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Topic: WHO is JERRY BYRD's Number #1 Fan? |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 15 Oct 1999 5:25 pm |
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I challenge ANYONE to try and relieve me of this coveted post. Since serving many years as Secretary to the Jerry Byrd Fan Club back in the 1950's, working with Millie Annis in Michigan and all, I feel without compromise that I, am the undisputed number #1 Jerry Byrd fan in the whole wide world. I have any number of his autographed photo's to me.
I have two Bakelite Rick's complete with special guage strings and everything PLUS a Rick Amp. I have an extremely large collection of JB music on everything from 78's to current, many backing unheard of vocalists! I know that Wayne Tanner down in Texas who refurbished JB's Rick that is in the Country Music Hall of Fame thinks HE is No.#1. I've heard others proclaim that DeWitt Scott is actually No.#1 as well as Mr. Emmons. Kenny Dail is there among the competitors. Let's hear it. WHY do you think you're number #1, when in reality I am. |
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Troy Cody
From:
MEMPHIS, TN USA
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Posted 15 Oct 1999 7:54 pm
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About a year back I was in Scottys he was reparing JB's RICK the one with mother of pearl eagle on the front. Scotty told me that Jerry willed that guitar to him so I think that makes him #1.It was great time for me just to see that guitar up that close.
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Kenny Dail
From:
Kinston, N.C. R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Oct 1999 9:17 pm
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Ray...check your reference to Jerry Byrd listed on Bar Chatter. I posted a reply for you there.
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kd...and the beat goes on...
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 16 Oct 1999 3:31 am
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nonsense to all of you. I am jerrys #1 fan ever since I replaced Dwight Harris a few yrs back Keep your thumb pick hot!
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mikey
From:
New Jersey
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Posted 16 Oct 1999 11:33 pm
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Whoa, this is the most bogus thread I have ever read...
Mike |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 17 Oct 1999 7:29 pm
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Now, now Mikey..... let's all try and get along here. Isn't amazing how many things we've done, seen or heard, that relates to the steel guitar that has managed to stick to us thro'' all of these many, many years, while we were involved getting married, raising kis, buying houses, new cars, new guitars, getting married all over again,etc.
Thanks for sharing guys! |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 19 May 2010 5:42 pm
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Quite obviously, Jerry's greatest fan is Ray Montee. 
...and we all thank you for it. The website that you're maintaining in his memory is excellent. |
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Garry Vanderlinde
From:
CA
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Posted 19 May 2010 6:19 pm
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Byrd is God  |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 19 May 2010 6:56 pm
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I have Jerry's work on vinyl, tape, and CD.
On my music room wall, I have a handwritten letter he sent me on blue stationary, which I had framed.
In our correspondence, I neglected to ask him if he was my number one fan. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Former Member
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Posted 19 May 2010 8:06 pm
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I'm getting your vibe, Ray.
Some names come to mind...
Rick Aiello. I've listened to him via the internet showing his deep respect for Jerry.
I spent last Saturday with Alan Akaka, his "star" pupil, telling stories and always referencing Jerry as the Master, you could feel the never ending thankfulness and Aloha for that man.
If I had one vote, for #1 fan... I would say Lorene Ruymar!
I was lucky enough to spend an evening down in the "steel basement" with her and Art. I believe she could talk for 24 hours straight about what a great person and performer Jerry Byrd was. Her eyes just shined as she talked about all the get- togethers and times...
I wish I could've known him. The more I learn about steel guitar, and feebly try to play, the more he inspires me. I have his instructional course with the CD's, and it's really great to hear his voice, and how he describes things.
One of those people, that made the world a better place! |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 19 May 2010 8:13 pm
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Rick Aiello is one of the first who come to mind, besides Ray and Carl Dixon.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Al Terhune
From:
Newcastle, WA
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Posted 19 May 2010 9:02 pm
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While it could easily be debatable as being relative, the definition of "fan" might be argued as to who has built the biggest tributary statue in honor of. Ray Montee has built the most fabulous Jerry Byrd website, equaled nor challenged by none. Case closed. Adios. Sayonara.
_________________
Al
My equipment:
One heck of a Wife
The ghost of a red Doberman
Several pairs of reading glasses strewn about |
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Jack Byrd
From:
Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Posted 20 May 2010 5:20 am
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| Jerry had many dear friends who were great, great fans but to him all of his fans were number uno. |
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Mark Roeder
From:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 20 May 2010 8:35 am
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The interesting thing about this post is that Ray is challenging all comers to back up their claim! I have not seen to much of that yet. Like camping out five days before ticket go on sale to get the front row set for example. Or a life size portrait tattooed on ones chest.
_________________
www.deluxe34.com lap steel stands, Clinesmith, Gibson Console Grande, Northwesterns, The Best Westerns
https://www.facebook.com/TheBestWesterns |
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 20 May 2010 2:46 pm
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I don't know, Skipper...
mirror, mirror on the wall,
who is the biggest JB fan of'em all?
Carl Dixon, Tom Brumley, Wayne Tanner, Buddy Emmons, Speedy West or the Skipper himself?
... J-D. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 20 May 2010 3:11 pm
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Good to see you back on the forum, Jack.
Wayne Tanner sure does have a claim to the title with lot's to back it up, much of it 1st hand from Jerry. Carl will probably fight to the death for at least a piece it, and you can hear tons of JB in the slow stuff Speedy did. Buddy was a dedicated young listener/student that mailed Jerry a bunch for tips and always got a reply. Tom loved him as well.
But Ray's been heavy in the mix for decades and is perpetuating Jerry's name, music, and legacy more than anyone today, and quite well with the www.jerrybyrd-fanclub.com so he's got my vote. |
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 20 May 2010 11:28 pm
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The answer is easy . . . it's Jerry's brother, Jack and Jerry's wife, Kaleo.
What's funny, is that I recall a thread awhile back regarding Jerry's nationality, and most of the above did not know, until his brother Jack clarified it.
If any were a TRUE #1 fan, wouldn't they know? |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 21 May 2010 2:06 am
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| I didn't know music appreciation was a contest. |
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 21 May 2010 2:22 am
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| this reminds me of Jimmy Day and Willie Nelson at Panther Hall in the 60s. All bandleaders were introducing their steel player as " the #1 steel player. Willie introduced Jimmy and said "what number are you now?" Jimmy held up two fingers and Willie said "why only #2? Jimmy said"since everyone else is #1 I guess that makes me #2. cc |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 21 May 2010 5:52 am
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Jerry has the respect of many for his accomplishments, and I doubt anyone will come close to his talent in the near future. That said, what's the big deal about #1 fan? Some sort of status symbol?
Seems like there's too many "fans" and friends involved to name a number 1, even though it's interesting!  |
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Mike Brenner
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 21 May 2010 10:34 am
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| where do we send the gold star? |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 21 May 2010 11:48 am
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| Mike Brenner wrote: |
| where do we send the gold star? |
Who's sending it? |
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Garry Vanderlinde
From:
CA
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Posted 22 May 2010 10:56 pm
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the "definition of a fan" according to Google...
fan 2 (f n)
n.
An ardent devotee; an enthusiast.
[Short for fanatic.]
fa•nat•ic (f -n t k)
n.
A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause.
adj.
Fanatical.
fa•nat•i•cal (f -n t -k l)
adj.
Possessed with or motivated by excessive, irrational zeal.
 These definitions make a lot of us  ... I mean you  sound sick...ha-ha
Byrd Is God |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 23 May 2010 3:32 pm A great BIG thank you, Ron!
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Ron your kind words are sincerely appreciated.
When I initially posted this item, I realized I was going to generate some emotional responses.....and I did.
Anyone with an ounce of brains realizes that I was not Jerry Byrd's only fan nor his only #1 fan. There were so many people out there that were on a first name basis with Jerry and I wish I could have been one of them, but alas, I wasn't.
I'm just proud that he was kind enough to communicate with me over the span of years that this continued. I surely do miss him. |
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