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Topic: Weldon Myrick to be honored at Country Music Hall of Fame |
robert kramer
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 24 Jul 2009 1:38 pm |
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STEEL GUITARIST WELDON MYRICK TO BE HONORED AS NASHVILLE CAT AT THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME® AND MUSEUM
NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 24, 2009 – Innovative steel guitarist Weldon Myrick will be honored at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on Saturday, August 15, as part of the popular quarterly series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. The 1:30 p.m. program in the Museum’s Ford Theater is included with Museum admission and free to Museum members.
The program, hosted by Bill Lloyd, will include a brief performance and an in-depth, one-on-one interview highlighted by vintage recordings, photos and film clips from the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Immediately following the program, Myrick will sign autographs in the Museum Store.
Weldon Myrick’s inventive steel guitar playing graced both top country recordings and the stage of the Grand Ole Opry for over thirty years. His work can be heard on classic country hits including Connie Smith’s “Once a Day,” Bill Anderson’s “Bright Lights and Country Music,” Johnny Bush’s “Whiskey River,” Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee” and Reba McEntire’s “Little Rock,” to name a few. Myrick has contributed to sessions by recording artists Merle Haggard, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Mickey Newbury, Charley Pride, Elvis Presley, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood and more.
Born April 10, 1939, in the small town of Jayton, Texas, Weldon Myrick became fascinated with the steel guitar at age eight when his older brother, Tex, left the instrument behind to enter the Air Force. Myrick spent hours hunched over the instrument, sliding his father’s pocket knife on the strings in place of a missing bar. Despite the fact that he couldn’t find anyone in town to tune the instrument, he was soon able to play triumphantly an off-key version of “Steel Guitar Rag.”
At age thirteen, Myrick acquired his own Rickenbacker steel guitar and began playing on the radio in Stanford, Texas, in the group Henley Diggs and the Double Mountain Boys. While still a teenager, he backed Ferlin Husky, Minnie Pearl and Jim Reeves on traveling Opry shows visiting Lubbock.
After high school, in 1956, Myrick moved to Big Spring, Texas, where he began writing and recording with songwriter and producer Ben Hall. Myrick gained valuable experience recording with local acts, picking alongside up-and-coming musician Waylon Jennings. To supplement his $7.50-an-hour recording fee, Myrick joined the local police force and served as an officer for over three years.
Myrick moved his family to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1963, and began working with comedian Lonnie “Pap” Wilson on the road and backing country artists on package shows. While back in town, Myrick chased his dream of performing on the Grand Ole Opry by hanging out backstage and waiting for a spot to open each Saturday night. He forged a relationship with Bill Anderson and was soon appearing on the Opry as an official member of Anderson’s Po’ Boys band.
Myrick’s first session hit came in 1964 with Connie Smith’s “Once a Day” (written by Anderson). Producer Bob Ferguson’s decision to showcase Myrick’s soulful steel alongside Smith’s booming voice not only kick-started the young singer’s career, but also helped Myrick become a full-time studio musician. Myrick soon adopted a commercially accessible style that used the guitar pedals to raise and lower the pitch of the strings in counterpoint harmony while picking fast, staccato, double-stop and triple-stop passages. He remained a top Nashville studio musician for over three decades, backing everyone from country legends Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson, the Statler Brothers and Tanya Tucker to artists outside the genre including Delbert McClinton, the Pointer Sisters, Paul Siebel and Cat Stevens.
After joining fellow steel guitarist Hal Rugg on the Grand Ole Opry in 1966, Myrick served thirty-two years as a member of the staff band. He also released several solo instrumental albums and contributed to albums by Area Code 615, a talented and energetic band made up of Nashville’s A-list studio musicians. Myrick was elected to the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1997. He continues to record and perform today.
These programs are made possible, in part, by grants from the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission and by an agreement between the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. |
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Hook Moore
From:
South Charleston,West Virginia
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Jul 2009 2:29 pm
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| Weldon is one of the best thats ever been on steel guitar. Also one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Congratulations Weldon. Jody. |
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Jeff Bradshaw
From:
Leslieville, Alberta - Canada
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Posted 24 Jul 2009 8:59 pm
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| This is terrific!!!!! |
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Ron Elliott
From:
Madison, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2009 6:27 am July 25, 2009
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Weldon, Congratulations,Well deserved! A great talent, a super gentleman...once a day, every day,and all-day long. Thank you for being our friend!
Ron |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2009 7:40 am
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Congrats Weldon, Well deserved.Getting to meet and spend some time with you will always be a treasure.
BD
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy.
Last edited by Bill Dobkins on 25 Jul 2009 10:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jim R. Harrison
From:
North Vancouver, B. C., Canada
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Posted 25 Jul 2009 1:15 pm
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I can't add any new words or thoughts to those said above, but, congratulations!! Also, my photos aren't as close or as good as those of Bill Dobkins', but here are my contributions, nevertheless! Can you identify all the personnel in the photos playing with Mr. Myrick?
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Ron Frederiksen
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas, USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2009 2:22 pm
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| WELL, Its about time......Ron |
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pdl20
From:
Benton, Ar . USA,
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Posted 25 Jul 2009 9:16 pm Congrats Weldon
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Weldon, Congratulations,that is great.i will try to make it to town and watch you get the award. Rudy 
_________________
Mullen G 2 D 10 8 & 6 , Emmons D 10 8& 6 Evans Amps , Revelation,MPX1,Steward PA 1000 rack, Steelers Choice Cross country Seat ,Hilton Pedal, Curt Mangan strings . When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2009 10:37 pm
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Jim, I know two of them. Bobby Caldwell and Laney Hicks.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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Jim R. Harrison
From:
North Vancouver, B. C., Canada
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Posted 25 Jul 2009 10:41 pm
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| Bill:- You are correct on the two you've named; anybody else for the remaining 2 (and tough to see, 1/2 on the right side!)? Jim H. |
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Ron Elliott
From:
Madison, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 26 Jul 2009 6:45 am July 26, 2009
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...and the other 2 was David Russell,fiddle, and Ben Brogdon,Bass. Ben passed away since the last Convention(Great talent)
Ron |
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Jim R. Harrison
From:
North Vancouver, B. C., Canada
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Posted 26 Jul 2009 9:09 am
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| Hi Ron, You are correct; thanks for the notation re Mr. Brogden!!! Hope to see you at ISGC this year. The "1/2" player on the right was L.T. Zinn on rhythm guitar. Jim H. |
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Danny Hammers
From:
Danny & Patricia of Floral City, Florida formerly of Fairdale KY.
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Posted 26 Jul 2009 11:03 am
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Congratulations Weldon, and as Ron said Well Deserved
and a real gentlerman. If it works out, we will be there
My offering of 6/12/09
Danny and Patricia
PS Tell Judi Hi
_________________
Gibson Console Grand D8 - Weenick DT-10 - Dynalap S8 - TriboTone Bars
Nashville 112s - Vegas 400
Member:
Life Member of R.O.P.E. (Reunion Of Professional Entertainers) , NTSGA, GaSGA, PSGA, ASGA, MSGC, LMSGC, OzarkSGA |
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Danny Letz
From:
Old Glory,Texas, USA 79540
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Posted 26 Jul 2009 3:21 pm
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| Weldon came home to Jayton Tx, several years in a row and put on a show in the fire hall. They even named a street after him. I attended all but the first one, which I didn't know about in time. I even got to set up and play a little bit the last two years. If you look up the word gentleman in the dictionary you will find Weldons picture. I dont't know how to post links, but if you search Jayton Jam, you will find many pictures. I even have my mug and my two Zums on different years in there, but don't let that stop you from continueing. |
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Jimmy Campbell
From:
Fayette, Alabama.
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Posted 28 Jul 2009 4:44 am
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Congratulations Weldon, we have it on our schedule to be there.
Jim & Robin |
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Ron Page
From:
Penn Yan, NY USA
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Posted 28 Jul 2009 8:18 am
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It's wonderful to see such a gentleman honored for his career works with our instrument. It was an honor to have seen and heard him play at Scotty's for a couple of years, and to have his autograph on my copy of "Texas to Tennessee".
_________________
HagFan
Emmons Lashley LeGrande II |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 28 Jul 2009 10:25 am
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Congratulations Weldon...circa,July,1973..Sonny Burnet to the left I think. When the "Opry" was country, and Nashville was countryfied. All the best to you...Bill
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!! |
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Whip Lashaway
From:
Monterey, Tenn, USA
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Posted 28 Jul 2009 11:32 am
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Congratulations! Well done Weldon!!! I agree it's about time and couldn't happen to a nicer guy. God Bless, Whip
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Whip Lashaway
Sierra E9/B6 12 string
Sierra E9/B6 14 string
Excel S12 8x9 blue
Excel S12 8x9 black |
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robert kramer
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 28 Jul 2009 12:30 pm
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Bill Ford - Great photo. The guitar players in the back of Weldon are Leon Rhodes on the left and Jimmie Capps on the right. Capp's white Tele has a Bigsby vibrato.
Here is the press release from the Country Music Hall of Fame website for the Weldon Myrick Nashville Cats program on Saturday, August 15th.
http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/news_detail.aspx?cid=4186 |
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Tommy Shown
From:
Denham Springs, La.
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 10:07 am
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What can you say? for years I have listened to Weldon on the many recordings that he has played on and made. I have never met the man personally, but I would like to some day. Weldon in my opinion is one of the masters of the steel guitar. If anyone desreves the honor of the Country Music Hall of Fame, It's Weldon Myrick. And he is one of my steel guitar heroes. Along with Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, and John Hughey.
He makes it sound so,so easy. The way he plays. Many have tried to duplicate it but few have come close.
Tommy Shown
Steel man from the Bayouland |
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Tommy Young
From:
Ethelsville Alabama
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Posted 30 Jul 2009 8:10 pm
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CONGRATS WELDON your so deserving glad I can call you my friend and a gentleman from the bottom of his heart.
_________________
TOMMY YOUNG
MAX-TONE MODIFICATIONS
BMI dealer,Classic VIBE 100 amp... SIT strings.. |
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Danny Hullihen
From:
Harrison, Michigan
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Posted 30 Jul 2009 11:33 pm
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| Congratulations Weldon! A long overdue and very much deserved award for sure! God bless you my dear friend. |
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pdl20
From:
Benton, Ar . USA,
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Posted 3 Aug 2009 9:37 pm Bump for Weldon
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Bump up
_________________
Mullen G 2 D 10 8 & 6 , Emmons D 10 8& 6 Evans Amps , Revelation,MPX1,Steward PA 1000 rack, Steelers Choice Cross country Seat ,Hilton Pedal, Curt Mangan strings . When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. |
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scott murray
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 12 Jan 2014 6:25 pm
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missed this the first time around, but video of this occasion is available here... in the Nashville Cats section:
http://countrymusichalloffame.org/watch
i learned a lot about Mr. Myrick from watching this. for instance, i never knew Weldon was such a great singer/songwriter... Buddy Holly even recorded one of his songs!
_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster |
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