Smiley Roberts-You sounded great!

Joan Cox · Post by **Joan Cox** » 2 Sep 2002 1:31 pm

Those of you who didn't get to hear Smiley's set at the convention this year really missed a great set. He played a variety of tunes, and even broke out the "talk box" that Pete Drake did some recordings on. Johnny and I were listening, and Johnny kept saying "I love that..I just love that"..It did sound great..good choice of tunes, and you brought back some of the past that lots of us are starved for. I hope you will be able to do it again next year. See, I told you you'd do great, and you did!
Joan

Anne Marie O Keeffe · Post by **Anne Marie O Keeffe** » 2 Sep 2002 1:43 pm

Thanks for letting us know how he did Joan. Course I knew he'd be great, just wish I could have heard him.
Good on ya Smiley.

[This message was edited by Anne Marie O Keeffe on 02 September 2002 at 02:44 PM.]

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 2 Sep 2002 1:45 pm

Smiley, I enjoyed your set immensely, particularly because of your choice of material.
It was quite refreshing to hear some old rock numbers and a blues tune as well.
The trouble with these long shows is eventually you hear all the same songs, over and over again.
You and Jeff Newman performed the most original sets of the show!

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 2 Sep 2002 1:48 pm

Gotta agree!

He also did Booker T and the MGs 's "Green Onions" with an organ effect. Way cool!

No one I spoke with had anything but praises for the Smiler's set.

But you missed the "Looney Tunes" ending!

Tony Rankin · Post by **Tony Rankin** » 2 Sep 2002 1:50 pm

This was the first time I've heard Smiley play. Great tone and execution. Smiley is an impressive performer!

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 2 Sep 2002 1:51 pm

I was extremely proud of Smiley for finally getting to play St. Louis and to show the world that he IS a pro player himself! For those who don't know, Smiley has had a very impressive musical career and his performance Sunday was one of perfection and enjoyment. I was proud of Smiley but more proud that he is my friend. You did good Smiles!

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 2 Sep 2002 2:24 pm

I have to agree with the accolades for Smiley. He did a fantastic set despite Mike's effort to keep him up all night.

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HagFan

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 2 Sep 2002 3:44 pm

Congratulations Smiley!

Attention New Englanders and NYers: Smiley will be playing on Sept. 29, 2002 at the Mass Bash in Chicopee MA along with forum members Jim Cohen, DVA, Mike Ihde and several others.

I wonder if he'll be bringing that talk box with him?

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My Site - Instruction | Doug's Free Tab | Steels and Accessories

[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 02 September 2002 at 04:46 PM.]

Chris Caruso · Post by **Chris Caruso** » 2 Sep 2002 4:00 pm

Smiley did sound great. I think Scotty should move him to the Friday or Saturday night show. He certainly showed he deserves it.

Jerry Brightman · Post by **Jerry Brightman** » 2 Sep 2002 4:07 pm

Smiley,

Did you ever find your hat

Jerry http://www.slidestation.com

Mike Cass · Post by **Mike Cass** » 2 Sep 2002 5:17 pm

Smiles, I agree with Joan, but then I already told you that

btw, i DO have a Cal Smith show tape that you might want to hear sometime....?

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 2 Sep 2002 5:30 pm

I heard Smiley's playing, on the Steel.Radio. of ISGA show.

Alvino Rey was the first to use that talking bit, then Pete Drake picked up on it many years later.People like something different like that.

I really liked it. Very good! Way to go!.....al

[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 02 September 2002 at 06:32 PM.]

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 2 Sep 2002 5:31 pm

Jerry: Smiley had his hat retired I gave him another hat (Cleveland Indians) The other one is under lock and key with an armed guard..

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CJC

Jerry Brightman · Post by **Jerry Brightman** » 2 Sep 2002 5:39 pm

Joe,

Make sure you ask Russ Hicks or Smiley about it

We were laughing so hard, I could hardly breath....It seems he lost it for a brief moment...
BTW, good choice of hat

Jerry http://www.slidestation.com [This message was edited by Jerry Brightman on 02 September 2002 at 06:44 PM.]

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 2 Sep 2002 5:44 pm

Mike W. Thank you for the hospitality really enjoyed the side trip to your home and meeting your great family...PS Smiley fell asleep 5 minutes after leaving your home and I had to Daniel Boone it to Nashville. You said all the words I wanted to say actually I do have one more line.... Smiley what a great show.And you know how much your success meant to me and so many others.I was afraid to tell you to break a leg before the show because you would have probably broken both? private joke.

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CJC

Billy Johnson · Post by **Billy Johnson** » 2 Sep 2002 6:39 pm

Yea, yea, we all knew that Smiley was a great player, but what did he wear???

[This message was edited by Billy Johnson on 02 September 2002 at 11:41 PM.]

Louie Hallford · Post by **Louie Hallford** » 2 Sep 2002 7:08 pm

Great set from Smiley. MY first time to hear him and I was not dissapointed or surprised because I expected him to be good from all the praise I had heard from players who had heard him and from comments on the Forum.

You can never be around Smiley without learning something either. I was one of many who were surprised when he pulled of the glasses and the nose and the mustache did not come off with it.

Talking about Groucho Marx,wouldn't he and Smiley have been a pair working together?

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 2 Sep 2002 9:38 pm

It was my first time to hear Smiley play and I was really impressed with what he did. I heard a lot of years of experience. I want to mention that Joan and Johnny played really great together. Great tunes and great pickin.

Dyke Corson · Post by **Dyke Corson** » 2 Sep 2002 9:43 pm

Billy,
He broke out his "Smiley Shorts

" and held em' up for all to see, but de did not wear them!
He played a great set, I really enjoyed it!!

Red Kilby · Post by **Red Kilby** » 2 Sep 2002 10:40 pm

Hi Smiley, by the way the Mexican dinner was GREAT<<<<<<.
You sounded great, it was great that I finally got to meet you.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 2 Sep 2002 11:51 pm

Joan,
God bless you,& thank you for your moral support &,starting this thread. And thanx to everybody for your positive comments. I really appreciate them! It was quite an honor to play on the same stage that some of my heroes,& mentors have appeared.(Speedy West,Jerry Byrd,Don Helms,Roy Wiggins,Bud Isaacs,Buddy Emmons,etc.) These are some of the guys that HEAVILY influenced my choice of instrument in my "formative" years,& the years to follow. I want to thank them for helping me make that choice.

The I.S.G.C. is kinda like the "Carnegie Hall" for steelers,in that,it is the "pinnacle" of performance,& recognition for them.
I wanna thank Scotty for giving me the opportunity to perform there,& most certainly,Bobby Caldwell & the staff band for their excellent back-up. These guys must hafta sleep for a week,after the conv. WHATTA BAND!!!
Also,the sound crew is to be highly commended. Thank goodness you have REAL MUSICIANS handling the board.

With all that said,I'm outta here. Everybody,thanx again!

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© ars longa,
mm vita brevis
www.ntsga.com </pre>

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 3 Sep 2002 4:58 am

Hey Smiley!!!!!
I am so pleased to read all these posts about your set...I knew you would be good!.....I got the steel radio going just intime to here the Feral Swing cats....I had every intention of staying up to hear your set which would have been about 3 in the morning here.....but gravity took over and my eyelids fell down over my eyes.
But I am glad it went well for you Mate!
Tony

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 3 Sep 2002 7:26 am

Hey Smiley,
It was great to finally get to meet you and Joe Casey. I stayed Sunday morning for your set and then left right after. I'd never heard you play before and was impressed with your set. That was some great tone from that S-10 ShoBud. I really liked your version of the old Debbie Reynolds song "Tammy". What a beautiful job! My lady is still laughing about that thing you said about taking off your glasses so everyone would know that the nose and mustache didn't come off with them. What a great line. Anyway Bud, I just wanted to get on board with the others about your set. I'd go back and see you again in a minute and I can't say that for all the performers on the show. Have a great day. Jerry H.

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney tuning.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » 3 Sep 2002 9:15 am

I had the pleasure of spending some time, in June, with Smiley. He gave me the "grand tour" of Lower Broadway in Nashville. During this time I got to hear him play when he "sat in" at some of the clubs we visited. I learned then what a great player he is.
It was wonderful to hear him showcased at the ISGC. He is a great player who we need to hear more from.

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Allen Harry
Emmons SD10, 3&4
Mullen D-10, 8 & 6
Nashville 1000

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 4 Sep 2002 3:34 am

Aw! you guys are going to give him the big head.

I guess Smiley is destined to be a star now. He probably will be too important to talk to Casey or myself.

Joan, Do a little arm twisting on Smiley, You and Johnny bring Smiley with you to Saluda in November. Buddy Walker was asking me if we could get him down there at the last show.

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John

[This message was edited by John Floyd on 04 September 2002 at 04:38 AM.]