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Topic: Eagle Eye Hendricks |
Fred Nolen
From:
Mohawk, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 27 Jun 2009 6:41 pm |
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Does anyone know anything about a steel player around Knoxville, TN by the above name?(His last name may be missspelled) I haven't heard anything from him in several years. He is one of the most humble people I ever met. He played a student model MSA, I think three pedals and maybe one knee lever. He is a master of pulling strings behind the bar and slants, and IMO a very gifted player. I saw him play at one of Stoney's conventions when they were going on, and I very much enjoyed his playing.
Ol' Fred |
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Herby Wallace
From:
Sevierville, TN, R.I.P.
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Posted 27 Jun 2009 10:03 pm Eagle Eye
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Yes, Eagle Eye was one of my favorite players, but he actually passed away several years ago. He had some health problems and I think he had been in a nursing home for awhile. I had heard about him for years as he had played on the Tennessee Barn Dance back in the fifties, but I didn't get to meet him and hear him play until one of Stoney's early shows back in the eighties. He told me he had quit playing for quite a few years and then got back into it in the eighties. He was a master or Western Swing and reminded me a lot of Joaquin Murphy from years ago, especially in his phrasing on single string lines. I understand that he worked a lot with Don Gibson in the fifties on the Barn Dance. He came to St. Louis one year and played the Convention there. Stoney Stonecipher knows a lot more about him than I do, but I really loved his playing and he was a great person too.
Herby Wallace |
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Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 27 Jun 2009 11:39 pm "EAGLE EYE" HENDRICKS
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HI HERBY,
"Eagle Eye" Hendricks played at the ISGC, 23 years ago, in 1986. At that time I believe he only had 4 knee levers on his guitar and he also pulled the strings behind the bar.
I was fortunate to have spoken to him at the time. He definitely was a very humble man.
Quite surprisingly his playing did sound quite a bit like Joaquin.
ROGER |
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Mitch Drumm
From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
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Posted 28 Jun 2009 8:04 am
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Here is a sample of his playing:
Summie Hendrick
This was nearly 60 years ago (October, 1950) when he was a member of Don Gibson's band. |
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Fred Nolen
From:
Mohawk, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 28 Jun 2009 5:10 pm
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Herby, Roger, & Mitch,
Even though it was not good news, thank you so much for your reply. Mitch, I expecially enjoyed the cut - thank you. Some of the finest people I've met are steel guitar players. Friends are a gift from God.
Ol' Fred |
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Ted Smouse
From:
Austin, Texas USA
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Posted 24 Mar 2011 7:56 am
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'Ol Fred,
I was at that St. Louis Convention in 1986 and Eagle Eye made a big impression on me. I never forgot him and always wished I would have the opportunity to hear him play again. I have a cassette tape recording of that St. Louis performance somewhere in my archives, recorded on a Sony Stereo Recording Walkman, that I used during that time period to record live shows.
At some point in time, I hope to start reviewing those old recordings and conver the best (and most rare) to a digital format. "In my spare time." ha, ha!
Another player I only heard once, and it was on the Thursday NIGHT talent show in St. Louis, was a man by the name of Don Dixon (I think Don was his first name). Before he played, I noticed him in the crowd this one particular year (late '80s ?), dressed in a grey jumpsuit with a cap that looked like the Civil War style. Well, he turned out to be a great player, and I recorded him. I don't have that tape, as I promised the tape to one of the bellman that used to work the Clarion Hotel (at that time) and I honored my promise and gave the tape to the bellman, as much as I wanted to keep it. I never saw Don Dixon again.
Fond memories (and recordings).
Ted Smouse
_________________
Ted Smouse
General Manager & Program Director
SteelRadio
Austin, Texas
SteelRadio.org@gmail.com
https://www.steelradio.org
-a 501(c)(3) “Not For Profit” Organization |
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