Emmylou w/ the original Hot Band

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 1 May 2012 1:45 pm

There's not a lot of video available of this line up. Hank Devito with James B. Some of my favorite stuff here.
Funny I saw this clip on a TV show when I was in The Netherlands. It was from a BBC show in '76
http://youtu.be/Hu8_OHTFIeY

Ken Morgan · Post by **Ken Morgan** » 1 May 2012 2:00 pm

Thank you! You did of course see Rodney Crowell in there, right?

Friend of mine engineered her last CD, and said she ain't lost a thing in voice, style, and of course, charm and that killer smile.

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 1 May 2012 2:13 pm

You bet. Rodney, Emory Gordy, Glen D. Hardin and John Ware. If you call them The Hot Band they oughta be hot. I'd say they filled the bill.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 2 May 2012 2:09 am

When this band made their first trip to Britain in '75 the first London date happened to fall on a Saturday (at the New Victoria Theatre). No-one would confirm that James would be playing with them because he (and Glen D.) had prior responsibility to their spot in Elvis Presley's band - had Elvis needed them they'd have had to do it.

However, every guitar-player in town had apparently decided that it was worth the gamble and finding a 'sub' on that night was impossible - I bet I had at least three calls, but I already had my ticket form the show!

I know JB has always been highly regarded in the USA but I wonder if you can grasp the almost mythic status he'd reached in Britain after his seminal work with Ricky Nelson and Dale Hawkins - not to mention the countless sessions he'd done for other artists? We hardly dared to hope that we might finally see this inspirational player who'd thrilled so many of us with those solos on 'It's Late', 'Hello, Marylou' and 'Just A Little Too Much'.

I bet, even as world-weary and cynical as he may have been, James must have been amazed at his reception on his first-ever trip to Britain. The concert was a blast - from the opening bars of 'Cash On The Barrelhead' to the rousing finale all laced with fills from that paisley Telecaster through a then-new Music-Man amp and DeVito's Emmons push/pull....

Emmy introduced her star band; she talked of Hank having to learn pedal-steel in the "cold, hard days of the '60s in New Jersey with nothing but an album called 'Sweetheart Of The Rodeo'..." then, having saved Burton 'til the end, started to say: "You probably know more about my guitar-player than you do about me...." but it was lost in a thunderous ovation.

Our first sighting of the Telecaster King did not disappoint.....

Archie Nicol R.I.P. · Post by **Archie Nicol R.I.P.** » 2 May 2012 2:58 am

Lucky me.

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Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 2 May 2012 8:59 am

Great story Roger. For some reason it seems the players get more notice across the Atlantic. The Funk Brothers got a similar reaction went they went over there. Not many in the US had any clue who played on the Motown records, but they were known and loved in the UK and Europe.
I never got to see Emmylou with James, in fact the first time I had an opportunity to see her she had reformed the band with Frank Reckard and Steve Fischell. In '76 my girl friend got to see Emmy shortly after Albert Lee took James's spot. I was playing an "important" low paying gig and couldn't make it.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 2 May 2012 10:09 am

Hi, Dave

The following year Gerry Hogan and I were on stage before the show at the Hammersmith Odeon (The Apollo now, I believe) and talking with James and Hank. At one point I asked 'Who plays the top part and who does the bottom (of 'Amarillo')?'

As quick as a flash James called to Hank (who was talking with Gerry) and said:

"'Amarillo'..... 1,2,3,4,1" - and they were off on an impromptu demonstration of that great intro, just for us! It tickled me at the time because it was clear that they were still getting a big kick out of playing it.

Then I asked if I could hold the hallowed pink Tele.. "Sure..." said James, and I had a nice few moments playing one of the most well-photographed Fenders ever. Boy, did it feel low and those strings were super-light! Now I wish there'd been a camera there....

I later toured alongside Emmylou and the band when Frank Reckard and Steve Fishell were there (I'd drawn the short straw and was with David Allan Coe!); everyone in the band was a delight to spend time with and much jollity was had on the 'bus around Europe. If EH & the HB weren't enough, we also had Newgrass Revival with us - Sam Bush, Pat Flynn, John Cowan and Bela Fleck! Add to that the one gig in France with Ray Charles and his Orchestra at the top-of-the-bill and you'll see that I had a pretty nice time.....

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 2 May 2012 11:26 am

Roger, I love hearing of your first hand experiences with a bunch of my music heroes.
I did get to meet James Burton around 11 or 12 years ago when he was touring with The Elvis Show. Elvis on a big screen with the live band, singers and orchestra. Kind of eerie, but the same core band from the 70's Elvis band. Glen D., Jerry Scheff, Ronnie Tutt and James.
My oldest son's high school orchestra teacher was playing violin in the orchestra and got us back stage. They were all very cool to meet and chat with.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 2 May 2012 1:19 pm

Roger, I was at the Festhalle in Frankfurt. There were all the acts you mentioned plus Jerry Lee Lewis.
Were you there also, playing with David Alan Coe?
I remember how Sam Bush got angry, because the crowd paid no attention to Newgrass Revival.
And Emmylou introduced Frank Reckard as "Mr. Cigarette"
and J.L.Lewis was so loud we left.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 2 May 2012 1:35 pm

Yes, I was there. If my memory serves me the Bellamy Brothers were also on the bill, but some acts came and went on that tour so I may be wrong. We also had Tanya Tucker along on some dates.

My abiding memory of Frankfurt was the hotel - I've never slept in a room so high off the ground! After the first time I was too afraid to go near the window. Any city clever enough to have trams is okay by me, though!

Jerry Lee was a piece of work as well as DAC! JLL's young drummer lived in fear of the consequences of missing one of the singer's cues - I think 'unpredictable' describes Jerry Lee, much as I've admired the best of his music over the years. After the Zurich concert I know the show's producer got a big bill from the hotel - Jerry Lee had trashed his room taking a felt-tip pen to the hessian wallpaper! JLL's bass-player (nothing more than a bodyguard thinly disguised as a 'musician') got us held up in various airports when his concealed gun was discovered.

Our tour manager at one point threw his hands in the air and cried: "Country music??? Give me a nice quiet rock and roll tour!"

You couldn't write this stuff...

Emmy and her band, and Newgrass Revival, were total professionals all the way and a delight to be with. I don't recall a poor response in Frankfurt for NG, but they were the hidden surprise of the whole bill for me; breathtaking musicians and a sweet bunch of guys.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 2 May 2012 3:02 pm

I was already a big fan of Harris prior to the Hot Band, having seen her singing solo for weeks at Knott's Berry Farm not long after Gram's death, so when she and her band had the opening slot for a Golden Earring gig at LA's Shrine Aud. I was ready for a good night. Up goes the curtain and out come these high booted legs flying like nobody's business to the opening strains of a rocking Ooh Las Vegas and she with Burton leading the band didn't let up on the quality for the entire 45 mins. It was one of the best openers I've ever seen, and few following would be able to even match it. Golden Earring were ready tho, and it was indeed a great night.

Archie Nicol R.I.P. · Post by **Archie Nicol R.I.P.** » 2 May 2012 4:21 pm

After catching the first Glasgow gig I went again a year or so later when Albert was in the band with some guy called Rick Skaggs. Wonder what happened to him?

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Michael Weaver · Post by **Michael Weaver** » 3 May 2012 7:59 am

Dave,
Sort of a recognition across the pond in reverse. Back in the early 90's(I think), some friends and I went to a small park to hear Ricky Scaggs, when Ray Flacke on the Tele was in the band. Bruce Bouton was also in the band at that time. We had taken a sign along praising Ray Flacke. It was funny, because Ricky got a bit pissed, I think. We spent time after the show with both Bruce and Ray.

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 3 May 2012 8:14 am

Ray Flacke was with Ricky from 81-about 83 or 84. Ricky played great guitar, but Ray Flacke I think had a flair like nobody else. Saw that combo in Spokane WA in '82 and wound up going out to dinner with Ray and Bruce. The early Ricky Scaggs band had a lot of influence from Emmylou's Hot Band. Amzing line up of players with the great Bobby Hicks on fiddle as well.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 3 May 2012 8:55 am

Topic drift! But here goes, anyway:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPYxj3QBkIs

My favourite clip of Ricky Skaggs with Ray showing how it should be done...(wait for both of his solos).

I can see Jesse Chambers on bass but who's the resonator player? Bobby Hicks is on rhythm guitar here and is that Jerry Kroon on drums? Ricky is singing his heart out - excellent!

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 3 May 2012 11:18 am

There was a band called Meal Ticket with Ray Flacke:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fojf29v21Jw

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 3 May 2012 11:33 am

Roger, Bruce Bouton on resonator

Jim Hartley · Post by **Jim Hartley** » 3 May 2012 12:10 pm

To continue with the drift, just this morning I heard a Skaggs song from this era on WSM, and it reminded me how much I loved that time in country music.

Back to topic, in "79 or "80, I played in the Acuff-Rose golf tournement, and Emmylou and the Hot Band were the entertainment for the awards ceremony that night. How could it get any better, play golf all day, then get to see the Hot Band. Good, good day.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 3 May 2012 12:32 pm

Wow!!! Thanks, Dave - I thought it must have been BB (given the date), but was fooled by all that hair - on his head as well as the moustache!

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 3 May 2012 12:43 pm

Funny how people's appearance changes in 30 years, not mine of course.

BTW I don't mind the drift a bit. Ricky's band was a natural follow to The Hot Band.
After Ray left Ricky still had an amazing band, but I missed hearing Ray.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 3 May 2012 1:06 pm

Ah, so you're the other guy who's remained perfectly preserved, are you - thought it was only me!

Yes; Skaggs - like Emmylou - has had some remarkable players in the band. Terry Crisp on steel and the amazing Gary Smith on piano to name just two. I was at both of his Dominion, Tottenham Court Road concerts (see the 'Live In London' album) when Ricky had taken over on electric guitar. Bruce was still there on steel, though. Terrific concerts and the band was impeccable.

I couldn't resist posting this photo from that tour - we're backstage in Zurich (the Hallanstadium - sp?) and anyone would think that me and Emmy were the best of pals; in fact we just happen to be in the same corridor!! That's Steve Fishell just over my shoulder and, okay, so I have aged a bit...

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 3 May 2012 1:38 pm

How bout some more original Hot Band? James B. channeling Ralph Mooney. Glen D. and Hank DeVito shine as well.
http://youtu.be/ulrLgtCoGZ4

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 3 May 2012 5:25 pm

i saw the hot band at great american music hall in san francisco. james played through two music man 2x10 amps. it was very exciting.
also saw vassar clements there with jim murphy on a different date. very exciting.
also saw ricky s. with ray and bruce somewhere in sacramento. very exciting.

i can't think of any current act that would thrill me like those. maybe alison krauss and the boys.

got to hang out stageside alot at later emmylou gigs with my old friend wayne 'gooch' goodwin.

then i went home and continued my boring career of 'nobodyness'.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 3 May 2012 5:37 pm

I have the LP. Elite Hotel. 1975. Same musicians on the LP except Herb Pederson on backup vocals v. Rodney. I wore that thing out in the 70's.

The intro, T/A and outro by Burton and Hank is the stuff dreams are made of.

Writing credits for the Amarillo tune list Emmy and Rodney. A piece of work for sure.

Ken Morgan · Post by **Ken Morgan** » 4 May 2012 4:07 am

Yes...this music is like heroin. The players, the gear, the people ~ all equal on my view of the pedestal.

Not ashamed to say I have 'borrowed' licks from every guitar player (and adopted as many steel player licks as I could figure out) from everyone who's ever been with the Hot Band and every off-shoot thereof.

Then, there's Albert Lee...read someplace he was convinced 'they' were looking thru a Rolodex for a fast guitar player named Alvin Lee, and called him by mistake - the rest is history.