THEN AND NOW - II (more of the same)

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 18 Oct 2002 8:38 am

This is a continuation of the war stories about the old days, the now-a-days, and the years in between. Here's a story about the old days that may be worth posting. It's a confession of something that I did about 56 years ago to further my career.

HOW I GOT HIRED BY PEE WEE KING
I was playing steel with Red Stanton on WCOC in Meridian, Missippi in 1946. I wrote a letter to Don Davis, then playing steel with Pee Wee, asking his advice on a steel purchase I was considering. Don had left to take an offer in California, so Pee Wee got my letter. He wrote back and invited me to play a fair gig with him at a small town in Mississippi the next week. I knew that he hadn't relpaced Don, so I saw it as a great opportunity for a possible job with a nationally known band I had admired for several years. I was to meet Pee Wee at their hotel on Sunday morning and play the fair that evening.

I went to the record shop in Meridian and bought every Pee Wee King record that I didn't already have. I spent night and day for the rest of that week learning every song and every steel part. By the time I met the band on Sunday I had memorized everything they had ever recorded.

I arrived at the hotel late on Saturday night, to find they had given up my reservation at 11:00 p.m. I demanded a place to sleep, so they set up a cot in the dining room, which was closed for the night. The kitchen crew woke me up about 4:30 the next morning rattling pots and pans. I got dressed and, waited in the lobby until I thought Pee Wee may be getting up. Finally, String Bean (of the Lou Childers and String Bean comedy team) came through the lobby. I introduced myself and told him why I was there. He called Pee Wee's room and told him I was waiting in the lobby. Pee Wee and Redd Stewart then came down to the lobby. Pee Wee bought my breakfast, then told Redd to take me up to his room and run over the songs they would be playing at the fair.

I took my steel and amp, which I had left with the desk clerk, and followed Redd up to his room. We set up the instruments, and Redd asked if I knew any of their arrangements. I said, "No. I've listened to you on the Opry but I really don't know any of your songs."

Red said, "Well, we start the show with Tennessee Central Number Nine. You start it off with a train whistle sound using a diminished, then go into an A7 to throw us into the key of D."

I said, "You mean like this?" and I played a couple of diminished chords, being careful not to get it right the first time.

He said, "That's close, but it's more like this," and he simulated what he wanted on his guitar.

I said, Oh! I think I get it -- and I played it perfectly, just the way I had learned it from their record.

It went on like that for a couple of hours. I would get "close" on the first try and nail it on the second try.

Redd reported to Pee Wee, "This kid is not that great, but he learns faster than anyone I ever saw. Better hire him."

My wife, Laurie, and I went to Louisville 5 or 6 years ago and spent the day with Pee Wee and Lydia. I told him the story at that time. He just grinned and said "Air-ish, you son of a gun."

So that's how I faked my way into steeldom.

Any of you guys have similar stories about your start in the business????

Roy Ayres

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 18 Oct 2002 8:56 pm

I had to "break the ice here". When I see something of interest and no replies,,I wonder why?

Roy,,,your threads are great and I can relate
to everything you write. I would post a few things,but time does not allow me to do so.

You are aware that I have a personal issue at home to deal with,but I will if I can get back on this next week.

As you now know, Pee Wee Reese was my favorite Brooklyn Dodger,,He was a great shortstop as well as a fine human being. My ambition in life was to be a shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Pee Wee passed away a few years back,that was a sad day for many people. He wore # 1 and was just that to all
the people from Brooklyn and all of Baseball.
I have much of Pee Wee memories here, caps,
jerseys, and such going back to 1940..I last saw Pee Wee back in 1988,he was suffering from prostate cancer,but he looked great. When I introduced my grandsons to Pee Wee and
had an old photo of himself with the Dodgers
who had won their first pennant in 25 years,,,he looked and said,,man,,how the hell old are you???.

The photo was the front page of the New York
daily news picturing the Dodger players celebrating in the clubhouse. I had that mounted and framed and it is part of a great time of my life.

I was at the 7th game of the 1955 World Series,when the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 7th game of that series. It was the first
time the Dodgers became World Champs in their
history,,a few years later they moved West and the people of Brooklyn were devastated.

Walter O'Malley took the team west,they were the L.A, Dodgers, Pee Wee stayed on for a few years and retired from baseball. I was sorry he never became a manager,he would have been a great one.

The last out was a pitched ball by Johnny Podres and the ball was hit to Pee Wee at shortstop,,it was Pee Wee's throw to Gil Hodges that ended the game and the Dodgers then were champs. The year 1955 was a great year for me and all of Brooklyn. The Captain
Pee Wee was the BEST ever.

I lost my interest in baseball after the Dodgers moved west,,but I will always be a
Dodgers fan and most of all a Pee Wee Reese
fan.

Good to hear your stories..happy you joined the Forum,people will learn much from you. I know I did and your stories are not as long as mine,but twice as interesting.

Be well my friend,,my wife Marilyn has a big game coming up on Monday,,so until then. I'll say so long for now. Dont get me started
on baseball,,,thats another story,,a long one

Jody PS I tried out for the Dodgers back in 1944,,,Pee Wee was then in the Navy,,as you can see I never made it. I'll tell you about my tryout some time..I was a young skinny kid
but I had a good arm,,good glove,but NO HIT.

These ballplayers of today couldnt carry his
glove and thats no kidding. Take care,,,ttyl

Jody I was a mere 15 year old guy then. How old do you think Iam?.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 19 October 2002 at 06:20 AM.]

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 18 Oct 2002 9:46 pm

Two (2) GREAT STORIES! Thanx.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 19 Oct 2002 5:16 am

There's a hard line drive hit between short
and third,, wait,,,,,,Reese picks it up and
flips to Jackie at second,,Jackie fires the ball to Gil,,,Its a "DOUBLE PLAY" 6 to 4 to 3
and the DODGERS WIN.

Reese #1 Robinson #42 Hodges # 14.

Baseball will never be the same as those warm
sunny days at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn many years ago.

All those uniform numbers have been re-tired
with the exception of #14 Gil Hodges, a great
ballplayer and Human Being,,and to add insult to injury,,he has not been inducted into the Baseball HOF. Thats the sad part.

They are trying to get Gil in,,,he belongs there as much as those already in the HOF &
maybe more so.

A Dodger Fan edited to say Thank You Roy and to Ray as well....Play Ball.

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 19 October 2002 at 06:19 AM.]

Butch Foster · Post by **Butch Foster** » 19 Oct 2002 6:06 am

Thanks Roy & Jody, sure do enjoy your memories. Ray, give us someof your experiences. Roy, when did Roy Wiggins work with PeeWee( early40's?). Also, was his group the first to use anelectric steel guitar on the Opry?

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 19 Oct 2002 6:07 am

Great stories guys! Being a Louisville boy I got to meet Pee Wee King a few times at the Holiday Inn Riverfront where I used to play the drums around 1979. I nicer man you'll never meet. And Jody as luck would have it Pee Wee Reese was a member of the church we went to. It was the Presbyterian church at 37th and Broadway in the west end of town. There is or was a bowling alley on Eastern Parkway called the Pee Wee Resse Lanes too. Jody I want a copy of that book as soon as you finish it.

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 19 Oct 2002 7:07 am

Frank,
Wow, it is nice to see you guys talking about Louisville, Ky...I was raised about 3 blocks from Churchill Downs,(Taylor Blvd and Berry) in the south end. I know where 37th and Broadway is..and I would not go there by myself at night. Reading this thread about the "OLD DAYS" is refreshing. The Bellvedear,(I know I did not spell that right)on the riverfront is Cool. Lots have changed in Louisville though. I did get to see my Brothers' band in 96 play on the 'BELL OF LOUISVILLE"...Played ALL OVER in that town.
I could go on and on, but, I would rather read your posts, guys....keep em comming.
Oh, Remember "JIM PORTERS GOOD TIME EMPORIUM"
Thats a great place to play...

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 19 Oct 2002 7:42 am

Butch:
I don't recall Pee Wee or the guys in the band ever mentioning the Roy Wiggins worked with Pee Wee. Eddie Arnold started out as a vocalist in Pee Wee's band and later (with Pee Wee's help and encouragement) went out on his own. I guess it is possible that Roy Wiggins worked with Pee Wee while Eddie was with them -- I just don't know. The steel man with Pee Wee before me was the great Don Davis. Before that was Clel Summie (sp?) who, as I recall from Pee Wee's stories, was Pee Wee's first steel man. He did "funny hat" comedy and played a single-neck. It is also possible that Roy Wiggins filled in after Don left and before I arrived. Maybe someone else on the forum can give more definitive answers.

Also, I don't know who was the first to use electric steel or guitar on the Opry. Whoever it was, it was before my time -- and that was a L O N G time ago. Pee Wee was the first to be allowed to use drums or any kind of percussion on the Opry, and that was when I was with him. The record "Slowpoke" had hit the top of the charts, and the "Tic-Toc" sound was done by Harold "Sticks" McDonald on Korean Temple Blocks. The Opry (Harry Stone, I suppose) couldn't really refuse because "Slowpoke" wouldn't be "Slowpoke" without the ticking clock.

Roy

Edited for spelling.[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 19 October 2002 at 09:03 AM.]

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 19 Oct 2002 7:48 am

"I don't know who was the first to use electric steel or guitar on the Opry"

Great question!

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 19 Oct 2002 7:57 am

Ron:

I lived at 1205 Weller Avenue in Louisville for about 15 years. That's a few blocks from you and about a dozen blocks from Churchill Downs. In all my years in Louisville, I was only in Churchill Downs one time: to cash in a win ticket for my mother-in-law. I spent almost six of those years at U. of L. working on my degrees. I used to hate the Derby, because for about 3 days all of the streets were one way south in the mornings and one way north in the afternoons. I had no way to get to college without going all the way around Algonquin Parkway and coming in from the north; and getting home in the afternoons was just the reverse.

Do you remember the Colonial Gardens, Iriquois Gardens, the Crossroads, and Schupp's night club? I derived my livelyhood from those places playing steel during college. Did you know Carol Copeland, Randy Atcher, Bernie Smith? How about Clyde Coffee, steel man and great electronics man who kept all of our amps going?

Good to hear from someone from Louisville. Small world, huh?

Roy

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 19 Oct 2002 12:02 pm

This is a great post by a fine man.Good to have you here Roy.

"The Louisville Slugger"

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 19 Oct 2002 1:36 pm

Jody I'm sure you also remember all the many times my yankees smother the bums in world series play. We had to give you one before the bums left town. I'm also a Reece fan. CC

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 19 Oct 2002 1:39 pm

Roy.
Where to start..Colonial Gardens is still there on Newcut Rd.
Irquioise Gardens is gone..I remember Randy Atcher and his partner,(forgot his name) On the "T BAR B" show when I was a child in the early 50s...Bernie Smith..Lord, I almost forgot..MAN,

What a mind jog..
Dear Clyde Coffee and his lovely wife, which passed on several months ago, I meet him at VICTORY MEMORIAL BABTIST CHURCH in 1974, and have been friends since...We have played MANY times together either in church, or in the Louisville Steel Guitar club...Do you remember BILL BAILY, the DJ on the radio station, WAKY? He was a sad but "FAMOUS" drunk icon in Louisville for many years. MANY years ago,(1975) I was a dishwasher at "JIM PORTERS" stakehouse at the corner of 4th and Walnut, which is called "MOHAMMAD ALI BLVD" now, and Bill Baily was at the famous bar, Drunk as a skunk, and he called me over to order another drink, and to help him to the mens restroom, and as I was helping him get from the bar to the restroom, he fell down, and cursed me and ask me,..."Do you KNOW WHO I am? You are a &^%$# Peasant to me! I will NEVER FORGET HOW BAD I FELT, because he and his collieages hung there EVERY DAY, and MANY times, I have heard him on the air, Drunk, LIVE, on WAKY radio, and could hardly speak, and this went on for YEARS, and they would not fire him because of his popular morning show...And, by the way, Roy, and everyone else that knows Louisville, Do you remember the "TOY TIGER" on Bardstown Rd, right next to "Music Warehouse", that Mr. Ray Shipp owns? I worked for Ray in '96, and sold guitars there. Oh, ONE MORE...Remember the "DEW-DROP-INN" in Germantown, in east Louisville? Tommy Whites' Dad, "BUBBA" White played there for MANY YEARS for Charlie McCoy, and let me tell you, that was ONE ROUGH PLACE.....Tommy White played for MIke Lunsford, at the "LEMMON-TREE-LOUNGE in the late 70s, to the early 80s on Berry Blvd. My 1st wife and I would go 5 nights a week sometimes to hear Tommy play, and many nights, Bubba, his dad, would come in after playing at the DEW-DROP-INN. There was a place right around the corner,(7th and berry, and it was on 7th St,Which is calledthe "DERBY CITY STRIP" now) that had a KICK BUTT band in there, but I forgot the name of the club. Tommy played in this Two-Stepping joint also.
Man, I could go ON-and-ON, BUT, I would rather read what you GREAT FOLKS have got to say.....
God Bless....

[This message was edited by RON PRESTON on 19 October 2002 at 02:42 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 19 Oct 2002 2:23 pm

C.C. Dont "rub it in" I know,I know,I know,

I waited all of my life for that one time to
happen,and it finally did. Sandy Amoros saved
the game on Yogi's ball hit into the LF corner..I swallowed my "hot dog". cough,cough. Yankee Pinstripe Power,,OK,,but
Im not a George "Buybrenner" fan.

The Yankees are ok BUT...well you know,,I liked "dem bums".

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 20 Oct 2002 2:22 am

Jody, you say that you lost interest in baseball when the Dodgers went to LA. I sorta lost interest when "buybrenner" bought the yanks. Take care. CC

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 20 Oct 2002 3:50 am

Ron:

Memories, memories. We may be boring some of the forumites, but this is FUN. I don't remember some of the folks you mentioned; after my time, I think. Clyde Coffe was a great friend of mine. We used to swap licks all the time. As you know, he was an electronics technician. Here's a funny story about him: Clyde told me about some guy who had brought an amp to him for repair. Clyde spent all day tracking down the problem. When he found it, it was just a cold solder joint. When the guy picked it up, Clyde charged him $25.00. The guy said, "My God. What was wrong that cost $25.00?" Clyde said, "There was too much bypass on the primary modulator." The guy said, "Oh!" and paid Clyde. I asked Clyde, "What does that mean?" He said, "I don't know. I had to make something up to tell him. I spent all day on it, and I just couldn't tell him I was charging $25.00 to resolder a cold solder joint." Ever since then when someone asks me questions about equipment not behaving properly, I say, "Man, don't you know what the problem is? Take it to the shop and tell them 'It has too much bypass on the primary modulator.'" From you post, I understand that it was Clyde's wife that passed away, not Clyde. If that is true and you see him again, tell him hello for me, and ask him if he remembers that incident.

Did you know the Durlaufs who ran the music store? I could tell you a couple of funny stories about them if I had time, but I've got to get ready for church. Some other time.

Keep in touch.

Roy

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 20 Oct 2002 7:42 am

Roy,
Very Funny Clyde would do something like that..and yes, he is still picking a winner..great C6 player, he is.
Man, Yes, I remember Durlaughs Music..over on 5th St in downtown Louisville, and if I remember correcly, Mr Emburger was the name of the fellow who ran the store. Back in 1970, I was walking downtown, and I saw a Gretch "White Falcon" guitar in Durlaughs' window, and I LOVED that thing. I went in, and Mr. Emburger said..."Try it out, and hook it to any amp in here" Lord, man, I took an OLD Echoplex like Chet Atkins used, and pluged into a Twin Reverb, and, Man, the sound that pup had was unbelivable. I remember well the price tag for that Gretch..a mear $2,200 in 1970...an american made Gretch "White Falcon now runs close to $ 6,000+...He passed on many years ago, but, he was very nice to me, and I do not forget "GOOD SERVICE" from good people.BTW, I bet Wayne Cox, You, Jody Carver, and several other great people who are formites here, would have a MONTH of Road stories to share...I love hearing and reading threads like this.
Tell me more, I'm all ears.
God Bless All.

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 20 Oct 2002 9:51 am

Ok, Ron, you said "Tell me more," so here goes. Remember, you asked for it.

This story starts in Durlauf's music store.

There was a great jazz drummer in those days named Bones Lee. He was truly a starving musician. There was just not enough jazz work in Louisville to support him. Alex Durlauf allowed Bones to sleep in the store at night. It gave Bones a place to crash and saved Alex the cost of a night watchman. Bones ususlly refused to play anything but jazz, but once in awhile would take a pop or country job out of sheer necessity. He hated country, and was constantly putting down the steel guitar. He once told me that his lifetime ambition was to take all of the steel guitar players in the world, put them out in the middle of Parkway Field, have them turn their amps wide open, and all play Steel Guitar Rag at the same time.

We had a big dance job booked over in Indianna, not far from Louisville, and our drummer, Sticks McDonald, got sick. Pee Wee hired Bones to play the job with us. About half way through the first set we played one of the old big-band tunes -- One Oclock Jump, Woodchopper's Ball, or one of those. I don't recall the exact song. When it came to my steel break, I played a full-chord solo using what I used to call Joaquin Murphey's "Whip Chord" style. You know what I mean -- where you "whip" the full bank of strings with your thumb pick. When the song was over, Bones (who was set up behind me) looked down and said, "My God, man. That thing could put a whole damned brass section out of work." I loved it, making a jazz man appreciate the steel.

Bones never made another negative comment about steel guitars after that.

Roy

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 20 Oct 2002 10:40 am

Roy: (And REBEL....) I have been very busy with my grandson and family and couldn't get in here sooner but I have been enjoying this thread and all the stories and YOU AND JODY !!

I could have said Jody and the Kid ala Kris Kris... but I don't know how old I'd have to be to do that.......

I do remember when the Braves moved to Milwaukee and that was a black day for me. Later in Life, I moved to Georgia and there were the Braves.

I mentioned Rebel in my opener because he was kind enough to send me the original Pee Wee King cut of SlowPoke with the steel work I have had in my head for over 50 years. It sent goose bumps up my back just like it did back then. But something was missing....

I'd grown up, learned steel guitar well enough to recognize what you were doing and that old trick of moving off a fret and then resolving it back to the home position has been a main stay of mine for years but I think I kinda learned it from you and SlowPoke. Thank You !!

Regards, Paul

[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 20 October 2002 at 11:40 AM.]

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 20 Oct 2002 10:46 am

Thanks, Paul.

But it wasn't what you think.

I just lost the hold on my bar.

Roy

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 20 Oct 2002 4:49 pm

Cool story, Roy,
kinda reminds me of one drummer in Louisville that I worked with at Music Warehouse that HATED steel guitar..I have a video of this guy sitting in at one of Louisville's steel jams...His eyes just ROLLING and with an attitude of, "STUPID FRIGGIN' STEEL PLAYERS!!! "WHY DID I LET RON PRESTON TALK ME INTO THIS ONE?
We had a few laughs at the music store watching him over and over on the store's TV.
Kinda tickles me now as I think about it...Wonder what ever happened to that guy!?You Recken he's playing for the DIXIE CHICKS? NOT!!!

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 20 Oct 2002 6:03 pm

Boy you never know who's in your neighborhood do you? I remember very well Colonial Gardens and the guy who ran it, Curly. Roy or Ron do you remember Norbert Spect and The Rockons? He had a 50's band back then and played a hollow body Gibson or Gretch and the last time I seen him he was working for Curly at the Gardens. Iroquois Gardens used to be right up the street on the other side. I remember we had to wear these Tuxedo dinner jackets to work there. I gave that coat to my son about 7 or 8 years ago! That was 32 years ago that I played that place and wore that jacket. Jim Porters was on Lexington Road last time I was there. Do you guys remember any of the dives on Jeffereson Street in the 60's? I worked at a place called Nicks Big Six in 1968. Man that place was some kind of blood and guts bar for sure. We played 7 nights a week for 5 1/2 hours a night for $12 and tips! It was bikers, whores, tourists and politicians for a crowd. There was the Gay 90's, The Bavarian, Jakes Bar, Wendells Tavern and Coles. I think Coles is still there. The block between 3rd and 4th got torn down for the covention center. In the 60's and 70's I think I worked every place in that town that served booze. How about out in Valley Station? I worked at Sparkys, then the old Dixie Bell and finally Harolds Club. From there I went to Fort Knox and played for around 3 or 4 years. We always got payed double what we made playing in town and was never out of work. We were working every night of the week and playing matinees on Fri-Sat-Sun as well. For a while there playing had become some very serious work and took up just about all of my time but they really payed us well. The Army gigs were great because you'd always pick up parties and other gigs from the regular gigs you already had. We could have stayed there from now but just got tired of it and wanted to move on. These days I believe in riding the horse until it falls down and then get another horse. I remember Durlaufs all too well. Before I had a license I would catch the bus every Saturday to get a new pairs of sticks or maybe two if I had the money. Drum sticks were 75 cents a pair then. John Roy was my teacher at Durlaufs then. John was the president of the Local 227 when I was there last time and one hell of a great drummer too. He introduced me to Joe Morello, Ed Shaughnessy and a bunch of great drummers back then. I got to play with all of those guys trading licks in the old Seelbach hotel on the corner of 4th and Walnut back then. I took Mike Durlaufs job one time or I should say they fired him to get me. He never was one of my favorite people so I never lost any sleep over it. He always hated me to roll the sticks when I came into the store. I just wouldn't buy those crooked ones and he didn't like it at all. I seen Tommy White at The Lemon Tree too when I got interested in the steel guitar. I remember his dad Bubba would play that light blue Emmons at the Dew Drop Inn. I think that's the same guitar that was on his first album when he was 15 years old. Roy, you and Ron have made me think about stuff I almost forgot. If I ever leave here I'd probably go back to Louisville. That's a great town and always has been.

nick allen · Post by **nick allen** » 20 Oct 2002 11:17 pm

Regarding just ONE of the topics here

I seem to recall reading that Sam McGee (Buckdancer's Choice, Railroad Blues, etc) was the first to play an electric guitar (which was a steel) on the Opry... and he got into BIG trouble...

I'm going to have a bunch of questions for you *more experienced* guys (now, doesn't that sound better than "old guys"

) soon... I got a box set of 20 CDs of old country music, most recent being 1951... once I get to hear it all and get my questions organized, watch out!
Nick

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 21 Oct 2002 2:37 am

Ron and Frank:

There are three of us talking "Louisville" now. That Nashville bunch had better watch out; we may soon have them outnumbered.

It's 6:30 a.m. and I have to get ready for work. (These "day jobs" are hell.) I'll try to get time to respond in more detail later. I've got a few more Loiusville stories to bore you with.

Later,

Roy

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 21 Oct 2002 4:08 am

Me too, Fellows,
I have to go to Northwest Collage,(5 Days a week)..But, I want to respond to Franks
Post also.
TOO COOL...I love it...I have MORE, Man, MORE..& MOre..Ah, The memories of the "DERBY CITY..& yes, IT WAS, and STIL is ROUGH DOWNTOWN in those DIVES......
Later this afternoon, Have a good day, Guys..
Ron