Who was the steel player

Walter Jones · Post by **Walter Jones** » 3 Jul 2003 8:39 am

Today at the AmVets post I ran into a guy I used to work with at the Fire Dept. We were talking about the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree and he said he and another guy used to call in on the Watts line with requests when he was in the Air Force.

He couldn't remember who the staff steel player was , it would have been 1963- 1966. I was living in California at that time so, I wasn't within listening range for the Jamboree.

He kept coming back to the name Skinny Clark but wasn't sure if that was where he played. Joe Tippie played for Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper but that was before that date. I didn't know Joe but the last I heard he was playing around the Indianapolis area.

If anyone can fill in the blanks we would appreciate it. I told him I would post it on the Forum and somebody would have the answer.

Jerry Brightman · Post by **Jerry Brightman** » 3 Jul 2003 11:52 am

Walter,

Skinny Clark and George Adams were a singing duo...I know Smiley Roberts and Jimmy Murphy were there in 1967...I started in 1969...I would be interested in who that might have been also...I know Gary Boggs played with Doc Williams around 1967...

Jerry
http://www.slidestation.com

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 3 Jul 2003 11:59 am

I was never there, but I seem to recall that Jimmy Crawford worked it before coming to Nashburg with Wilma Lee and Stoney.

------------------
Billy Easton
Casa Grande, AZ
Southwestern Steel Guitar Association

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 3 Jul 2003 12:45 pm

I worked the staff-band for the last few months of '67, following Jim Murphy, But; I really don't know how far back Jim started! Another steel player in that era was Ned Davis!

------------------
“Big John” wknsg®
Franklin, D–10 w/9 & 8
Peavey, Classic 50 – 212
Enhancer, E–LG
Ibanez, AD–9 http://community.webtv.net/KeoniNui/BigJohnBechtels

Walter Jones · Post by **Walter Jones** » 3 Jul 2003 2:21 pm

I knew I would get some answers. Thanks Jerry, I probably misunderstood about Skinny Clark, I thought he played steel. Was he still singing there when you were there? I spent a lot of time listening to " Doc Williams and the Border Riders" Thanks for the replys.

I have one of those postcard picture deals from the WWVA Jamboree that I got when I was a kid and Jimmy Crawford was in the picture.Its not that Jimmie and I have been around for a long tiem, I think Jimmie was about 5 when he played there. (he,he)

Maybe Smiley can check in and give some more info. We all went down to Renfro Valley last week to see Greg. He took us on a tour of the " Kentucky Music Hall of Fame", well worth your time. They had a picture of the WWVA Jamboree but I could only identify a few of them. They have one of Merle Travis guitars on display, certainly a beautiful instrument. No steel guitars on display but Greg says he is working on the staff to get one in there.

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 3 Jul 2003 6:24 pm

Doc Williams and his crew used to come to our school once every two or three years, sponsored by the local fire dept. They were the 1st "Live" country stars I ever saw as a kid. I don't ever remember seeing a steel player with the band. There was a blind accordian player, and a guy named "Smokey Pleacher" did some comedy and played banjo. I remember him singing a song once and it sounded like he was an octave or two below the range of a normal bass voice... I don't know if it was some kind of electronic effect or what... Always enjoyed the show. Sorry I was a little off topic here...

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 3 Jul 2003 7:03 pm

I believe Jimmy Fadeley (sp) was there also during the time period we are discussing. He had a heart condition that required a pacemaker. I understand He passed on while performing on the Jamboree stage.

------------------
kd...and the beat goes on...

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 8 Jul 2003 8:52 pm

Boy,ya got me on this one. I arrived there in '65,& stayed 'til '68. Did some "staff work" but,mainly worked w/ Jimmy Stephens & The New England Country Gentlemen. Joe Tippie,Jim Murphy,& the late Ned Davis also worked it while I was there. Big Murph got picked up by Little Jimmy Dickens,& Ned got p/u by "The Killer",(J.L.L.) I'm STILL tryin' to get "picked up". Not much luck in that dept.

------------------
<font face="monospace" size="3"><pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre></font>

Tom Hodgin · Post by **Tom Hodgin** » 13 Jul 2003 8:49 am

Smiley, I played a show with Jessie Smith the other night..He and Tommy Draper worked the WWVA in the sixties...and still kickin...tom