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Topic: jim shepard and the western echo's ?? |
Paul Wade
From:
mundelein,ill
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Posted 12 Jul 2008 3:16 pm |
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does anybody know of a steel player who played in northern illinios by the name of jim Shepard ? played
with a band the western echo's in the 70's. he played
a black emmons p/p. i took some lessons from him good player.......
p.w |
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Chuck McGill
From:
An hour from Memphis and 2 from Nashville, R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Jul 2008 5:44 pm
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Paul Did he move to Jackson Tn? If so he passed away a few years ago and yes
he was a fine steel player. |
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Rick Kornacker
From:
Dixon Springs, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 12 Jul 2008 6:32 pm about Jim Shephard....
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Hey Paul...me again. I knew Jim Shepard and his wife Libby well.The "Western Echoes" were the quintessential country band for years, working 5 nights a week at the Country Music Inn in Half Day, Ill.I remember listening to Jim and the band when I barely knew how to tune a steel. A few years later, with a lot of avid studying and relentless playing under my belt, I had the pleasure of getting to sub for Jim a number of times. Jim was a gracious and eager player, definitely a "push-pull" fan and one of the more revered players in the area.Working with the Echoes was a prestigious honor. He and Libby eventually "semi-retired" to their old stomping grounds in Skullbone, TN(Jackson area). Jim unfortunately passed away not long thereafter(about 10-12 years ago.)Always a friendly gent, a little "quirky"...just like most steelplayers I've known. Brings back fond memories for me and the early days. Respectfully submitted, RK
_________________
"think MORE...play LESS" |
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Paul Wade
From:
mundelein,ill
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Posted 13 Jul 2008 4:29 am western echo's
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rick,
yea, we must have been there at the country music inn
at the same time  tommy furlong told me about jim
when i first got started on steel. used to go there
on Friday's and sit right in front of jim. i ask him
if he gave lessons and he said sure do!!. came to my house a couple times to teach me. learn alot from him and t.c. furlong and don kates. wish i could remember
all the player's in the western echo's .....
p.w  |
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Rick Kornacker
From:
Dixon Springs, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2008 11:05 am "Echoes" band members...
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Hey Paul! Can help you out there too. In the early days it was Ernie Green on bass, Rick Williamson on drums, Pat(last name escapes me) on guitar, Jim and Libby. Later on Gary Brock on bass and vocals, Bobby Greenwood on drums, Pat on guitar, Jim and Libby.I have the album stored somewhere. I still swap occasional e-mails with T.C.whom I have known since the "Jump" days before I even really started to play seriously. Donny Cates I've never met although I believe he followed me in the "Southern Knights" band(pretty fine outfit too!). All back in the "good old days" when I thought there would be no end to what seemed to be endless amount of country gigs.Say "hey" to any of my old buds if you get the chance. Still trying to locate a steel player by the name of Joe Eucolano from Waukegan area..if you have any info on him I would sure like to know..we used to keep in touch pretty regularly. Play gooood!RK
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"think MORE...play LESS" |
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Ken Adkins
From:
Galena, Mo
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Posted 13 Jul 2008 2:15 pm
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| Pat's last name is McGuire. A great guy and guitar player. Gary Brock played in my band around Madison Wi in the 70s. I did meet Jim Shepard when they played in Half Day. I remember him being very good and I was just a beginner on steel at that time. Gary Brock has some videos on utube. Just search for Gary Brock. Thats about all I know and can add. Ken |
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Paul Wade
From:
mundelein,ill
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Posted 14 Jul 2008 4:42 am southern kights band
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hey rick,
i took don kates place in southern knghts band for two years. i do see jammie , and Ronnie timms sometims.
great and fun band, Ronnie stop playing about five years ago and jammie still plays sometimes in church.
will tell them howdy from you....
p.w |
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Chuck McGill
From:
An hour from Memphis and 2 from Nashville, R.I.P.
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Posted 14 Jul 2008 5:40 am
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Like Paul said Jim was a very friendly gent. He would
call my store and answer me with a very shall we say
fluffy voice say "hello peaches". A funny sense of humor. He is missed. |
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T. C. Furlong
From:
Lake County, Illinois, USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2008 2:15 pm
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I was very fortunate to have known Jim Shepard and all of the Western Echoes. They played as the house band at The Country Music Inn for many years. They were really good. The most recent line up was:
Jim Shepard - Steel
Libby Shepard - Singer & piano
Pat McGuire - Guitar (Later John Rice)
Bobbie Greenwood - Singer & Drums
Gary Brock - Singer & Bass
In the early years -
Jack Weber - Singer & front man
Stanley Barnett - Guitar
Ernie Green? - Singer & Bass
Many of the band members were from Flint, Michigan.
Interesting note: There was a beautiful portrait of Hank Williams hanging next to the stage. Hank Sr. was the club owner's (Bill Dugan-now president of Chicago Local 150 heavy equipment operators union)favorite musician of all time.
I sat in every Sunday night for more than a year with the Western Echoes in the '70's and played twin steel with Jim. I learned slow vibrato from sitting next to him. He was a master of that. When he passed, his wife Libby called me and asked if I would help her with selling Jim's gear which I did. I still have his D-10 cover that is embroidered with the name Jim. If anyone named Jim (preferably who knew Jim Shepard) would like the cover, I'd be happy to send it to him.
TC |
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