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Topic: Steeler on Presley's |
Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 7 Sep 2015 9:43 am |
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| Watched the Presley Branson show, Saturday night---When did they get a new steel guitar player? He's a pretty good dobro picker, too. So, who was this guy? |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2015 10:10 am
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That is West Plains Missouri's own Dean Holman. Yes he is a mighty fine picker on pedal steel, dobro and banjo.
He has worked professionally since he graduated school and has worked for Tanya Tucker, Ricky Skaggs, Moe Bandy, and several shows at Lake of the Ozarks and Branson.
He also helps me around the steel guitar shop some and I'm proud to have him here. |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2015 10:38 am
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Yes, Dean is no doubt a very fine picker. I've noticed that the sound is not as good now on Presley show as it was. Has anyone else noticed this? Even though the band is still awesome, something is missing sound wise, can't really put my finger on it.
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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Dave Grothusen
From:
Scott City, Ks
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Posted 7 Sep 2015 11:50 am
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I saw that too. Cameraman seemed to show him more than the last steel player.
I thought Johnny Cox was playing with them now. Not sure when that was taped |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2015 11:59 am
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I think Johnny is playing with Bald knobbers band.
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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Danny Letz
From:
Old Glory,Texas, USA 79540
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Posted 7 Sep 2015 1:17 pm
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| I have heard hat Johnny is working some with Mel Tillis too. |
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Johnny Cox
From:
Williamsom WVA, raised in Nashville TN, Lives in Hallettsville Texas
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Posted 7 Sep 2015 9:08 pm
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That is Dean Holman with the Presleys. He is a great player and super nice guy. I was fortunate to take his place with Baldknobbers and Roundup On The Trail shows. Also took Mr. Bethal's place with Mel Tillis when he retired.
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Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967. |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 8 Sep 2015 9:25 pm
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| In 2007, Dean played steel with country artist Joe Nichols. He played a Zumsteel in Joe's video "Another Side Of You" |
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Jim Schatz
From:
St. Marys PA USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2015 2:22 pm
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| Dean is a great player, but was wondering where did Kevin Clemens go? Keep up the great pickin Dean we like you. Jim |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Jim Schatz
From:
St. Marys PA USA
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Posted 10 Sep 2015 11:38 am
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| Thanks Chris, I must have missed that article. Jim |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 11 Sep 2015 7:21 pm
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The thing about the Presley's, is their diversity as musicians. They can go from a 60's girl-group, a full-bore bluegrass band, a bunch of singers, a fine Southern Gospel quartet--And sound authentic. Like Lawrence Welk's old band.
Dean Holman--You were a good choice. When you play dobro, you're thinking dobro. I've seen a lot of steel guitar players trying to play dobro, only they're still thinking steel guitar--It doesn't sound like much. (Tommy White and Mike Auldridge excepted.) Doug, you're the bomb, bro!
A few months ago, there was talk that Kevin Clemens had covered up the Williams logo on his guitar after the other instrument makers complained. I asked Bill Rudolph about it, and he confirmed it. (the old-timers at Gibson will be sick) |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 11 Sep 2015 7:31 pm
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Stephen, you got to be kidding about the steel logo. That's the only show I've ever seen where a steel guitar logo was covered up for any reason. Why that specific show and why a Williams? Just doesn't make sense to me. I thought there was another reason the logo was covered.
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 12 Sep 2015 5:48 pm
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| Henry Matthews wrote: |
| Stephen, you got to be kidding about the steel logo. That's the only show I've ever seen where a steel guitar logo was covered up for any reason. Why that specific show and why a Williams? Just doesn't make sense to me. I thought there was another reason the logo was covered. |
Nope, not kidding. Just passing along something that Bill told me.
"Why a Williams?" Ask Kevin.
What "other reason" did you think it was? |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2015 7:59 pm
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Some Williams had that chrome sticker and thought it interfered with lights. His other Williams wasn't blocked. That's strange because I've seen 100's of other guitars and only one with name covered is this one.
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 13 Sep 2015 2:06 pm
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| And I've seen a lot of 6-strings with a piece of tape covering the brand. Logos removed from amps--folks get funny about that stuff. |
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Justin Griffith
From:
Taylor, Texas, USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2015 2:14 pm
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| Henry Matthews wrote: |
| Stephen, you got to be kidding about the steel logo. That's the only show I've ever seen where a steel guitar logo was covered up for any reason. Why that specific show and why a Williams? Just doesn't make sense to me. I thought there was another reason the logo was covered. |
I agree about the logo. It's a minor thing to most, but that would have been a deal breaker for me.
They do lots of things I find strange on that show. (like changing the lyrics to songs)
I enjoy most of the pickers, including both Kevin and Dean. I think Dean will be a great addition to the show.
Could the sound be bad due to everything being run direct? It has gotten worse lately, but I always found it a little sterile all along. I'm sure they have to do it that way to keep the audience from complaining. If you put that many pickers together, someone will be too loud.
Plenty will disagree, but I sure think you loose a bunch without all those amps blasting away...
Congratulations Dean!
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Emmons/Sho~Bud/Blanton, Fender/Peavey.
Telonics pedal |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2015 2:27 pm
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The sound is fine on my TV, and it sounds good in the theater too. I just went to the show a few weeks ago and it was perfectly acceptable. You could hear every instrument and singer at the appropriate level at the appropriate time.
It isn't the type of sound mix you would expect at a concert or dance hall type venue. It is more "smoothed out", a little softer, and a bit more vanilla sounding and it needs to be that way to remain hearing aid friendly. Branson has lots of older people in the audiences and they just can't deal with higher sound pressure levels and transients as well.
The Presleys Show is pretty much the last of the theaters that have remained true to the kind of show that made the town famous. Maybe that's the reason they have good crowds! |
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Justin Griffith
From:
Taylor, Texas, USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2015 5:50 pm
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I never thought about the hearing aids and such. Running direct in that environment is probably best.
I'm always thinking of how it's done here in Texas dancehalls.
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Emmons/Sho~Bud/Blanton, Fender/Peavey.
Telonics pedal |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2015 7:48 am
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Yes Justin, a way different environment!
Most of the theaters have several speakers or arrays in multiple locations, not just in the front of the stage. They can get a full sound but not very loud in any one spot. Of course if the need arises they can really crank it up everywhere. We went to see Wynonna this spring at a different theater in town. The sound system was arranged as above but for that engagement it was appropriate to let 'er rip, and they did. It sounded great.
I think most of the steelers here do go direct (just to stay on topic...). |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2015 3:11 pm
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We run everything direct on our show but still use amps just basically for us.
The Presley show sound sounds really sterile as compared to last year. Just like they have a new sound man that changed everything. I still have same TV I had so that hasn't changed. The show is still great and all instruments come thru good. As someone said above, the band can play anything from country, gospel, blue grass and shine on it all.
Deans playing is fantasic and Cortlant is one awesome fiddler. Greg is also awesome on harmonica but wish they would leave it out of Crazy Arms or the Other Woman.
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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Dean Holman
From:
Branson MO
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Posted 14 Sep 2015 10:20 pm
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| Thanks guys for the great comments. Wanted to clarify that the sound man is the same and all the sound equipment is the same. They did upgrade the recording system. It's supposed to be the same brand and system as what they had but an upgraded version. I've recorded 8 new shows and record 2 shows at a time about every 3 weeks. I don't know what they're doing on the mix that is so much different but I have let them know and I they're still working some things out as they are always doing things to make improvements. Doug is right though about how we have to approach the sound situation in Branson but we do the best we can. The main thing is we have a lot of people watching the TV show and seem to really enjoy it and I think it's definitely helped the size of our crowds not that they're crowds were ever down that much anyway. I have really been enjoying working for the Presleys as they are exceptional people to work for. I took the place of 2 people on the show which kind of explains the reason I'm getting to do maybe a little more than what Kevin got to do. Kevin did a great job on the show but I don't think he ever intended to do or rely on doing shows full time. Kevin has an accounting business and at the time he went to work for the Presleys, his business had slumped a little because of the downfall of the economy at the time. Hey, ya gotta do what you gotta and there's no shame in that. It takes a lot of stamina for musicians in Branson to work the shows and the schedules that we do. Some musicians work as many as 3 or 4 shows a day and depending on each show's schedule, you can end up doing 7 days a week. I'm really enjoying just having to do 1 show and helping Doug Earnest build guitars. |
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Jack Wilson
From:
Marshfield, MO
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Posted 20 Sep 2015 1:55 pm removing logo
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| Not Kevin's reason, but I have talked to some pros over the years that had logos removed or taped over on guitars. They stated they paid for their guitar and when a manufacturer discounts or gives them one, they will leave the logo shown. I've notice Joe Wright removed Sierra from his guitar, so I wonder what his reason was. |
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Dean Holman
From:
Branson MO
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 1:29 pm
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| I didn't want to say anything but since Jack brought it up, I know the reason why Kevin covered the logo. When you do as much advertising as we do such as TV shows on a regular basis or we tape our show every night to sell dvd's and trust me when I say we sell a lot of dvd's, we consider that free advertisement because advertisement especially on television, costs a lot of money to do. I'm not saying that we should get a free guitar as I know the builders have a lot invested in the time they put in and the cost but in reality that is such a small fraction to sacrifice to have someone play your guitar on television especially on a regular basis. I'll give you another example. They did a show on CMT a few years ago that involved Tim Scheerhorn. The exposure after that show automatically put him another year behind on building his resophonic guitars. I do think that being an endorser can go overboard sometimes and the builder shouldn't be taken advantage of and the player should like and believe in what they're endorsing, but under the circumstances it should be worth something to the builder to have this kind of exposure to sell their product. I don't know what Kevin's deal was or what his requirement or expectations were when dealing with Williams. I do know that Kevin still likes Williams and still plays Williams guitars. In fact, I believe he has a couple of Williams guitars. I just know that I feel a situation like this can work out for both the builder and player. |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 26 Sep 2015 10:29 pm
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Dean, no mater the sound difference or the taped up guitar logo, y'all are absolutely fantastic and watch the show every time is on. Best band on tv as far as I'm concerned. Hope I can make it up and listen live soon. Best of luck to you and the show.
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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