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Topic: For Mr. Ray Montee, .............PICS POSTED! |
Eddie D.Bollinger
From:
Calhoun City, Mississippi
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Posted 23 Jan 2008 9:09 pm |
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Hello Mr. Montee,
I spoke with you some time back, via email, about a relative in the Portland area. My "Uncle" Buddy Simmons, the promoter, artist, and d.j., built at least 1 triple 6 non-pedal steel. This took place, I THINK, in the late 40's, early 50's. Can you tell me anything about the guitar or if you ever heard it in action. I have recently aquired a picture of the guitar and I hope to post it here soon. Uncle Buddy is still in Portland but in very poor health.
I thought of the conversation when I got the picture. Thanks in advance for any help. I enjoy your posts and stories from the days of real country
music.
Thanks,
Eddie Bollinger
Last edited by Eddie D.Bollinger on 28 Jan 2008 6:50 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Eddie D.Bollinger
From:
Calhoun City, Mississippi
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Posted 24 Jan 2008 10:27 am
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Bump
Am TRYING to post a pic of the guitar and player. |
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Eddie D.Bollinger
From:
Calhoun City, Mississippi
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Posted 25 Jan 2008 7:22 pm
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| TTT |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 26 Jan 2008 7:22 am Hey there my friend!
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I do remember exchanging info' with you about dear olde Buddy Simmons.
It was only during recent years that I learned that Buddy used to play steel guitar as a regular musician and was even active in the Nashville area at one time.
Sorry, I never heard Buddy mention building any kind of guitar nor did he even talk about his steel guitar playing days or who with.
I used to ride with him to band practice down in Salem, once a week, and as soon as I'd get settled in his car, he'd start on this lecture about "Positive Thinking". From the way he talked, I tho't it was some kind of religious cult he was hooked up with. Years later, I discovered he had shared a lot of valuable info' with me..........
But NEVER anything about the steel guitar you mention here. Sorry. I wish I could be of more help. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 26 Jan 2008 10:59 am WHERE or WHERE..........
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Where's that photo you were going to post?
You may have forgotten but we haven't! |
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Eddie D.Bollinger
From:
Calhoun City, Mississippi
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Posted 26 Jan 2008 10:32 pm
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Hey Mr. M.,
Monday is the day. I have to do that at my office as I don't have a scanner here.
I so appreciate your thoughts on Uncle Buddy and
those great days.
Pictures forthcoming.
Thanks Again. |
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Eddie D.Bollinger
From:
Calhoun City, Mississippi
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Posted 28 Jan 2008 6:48 am
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Here is the steel and some folks that I am hoping you guys can name..
This picture is several years prior to Buddy Simmons
and the Drifters. I am hoping that names are discussed. I think the drummer is the "Drifters"
drummer from the late fifties.
The Simmons Family Band.... Later
Steve Chet -Steel
Larry Simmons -Guitar
Buddy Simmons
Don Simmons -Bass
Unknown -Drummer |
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Dr. Richard Buffington
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 28 Jan 2008 7:53 am For Mr. Ray Montee
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| The upright bass player looks a lot like Tex Stout but that was a long time ago. He was about to quit playing in 1956-57 Doc |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 28 Jan 2008 7:09 pm I'd be willing to bet Bobbee Seymours' thumb pick........
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I have no idea where these pictures were taken.....
That MIGHT help, but not certain about that either.
In the large B/W photo, where Buddy is seated behind his steel guitar with the Epiphone amp......
The tall gentleman seated with the banjer on his lap, I do beleive, is none other than TOMMY KIZZIAH.
When I met Tommy, the group was playing out of Salem, Oregon, where most of the fellows were living at that time. That would have been during the late 1950's. Tommy went on to head up the West Coast Ramblers and was a regular in/around the Salem, Lebanon area and later came to Portland, Oregon, where he played the Division Street Corral for about three years. He was featured artist on Four Star Records at that time. When I joined the band, Buddy was playing bass and they had a red-headed girl playing steel. Her name was Evelyn McKinee.
Standing behind Tommy Kizziah with a fiddle upraised, is Tommy's brother Jack Kizziah.
I'm not sure about any of the other fellows, at this moment. Steve Chet, in the color photo, at steel guitar, has since passed away due to Cancer. I replaced him for a brief time during his cancer treatments, as I recall.
Perhaps others will have other pieces to the puzzle. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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