other steel players

Tony Farr · Post by **Tony Farr** » 6 Jul 2002 7:59 am

I don't know if anyone remembers or not, but back in the 40's & 50's there were some great steel players around New Orleans. I would just like to give them some of the recconation that they deserve. Johnny Bonvillion, Earl Ortego, Harold Cavalier and Elwood Jones. I took some lessions from, Elwood when I was in high school, I should have taken some from Johnny Bonvillion. He was one of the best at that time.But like so many guys, they were happy staying in their own hometowns.

Tim Hurst · Post by **Tim Hurst** » 6 Jul 2002 11:02 am

Tony, I'm glad to see your name on the forum. About thirty years ago I saw you playing on a show with the Hager Twins from Hee Haw. I was in high school and playing guitar in a band with some other kids about my age. You saw that we didn't have a steel player and offered to play our set with us. Of course we were all blown away by you and your black Sho-Bud single neck. I later had your "Tony Farr plays the Farr out of it" album, but I loaned it to a friend and it was lost when his house burned. I probably had it about worn out anyway, because it was so good.

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 6 Jul 2002 11:15 am

I saw a Tony Farr album at Phonolux on Nolensville Rd. also a Jeff Newman with Shot Jackson album

Tony Farr · Post by **Tony Farr** » 6 Jul 2002 1:22 pm

Tim, I have one copy of ,Playin The Fire Out Of It, and Warm And Easy albums. I can make copies of them if you are interested. You can email me at,,,,farr_t@bellsouth.net.

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 6 Jul 2002 2:46 pm

Hi, Tony! Great to know you're still alive!
Earl Ortega passed away a couple years ago and Johnny B. still has a music store. What great players. And you, too! Catch us up to speed on yourself!

Tony Farr · Post by **Tony Farr** » 6 Jul 2002 5:19 pm

Reggie, I still am playing as often as I can. I have my own band now called, THE FARROUTS. We like to play the old traditional country music that you don't hear much anymore. We play mostly VFW's, American Legions and such. I was doing real good until I had to have open heart surgery back in Aug.98. Since then it's been rough getting back in the swing of things, with so many other bands out there. I'm still determined to hang in there as long as the good LORD lets me.It's hard for a 65 year old man to compete with these youngans now days.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 6 Jul 2002 10:24 pm

Hi Tony. Glad to hear you are still out there picking. Last time I saw you was in 1975 at the 50th. aniverssary of the Grand Ole Opry. Time really flies by. Don't let your age bother you. I will be 72 in July and I did 118 dates last year and will do more this year. I also work with a traditional country group . We play for a lot of halls and Dance Clubs, and a few clubs. Also I'm on a rock CD with a group that just signed with Capitol, and do a few gigs wit a Christian Rock Group. Don't let your age get in the way. Just show them where the power is. Best regards, Jody.

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 7 Jul 2002 4:19 am

Hey Tony!
Glad to see you here!....I had your L.P. in the early 70's....plays the Fire out of it.......dont know where the disc is but I still have a tape of it to play in the car.
I seem to remember you saying on the sleeve to write to you.......so here I am doing that immediatly.....well just a few years late......Loved it !!!!
An other Tony

George Duncan Sypert · Post by **George Duncan Sypert** » 8 Jul 2002 11:16 am

Hi Tony,

Do you recall playing the Hogan in Colorado Springs during the 60's and having fried chicken at my house one Sunday? Still a wanna be steel player. Glad to see that you are doing well.

George

Tony Farr · Post by **Tony Farr** » 8 Jul 2002 3:22 pm

Yes, George, I remember playing at the Hogan in Colo.Spg.with George Kent. I forgot about the chicken!!!!! There was a guy who played steel for Bill Goodwin by the name of Paul Carostell???? not sure of the spelling. Do you remember where he is now days. Since then I've got 40 more years of playing steel, so I think i'm a litle better than back then. It's sure great hearing from you.

Bowie Martin · Post by **Bowie Martin** » 8 Jul 2002 4:42 pm

Tony, I bought your alblum some years back and greatly enjoyed it! Have you put it on CD? If so, sure would like to get a copy..

Tony Farr · Post by **Tony Farr** » 8 Jul 2002 4:52 pm

Bowie, My wife, Mary, can copy each of the albums onto CD's. email me and I'll give you the price, if you are interested in them. I have,POP AND COUNTRY, PLAYIN THE FIRE OUT OF IT, WARM AND EASY. Can no longer have them pressed into LP's.

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 8 Jul 2002 11:16 pm

Tony...I doubt you'd remember me,but I used to see you play at the Flame Club around the time I was working @ the Silver Dollar on Lake Street w/Phyllis Lynn & the Houle Bros.
Used to run into you @ the Sat jams & @ Sunesons.I always enjoyed hearin you play "A Maidens Prayer"

Glad to see you on here.& wheres Al Udeen?

Tony Farr · Post by **Tony Farr** » 9 Jul 2002 4:27 am

Mike,
Good to hear from. Yes I do remember, been a long time though. The last I heard, Al Udeen is still in Minneapolis,Mn. Tell Cliff Parker hello for me. Anyway, are you guys still playing the ROPE get togethers? Hope I get to see you one of these days.

Richard Bass · Post by **Richard Bass** » 9 Jul 2002 7:20 am

Hi Tony, just want to say hi, I don't know if you remember me. We worked together years ago with Jean Shepherd. I also worked with George Kent many years ago. I worked the Flame in the late 60's for a couple of months with Chill Hilman, Eddie Lee, Lois Drew, and Mickey Marlowe, It is a small world.Richard
Mike Cass, One of the Houle Bros played drums for Dave Dudley when I was with the band, can't remember which one.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Richard Bass on 09 July 2002 at 08:23 AM.]</p></FONT>

Tony Farr · Post by **Tony Farr** » 9 Jul 2002 7:33 am

Richard, I sure do remember you. As you know I worked the Flame with Leon Boulanger and crew. I remember when you came in with Kent and also when you worked for Faron. How can I forget a fine guitar picker like you. Are you picking with anybody these days? I need a good guitar player from time to time.