Lloyd Green records?

[Darrell Criswell]

I go to thrift stores all the time mainly looking for old books. I see all the time Lloyd Green steel guitar records. I. cannot believe how often I encounter them looking through old vinyl records. My question is was he really that popular with the general public and did he make a lot of money from the records. In today's world it is just hard for me to imagine your average person going to a store and buying a CD recording or even buying the MP3 online. Thanks!

[Joe Goldmark]

Hi Darrell,

Great question! As a collector and record store owner, I wonder that all the time about different artists. I think that a lot of the time it has to do with how optimistic the label was about an album, or sometimes they'll press up a small run that sells out and decide to then press up a much larger run which doesn't sell. This leads to the label having to practically give them away to discount outlets.

In Lloyds case, I think that he and Pete Drake were the preeminent steelers with recognizable names to the C&W buying public. Santo and Johnny also, but they were in a different market.

As far as making money, maybe Lloyd can answer this, but my guess is that he never made a dime from the "Time," "Little Darling" or "Chart" labels. He might have at least seen some royalties from "Monument," as they were a major label who also had success with Charlie McCoy harmonica albums (which I'm sure you also see many of).

However, money is certainly not the main factor with art. He was a fantastic writer and player with immaculate taste and I'm sure he got (as we did) much satisfaction that continues to this day with his creations. He made a huge statement in the steel world with what I would call (for lack of a better word) his "bluesy" style on the earlier albums, and again later on the Monument albums with his smooth earthy style. These albums added to his already large stature in the C&W world and I'm sure helped him get sessions, which of course were his bread and butter.

Joe

[Ricky Davis]

In the 60's and 70's; they played Instrumental Songs on popular Radio. So to have albums full of songs you recorded was Great for the record industry to get them promoted and played on top40 Radio......BAM!!! Yes only those that got played would be able to reference whether it was worth it financially or not. I was only 3 years old first time I heard Lloyd Green on the Radio in 1965(Hawaiian Enchantment my Grandma told me later when I asked); but I knew then, I wanted to make that sound myself one day.
Lloyd recorded instrumental albums for 15 years starting in 1964 and BTW; the Beautiful Woman he put on the Cover with him; was his adorable Wife Dorothy (DOT is nickname) and BTW; the D in LDG is indeed for "DOT" his Wife, bless her heart and RIP Dot; we miss you.
Ricky

[David Wren]

This is true. In 1973, I moved to play a six night/week gig in Billings, MT, and Lloyd's "I can see clearly now" was even on the jukebox!

A great story for you all. My mom was a very early PSG player and so had all of Llyod's vinyl albums of instrumentals.... so daily I saw his face on the album covers....

By the time I was 19, I got my first steady gig in a bar in Marysville, CA. The lead singer (Paul something), would dedicate "Kansas City" to "his good friend, Lloyd Green"..... every time he played it. One night, he makes the dedication, and then says, "Nice to see you Lloyd, glad you could make it"..... I looked up from my "used" wobblily Sho~Bud permanent.. and sitting at a table 15 feet from me was Lloyd Green. Yikes!

Turned out, he was just the nicest guy. On break he came and talked to me... complimented my playing, but suggested I buy a newer pedal steel, "I noticed when you hit the right knee lever, the whole guitar leans to the right, and when you hit the left knee lever, it leans to the left"."

I soon ordered a brand new 1970 MSA