Stonewall Jackson - Grand Ole Opry

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 5 Oct 2019 8:31 pm

I dont recognize the steel player with Stonewall. I really enjoy the excellent stuff he's playing and the tone is really nice to my ears. Does anyone know who this was?

For an extra treat, skip over to the last song by Jimmy Dickens. Another Bridge To Burn with Peewee Roger's on steel. Real country music, Grand Ole Opry style.

https://youtu.be/MRKKk98zXKg

RC

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 6 Oct 2019 4:10 am

Gene O'Neal w/Stonewall...I miss Gene and Pee Wee and Tater.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 6 Oct 2019 7:29 am

Gene really nailed it, alright.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 6 Oct 2019 9:14 pm

Steve Hinson wrote:Gene O'Neal w/Stonewall...I miss Gene and Pee Wee and Tater.

Thanks Steve!

RC

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 7 Oct 2019 4:15 am

Thanks for that link, Rick.

Gene was amazing but I was also delighted to see and hear Yearwood's 'The Song Remembers When'. That was a fine performance.

What year was this?

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 7 Oct 2019 5:25 am

Wasn't Gene O'Neal the guy that played on Kiss An Angel Good Morning?

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 7 Oct 2019 6:04 am

Craig A Davidson wrote:Wasn't Gene O'Neal the guy that played on Kiss An Angel Good Morning?

Yes he was...

SH

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 7 Oct 2019 8:31 am

Roger, I don't know if the songs in this compilation were in any kind of chronological order. The Song Remembers When was released in 1993 and the recording featured Paul Franklin. That song is sacred ground to me - one of my all time favorites.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Song_Remembers_When

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 8 Oct 2019 8:14 am

I'm glad you agree, Barry! It's a superb song and that Opry performance seems flawless.

I hear far too many negative comments about 'non traditional' country music; I personally thought the '90s represented extremely fertile musical ground. With Matt Rollings, Brent Mason, Paul Franklin and the other A-team players, these finely crafted songs truly came alive. I just loved that era of 'architectural arrangements'.

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 9 Oct 2019 8:44 am

Stonewall looking good and sounding good. This incarnation of the Minutemen is Larry Tucker: gtr / Gene O'Neil: stl gtr / Steve Logan: bs / Stonewall Jackson, Jr.: drms. Opry staff band filling in are Ralph Davis: rhythm guitar, Joe Edward: fiddle Tim Atwood: piano and the Carol Lee Singers. Larry was a long time Opry sideman with Dickens - then Wall - then back on with Dickens up to Tater's retirement. Steve Logan is Jack Logan's son. Jack was a producer and owner of Music City Recorders. Steve is on countless masters out of MCR on rhythm guitar. He was 8 years on bass with Cash and you can hear the pocket he's laying down in "Why I'm Walkin." Stonewall Jr. got his Union card at 11 playing a snare on the Opry with Wall. He was one of the original "Opry Rats" along with Lorrie Morgan, Marty Stuart and Tex Ritter's sons.

At the time of this YouTube (1993), Gene was also working 6 nights at Skull's Rainbow Room, running back and forth to work his spots. He also worked with Judy Lynn at The Golden Nugget along with Bobby Hicks and Tommy Williams. Apparently, it was a great gig because both Gene and Bobby were very proud of their tenure with Judy. All them are in this video (underneath the hats).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3O0jwGyl4k

Gene left us way too early. He was all about the steel and legendary for this. One time, on a Sunday, he was driving back from Dallas from some Pride's dates, got the urge to pick and stopped in a church and talk the pastor into letting him set-up and play gospel songs. Another time and another Sunday morning, a steel player wife woke up her husband to say: "Gene O'Neil's downstairs playing your steel." The steel player went downstairs and Gene said: "I was driving in the neighborhood and had an idea and had to try it out." If Gene were still here he'd be pulling a 10 o'clock shift on Broadstreet as we speak.

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 9 Oct 2019 9:41 am

robert kramer wrote: Another time and another Sunday morning, a steel player wife woke up her husband to say: "Gene O'Neil's downstairs playing your steel." The steel player went downstairs and Gene said: "I was driving in the neighborhood and had an idea and had to try it out."

I love it! What a character!

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 10 Oct 2019 2:13 am

Gene O'neal was the real deal on steel guitar. Monster player.

Len Ryder · Post by **Len Ryder** » 10 Oct 2019 10:35 am

Some kinda good group. Good to see those videos with the bands "dressed" and not looking like they just came off work diggin' ditches. Before somebody hollers at me ----There's nothing wrong with digging ditches. ---- Been there---- Done that ! ! ! !