Herman "Jim" Hand passed on at age 99

Bob Maickel · Post by **Bob Maickel** » 14 Dec 2011 4:13 pm

Herman "Jim" Hand passed peacefully at a nursing home in Louisville, Kentucky, on December 1st. Jim celebrated his 99th birthday on November 18th. Jim was well-known for his steel guitar playing and vocalizing in various bands in New York City and New Jersey. Jim was a member of RCA Victor Country recording artist Elton Britt's band, and he also co-wrote Elton's hit RCA recording of Lost and Found Blues.
In 1973 Jim Hand was a co-founder of the Pedal Steel Guitar Association and succeeded Frenchy Messier as Vice President of the Association. He retired in 1990 and moved from Long Island, NY to Louisville, KY to be close to his son's family. We all admired his talent of having "perfect pitch". He could hear a note played and name the note or the chord. He also had the unique talent of singing and playing steel at the same time. He was a darn good vocalist.

Jim Hand was a friend to all steel players and deeply respected by fellow professional musicians. He shall be missed. May he rest in peace.

Jim was an Army veteran having served during World War II and as such he was laid to rest at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetary in Calverton, Long Island, New York.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 15 Dec 2011 3:22 am

Sorry to hear this. I think I met him at the PSGA booth in St Louis.

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 15 Dec 2011 4:52 am

Sorry to hear of this.
I knew Jim Hand from my early days at the PSGA up in NY.
May he rest in peace.
Don

Mike Gross · Post by **Mike Gross** » 15 Dec 2011 5:02 am

May Jim rest in peace and may we not forget all that he gave to us.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 15 Dec 2011 6:45 am

I'm sorry to hear this news. My condolences to his family and many friends.

Bob Simmons · Post by **Bob Simmons** » 15 Dec 2011 7:26 pm

so sorry to hear about this - he was always nice to me - even got to build him a guitar years ago

Dan Galysh · Post by **Dan Galysh** » 15 Dec 2011 8:13 pm

Sorry to hear of this. I remember his pictures and pieces in the PSGA newsletters from years past.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 16 Dec 2011 8:03 am

Condolences to Jim's family. They should be proud that PSGA is part of his legacy.

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 16 Dec 2011 3:21 pm

Jim was a true gentleman. My fondest menory of him was when he got up to sing with Buddy Emmons in 1976 the first time the PSGA brought Buddy to NY. He sang San Antonio Rose. Jim was like a kid in a candy store.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 16 Dec 2011 3:52 pm

This is sad news. I met Jim in the 1980s when I first played at the PSGA shows, and he was very kind, friendly, and he gave me a lot of good advice. He really loved the steel guitar and he was a great ambassador for the instrument.

Chuck S. Lettes · Post by **Chuck S. Lettes** » 16 Dec 2011 4:07 pm

Sad news, Jim really loved the steel guitar, and he will be missed.
Chuck

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 25 Dec 2011 11:28 pm

I am saddened by Jim's passing also, but, I know he's in a better place now. Jim was the first "pro steel guitarist" I ever met. I remember the first night I met him. He was playing at the "Stagecoach Inn", on Long Island. He was very gratious and open to me about anything I wanted to know about steel guitar. He introduced me to the PSGA, which, was one of the best things that ever happened to me. He was a lover of music and a stalwart supporter of the steel guitar. My sincere condolences to his immediate family and the steel guitar family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

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Herman "Jim" Hand passed on at age 99

Herman "Jim" Hand passed on at age 99

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