Ralph Mooney and Waylon Jennings

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 26 May 2023 9:49 am

Just curious about the story of Moon going with Waylon. I know Moon was based in Southern California in the late 50s early 60s playing on Buck Ownes and Merle Haggard recordings, but anyone know what year and how he met up with Waylon? I think Moon played ShoBud most of his career too!

Michael Sawyer · Post by **Michael Sawyer** » 26 May 2023 12:51 pm

https://youtu.be/P4ZXmhNA-FY

Good place to start down the rabbit hole...

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 26 May 2023 1:47 pm

Can't tell you when they met up or the circumstances surrounding that, but I have some recording listings for Moon. He did a recording with Jessie Colter in 1970, so they at least had met by then, probably way before as he was in with that bunch with Wynn Stewart, Merle Haggard and Waylon out west in the 60s. I'd guess it was through that association.

He recorded well over 30 projects with Waylon.... the earliest listing I have is 1971 RCA LSP 4487 The Taker/Tulsa.

If you have Steel Guitar World Magazines, his discog is listed in that. March/April 1993 Vol.2 Issue 10 along with an interview of him with Russ Rask and Billy Barnett. The interview is a delight to read with Moon's humor interjections

What a character he must have been in his younger days.

His list of recordings is massive, some with artists I've never heard of.

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 26 May 2023 4:08 pm

Thanks Michael and Jerry!

Craig Robson · Post by **Craig Robson** » 31 May 2023 2:16 pm

The Cocaine and Rhinestones podcast posted in the youtube link above is terrific.

and, just because I'm here, if you haven't seen Waylon's Austin City Limits from 1989 it's really quite a good show and Mooney shines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZvqQMeOEd8

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 31 May 2023 5:18 pm

I did listen to the Cocaine and Rhinestones podcast, given in the link, lots of good interesting info.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 31 May 2023 5:53 pm

Ralph Mooney was in Waylon's band in 1983, and there's a video where Waylon is singing "A Couple More Years", in which Waylon calls on Ralph to play a steel solo, and he says, "Listen to the Moon". Mooney was Merle Haggard's steel player before Norm Hamlet came to the Strangers band in 1967. In the nineties, after Ralph Mooney had left Waylon's band, Robby Turner played steel with Waylon. Ralph Mooney played a Sho-Bud Super Pro with Waylon, then played GFI guitars later on. Ralph joined Waylon's band sometime in the seventies after drummer Rich Albright introduced him to Waylon after a conversation with guitarist Roy Nichols at a show in California

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 1 Jun 2023 7:38 am

Don't know if this helps... but I saw Ralph Mooney playing steel with Wynn Stewart, opening for Buck Owens... way back in 1967-8... Sacramento, CA.

Dean Parks · Post by **Dean Parks** » 23 Sep 2024 10:22 am

David, what guitar was he playing? He told me once he played a Magnatone 8 in those days, to which he had added pedals

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 23 Sep 2024 10:55 am

I think He played the Fender 1000 for most of the 60's. The Magnatone Frankensteel was late 50's I believe. He joined Waylon's band in late 1970 according to the internet. There is a video showing Ralph on the Fender with Waylon but for most of his time with Waylon, Ralph was on a Shobud.

Gil James · Post by **Gil James** » 24 Sep 2024 6:27 am

Thanks for posting the Austin City Limits link, Craig! I enjoyed that! Mooney at his best. That band was a class act.

Joe Bill Moad · Post by **Joe Bill Moad** » 24 Sep 2024 8:15 am

Nothing like the Okie Ralph Mooney in my books!

Jbm

Dean Parks · Post by **Dean Parks** » 24 Sep 2024 10:18 am

Craig Robson wrote:….Waylon's Austin City Limits from 1989 it's really quite a good show and Mooney shines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZvqQMeOEd8

Craig, thanks. This clip is the clearest video of Mooney I’ve seen

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 24 Sep 2024 11:26 am

Dave Zirbel wrote:I think He played the Fender 1000 for most of the 60's. The Magnatone Frankensteel was late 50's I believe. He joined Waylon's band in late 1970 according to the internet. There is a video showing Ralph on the Fender with Waylon but for most of his time with Waylon, Ralph was on a Shobud.

If memory serves, Ralph told me he puked on that Fender and hosed it down the next day and later left it out to dry. I think it ended up in a shed, which burned to the ground. Sounds like a lot of regrets!