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Topic: John McClung |
Richard Sinkler
From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 3 Oct 2010 10:00 pm
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I had the pleasure tonight to hear John after 35 years. We used to get together and show each other stuff in our "early" days. He came in to see me play about a month ago, and tonight, after playing in Sacramento at the Calif Western Swing thing, came into the club I play at and sat in (actually, I got him to play 3 out of 4 sets, I was in heaven). This man is great. I can't speak about the nation as a whole, but John is definitely one of the best in California (IMO).
He gives lessons via Skype on the net (wish I could afford them -- hint, hint John.... Free publicity here
If he is 1/10 as good a teacher as he is a player, his lessons are worth more than I could ever imagine.
Love ya John... Come back soon. _________________ Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Paul Sutherland
From: Placerville, California
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Posted 4 Oct 2010 7:50 am
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I had the pleasure of hearing John McClung play at the Western Swing gathering last Saturday. His solos are interesting and he plays with great expression and emotion. His playing is professional in every way. He was also very personable and friendly off-stage. He's probably a very good teacher. Don't miss an opportunity to hear him play, or take a lesson. |
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Jerry Hayes
From: Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 4 Oct 2010 1:50 pm
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The last time I was in SoCal in Sept. of '09 I got to spend an afternoon with John at his house and swap some licks, actually I got more from him than he did from me!.. Here's a couple of shots of that day with John at my steel and again at his own guitar and one of us together. A very fine player and just as good a person.....JH in Va.
_________________ Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Cliff Kane
From: the late great golden state
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Posted 4 Oct 2010 1:59 pm
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John is a super player and a great teacher, and a really good guy. So Cal has a group of exceptional people in the steel guitar community who have been consistent in their dedication to this instrument and the local steel community, and John is solid. Hey John! |
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Peter Freiberger
From: California, USA
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Posted 4 Oct 2010 3:06 pm
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Ditto! John's a great guy and seems to be one of the few I know of since Jeff Newman's passing to have an organized method for teaching steel guitar. With his internet prowess he's able to teach long distance as well. |
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Jim Eaton
From: Santa Susana, Ca
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Posted 4 Oct 2010 5:24 pm
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John is a pal and my only complaint is that when ever I sit in on his guitar, I keep banging my knees on all that "junk" he has under there! LOL
JE:-)> _________________ Emmons D10PP 8/4 -75'
Emmons S-10PP 3/4 - 79'
Emmons S-12PP 3/4 -78'
MSA Legend SD12 5/5 -06'
Mullen S-12 4/5 - 1986
Nashville 112 x2 W/Knob Guards - Don't leave home with out one!
Walker SS rack system - 12"BW's
Quilter Steelaire Combo |
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Stu Schulman
From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 5 Oct 2010 12:08 pm
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I've known John since electricity was invented,He's so organized that Im embarrassed every time I'm around him.You won't meet a finer dude...he plays his butt off! _________________ Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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John McClung
From: Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 5 Oct 2010 6:10 pm Aw shucks...
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Wow! Strike me dead, that's enough high praise for one lifetime!
Thanks for the very kind words, everyone. I love helping people learn this great but very challenging instrument. And I love playing from the heart. It's just that simple.
And I must add, every one of the commenters on this thread is a great player as well, and all are good friends and comrades in music.
My experience in Sacramento at the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame party could not have been more delightful. The people there love swing and country music, and love the musicians, and love to dance, and were unbelievably warm, friendly and welcoming to me, it was my first visit there. It won't be my last.
Big thanks to Shelley and Ronnie Elkan for inviting me to fill in on their set; also to Tommy Hays who added me to his band at the last minute. I had a great time with both groups.
One last word: Rich Sinkler's playing really impresses me every time I hear him; it's clear we've both come a long ways since founding the little Steel Guitar West club in the mid-1970's (why does it take decades to get really good at pedal steel? Sheesh). If you want to hear tasty pro steel playing, go hear him on Sunday afternoons from 4-8 pm at the B Street Bar & Grill in Hayward, a swinging little dive if there ever was one! _________________ E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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Mike Perlowin
From: Los Angeles CA
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Posted 5 Oct 2010 6:51 pm
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John and I have known each other since the early 80s, and I've been jealous of him for his playing ability the whole time.
He's a great player, and a great guy. I'm lucky enough to be able to call him my friend. _________________ Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Billy Tonnesen
From: R.I.P., Buena Park, California
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Posted 5 Oct 2010 8:13 pm
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John:
I knew you were really going to enjoy the WSS. You have to be there to appreciate it. Lets get together and I will buy lunch one day ! .
Regards, Billy T. Hall of Fame Member 1992 |
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Stephan Franck
From: La Crescenta, California, USA
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Posted 5 Oct 2010 8:28 pm
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John McClung = California's best kept secret!!! IMO |
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John McClung
From: Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 5 Oct 2010 8:35 pm
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Billy, Shorty Joe and Jay both say hi to you. I really did enjoy meeting them, and a bunch of other really nice folks. Dayna Wills is now my new buddy up there, she's so cool. _________________ E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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