John Hughey.........what a steel player.........

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

I didn't catch on to John Hughey's wonderful steel playing until real late in his career. My loss and I've missed out on so many great tunes by this great player.

Speaking of great players, the TIME JUMPERS, I think it is........my short-term memory has done packed up and left, but.....

I seldom get moved by a band. Ricky Skaggs original Group really picked me up and sat me down hard. What a band he had!

Well this TIME JUMBPER group.......WOW! That drummer moves me so much, I can hardly sit still. His solid rythmn with BRUSHES, no less, is so sensational.

And what about that jazz guitarist on the F-hole guitar? His fingers simply glide over the strings and what exiting runs he performs.

The fiddlers and everyone else, taking their turns and NEVER, NEVER stepping on anyone else. How extraordinary! Something there to be learned!

Hal Higgins · From: Denham Springs, LA

There's only one other steel player that can top John (in my book) and that would be the "Big E". There have been many, including me, that have tried to imitate John's style....but to no avail. the man was a genius when it came to knowing the instrument, and application in all aspects of it. I was so saddened by his passing.....he was one of my best friends, and I miss him terribly. The steel guitar world, in general, feels the loss greatly. There will never ever be another like the great John Hughey. R.I.P. my good friend. Ray....you are soooo right about the "Time Jumpers", too. All of them are just "Top Shelf" musicians. HAL
_________________
HAL...Excel D-10 w/ 8 & 5. SteelSeat.com w/back,SteelSeat.com Pedal Board on Legs with Quilter Tone Block 200 amp, Boss GE 7, Boss DD 3, Boss RV 6, Boss RT-20 Hilton Expression Pedal, Evans Cabinet with 4 ohm Eminence 15" speaker. BJS birthstone bar, Powder coated Tone bar by Michael Hillman. Dunlop Coated finger picks and Zookies L30 thumb picks.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

John is by far my favorite. When I first started noticing the steel guitar sound, a radio station kept playing "Wine Me Up" off of one of Conway's albums every day at the same time. He and that Jerry guy are what got me into playing the PSG.

I just ordered the Time Jumpers DVD. I had a couple of YouTube videos, but I want the whole DVD. What a killer bunch of players. I really love Dawn Sears.

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

John was arguably the best back-up player of ballad songs of all time. His playing was always full of feel and emotion, and his tone was great too.

When the Time Jumpers DVD was first released, a lot of eyebrows were raised because many of us did not realise just what a great player John was on C6. I first saw him play in London in the early 1970's, and he was the only lead instrument in Conway Twitty's band. His playing was incredible. I spoke to him back stage, and he was telling me how much he loved the Emmons sound, and that he was arranging to get the company to make him another one.

I saw the Time Jumpers live in March in Nashville and even though Paul Franklin was playing some truly jaw-dropping things, he did not get any where near matching the tone and the taste that JH exhibits on the DVD IMHO.

Of the older players, my favourite four E9th players are John Hughey, Weldon Myrick, Lloyd Green and Buddy Emmons (in no particular order). Why? They all play with soul.
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E,

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

The title says most of it, the rest should be,"John Hughey, what a gentleman". John was always appraochable and always made time to talk to you. When you first met him, you felt like he was a life long friend. We miss you, John.

Ray Harrison · From: Tucson, Arizona, USA (deceased)

I consider myself extremely fortunate that I had the presence of John Hughey on my last CD (his also). It was such a pleasure to listen and watch the creativity on site.
He was truly a master of the necks. Known mostly for the Conway style, but a marvelous C6th player. I had a few swing songs on the CD and John ask me what I wanted played. I looked at him and said "none of that high whiney stuff". He started laughing and it was a ball the rest of the session.
We left the studio and he and Jean joined Al Bruno, my wife and I for dinner. What a great visit with some truly nice people.
_________________
Ray Harrison
Bass/sing/Love PSG
77 Stingray/Kiesel 5 string bass
Telonics , Fender Rumble500, Polytone Amps
D-16 Martin, 1970 Ovation guitars

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

My life was made better by knowing John Hughey. Jody.

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

One of my influences, John Hughey. I agree with Jody 100%. I have several influences though. Jerry Byrd, Little Roy Wiggins, Don Helms, John, Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, Hal Rugg, Curly Chalker, Buddy Charleston, Weldon Myrick. Mix this bunch up and there's no telling what might jump out the 15" BW!

Laurie Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA

Roy & I still miss John so much. No, there will never be another John. His playing like one of you said was from his soul. I still can't hear "Look At Us" and not cry. He was our friend, our Christian brother along with his wife, Jean, a wonderful Christian, husband, father, grandfather and always with a smile and a compliment. He is with his Savior in God' heavenly band now. Home... He is Home. Until we meet again John. We love you. Laurie

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

My impression of John as a person is that he's the kind of guy you'd love to have as a close family member, in fact a whole family of John Hughey's. Just hearing him talk and everybody's opinion of him proves it time and again.

And then there's his playing.
He was obviously a Jerry Byrd fan, and I'm sure there were strong similarities in both of their personalities.
There's a moment in one of the songs on the DVD where he starts off his solo with the most accurate Byrd-ism that anybody may have ever pulled off, and he's using mostly pedals to do it, which I find... incredible.

I hope there is reincarnation (Jerry believed there is), and that John comes back just as he was this last time around. The world will deffinitely need him again.

Pete Woronowski · From: Saskatchewan, Canada

I missed a lot of John's live work as well, the first time I saw him was with Vince Gill and he was just amazing.
Evrn Vince couldn't stop showing his admiration for him the whole show.
Every time John would take a solo Vince would just smile and shake his head.
_________________
Mullen Royal Precision

Ken Mizell · From: Lakeland, Florida, 33809, USA

Ditto's what everyone else said. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Hughey more than any other steel player - two times with Conway, once with Vince Gill, and two times as a solo act at the local steel jam here in Lakeland. Amazing talent and super nice man. One of my prized possessions is a CD he autographed for me. One thing for sure, he's in a much better place these days than we are. RIP.
_________________
Steeless.

Jerry Lee Newberry · From: Prim, AR USA

There was and is no one GREATER than the Hughey's. I had lunch with Jean a few weeks ago while I was in Hendersonville fishng. We had a good visit. She is such a sweet person. John and Jean were and are still so good to the Newberry's and Stewart's. Jerry has been a BIG FAN of John's for years, but I am glad John was around long enough for Austin to get to hear his GREAT playing and to see what a NICE man John was also. It goes to show you CAN BE A GREAT PLAYER AND STILL BE NICE!!!!!!!!!!! We love you John and miss you a lot. Jean we will see you in St. Louis.

Love from the Newberry's and Stewart's

Jerry Erickson · From: Atlanta,IL 61723

If you'd like to watch the Time Jumpers, you can go to this link and watch show # 447. There's other fun stuff there as well.

http://www.woodsongs.com/showlist.asp

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Let's all remember Jean. She (like Fran Newman) believe enough in their husbands mission to carry on the business after these greats left us. Please buy the products these fine ladies have to sell. It's one way to keep John and Jeff's legacy alive. They won't be around forever and there is the possibility that thier products will be gone forever.

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

John Davis · From: Cambridge, U.K.

Ditto to all the above.
I was only lucky enough to meet him one time at Legends corner in Nashville it seems such a short time ago I was the idiot trying to record some of those moves on my mobile phone, He was a true gent such a nice man. Dawn Sears "Sweet Memories" tribute to him brings me out in goose bumps for the raw emotion in it. JH will live on in this memory.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

That tribute brings tears to my eyes. Not just because of the tribute to Papa John, but Dawn Sears tears that song up. She is the real deal. The rest of the band ain't too shabby either.

Malcolm McMaster · From: Beith Ayrshire Scotland

I was lucky enough to see John with Vince in Glasgow, see and talk to him twice at Dallas- AMAZING is the only way to describe it , and such a gentleman to meet.He took a lot of time to chat to "the Scootish contingent" at Dallas, posing for photos and answereing all the questions put to him.John was the best in every sense.My hero.And not forgetting his lovely wife Jean who was charming to talk to.

JERRY THURMOND · From: sullivan mo u.s.a.

John was the real deal, anyone who did not get the Time Jumper DVD with John should get it, what a great DVD that features John at his best. I am so glad to have this DVD to keep John's memory alive.

PS I went to see the Time Jumpers two weeks ago an Paul Franklin was just great, an he was having so much fun, what a picker.

Jerry

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

I have a page on my website named "In Memory of John Hughey" which you can view by clicking on the following link:

http://www.roysfootprints.com/inmemoryofjohnhughey.html
_________________
Pioneers of Western Swing HOF, Seattle 2005
Western Swing Music HOF, Sacramento 2006
International Steel Guitar HOF, St.Louis 2007
Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.

Forum Index > Steel Players		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic