Honky Cat mystery/recommended listening

Joe Ryan · From: Montana, USA

Greetings friends,

After reading through the free issues of Steel Guitar Magazine a few weeks ago I ran across the Honky Cat controversy. I am a sucker for these cool stories from around the time of my birth and am now chomping at the bit to hear this album. I don’t have a record player or a tape player and was hoping someone could send me a link to download(I’d be happy to fire off a few schmeckles, not asking for a free gift) if not, I’m willing to buy a record player and buy the LP but the wife likes to know I’ve done my due diligence before “investing” any money in my obscure interests😅

But while we’re talking, I am needing help with who to listen to. Id like to play classic instrumental country and also gospel but I’ll be making the effort to sing while playing so if there’s any albums of players who also sing you’d recommend I’d be happy to give them a listen as well.

The reason for this is I see myself playing for senior homes, churches and the occasional lodge for money but for my own interests I’ll be doing the bluesy gospel sounding stuff so I can sit in with my friends or form blues/rock bands.

For now, I’m taking a break from gigging and just wanting to have fun and mess around in the studio. This one man band album of covers has me very excited and I’m hoping to ride the wave into some dedicated practice sessions. It’s my way of motivating myself.

I appreciate all answers, so thanks in advance for your time.

Mitch Drumm · From: Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake

Not sure what questions you have.

Not sure what the "Honky Cat controversy" is.

Are you referring to this LP:

https://www.steelguitarshopper.com/products/Bobby-Black-LP-Honky-Cat.html

Steel players who sang on recordings from time to time:

Buddy Emmons

Weldon Myrick

Papa Cairo

Bob Symons

Andy Schroder

Beryl Harrell

Tiny Colbert

and a bunch of Hawaiian players--Andy Iona, Gabby Pahinui, Jules Ah See, Mike Hanapi, Hal Aloma, Barney Isaacs, Dick McIntire, Pua Almeida, and more.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

By all means get the Honky Cat LP. Perhaps someone you know can convert it to CD. There are hardware devices and some software that can do it. Perhaps someone you know can convert it for you.

This is a fabulous, toneful recording even though some of the material is from the 70's. Still just great playing by BB. You might be able to find some samples at www.lastfm.com

There are many players who also sing, but I'll leave those recommendations up to others who are more informed.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

If this is the album you're referring to, I don't remember any controversy about it.

www.steelguitarshopper.com/products/Bobby-Black-LP-Honky-Cat.html

Maybe the fact that it wasn't country? Or that the accompaniment was all studio wizardry by one person? I remember that one person complained that it wasn't really "New Wave" music, which was a thing back then.

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Joe Ryan · From: Montana, USA

It was in the letters to the editor section. The magazine had sent out copy’s of the album for people to listen to and then noted that there were many angry responses because no one asked for a copy. The magazine posted a few of these responses. I’ve never heard of a magazine sending a free copy of music to people to listen to and then send back if they don’t like it so that was a factor that made me keep looking into this.

Upon further research, though Bobby Black has other music available on ITunes and Amazon music, Honky Cat is no where to be found.

So, when there’s a new idea that gets angry responses and the next issue has a larger retort and explanation defending the decision of the magazine.. yeah, I guess I’d call that a controversy.

Course, I am just trying to explore and find things that really interest me. It’s how I learn new things best.

Thanks for the responses! Looks like I am going to be starting a record collection.

Joe Ryan · From: Montana, USA

I went back and found the article: issue 6&7(double issue) May 1981 page 55 if anyone is interested in figuring out what I’m talking about. Smile

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I have several cases of that LP in my garage. Tom Bradshaw donated them to the Forum. Maybe I should start sending them out at random to start another controversy. Devil

Nah. I just now lowered the price to $3 though. Mr. Green

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Fred Treece · From: California, USA

Joe,
Fellow forumite Dom Franco does a solo act (with backing tracks) on non-pedal steel and vocal, and apparently keeps pretty busy doing the kind of gigs you’re talking about. He might be able to offer you some insight. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCMyb5bwFhdTDgUEYi7C49SA

Bob Berry...now there’s a guy who earned his place on the cover of that Honky Cat album next to Bobby. A true wizard on both sides of the recording booth. I don’t know who the blonde is...

Jeff Evans · From: Cowtown and The Bill Cox Outfit

Joe Ryan · From: Montana, USA

Thanks for lowering the price! I saw that and grabbed a copy and a set of strings. Almost grabbed a collection of various artists and that Velvet Hammer but figured I’d better get my hands on a record player before I build a collection;)

Thanks Fred! That’s the kind of playing I’m looking for to get me started playing for folks. Neat use of the organ pedal too; I just passed on one to try out a Bosstone clone and an auto wah but those b9, c9, key9 things look like a hoot until I can convince a keyboard player to join me.

Yeah Bob, just send out random copy’s and pretend like nothings out of he ordinary. Haha! That’d be hilarious!

Rick Jackson · From: Carson City, Nevada

Dennis Montgomery · From: Western Washington

Recently ordered the complete set of Steel Guitarist magazine issues from b0b (and highly recommend anyone who doesn't already have them to do the same - there's a ton of great info in those). I just finished reading this final double issue with all those complaints a couple days ago. I think the only reason it was a double issue was to fit in all the fighting about Honky Cat Laughing

The best part of that issue for me was the first appearance of the new column 'Classical Steel'. This one included an E9 transcription of the Bach chorale, "Christ Lag in Todesbanden". I'm so bummed that the magazine folded at that time, I would have loved to see many more editions of that column with other classical transcriptions Sad

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Tom Bradshaw · From: Walnut Creek, California, USA

If the woman on the cover of Bobby Black's Honky Cat album is who is being referred to, she was a professional model that the photographer obtained for this shoot. The idea behind the photo was to show Bobby playing in a club and a woman was dancing to his music. Other than one or two tunes on which Bobby's brother played lead guitar, the bass player was the only musician on the album. He played all the other instruments!

Incidentally, the photo was taken in total darkness. The photographer just got lucky by snapping the picture at the precise moment that allowed me to capture the action I was wanting to project. I never converted the album to a CD. Anyone wishing to do so for accommodating Forumites (for free), is welcome to do so. ...Tom

Tom Bradshaw · From: Walnut Creek, California, USA

If the woman on the cover of Bobby Black's Honky Cat album is who is being referred to, she was a professional model that the photographer obtained for this shoot. The idea behind the photo was to show Bobby playing in a club and a woman was dancing to his music. Other than one or two tunes on which Bobby's brother played lead guitar, the bass player was the only musician on the album. He played all the other instruments!

Incidentally, the photo was taken in total darkness. The photographer just got lucky by snapping the picture at the precise moment that allowed me to capture the action I was wanting to project. I never converted the album to a CD. Anyone wishing to do so for accommodating Forumites (for free), is welcome to do so. ...Tom

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