Richard Comeaux

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 23 Jan 2002 6:55 am

Has anyone ever seen this steel player?
Saw him 5 or so years ago at the New Orleans steel show. Very intense, fast picker. I am sure he is out there somewhere.

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 23 Jan 2002 7:03 am

Hey Reggie....I've heard of him, but don't know him...do you know where he lives?

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 23 Jan 2002 7:25 am

From Louisiana is all I know.

Milton Guilbeau · Post by **Milton Guilbeau** » 23 Jan 2002 8:27 am

It's ironic as Richard emailed me last night, just inquiring about us ‘old folks’. He lives near Lafayette, Louisiana and played with the River Road group for several years.

Yes, Richard is very fast, and a very nice - humorous person. The likes of Roy Rosetta, Bobby Caldwell appeared to be very impressed with his speed at a Hammond, LA show a few years ago. They couldn't think of a 'fast enough' song to try to stall him. Johnny Bush finally kicked off singing a very fast blue grass song, don't recall which one. Richard did it over the speed limit!

Richard started out playing the Cajun style of fast, bar hopping type of steel guitar music in Terry Huval’s band. He then joined the Southbound band featuring Sammy Kershaw in the Lafayette area which was a country band. Richard’s nickname is ‘T-Coe’, meaning ‘Little Comeaux’ in Cajun French.

If you guys beg him, he may just ‘hop-on’ the SG Forum now, he never did before. I will call him tonight and ask him to read the bad things said about him!!! Buck Grantham can........and probably will add his 2 or 3 cents. Can you HEAR me Buck? Terry Huval could tell us a few tales about T-Coe as well.

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"One never retires from music, any more than one retires from breathing."<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Milton Guilbeau on 23 January 2002 at 09:02 AM.]</p></FONT>

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 23 Jan 2002 1:40 pm

Lightening fast! Hey, Richard. We'd love to have you aboard!

Terry Huval · Post by **Terry Huval** » 23 Jan 2002 5:57 pm

I was a bass guitarist in the first band Richard played in. Richard was about 15 years old at the time and was already very fast and accurate. He had that Cajun steel guitar touch as clean as anyone I have ever heard.

One interesting thing about Richard is that he is left-handed, but learned the steel guitar and electric guitar right handed. Once he got into E9th pedal steel several years later, it almost seemed he picked it up overnight. Later he took a steel guitar course in St. Louis and just kept showing considerable smoothness and maturity in his playing.

Although I had not played with him in nearly 20 years, I had the opportunity to share the stage with him at the Freddie Pate Jamboree in Crowley, LA some months back. The reunion was great. Richard is a quick study and seems to get all the song movements in perfect step. So besides his legacy style of Cajun steel guitar playing, he is also amongst the smoothest and most tasteful steel guitarists I have heard.

He also has a wonderful personality and a great wit.

That's my take on Richard.

Terry

Buck Grantham R.I.P. · Post by **Buck Grantham R.I.P.** » 23 Jan 2002 6:16 pm

Yes richard is a very good player and a super nice guy and quick as lightening.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 23 Jan 2002 10:06 pm

Richard is as good as they come. had the pleasure of visiting with him several times when Tim Cushenbury was hosting the Cajun Steel Guitar Shows. Not only a great player, but a super nice person. Jody.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 23 Jan 2002 11:34 pm

Ti Coe, Viens ici !

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 24 Jan 2002 5:44 am

Milton Guilbeau · Post by **Milton Guilbeau** » 24 Jan 2002 6:24 am

Sorry, I couldn’t reach Richard last night but I will keep trying.

Crowbear - Thanks for the French spelling lesson. I’ve been misspelling Richard’s nickname for years. Question, how do you name ‘Pedal Steel Guitar’ in French? My guess would be something like, ‘guitare acier avac les pédale’. Am I close?

Thanks in advance and ‘Au revoir, mon amis’.

Milton from LoUiSiAna.

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"One never retires from music, any more than one retires from breathing."

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 24 Jan 2002 9:15 am

Oui Milton, Guitare d'Acier a Pédales.
on dit plutot: Pédale Steel
Laissez le Bon Temps Roulez !

Roy Rosetta · Post by **Roy Rosetta** » 24 Jan 2002 10:53 am

Richard is one of the finest steel guitar players that I have had the pleasure to work with and lighting fast as has been mentioned. Also as mentioned before a fine gentleman. Thanks Milton for reminding me of what a great and fun time Bobby Caldwell and I had "speeding" down I-10 in New Orleans with Richard at one of the steel guitar shows there. I too remember that Johnny Bush, Bobby Caldwell and I were completely amazed at how fast Richard played and flawless I might add. I've also had the pleasure of working a few times with Richard in Crowley, La. some time back.
Richard if you're reading this come on and get aboard "the good ship Steel Guitar Forum" and share some of your vast steel guitar knowledge with the guys and gals.
....Roy

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Music is a "gift" with many wrappings....
....Roy

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 24 Jan 2002 4:57 pm

Yes to all the above. I met him the first time
at the Little Bear in Evergreen,CO in the early 90's when he was playing with River Road band. Charles Ventre, the piano player had played there with another band,The Whiskey River Band(the Louisiana version).Anyway, River Road band sounded great and then I heard them again in 98, I think, when they were passing through Central Illinois. That was a great band!

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 24 Jan 2002 6:32 pm

I don't want to start any rumors......I don't want to cause any grave concerns...and I wouldn't do it with any maliciousness...

BUT......
Just moments ago, I cruised thro' ebay in the steel guitar sales section and I'd swear I saw a steel guitar being offered from the "Estate" of the person you're talking about. Hopefully I'm wrong, but in the event I read it correctly, I tho't those of you expressing concern about his whereabouts deserved to know.....if that is truly the case.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 24 Jan 2002 6:42 pm

The auction you saw was from the estate of Dr. Tommy Comeaux and the ad comes from southern Ohio. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1505506116

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 24 Jan 2002 6:46 pm

PLEASE! Please! Forgive my prior post. I owe each and everyone of you a sincere apology.

The guitar being offered on ebay, that I referred to, is from the TOMMY COMEAUX Estate.

Again, my most sincere apologies to all concerned.