Greatest accomplishment as a steel player?

Doug Seymour · Post by **Doug Seymour** » 3 May 2002 4:09 am

I guess I have to say that I played with the
Everly Brothers Dad. What does that make me?
Just OLD, I guess! No pedals on my homemade triple neck in 1950! Still love the steel & the greats that play it, not the least of them is the guy that started this nice thread!

ESnow · Post by **ESnow** » 5 May 2002 11:15 pm

Playing 90 minutes in a club with Merle Haggard and most of the strangers in '92 and several jam sessions on his bus and hotel rooms since then. Every time I've had the privilege of playin' the Grand Ole Opry. Playing Prime time Country, Houston Rodeo, Billy Bobs, Buck Owens live radio show at the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield. Played at a Presidental campain rally for Ronald Reagan. Several shows for Bill Clinton in Little Rock while he was Governor. Most important is my wife of 23 years, our 3 great kids and all the steelers and other musicians I've had the honor to become friends with over the years. ESnow

Mark Kelchen · Post by **Mark Kelchen** » 15 May 2002 2:17 pm

The greatest accomplishment to date, was not only buying Bobbe Seymours Zum, but the chance to meet him as well. While at Bobbe's shop a month or so ago, I also had the chance to meet Tommy White. What a treat. It's tough to get away from the daily grind here in IOWA, but given the opportunity to take a vacation, I will definately head back to Bobbe's store. My hands shook all the way back home after meeting Bobbe and Tommy!

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 15 May 2002 6:33 pm

Appearing on the National CBS TV show,,,,,,,,
Arthur Godfeys Talent Scouts. And then staying on with Godfrey for 1&1/2 years.,,,My biggest thrill was to sit along side Godfrey
with his Uke and the Mc Guire sisters singing
and smiling at me as I played my guitar.

I couldnt take my eyes off of those gals,they
were as beautiful as well as talented. No I
didnt get to back up Julie LaRosa....he was gone before I joined the show.

There will be a tribute to Arthur Godfrey planned for this fall and I have been invited
to play with those same people I did back then,,,Carmel Quinn,,Mc Guires and all the
"Little Godfreys",,I would do this for no pay
Just let those McGuire gals stand next to me
,,,I will ask Bobbe and Smiley to help me,,there are three of them and only one of me.

"Seems Like Old Times" Only wished my
mom were here to see this,,,she was my talent
scout the night I was on the Talent Scout show,. I believe the show will be called,,,,,

Friends Of Arthur,.nice memories..... this plus my first commision check from Leo Fender
he taught me "money isn't everything"

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 15 May 2002 at 07:35 PM.]

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 16 May 2002 7:34 am

I've gotten to meet lots of famous folks and play lots of great jobs...

but by far the greatest thing that has ever happened was my little boy listening to me one day and saying "wow dad, you've got to be the best steel player ever".

None of the other stuff even compares.

------------------
Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

Tommy Butler · Post by **Tommy Butler** » 16 May 2002 7:56 am

I have two Bobbe!
The first was being the member of a band that was booked at the "GRAND OLE OPRY" during fan fair in 1999.
The other was working for you in your shop in Goodlettsville along with Mike Freid & Jeff Peterson.

Gary Goodman · Post by **Gary Goodman** » 16 May 2002 8:43 pm

I haven't played with any name star or such.
I just play around Southern cal mostly in th riverside area. But one time I had a request for Danny Boy and the lady I played it for started crying, she said I played from my heart and did the best version of Danny Boy that she had ever heard. That in itself made all of thoese hours of practice worthwhile. And every time some says how much they like my playing is a remarkable accomplishment to me. (Obviously she has not hear Buddy Emmons play it)[This message was edited by Gary Goodman on 16 May 2002 at 09:46 PM.]

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 16 May 2002 10:05 pm

Alright Bobbe, I'll jump in on this. One of my last sessions in LA before I moved to Nashville was a "library" CD of Hawaiian flavored music to be used for jingles, background, etc. I recollect it being the last session I did on that p/p Emmons before you bought it from me. I'm a big fan of "Cartoon Planet" on Cartoon Network which isn't on anymore. The main reason I would tune in is to see what the character "Brak" had to say (I know Brak has his own show now). So one night I tune in, then suddenly I hear that Emmons fire up, & I hear Brak singing to one of the tracks I cut. Well, as far as I was concerned at that time, it just didn't get any better. I think they called it "Brak's Island Getaway" or something like that. Odd as it may be, that spins my beanie. Other tracks of that stuff I did can be heard every now & then on the E! series, "Wild On...", but that's probably past your bedtime.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 May 2002 5:52 am

My greatest accomplishment to date would have to be the release of my first solo album, "Finally Here". The title is actually a "triple-entendre". Firstly, there's a cut on the album called "Finally Here". Secondly, it took me about 8 months to make that CD. And thirdly, in a bigger sense, it took me all of my life to be ready to make that CD! So, I'm really proud that it finally arrived and that it has helped me get to know so many wonderful players throughout the world.

Bob Allen · Post by **Bob Allen** » 18 May 2002 9:07 am

When I was in the Air Force we competed against32 other groups in the service and we won a trip to New York,and played the Top in Blue Show on Live TV.Great moment in my life.Iwent Nashville around 68 and next thing I new I was on the Road with differant Stars and then I went to work for Jean Sheppard.And when we weren't on the raod we played the ophy. That was a great thrill for me. and to this day I have those memorys and many more. Bob Allen.

Tom Diemer · Post by **Tom Diemer** » 18 May 2002 10:59 am

Dad was a western swing guitar player all his life. Awesome player, and he loved steel.

One day I took my Carter Starter, hardly able to play a thing, to Dad's, to 'try' to play his favorite steel song for him before he died. (some of you on here helped me get the confidence to do it)

It was horrible, but he smiled at me from his hospice bed. He died a week later.

Taking it over that day was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Wanted to make him proud, but didn't have the skills at that time to do it. But I knew it was my last chance.

Nothing I will ever do can compete with that.

It was the first and only time he heard me play steel when he was alive. I pray he is still listening..

Tom

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 18 May 2002 5:00 pm

Scotty's Convention 1983: I received PSGA's Appreciation Award & stood on the same stage with Ralph Mooney. I was the first non-professional player to get the Award & I am durned proud of it.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 18 May 2002 9:54 pm

Gee guys, this should be a book, a real soulful one. These are the greatest things a steel player can feel. This is what I was, and am after. I just can't believe some of the wonderful things I'm reading here, absolutly wonderful!

How 'bout some more, I've already read these many times and felt each one of your inner feelings. This is what people are made of! This is the real soul of steel players.

Bobbe Seymour

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 18 May 2002 9:58 pm

Tom Diemer, You really got to me, I have a real similar story.
Frank, I also was on the stage at scotty's that year , on Ralph Mooney's left. Glad to have shared that moment with you .
You deserved that award!
Bobbe

Barbara Hennerman · Post by **Barbara Hennerman** » 19 May 2002 11:34 am

The first time someone complimented me without adding, "YOU'RE NOT BAD FOR A GIRL".

I really have so many .. but one that stands out for me that has nothing to do with playing steel was singing with Red Foley. Of course, playing steel got me there, our band opened for him in Denver.

Buck Dilly · Post by **Buck Dilly** » 19 May 2002 1:31 pm

That's easy. We (Kings in Disguise) backed up Rick Danko at the Bottom Line. Rick called my up first and we played "Long Black Veil".
Oh yeah- and one time I got both necks in tune at the same time. [This message was edited by Buck Dilly on 19 May 2002 at 02:34 PM.]

Barbara Hennerman · Post by **Barbara Hennerman** » 19 May 2002 7:00 pm

Oh yeah!! I met my husband of 35 years playing at a night club in Denver. He was auditioning for the lead singer's position and they hired him. I was already there. He's the best thing that ever happened to me.

Raymond Clark · Post by **Raymond Clark** » 19 May 2002 8:18 pm

Hi Bobbe,
The one thing that stands out for me, is earlier this year I played with a band at the nursing home where my parents were staying.. It was the one time & last my Dad was able to hear me play on this earth.
My Mother still lives there and I go there (150 miles), once a month to play with the same group.
These people really enjoy getting to hear us play, even if we are not pros. Most of them will stay for the three hours that we play.
Oh, yea, we do this because we want to.
No money changes hands.
What a great feeling to know that you have given something back to them.

Ray Clark

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 21 May 2002 11:20 am

Ray Clark - THAT is an accomplishment...beats anything I've ever done. I'm proud that you play for those folks and bring them some enjoyment in the twilight years.

JC

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 21 May 2002 2:09 pm

Bless you, Bobbe. Great idea for a thread, too.

Robbie Bossert · Post by **Robbie Bossert** » 22 May 2002 12:52 pm

If I may jump in here and add my two cents. For me I'd have to say that after 10 years of Jamming with Commander Cody records and than getting to play with the band at The Classic Rock Rally in the Poconos was a dream come true. I can't help but wonder what the good Commander thought after all those years of working with the great Bobby Black and Ernie Hagar, having to be saddled with this hack! Nevertheless, I enjoyed it!

Writing for SGW and conducting all those interviews with the legends of the steel guitar. What an honor. Picking with Bill Kirchen in Media at a little club on my 33rd birthday. Meeting John Hughey, Buddy Emmons, Ricky Davis, Jeff Newman, Jr. Brown, Norman Hamlet, Dale Watson, Vince Gill, The HAG, ...........Too many to mention them all here.

I wanna' say that Russ Rask made a lot of this possible. Saying that I was a staff writer for SGW allowed me to meet many of the great ones.

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 26 May 2002 9:18 pm

Bobbe....Through the years of playing steel guitar, I've met many great people, one of which is YOU. I, too, have had the opportunity of playing on "THE OPRY", I must say it was one the greatest thrills I've ever had. Dick Curless of "Tombstone Every Mile" fame, was one of the greatest men I ever had the pleasure of working with, and several other "OPRY" stars, Miss Connie Smith, Barbara Fairchild, just to name a couple. The opportunity has been afforded me to be an artist at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in July of 2000 in NYC. I would have to say, though, that in the mid '70's I worked for a man who just happened to be someone that would be instrumental in me coming to God and receiving His precious salvation. Alcohol and drugs was certainly getting a deep hold on my life, and thanks to Mr. Sleepy LaBeef, and working with him for nearly 5 1/2 years, my life has been changed. For the past 22+ years, I've been a Pentecostal preacher, and for nearly 15 of those years a pastor ,10 of which have been here in Buras, LA. Now I get to do many regional shows with some of the reat steelers in the business, some of whom I met while playing the road with various Nashville artists.....I consider Mr. John Hughey one of my closest friends and in my estimation one of the finest steelers in the world. I love the steel guitar and have since I was just a boy watching local country shows on TV in Charleston, ME (where I was born & raised). My mouth watered every time I heard (local player) Milo-T Jellison play and my second cousin Joe Macomber play his Sho-Bud. I could go on and on.....but will sign off with this note.....Playing the steel guitar has afforded me one of the greatest thrills in my life. If I had never met Sleepy, there might never have been a Debe Higgins (my wife of 22 years) and there certainly wouldn't have been an Ame' Rochelle Higgins, my precious daughter, now 18 and just graduated from High School. These 2 are my life and heart. They mean more to me than anything else in this world, including my '85 Emmons LeGrande (which) I love. God Bless all of you steelers and friends of steelers on this forum......In His Serivce....HAL HIGGINS