John Hughey: listening recommendations

[Alex Cattaneo]

This sounds like Lloyd to me. Is it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYsFQ1jPJ14

Twitty is not listed on the Lloyd Green tribute website, but on this particular track, it sure sounds like him.

PS. Although this started with a misguided attempt at identifying the steeler on this track, I edited the title of the thread to reflect the fact that we're now discussing recordings by John Hughey...

[Richard Sinkler]

That's Hughey all the way. I don't believe Lloyd ever recorded with Conway. Doesn't sound at all like Lloyd to me.

That's on the "She Needs Someone To Hold Her" album released in 1973. John was holding the steel guitar seat at the time.

Just a personal thing here: I think that was Conway's best album. I have many of his albums, but this one is my favorite. Good songs, good harmonies and John Hughey all over it.

[Alex Cattaneo]

Thanks Richard!

The high notes in the intro reminded me of the stuff Lloyd played with Johnny Paycheck, like the intro to Motel Time Again or Jukebox Charlie. I just haven't heard enough fast songs with Hughey to be able to recognize his playing in that context, although the tone is a giveaway, isn't it?

[Richard Sinkler]

I know. Hughey is so famous for his "crying" stuff that he gets overlooked on the hundreds of other sessions he did with others that don't sound like him. Outside of maybe his family, there is no bigger John Hughey fan than me. You would really be surprised at how many songs you can find and never guess in a million years that it was John.

[Alex Cattaneo]

That album is amazing. It also has "I Just Destroyed The World" and many other great tracks. I really want to get into his playing in 2014... think I'll make that my resolution! What else do you recommend? My favorite track is "Buttermilk John" on the Guitar Slinger album by Vince Gill.

[Richard Sinkler]

Give me a couple of days and I'll throw more Hughey at you than you can stand. I'm sure others will too.

[Dale Rottacker]

I know. Hughey is so famous for his "crying" stuff that he gets overlooked on the hundreds of other sessions he did with others that don't sound like him. Outside of maybe his family, there is no bigger John Hughey fan than me. You would really be surprised at how many songs you can find and never guess in a million years that it was John.

Richard, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it was John on Cal Smith's, "Hello Mrs Johnson" or "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking"...anyhow, I've been told it was, and that was the one that put me over the edge in knowing that I wanted to play steel...must've been the goosebumbs it gave me, and honestly, it wasn't anything real special, but it sure was to me!!

[Richard Sinkler]

I believe it was John on "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking"

[Richard Sinkler]

Here's one of my favorites. Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt. They even had John be part of the video. Up until a certain point (about 2:20), I really couldn't be sure it was him The he does one of his slides with heavy vibrato and leaves no doubt it is him.

[Don Poland]

Here's one of my favorites. Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt. They even had John be part of the video. Up until a certain point (about 2:20), I really couldn't be sure it was him The he does one of his slides with heavy vibrato and leaves no doubt it is him.

link?

[Richard Sinkler]

Here's one of my favorites. Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt. They even had John be part of the video. Up until a certain point (about 2:20), I really couldn't be sure it was him The he does one of his slides with heavy vibrato and leaves no doubt it is him.

link?

Duh... Here it is. Hopefully the rest of my day goes better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbB47M9pIFo

[Brett Barton]

Here's one of my favorites. Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt. They even had John be part of the video. Up until a certain point (about 2:20), I really couldn't be sure it was him The he does one of his slides with heavy vibrato and leaves no doubt it is him.

link?

Duh... Here it is. Hopefully the rest of my day goes better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbB47M9pIFo

have always loved this song.

[Ken Campbell]

Cool. Very very cool.

[chris ivey]

absolutely john on 'don't believe i'll fall in love today'. he's got the cool stutter and his tone is his own. my favorite guy. there is so much good stuff by him i wouldn't know where to start!

more fun to listen to than lloyd.

[Richard Sinkler]

Chris... Mine too.

[Alexander Rehfeld]

It was Lloyd who played steel on "The Lord Knows I'm Drinkin'". He played on lots of Cal Smith's recording sessions, the songs can be found on the Lloyd Green Tribute site.

[Richard Sinkler]

It was Lloyd who played steel on "The Lord Knows I'm Drinkin'". He played on lots of Cal Smith's recording sessions, the songs can be found on the Lloyd Green Tribute site.

Hughey. Doesn't sound like Lloyd. There's one verse where you heat the steel guitar just playing some chords, and they have Hughey vibrato, feel, and tone, not to mention style. Check out these old treads.

http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/000600.html

http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum10/HTML/001656.html

[Alexander Rehfeld]

Richard, here's another authority saying that Lloyd played on the original cut. I will ask him, he will certainly remember.

http://louisvillesteelguitar.com/artist_song_list.htm

[Daniel Policarpo]

I really want to get into his playing in 2014... think I'll make that my resolution! .

That sounds good to me, Alex. Mind if I also use that as my resolution?

[Richard Sinkler]

Richard, here's another authority saying that Lloyd played on the original cut. I will ask him, he will certainly remember.

http://louisvillesteelguitar.com/artist_song_list.htm

This will be interesting. We have whoever it is on the site you posted and someone who actually asked John if he played on it and confirmed that he did.

[Jack Hanson]

Back to the original question...

I always dug the "Highway Call" LP by Dickie Betts. Hughey is all over that one, and even toured with Betts in support of the record. Saw them at a dive bar in Chanhassen, MN shortly after the record came out. Vassar was with them too! Most of the exurban rubes in attendance had no idea what they were watching. I will never forget it.

The obvious would be "Jumpin' Time." The CD is awesome, but the DVD is even better.

"The Lord Knows I'm Drinking" was in heavy rotation on the jukebox at the Pioneer Lounge in Manitou Springs, Colorado circa 1973. I can vouch for the song's title and sentiment, because the tap beers cost all of a nickel. And that's the tune that permanently etched the sound of the pedal steel guitar into my young, impressionable brain.

"Goodbye Mrs. Johnson, you self-righteous biddy..."

[Alex Cattaneo]

Thanks Jack. Will check out the Dickie Betts album for sure.

Did John play on every track of the Marty Stuart album "This One's Gonna Hurt You", or just the duet with Travis Tritt?

[Richard Sinkler]

Paul Franklin is also listed on that album.

I was talking to John after he did that Dickey Betts album and he was saying how much fun he had doing it. Great album.

[Steve Hinson]

Hughey on"The Lord Knows I'm Drinking"...no doubt about it...

[Billy Carr]

Checkout the black/yellow, "On and Off Stage" album by John from 1977, I think. Another album I like is from 1968 with John and the boys standing beside there bus. Conway's singing mostly cover tunes on the album and John was all over it. Classic great steel pickin' by JH.