Who is the utmost emotional steel player?

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 2 Oct 2002 5:37 pm

So many truly great artists.......but anyone that doesn't choke up with tears when they listen to Red Foley's "Just a Man and His Dog".....with JERRY BYRD playing the verse while Red did his recitation...has never actually heard emotional music. Give credit to the Rickenbacher guitar or the man playing it....JERRY BYRD's playing is full of heartfelt emotion.....IMHO.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 2 Oct 2002 6:13 pm

I'm with Jimbeaux on Emmons' "Rainbows all over your blues" for the epitome of HAPPY conveyed with a pedal steel guitar...a close second for HAPPY is Tom Brumley's solo on "Sing me a song" by Rick Nelson. Tom Brumley again for relentlessly cheerful - the turnaround on "I'm Comin' Back Home To Stay" Buckaroos with Don Rich singin' lead.

for a wide range of emotions:
Day (I love you because), Emmons (Once Upon A Time in the West (puts a lump in my throat every time I hear it)), Hughey (Fills on "Linda on my Mind" Look at us etc...), Brumley (Together Again) Mooney, West...

Doyle Weigold · Post by **Doyle Weigold** » 2 Oct 2002 6:21 pm

I agree with everything said so far, but I didn't see Jimmie Crawford mentioned!!!

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 2 Oct 2002 6:31 pm

Like I said:
Jimmy Day - Mr. Soul

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 2 Oct 2002 9:55 pm

Here's my answer>Click and Read!!

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Ricky Davis

My Homepage
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Tore Blestrud · Post by **Tore Blestrud** » 2 Oct 2002 11:12 pm

No doubt, I have to say Jimmy Day. Listen to some of the work he did on the early Willie Nelson stuff - I have not heard any musician play with more soul and touch than Jimmy, although BE comes close on Danny Boy. Jimmy will always be my favourite player when it comes to the things that really mather; soul and touch.

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 3 Oct 2002 5:26 am

This is a VERY tough question...but...
Gary Hogue would get my vote.

Chuck S. Lettes · Post by **Chuck S. Lettes** » 3 Oct 2002 6:30 am

Jerry Byrd's the man. I love his playing on "Romantic Steel," an album produced by Tom Bradshaw. Of course, I have other favorites: Buddy Emmons on Some Day Soon, Danny Boy, any of Jimmy Day's live performances that I was lucky to hear.
Chuck

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 3 Oct 2002 7:16 am

Billy, my friend, you don't have to make any apologies for your playing. You could play like me. Now, that's tear territory.
I agree with John. In '69 Dallas, I had the privilege of standing 3 feet from Curly on his set and then Jimmy Day's set while Curly played guitar with him and those two played a train load of soul with plenty of tears.

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 3 Oct 2002 10:31 am

Stu Basore get my vote.

In one riff,it cries,the next,it laughts.

His body english while playing adds to the mood.

Steel tryin · Post by **Steel tryin** » 3 Oct 2002 11:05 am

If you JUDGE by TONE and Facial Expression
it would have to be Big Robby Turner IMHO

Wayne Cox · Post by **Wayne Cox** » 3 Oct 2002 11:33 am

The above comments list several truly great players,all of whom have the ability to reach into our inner depths and evoke deep feelings and emotions. That could be what makes them "Great" instead of "good". We can each have our favorites,however. My favorite steel player is,of course, Buddy Emmons. However,years ago I walked into a club in Nashville and listened to a steel player play
"Scarborough Fair". It raised Goose Bumps on me that still won't go away. His name was "JIMMY DAY"!
W.C.

Dave Birkett · Post by **Dave Birkett** » 3 Oct 2002 11:33 am

I choose Jimmy Day, not only because he played so beautifully that he'd make you cry, but because, especially when playing the C6, he expressed so perfectly the unique and pure joy that certain music can bring.

Bob Hayes · Post by **Bob Hayes** » 3 Oct 2002 2:29 pm

IMHO.....ME..When I play...everybody.either..CRYS,LAUGHS,GAGS,or makes the listener get sick, run to the rest room, throw a chair..bottle..rotton apple..or faint!!! now if that ain't Emmotion......?
Realy.....this IS a loaded question!!

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 3 Oct 2002 3:17 pm

Well, that calls for some deep thinking.

If you mean who plays with a lot of Emotion, then I think it would be Buddy Emmons.

He is doesn't hide his feelings. He shows his emotion when playing.

But if you mean who draws out the most emotion in me ,when he is playing. Then I would have to say Jerry Bryd and Jimmy Day, from the old days when I have seen them play.

The steel guitar is an emotional guitar to play. Probably a lot of players get emotional when they play.

I always cry tears whenever I play "My Buddy". It has a special meaning for me.

That's why I don't usually play it anymore, even though it is a great song with nice chords in it....this has been quite a post Marty......al

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 3 Oct 2002 3:42 pm

Jimmy Day, Buddy Emmons, John Hughey, you can just feel what these guys are saying when they play.

Skip T · Post by **Skip T** » 3 Oct 2002 5:11 pm

For present day steel players, Joe Wright would get my vote. He not only plays from his head (the expertise and knowledge to execute the moves), he plays from his heart. Those of you who have had the priviledge of listening to his new Peaceful Steel cd know what I mean. I would challenge anyone to say there is more emotion that what is heard on Precious Memories, Just a Closer Walk with Thee or On the Wings of a Dove. He is pure class. Do yourselves a favor and purchase this cd. It should be available on his web site soon - pedalsteel.com. Lynda T

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 3 Oct 2002 5:15 pm

I have to go with Paul. On slow songs his playing, intervals, and timimg is second to none.

bob

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 3 Oct 2002 5:23 pm

<SMALL>...this has been quite a post Marty</SMALL>

Thanks Al. Just tryin' to do my part.

I still say:
Sad = emotion
Jerry = one sad steel player

Little joke there Michael, save yer breath!

Buddy Buddy · Post by **Buddy Buddy** » 3 Oct 2002 10:14 pm

Jimmy Day, Hands down. If you don't believe me, Ask Buddy.
"Little" Buddy.

Buddy Buddy · Post by **Buddy Buddy** » 3 Oct 2002 10:28 pm

Jimmy Day, hands down. If you don't believe me, ask Buddy E. When he played "I Love You Because", at Scottys. there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
"Little" Buddy.

Buddy Buddy · Post by **Buddy Buddy** » 3 Oct 2002 10:29 pm

Jimmy Day, hands down. If you don't believe me, ask Buddy E. When he played "I Love You Because", at Scottys. there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
"Little" Buddy.

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 3 Oct 2002 11:19 pm

I would have said Little Buddy but like Samson, he lost it when he cut off his ponytail!

Marty Holmes · Post by **Marty Holmes** » 4 Oct 2002 6:06 am

I think That they would have to be John Hughey,or Steve Palousek.Especially John on feeling's with Conway,and Loretta,and also on lost in the feelin.Steve's playing is truely felt on the song April's fool.Just my .02 cent's worth.

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 4 Oct 2002 7:28 am

I'll never forget Chuck Campbell's playing on someone else's Fender DeLuxe 8 lap at Glenn Lee's funeral. Pure emotion!