Bob Hempker

Whip Lashaway · Post by **Whip Lashaway** » 6 Feb 2003 10:18 am

Hi All, Just had to let you all know about one of the nicest guys the steel community has ever know. I recently bought a p/p from Bob. My wife and I went to Missouri to pick it up. We spent most of a day with Bob and his lovely wife. They pretty much rolled out the red carpet for us. Bob went over all the aspects of a p/p since I never owned one. He has continued to be helpful via email. I didn't just buy a guitar, I made a friend! Just had to say this publicly.
Ain't steel players great?

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Whip Lashaway
Sierra E9/B6 12 string
Sierra E9/B6 14 string
78' Emmons D10 P/P

Jerry Brightman · Post by **Jerry Brightman** » 6 Feb 2003 11:56 am

Whip,

You couldn't have made a better friend. I've known Mr. Bob since the late 60's...

Just don't Tell Bob I said that

Jerry http://www.slidestation.com

Tommy Minniear · Post by **Tommy Minniear** » 6 Feb 2003 1:09 pm

Bob is a great guy! Made contact with him a few years ago via email and we touch base with each other occassionaly. He placed a phone call to me when he was visiting a mutual friend in Indiana. Quite a shock and a nice suprise! He is one of the "unsung heroes" of the Nashville glory days. It's a shame he was never allowed to "bust thru" on studio sessions. He was/is more than capable. Just remember: he had to play all those Hal Rugg intros and turnarounds "right away"! Plus, he was talented enough to add his own style and flavor to them "live"(if you listened close---and I did)! No retakes! A nice guy and a great player!

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Tommy Minniear
www.ntsga.com

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 6 Feb 2003 2:08 pm

One of the best "tone" players in the business. Awesome tone player.

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 6 Feb 2003 2:47 pm

I'll second all the above. He's always friendly and receptive when ever we run into each other in Branson. I once told him he has got to be the most even tempered, "in control" guy in the world. He asked why's that Bill ? I replied because otherwise you'd have choked Ruggsy years ago !! *LOL* But, as was mentioned, he did a superb job of presenting it all, live and on stage, first time takes all the way.
You da man Bobby !!!!!! -

Dave Robbins · Post by **Dave Robbins** » 6 Feb 2003 9:09 pm

Bob is one of my best buddies! Great player and good guy.

Go get 'em, Bob!

Dave

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 6 Feb 2003 9:16 pm

I have never met Bob, but via email he is a jewel!

Louie Hallford · Post by **Louie Hallford** » 9 Feb 2003 8:13 am

Another of the well known guys who treats this unknown,wannabe steel player like a long time friend every time I see him, talk to,or email him. An honor to say I know him.[This message was edited by louie hallford on 09 February 2003 at 08:15 AM.]

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 9 Feb 2003 10:28 am

Thanks so much guys. Man, my head's going to swell up. Jerry, Louie, Whip, and the rest, I value every one of your friendships. I'm really not a nice guy, though. I've fooled all of you.

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Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 9 Feb 2003 1:39 pm

Keep us fooled, Bobby!

Mike Jones · Post by **Mike Jones** » 10 Feb 2003 9:59 am

I meet Bob when he was with Loretta and I was working with Charlie Louvin. Our Bus broke down and Loretta and Conway happened to be in the town we broke down in. Loretta was gracious enough to let us ride home on her bus. We also go to watch both her show and Conways so I got to see two talented steel players. John Hughey and Bob both played their tales off and then Bob and I stayed up all night on the way back to TN. This was way back in 1974. Bob really knows those old Hal Rugg licks too.

Cookie

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 10 Feb 2003 12:31 pm

I am wondering if that is the push-pull that I had the honor of playing at a jam in Branson about 9 or 10 years ago. Maybe Bob doesn't remember but it was the night the Osmond kids got up and sang. He played his butt off that night. I asked him how he learned all those Rugg licks and he said from a bunch of Hal albums. Anyway that was one nice guitar.

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1985 Emmons push-pull, Session 500, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 11 Feb 2003 11:13 am

Craig,

I don't really remember, but it could have been that guitar. I had a rosewood and a black one at the time. Whip has the rosewood one. It's a '78, and one great guitar. That must have been at BT Bones in Branson.

Mike, I remember that time, well. You and Sonny Louvin rode back with us. Little did I know I'd make a life-long friend that night. You played great, yourself. Boy, how time flies when we're having fun.

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Terry Bethel · Post by **Terry Bethel** » 11 Feb 2003 7:43 pm

Just wanted to add my two cent's worth. Bobby and I started the road about the same time. He with Loretta and me with Mel. We had some great times out there. When Bobby moved to Branson, we became close friends. Bobby has helped me out many times with articles for the OSGA and when ever I need to know anything about music or whatever, I give Bobby a call. We also call each and bitch about our jobs. You got to have someboby to talk too! Bobby is probably the most knowledge infested guy I have ever met. He does not get the recognition he deserves. When the ISGC does there voting they need to include guy's like Bobby that have devoted their lives to the steel guitar. He is not just a road slug, he is dedicated player and a great player. Bobby you have my vote. Pat and I both Love you. Your friend,
Terry

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 12 Feb 2003 2:06 am

Well,I don't know how to "top" that endorsement,so I won't even try. I will say this. Bob is a very sentimental person. (a "pack-rat" of sorts.) Quite a few years ago, he was in the hospital for an operation. I went up to visit w/ him,& they wouldn't let me see him,because of his condition. So,I wrote him a little note,& had them give it to him. He told me that he has kept that note,after all these years. (you sentimental old slob). OHHH,wait a minute. I apologize Bob. I didn't mean to call you "old".

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
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www.ntsga.com</pre>

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 12 Feb 2003 9:15 am

Terry, the feeling of admiration, love, and respect is totally mutual. Thanks so much for everything. Smiley, the same goes for you, and don't apologize, dammit I am old.

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Doyle Weigold · Post by **Doyle Weigold** » 14 Feb 2003 9:24 am

Bobby, was it around 1962 when you came to Fort Wayne and set in on a jam sesion? Might have been at the Lucky Shoe. I know you were in your teens somewhere, and yes I agree with all the above. Doyle Weigold

Tommy Detamore · Post by **Tommy Detamore** » 14 Feb 2003 9:53 am

Bob is just the coolest, and it's great to be back in touch with him after all these years. Yes, time's fun when you're having flies....

Richard Bass · Post by **Richard Bass** » 14 Feb 2003 10:07 am

Bob has been a good friend of mine for many years. He is a great guy as well as a great musician. He deserves all the accolades he gets.
Richard
PS He's also old like Smiley and I.[This message was edited by Richard Bass on 14 February 2003 at 12:02 PM.]

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 14 Feb 2003 10:13 am

Bob, It was BT Bones and now that i think about it, it was the black one. Anyway I had a good time, enjoyed the guitar, and the hour or so we spent talking in the parking lot after the gig. It was the first time I ever went to a club and the hostess asked: Are you here to drink, eat, or jam?

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1985 Emmons push-pull, Session 500, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 21 Feb 2003 9:25 am

Doyle,

I don't really remember the name of the place, but I remember being impressed by a guitar player named Doyle Weigold. You played great, my friend. Tommy, Richard, and the rest; Thanks so much for being my friends through the years. This forum has brought so many of us back together that haven't talked or seen each other for years and years. It has also helped to keep us in touch. bOb, you are greatly appreciated by me, and I think that goes for the other forumites.

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