| Author |
Topic: Kudos for Eric West |
Doug Jones
From:
Oregon & Florida
|
Posted 27 Jul 2009 8:57 am |
|
True story: The bassist for my 1st call act had to have emergency retina surgery. He's OK now, but it put him out of commission for 2 weekends. This is the prime time out here for the "good" gigs. In scrambling to get "The show must go on", I agreed to play bass and on very short notice, got our friend and well known forumite Eric West to play steel for both weekends. Eric had to scramble and sacrifice some other work to help us out. The first weekend was an outta-towner that was pretty easy to cover other than the drive. The second weekend was the "Biggie". It was Friday night at a Casino, pack it up and drive 2.5 hours to the motel for the outdoor festival the next day. After the festival, it was pack it up and back to the same Casino for Saturday night. The act flew in Kimberly Murray from down Texas way to do 3 shows with us. Grueling, but great stuff!
Eric really came through big time for me. He not only had his great Sho~Bud tone goin' on, but he woodshedded up the material with the charts I provided him. The ole boy took charge and counted and kicked off all the songs. Can you imagine how much fun it was for me flappin' the bass and standing behind Eric and listening to all those great chops?
I owe a big round of thanks to my friend Eric and hope if any of you get in a pinch that you're able to scrounge up someone who not only is interested in doing the gig, but does it so well and so willingly.
Thanks Eric ! When I take you and Cathy out to dinner, we'll SuperSize it ! |
|
|
 |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
|
Posted 27 Jul 2009 9:38 am Well, I'll be............
|
|
| Eric West........the modern day JOHN WAYNE of music. |
|
|
|
Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
Posted 27 Jul 2009 10:14 am
|
|
| Shakespere comes through again. |
|
|
|
Pat Goodbla
From:
Longview, Washington
|
Posted 27 Jul 2009 10:27 am
|
|
Atta boy Eric!! 
_________________
Patrick Goodbla
Pre-RP Mullen D-10 10/10 |
|
|
|
Bob Littleton
From:
Camas, WA
|
Posted 27 Jul 2009 11:58 am
|
|
| Eric is one talented guy and a good man! |
|
|
|
Mike Winter
From:
Portland, OR
|
|
|
|
Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 27 Jul 2009 1:17 pm
|
|
Well I had a GREAT time.
I did find a wadded up list of every other steel player in town, including Ray, that had lines through them all because they were busy or retired, and THEN my name appeared.......
Seriously though, I had the BEST times I can remember in this last year. Bob Manning and his Honky Tonk Road show has the best song list of any I've played with in recent memory.
Everybody played, looked and acted like the a true Pro band, and I was glad I could rise to the occaison acceptably. I didn't have to chase them around for the money or hold the check. We never do with Bob. He's one of too few of his kind and caliber left.
Doug was posited behind me with his 5 string bass head about a foot from the old Stetson, and I only ended up with a few dents in it to help me to remember tags etc.. My memory improved real quick after the first couple "reminders"..
I had changed strings a month or so ago, so I had to smear a small amount of peanut butter on the strings to get that "Emmons Tone".
Played through my miked 15watt Blues Jr with a Weber Blue Dog except for the outdoor gig where it got bottom end help from my old Nv400.
Kimberly Murray is a regular play on "Willie's Place" Ch 64 Sirius XM, and trotted out a couple real great originals that are getting airplay. I had her say "Apron Strings" like Elizabeth Coats in that Texas Twang, and it made me 'taingle all over..
Can't say enough about Doug, and the guys here in Portland. It's overwhelming, the help and support I've gotten from them in this rough year. I'm one of the luckiest people I know just for knowing them.
Make no mistake, there are people with rougher times than I have had and I want to be as much help to them, as these folks have been for me.
Gotta run, and go pave tonight, and tomorrow. Besides, there's "No crying on the Innernet."
Gateway Elks this weekend and Gresham Eagles the two weekends after that.. etc etc..
Thanks Doug, and everybody. I know you love me Harley, even if your wife hates me....
EJL |
|
|
|
Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
|
Posted 27 Jul 2009 2:00 pm
|
|
"Rough Times Make Tough Men", but once a good steel player, always a good steel player. Good to you Eric.
phred
_________________
There are only two defining forces that have offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American GI!!
Think about it!! |
|
|
|
David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
|
Posted 27 Jul 2009 3:21 pm
|
|
| Glad to see you're out there havin' a good time slidin' the bar an' mashin' the pedals, Eric. |
|
|
|
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
|
Posted 29 Jul 2009 4:55 pm A little bird told me.....................
|
|
Yes, a little bird just told me that another Northwest steel guitarist that is quite litterally playing his heart out.......is our own Doug Jones.
A schedule that would rapidly tire out a railroad
conductor or engineer.........
Hope to catch you on one of your many shows.
What g'tar are you playing these days; amps used? |
|
|
|
