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Topic: Why is Jerry Byrd held up so high in the Steel World? |
Jim Smerk
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 9:59 am |
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Please don't take this the wrong way, but even tho I think JB was good, he was not the end all of steel IMHO. Emmons, White, Helms, Cashdollar...I feel they are just as valid a Byrd in my limited experience of REALLY digging into the Steel. 
As a retired pro drummer I also had dislikes of the "best" drummers. I always felt Buddy was overrated, Baby Dodd's & Krupa killed him. Neil Peart? Like him, but thought Ian Paice was better.
Can anyone please explain to me WHY JB is held in so high of a regard? I see some say he was God's gift to Hawaiian playing, while others say he was a hack. What was his strong suits? Melody? Chord choice?
Once again, this is a IMHO, YMMV yada yada type of post that in NO WAY is meant as an insult, put down, or flame war starter.  I REALLY would like to know what folks feel that his contribution to the world of Steel Playing was.  |
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Peter Freiberger
From:
California, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 10:06 am
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| One factor you may be overlooking is historical perspective. Jerry Byrd preceded all the players you mention. They would probably not have been quite the same players without Jerry Byrd's work to inspire them early on. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 10:14 am
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Jerry Byrd was a master player and instrumentalist. He recorded countless records which showcased him as the instrumentalist and they were put out by major labels in his name. That in itself is pretty impressive.
Jerry embodied perfection on the instrument. He also played things which sounded simple, but are incredibly hard to do, such as plucked notes and harmonics simultaneously, perfection in slanting, etc. But no gimmickry for the sake of it.
He was a role model for Buddy Emmons and many other players. His recordings are not always my favorites, and there are numerous players that I would rather listen to, but one cannot deny Mr. Byrd's greatness--that is a fact. The rest is all subjective.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 10:25 am
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Out of your list, Buddy Emmons is the only one who could stand next to Byrd IMO.
Listening to the old Little Jimmy Dickens band you can hear a lot of Byrds playing in Emmons. As stated earlier Byrd proceeded many of todays and yesterdays steel guitar heros . He was one of a few who changed the course of direction for the steel guitar. He was a leader to the young steel generation of the 30's,40's and 50's and still is today.
I am not a die hard" Byrd is the best" fan like some on the forum,but I am a big fan.
I'd say get a 6 string non pedal , listen to Byrd and try and emulate his smooth and seamless musical stylings. I think then you would understand what talent it takes to produce the sounds he gets. If you still don't get it... thats OK too.
Todd |
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Jerome Hawkes
From:
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 11:13 am
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Mike & Todd say it exactly - you will never be able to understand why Byrd is given such high status until you begin to understand what the man could do that no mortals seem to be capable of (Emmons falls under this too).
i was once like you - i remember when i started playing steel years ago, & getting Scottys Mel Bay method (1 of only 2 methods easily available) and seeing Jerrys pic and the dedication Scotty gave him on page 1 - Jerry there with that goofy frypan and hawaiian shirt and the title "Master of Touch and Tone"... i remember thinking who is this guy with the corny non-pedal stuff...i mean, he doesn't even play pedals or real country music....how naive i was - it took me years to fully appreciate what he did.
we are from an era where if you don't play louder, faster or wilder than everyone else, you aren't recognized - Jerry was none of the above - he had something you can't teach - a real soul - i tell you tears have come over me listening to him. he could touch you if you allowed your heart to be accessible.
- someone told me the only time at the St Louis ISGC show where it would be constantly standing room only was when either Jerry Byrd or Emmons was playing.
_________________
'65 Sho-Bud D-10 Permanent • '54 Fender Dual-8 • Clinesmith T-8 • '38 Ric Bakelite • '92 Emmons D-10 Legrande II
Last edited by Jerome Hawkes on 13 Feb 2014 11:51 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 11:15 am
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| All that stuff sounds too easy to even try, until you try it... |
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Jim Smerk
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 12:12 pm
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| Thanks for all the thoughts folks, it is appreciated! |
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Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 12:15 pm
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| ....and Krupa wasn't even close! See, it's all personal preference! |
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Chris Templeton
From:
The Green Mountain State
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 12:33 pm
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I'd like to hear from Ray Montee on this topic! 
Ray... care to "chime in" on this matter? 
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 12:35 pm
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| I've never heard JB referred to as a hack. The task of trying to explain all the reasons he commands the respect he does is daunting, especially to one who is inexperienced as a steel player. As you progress, the answer(s) you seek will will become evident to you.. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 12:37 pm
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Yes: Ray will 'mark your card' for you!
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Chris Templeton
From:
The Green Mountain State
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 12:58 pm
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| Querying Jerry Byrd's talent is like querying that of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, et al. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. People will continue to listen to Jerry's work for many generations to come, after the rest of us have all been long forgotten. |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 12:59 pm
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I've been preparing for an upcoming Hank Williams tribute show recently, which has given me cause to study once again the original recordings of Jerry Byrd and Don Helms playing these familiar songs. I've been playing Hank's music for over forty years, but its' been a long time since I had cause to analyze and practice their original style and technique.
I'm here to tell you, the "simple" parts those guys played sixty-odd years ago, and with no pedals at all, will still be kicking good picker's butts from here to Sunday sixty years from now...just sayin'... |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 1:31 pm
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Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with the original question (although I, too, wonder where you got the impression that there are people who consider Jerry Byrd a hack), I don't know that you can expect a good answer to why or how he is at the top of the heap.
Why is Bach one of the top dogs? After a lot of words, it sort of falls on the listener to simply accept the preponderance of opinion and listen and wait--wait for it. If you don't get it yet, you eventually will when your mind & ear are ready for it.
IMHO. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 1:57 pm
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Well said, Jon. We all hear things a little differently, and have different preferences, but there is clearly a consensus among steel guitarists that JB was something special.
Naysayers... here's a clip you may want to check out. JB playing on live TV, 1962, with just a guitar backing him. Just steel and guitar. Notice his total command of the instrument, the bar slants, his confidence and his connection with the audience, an almost cocky demeanor. He's good and he knows it! And so does everyone else, and they love it.
--------> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM7Vx2fm_Ig&t=0m46s
_________________
My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel |
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John Scanlon
From:
Jackson, Mississippi, USA
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Jim Smerk
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 3:22 pm
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I will try to re-locate where I read the term "hack"....it was in a couple of places if I remember correctly, on on a Hawwian Steel page, and maybe the Steel C6th site, but I have read so many forums, threads, interviews, etc in the last year they all sort of jumble together...
And I appreciate the comments that TRIED to explain to this Nu-b WHAT makes JB so popular, like his bar work, it is THAT type of info I was looking for!
Jon said "Why is Bach one of the top dogs?" That is simple, his choice of moving notes & tones within the structure of the composition can make you picture sadness, or joy. There are very few Classical pieces that have been composed by others that can pull up pictures as they are played like his can IMHO.
Anyway, when I find the hack comment I will post back here, and once again Thanks for all the responses! |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 3:41 pm
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| Anyway, when I find the hack comment I will post back here, |
Don't bother. Whoever said something that absurd is a booger eating moron who just wants attention.
Byrd is one of the titans that holds up the earth that all steel players who came after him live on. Buddy Emmons is the other one.
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Bob |
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Jerome Hawkes
From:
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 4:35 pm
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my current 2 favorite JB tunes...a perfect example of what his genius was...this is why he is "The Master of Touch & Tone"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDlut6ifad0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vonEWnxjgh0
btw - you can now get "By Request" on the iTunes store - best $9.99 you may ever spend
oh, another thing to add - newer players don't realize this, but Jerry "stuck to his guns" when the entire world went pedals in the 50's. he could have easily switched to stay employed in the Nashville studios but didn't - this basically cost him his career and he was "as in demand as yesterdays newspaper" as he put it. He lost all his work and had to paint houses and work as a clerk in a pharmacy. but, he never lost faith in his talents and trudged on - eventually moving to hawaii because thats the only place he could find work. says a lot about his determination to the steel guitar.
_________________
'65 Sho-Bud D-10 Permanent • '54 Fender Dual-8 • Clinesmith T-8 • '38 Ric Bakelite • '92 Emmons D-10 Legrande II |
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Bud Angelotti
From:
Larryville, NJ, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 5:21 pm
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It certainly does!
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Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Fred Rushing
From:
Odin, IL, USA
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Posted 13 Feb 2014 7:09 pm Jb
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Jim. you said Bach had the ability to paint you a picture with his music. If you will listen to JB Play Danny Boy and a tune called Pearly Shells,(one of many), he had the ability to paint that picture just as Bach did. his touch and heart are in a class by itself.
Fred |
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Musta been a banjo player who said that!