Jerry Douglas on the Grand Ole Opry

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 12 Jan 2003 7:37 am

I realize the dobro is not a pedal steel per say, but Jerry Douglas on the Opry Saturday night was a sight to see. I did not realize he was that great of a picker. It was nice to see a musician being showcased for a change. Most of the time the Opry live is a waste of time to me due to a lack of steel playing. I wish they would consider showcasing a steel player like Tommy White who just happens to be in the house band. By the way, who was the fiddle player with Jerry Douglas and who was the flat top picker? Paul King

Tommy Alexander · Post by **Tommy Alexander** » 12 Jan 2003 7:45 am

Jerry Douglas was sensational, what a great band he had! It's not often to get to see a drummer that use's brushes instead of the sticks. Now the fiddler, he was not one of the usuall fiddlers to look at, but he was outstanding. Even if he was from Los Angeles, he should not have been boo'ed by the Opry audience.

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Richard Bass · Post by **Richard Bass** » 12 Jan 2003 8:13 am

Paul, the flat top player was Bryan Sutton. He is the Brent Mason of flat top picking. He has his own CD out and it is great. You can hear his work all over the place, Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton to name a few.
Richard

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 12 Jan 2003 9:00 am

I just taped the replay and it was outstanding. Jerry Douglas is to Dobro what Buddy Emmons is to the steel guitar. That fiddle player didn't have the appearance of the fiddle players I'm used to seeing but there was no denying his ability.

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 12 Jan 2003 9:29 am

I too heard Jerry Douglas' set last night on internet WSM radio. He was, as usual, exemplary. And I agree, "he is to Dobro what Buddy Emmons is to PSG."

But it sooo irks me that after all these years, the entire Nashville "brass" has failed to recognize THE instrument that has soooooo identified what many call true country music.

The world's most beautifully incredible instrument it seems, shall forever be shrouded behind ALL other instruments played on the opry. When was Buddy Emmons EVER lauded on the stage of the GOO, doing HIS thing? Or Weldon Myrick, or Hall Rugg, etc, etc.

Yet these fantastic musicians, as good as ANY musician in ANY musical genre' on earth; have to forever be a "Non existant player" in the "eyes" of those who decide who will and who "won't" be recognized on the stage of the GOO, let alone lauded.

And "let there be no mistake about it (ala GWB)", an ocassional reference over the mic of who is playing behind a singer is NOT recognizing, in the sense JD was last night.

Such a shame. Such a shame.

What hath man wrought?

carl

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 12 Jan 2003 9:51 am

Well, at least it is a start.......I was very glad to see Jerry Douglas have a spot on the Opry. He is absolutely amazing. My wife said "he is the to the Dobro what Buddy is to the steel guitar". Pretty smart lady, huh?
Jerry

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 12 Jan 2003 10:38 am

GREAT performance by Jerry Douglas along with his back up guys. I doubt Gaylord would ever do a Showcase on the staff band and what a shame. Less and less true country is the way it's going to be from now on . . and that 's a real shame. At least acknowledge the Opry back up players. They carry the show and deserve the credit !

Carl West

Steve Frost · Post by **Steve Frost** » 12 Jan 2003 10:53 am

So.....who was the fiddler?

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 12 Jan 2003 11:19 am

Gabe Witcher.

Also see.

Dave's in his early 20's and "Musician's Musician" if there ever was one. I'm very sad that he had such a poor reception when Jerry announced him. His performance was flawless. Some folks just don't like his looks. I thought we've progressed past that stage. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 12 January 2003 at 11:29 AM.]</p></FONT>

Butch Foster · Post by **Butch Foster** » 12 Jan 2003 11:26 am

Mr. Dixon, you made a great point. Doyle Dykes, Chet, etc. have done guitar showcases, why not have Don Helms, Jerry Byrd, Lloyd, Buddy etc. do numbers showing the great sounds in various styles from thisgreat instrument.

Jim Vogan · Post by **Jim Vogan** » 12 Jan 2003 12:03 pm

A couple years ago, Porter featured Weldon Myrick and Hank Corwin on the Opry. They played "Making Believe". I have it on tape. Sounded fantastic!

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Jim Vogan Emmons Sd10
G.D. Walker Stereo Steel Combo
Bakelite Ric
Hilton volume pedal

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 12 Jan 2003 12:24 pm

Jim: I still get goosebumps recalling how after Weldon and Hank finished that tune and they were standing, acknowledging the ovation from the audience; Weldon said something to Hank who replied:

I AM STANDING UP !!

Regards, Paul

Al Gershen · Post by **Al Gershen** » 12 Jan 2003 12:41 pm

Hi SGF:

I agree with all the replies before me. The Grand Old Opry (GOO) really hasn't supported the performing musician very much on their televised shows.

I certainly enjoyed watching Jerry Douglas and his group on TV this morning (a rerun of yesterday's live show) and I marvel at his playing skills.

As for the GOO, perhaps what they need is some feedback from members of the Steel Guitar Forum requesting that they feature prominant steel guitarists (all platforms: pedal steel, non-pedal steel, lap steel and dobro) on their televised shows.

If enough of us send them emails with this type of request, perhaps they will wake up and make some important programming changes.

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Regards,
Al Gershen
Grants Pass, Oregon. USA
Fender 1000 (1956),
Fender PS 210 (1971) &
Gibson Electraharp EH-820 (1960)
Al's Photographs and "Photos of the Day" at http://www.alsphotographs.com

Jeff Evans · Post by **Jeff Evans** » 12 Jan 2003 2:40 pm

The World's Foremost Dobro Player? Sure, but I've always thought of him as the Lloyd Green of the Dobro (with all due respect to the fact that Lloyd plays, too.) Jerry's reso playing reminds me of Lloyd's pedal steel playing: Just the coolest phrasing...snappy, yet smooth at the same time, and the best friend a vocalist can have.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 12 Jan 2003 2:55 pm

Jerry Douglas's performance on the Opry was oustanding. Excellent arrangement and execution. He's a monster. Its good that they finally let an instrumentalist show his stuff. What a great player.

Peter Dollard · Post by **Peter Dollard** » 12 Jan 2003 3:12 pm

Please listen to Mike Auldrich's 1972 Bluegrass and Dobro album before assigning titles like the foremost player in the world. To not mention Mike's name at least in passing is to omit a truly great player.. his tone is phenomenal.

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 12 Jan 2003 3:28 pm

Amen Peter,

And please forgive me Mike, for not paying a tribute to you. You are truly an incredible player as well. It would be hard for me to say which one was the greatest Dobro player. Kinda like saying which is the greatest PSG player IF Buddy Emmons had never been.

At least in Buddy's case there is little doubt. Outside him, it is a toss up.

God bless JD, MA, BE and all of you,

carl

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 12 Jan 2003 5:14 pm

Congratulations to Jerry!

Doyle Weigold · Post by **Doyle Weigold** » 12 Jan 2003 5:29 pm

The kid from Canada didn't impress me on his two songs at the first of the show and I just about flipped stations. So glad I didn't. He's the absolute best I have ever heard.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 12 Jan 2003 7:17 pm

I don't like these terms (foremost, best, etc...) That seem to get assigned to players. Buddy Emmons is NOT the best steel steel guitar player nor is Jerry Douglas the best Dobro (reso) player. THey are simply ONE of the best at their trades. I never answer directly to any person who asks me who I think is the best at anything. There are just too many greats out there that are all different.

Sure do wish I would have set the recorder to record the GOO last night. HAd to work.

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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 12 Jan 2003 7:34 pm

Pretty good post, Richard. Buddy's great(of course!), but there's lots of greats. Same with any instrument. If you're a player the caliber of Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas, or Randy Kohrs(THE guy to watch out for!), you're a wonder, and it's only a matter of personal preference. ALL these guys are the "best!"
And, as I said in the "Music" section, it was pretty stupid to boo the fiddler, just 'cause somebody didn't like the way he looked. If it were 30 years ago(and I still had hair!)I'd have me some spikes, too!

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 12 Jan 2003 10:03 pm

Good post Steve.(BUT)
( Buddy's great(of course!), but there's lots of greats.)

There are very few if any as great as Buddy.Buddy and only a few others are on a whole different level of great.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Jan 2003 3:40 am

I don't think it's unfair or out of place to place a label on some players..there are many many great players for sure but not all great players bring the Instrument to forefront with different approaches and significant Instrument developments and advancements.

Some of us just buy em' and play em' ..for others the purchase is just a starting point.....

Jerry Douglas, is at the front of the pack..he has withstood the element of time...taken his playing to an unbelieveable level..does that take away from Mike Aldrich..no of course not..I was fortunate to see Jerry a few times back in the 80's when he was with the Whites. I have also seen Mike A. a few times..both exceptional..but today..in 2003 Jerry is the leader of the pack..Mike was the leader of the pack during the period that he was very very active. I remember back then friends telling me Mike A. was clearly the best there was..He had the label and he deserved it.

Now Buddy..No doubt there is a small class of others that are significant and awesome..but there is no way that Buddy COULD NOT be the worlds foremost player..He's not just a player..he invents, designs , creates and plays things that others would only listen too. In many cases he set the way for others to follow..He designed and created the reference TONE for many....
This man, Buddy E. was obviously not content with just sittin' down at his Steel and going over a few licks before the show...

Does this mean that Lloyd is not another most sigfnificant player ? No of course not..
He is..for all of us..me included....His name alone commands honor and respect. It would be impossible to talk about Pedal Steel and not talk about Lloyd Green.

When I was in St Louis I heard almost all players ( the ones on the stage) refer to Buddy as their most significant influence.

Having a title for one does not reflect on others having less accomplishment or ability. The title does not claim that they are the best players of all time..It's an earned respect from their peers.

Me I respect them all..

tp

Neil Hilton · Post by **Neil Hilton** » 13 Jan 2003 6:07 am

I just picked up Allison Krauss' new live CD recently, and it is chocked full of Jerry's super dobro ala what we saw on the opry Sat night, was recorded last May in Louisville - several dobro-primary instrumentals including one titled "Choctaw Hayride" that is just great. Fully agree that Bryan Sutton is super acoustic picker... Ron Block of AK's band is excellent too, beautiful stuff on this live album.