Harold Bradley

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 31 Jan 2019 4:59 am

I'm saddened to hear that Harold passed away last night. I had the honour of playing with him on a Slim Whitman tour in the '90s and he was unfailingly courteous and a thorough professional.

I will treasure the memory of the long chats we enjoyed while on the bus - great stories? Harold had a million!

RIP, Harold.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 31 Jan 2019 8:58 am

There were a lot of county songs recorded in the "Bradley Barn".
Erv

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 31 Jan 2019 9:14 am

That was Harold's brother Owen's studio.

Harold is right up there among the handful of 'most recorded' guitar players of all time. Famous for his 'tic-tac' bass lines that supplented the upright bass on countless sessions. Elvis, Orbison, Cline, Brenda Lee, the Everlys - it's a long list.

forrest klott · Post by **forrest klott** » 31 Jan 2019 9:47 am

Roger,

Is that you on rhythm guitar, standing behind what I presume is your old ZB? Looks like Jimmy Crawford on steel?

Skeeter

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 31 Jan 2019 9:58 am

Yes, Forest. I have my D-28 and that's my old ZB. Jimmie had his JCH and was endlessly kind and helpful to me, as nerve wracking as it was to play steel with him in the same building!

Note Andy Reiss (Time Jumpers) on guitar at the right.

Harold was in charge, though, and I learned much from him.

John Sluszny · Post by **John Sluszny** » 31 Jan 2019 10:22 am

I met him while in Nashville in the early 70's.I remember he had a Belgian secretary in those days.
What a fantastic musician he was, an innovator, and most of all a real gentleman !
RIP Mr Bradley.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 31 Jan 2019 10:27 am

He was one of only a few remaining of the "old line" Nashville pickers. RIP

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 3 Feb 2019 4:10 am

RIP Harold. I read that he was the world's most recorded guitarist. I couldn't believe it when I received a friend request from him on Facebook, as he was a true legend.

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 4 Feb 2019 11:42 am

Quite the band there,Roger! Who was on bass and drums? My wife was fortunate to see Slim once, when Jimmie was playing steel. She didn't know it was him until Slim introduced him. She'd heard his recordings and about him from me. I met Jimmie in Denver,CO, probably around 1983. Friend and fellow steeler, John Macy, had Jimmie come out to Denver for some recording and a seminar. I still tune my second string to a D because of Jimmie.

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 4 Feb 2019 11:48 am

The bassist is Steve Hill, Harold's ex-son-in-law.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 4 Feb 2019 12:00 pm

The bass player is John Kornau. I think he was a friend of Andy's.

I tried to get used to a D on the 2nd but it messed me up too much 'on the fly'. Maybe I'll give it another shot now that I'm all but retired and there are fewer consequences!

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 4 Feb 2019 5:35 pm

I stand corrected. I had to blow the pic up. At the small size, he sure looked like Steve!

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 9 Feb 2019 11:58 am

Godspeed Sir Harold!

May 10 1961 Owen Bradley studio

Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony, Harold played Lara's Theme May 6 2007

Harold receives Medallion from Brenda Lee. 5/6/2007

Harold started on banjo!