John Hughey

Brian Scott · From: Florida, USA

I haven't been at the PSG very long and just discovered the great John Hughey. The tune Look at Us / Vince Gill in my opinion is the ultimate PSG tone. Does anyone know what gear he used and also are there any tabs for his part on the recording? I understand that it's more than just gear coming from a master like Mr. Hughey, but just would like to know.
Many thanks to all of the regulars that post on the forum. I have learned so much just being an observer!

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

John has been my favorite, and 1 of the 2 first steel guitar players I heard. That was in 1971, and he is still my #1 player.

There should be someone that tabbed it on here. I'll forewarn you. It is a real bitch to play.

Here is Mickey Adams showing how to play the solo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFPM7ZbQpQ0

Here he shows the intro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR33BSyw4AY
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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 55 years and still counting.

Brian Scott · From: Florida, USA

Thank you Richard!
Should have known that Mickey would have it!
Sorry to hear he had dropped out of Forum!
Hope he reconsiders!

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

My band was opening for Loretta at Ponderosa Park outside Cleveland. I walked into the backstage lounge with my case, and there was John! I recognized him immediately, as I'd already worn out two copies of his album "On And Offstage." Highly recommended btw!
I was stunned, but he put me at ease with his first words. My case looked like a tenor sax case, and I think he was worried he;d have to listen to "Yakkety Sax!" But it was Kline Uni 12, and never seen one before. He was very interested, and got one shortly thereafter from Joe.
I hated that dumb song "I'm Not Lisa," but when I heard John play it on the above-mebtioned album. I fell in love with it. A 12 string in the key of F. I have never learned songs by the greats. I have always played just me. But I learned that tune! Also Bar Hoppin' by Lloyd.
John was a wonderful guy!
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Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps

Chris Templeton · From: The Green Mountain State

Now that we're taking story about John: When I was playing with Marty Haggard in Vegas, John was also playing with Vince there. I contacted John and he took me to dinner. Such a nice treat, It was so special hangin' with a hero.
What a mild mannered man and I wish he was with us.
A repost of Buddy playing "When I Call Your Name":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtXTE3GcSgw
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Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Sierra Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.com/album/the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8:

Jeff Garden · From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA

Hey Brian, if you're ok with reading tab, I highly recommend you pick up a few of John's instrumental CD's and the matching tab books. I believe John's widow Jean (super nice lady) is still operating John's website which I listed below. If you have some sort of "slow downer" capability on a CD player, work your way through a few cuts on John's CD's while following along with the tab and learning the moves on your steel. You can learn a lot from Papa John's playing!!!!
http://www.johnhughey.com/index.html

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Can anyone post John's version of "I'm Not Lisa?" I can't find it, and it's just stunning!
_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

John was my favorite player as well. He seemed to favor Evans amps/preamps but his two hands were certainly his most valuable pieces of gear. I am fortunate to have a photo taken of myself and John shortly before his passing, a true gentleman.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I first met John in 2000, the year after I started playing steel. He was playing at the Southern Steel Guitar Convention in Saluda, South Carolina. He'd just finished his set, which included "Look At Us" and I walked up to him and told him what a great set he did. He said, "Thank you" and we became friends. I never will forget when I played the NTSGA's Super Jam in October of 2004, I felt kinda nervous in front of John because "Look At Us" was gonna be on my set with Russ Hicks, and I went to tell John, wondering if he'd like the idea or not, so I walked up to John, and told him I was gonna play "Look At Us" during my set, and he said, "I wanna hear you do it. So, after Russ and I finished our set, I walked up to John, and he said, "You nailed it, man!" What a great friend, hero, and gentleman! I played at what was John's last show with the GaSGA in 2007, and didn't realize it would be my last time seeing and talking to John Hughey. He was a great friend and hero to not just me, but many other steel players too.

richard burton · From: Britain

John,
I also was captured by John's version of 'I'm Not Lisa', so much so that I endeavored to learn it.

Here's my attempt, from a few years ago, with a bit of a stumble in the middle when I completely lost track of where I was Embarassed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNp3b_KyY0A

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Good job RB!
In F?
_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps

richard burton · From: Britain

I had it on cassette, and I'm fairly certain it was in F, but quite possibly I transposed it to F to make it easier for me to play, I really can't remember Very Happy

Dave Grothusen · From: Scott City, Ks

Our band opened for Vince Gill in the 90s. I did not know that John was his road steel player then. We I got to the venue their band was sound checking. When they finished and we got through with our check, and then later after the gig I sat on the bus with John. Wow what an experience. He gave me a card with his home phone and I was invited to call anytime. What a great person and fantastic steel player.

Craig Stock · From: Westfield, NJ USA

Brian,

Check out the record 'Highway Call' by Richard 'Dickey' Betts, John is on that. It was one of my first introductions to great steel playing, especially the cut 'Hand Picked'

I once told John that it was a fave of mine and had him sign the CD version. He told me he didn't have a copy of it, so I tracked one down and sent it to him.

If you can fine one, it's worth it.
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Regards, Craig

I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.

Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days

Jeff Garden · From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA

That's one of my favorites as well, Craig. Looks like it's still available on Amazon and you can't beat the price
http://www.amazon.com/Highway-Call-Remastered-Richard-Betts/dp/B000008DEV/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1465136268&sr=1-3&keywords=dickey+betts

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Brian, according to John and jimmy Crawford he was playing a JCH pedal steel.
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Bob

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

'I'm Not Lisa' is included in John's CD titled, 'On and Off Stage'. The Patty Page recording, 'Brand New Tennessee Waltz' features John in a slightly different context, a bit difficult to locate a copy but well worth the effort.

Henry Matthews · From: Texarkana, Ark USA

Here's my humble version of I'm not Lisa I did about 8 years ago. Didn't really copy anyone, just tried to play melody. I really like John's version and also Weldon had a nice version of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Anp0wD1iEM
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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.

Keith Hilton · From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721

You ask what gear John was using. I know for a fact it was a Hilton volume pedal. John bought a total of 6 of my volume pedals. John would not let anyone give him anything. John bought all of his equipment. John was a good man.

Ray Harrison · From: Tucson, Arizona, USA (deceased)

John was an even greater man than musician.
He had a really great support system at home with his loving wife, Jean and family. Jean is truly a jewel of a lady.
I was totally unprepared for the first time I heard John play C6, Western Swing. What a great sound and imagination.
It was a proud day for me when I was told that John would be the Steel player on my CD. Such a treat to watch a Master in action. So great to visit with and humble as any person could be.
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Ray Harrison
Bass/sing/Love PSG
77 Stingray/Kiesel 5 string bass
Telonics , Fender Rumble500, Polytone Amps
D-16 Martin, 1970 Ovation guitars

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

great to have john on your cd.
is this cd backed by a label that gets national airplay? is it just a local production?
either way, how do you get john on there?

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

John holds one of the top spots in the pedal steel world for pure feel and emotion. All the speed, precision, and dexterity in the world cannot match John's capacity for tugging at your heart strings with his yearning style and exclusive prowess in the higher register. John played to express, not to impress. Often imitated, never duplicated. I did meet John a few times; and as many know here, he was one of the kindest, most unassuming people you could ever meet. Along with Jimmy Day and Lloyd Green, he is one for the few players to make me well up with emotion. I once read somewhere that John's picks and bar were directly connected to his heart. And I believe that to be true.
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Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com

Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

Is there any one of us who doesn't think "Hugheyland" when playing above the 12th fret?
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Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.

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