's for a time, or so I've heard.

He was a member of the Western Swing Society HOF, the Cowtown Society of Western Music, and I think the Seattle Western Swing HOF.

Another good one bites the dust, sadly.

Dickie Whitley · Post by **Dickie Whitley** » 26 Sep 2010 6:03 pm

Herb, you have my deepest sympathies on the loss of your friend. This seems to be happening way too often these days.

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 26 Sep 2010 9:44 pm

That is such a bummer! So sad to hear of this! Tommy is a legend here in San Diego. He taught a lot of monster players how to play around these parts and could still blow minds with his Jimmy Bryant and Chet Atkins style and caliber of playing the guitar.

I've been lucky to play at a few jams around So Cal with the likes of Tommy, Glynn Duncan, and the Rogers Twins (Bernie & Boyd). I'll always cherish the kind words of encouragement I got from Tommy!

Here's a video of one of those jams with Tommy playing a brief solo on "Crazy" (from 2:00-2:27).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_daX8f_ ... re=related

Unfortunately it all takes a wrong turn from the sublime to the ridiculous on my solo which comes next.

I wish the guy doing the filming would've filmed more of the real players ( i.e. Tommy) that day. $:\$

God bless Tommy

R.I.P.

Ray Harrison · Post by **Ray Harrison** » 29 Sep 2010 4:58 pm

I got the call the other morning of Tommy's passing and even though I knew that he was having troubles, couldn't believe that he is gone.
I've worked and partied a lot with Tommy and have enjoyed his playing many times. Fine musician and person. His Birthday was July 9th and celebrated it with a party every year by hosting one of the greatest parties in San Diego County. We've had a lot of great stars show up at the party.
He is certainly being missed.
Our condoences go out to Linda and her family.
Take Care,