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Topic: "Catfish" Johnny Galvin |
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 15 Apr 2021 5:28 am |
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Catfish Johnny Galvin went to be with the lord last night. It wasn't unexpected due to his medical condition but still a shock.
Johnny was not a steel guitar player but has been a friend to many musicians, myself included, and the steel guitar community. He provided space, at his restaurant in Lake Panasoffkee Florida, for the Florida Steel Guitar Club jams for 18 years and hosted a Steel Guitar Hall of Fame fund raising show in 2004. He had a "Tuesday jam/show" at his restaurant for 30 years and featured many local and winter resident musicians and singers. My wife and I both worked in his staff band for 13 years.
Johnny was a Navy veteran and a singer. He worked in bands around Seattle while in the Navy and later toured with Tommy Collins on the west coast.
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Charlie Hansen
From:
Halifax, NS Canada and Various Southern Towns.
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Posted 15 Apr 2021 5:54 am
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Always enjoyed the steel jams and the catfish. Went to the Tuesday jams a few times as well. Always a great place to go and Johnny was a great singer. RIP.
_________________
I don't know much but what I know I know very well.
Carter S-10 3X5, Peavey Nashville 112, plus Regal dobro and too many other instruments to mention.
Bluegrass Island CFCY FM 95.1 Charlottetown, PE, Canada, on the web at cfcy.fm.
A Touch Of Texas CIOE FM 97.5 Sackville, NS, Canada,
on the web at cioe975.ca. |
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Nick Reed
From:
Russellville, KY USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2021 6:09 am
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| So sorry to hear about Catfish Johnny |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 15 Apr 2021 5:58 pm
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As a member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club I was at many of the jam sessions over the years.
Catfish Johnny was an amazing and talented man.
He was an outstanding singer and fronted his own bands for many years.
The restaurant is top notch.
I always looked forward to enjoying some fried catfish when we came for the jams.
Johnny was always a friendly host.
He is loved and admired by his many friends. |
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Ben Lawson
From:
Brooksville Florida
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Posted 15 Apr 2021 6:36 pm
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I got to play at a few steel jams at Catfish Johnny's. I didn't get to know him real well but I learned things from his friends that had known him for years. His health was in decline when I met him and we didn't speak often. I was both surprised and honored that one night, after the jam, I was the last one to leave and Johnny called me by my name. A little thing I know, but I didn't think he knew it. We had a few laughs that night. R.I.P. Catfish!
Last edited by Ben Lawson on 18 Apr 2021 5:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Willis Vanderberg
From:
Petoskey Mi
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Posted 16 Apr 2021 7:12 pm
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I was a Charter member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club.
Played a lot of Jams in the early years.
Johnny always served excellent food ,I never had a complaint in the restaurant.
It was a nice venue with good crowds
We will miss you catfish, go rest high on that mountain you have earned it . |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 17 Apr 2021 3:11 pm Catfish
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Myself, Jack Stoner and Blake Hawkins Co-Founded the Florida Steel Guitar club in 2002 and Catfish Johnny gave us his place to play free of charge for all those 18 years.
Rest in Peace Johnny.
_________________
Private one on one lessons available
Member: FSGC, PSGA, TSGA
Co-founder: Florida Steel Guitar Club
"Steel guitar is like playing chess in the dark with three players". Jeff Newman quote from 1997 seminar |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2021 12:33 pm
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| My prayers and condolences for the family. Another good one gone. |
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Fred Thompson
From:
Zephyrhills, FL
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Posted 19 Apr 2021 8:25 am
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I met Johnny at the first Club Jam I attended. It was the beginning of wonderful friendship and I eventually became a member of the Hushpuppy Band. He was truly unique and a fine entertainer. I will miss him and the fun we had.. Rest in Peace, my dear friend and give Butch a hug for me..
Here's a photo of Johnny and the last Hushpuppy Band.
L-R, Mark Svec, BJ Bear (Bill Shipman), Catfish Johnny, Butch Ramsey, Weed Carey and myself.
_________________
The difference between a musician and a savings bond is eventually the bond will mature and earn money. |
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Lee Radzicki
From:
Leesburg, FL
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Posted 28 Aug 2022 3:48 pm
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| A great place to listen to classic country music. I met several of the Hushpuppy Band members over the years being a snowbird from Philadelphia. Both at the Tuesday shows and the Florida Steel Guitar Club jams. All were excellent musicians and fine gentlemen. When I was attending, "Pass Me By If You're Just Passing Through" was what Johnny would typically sing. RIP, Catfish. |
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John King
From:
PERKINSTON, MISSISSIPPI
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Posted 4 Sep 2022 5:21 pm
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Sorry to hear of Johnny's
passing . I enjoyed talking to him at the steel jams . |
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