| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic The Great Curly Chalker
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  The Great Curly Chalker
David Barnett


From:
Eastern Kentucky, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jul 2022 4:41 pm    
Reply with quote

I absolutely LOVE Curlys playing, he’s the man when it comes to the back neck (on the front for him) in my opinion. Bruce Bouton is my hero on E9th, but for C6th it’s definitely Curly. Something about his pickin just lights a fire under me. I hope when I upgrade to a D10 later in the year, I can learn some of that stuff.

I’ve been hunting for all the Chalker stuff I can, I’ve got his “Big Steel” record, I ordered the “More Ways to Play” record, and I’m trying to get the Lightfoot record. Is there any other albums of his I can find? Any live shows besides the Wilburn Bros show?
_________________
David Barnett RN
Hatfield Banjo Endorsing Artist
Derby SD-10
Emmons Legrande ll D10
A few old Prewar Gibson Banjers
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Larry Dering


From:
Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jul 2022 5:13 pm    
Reply with quote

There is a DVD of him that was on the forum store. Check there or put in wanted to buy section.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 8 Jul 2022 5:18 pm    
Reply with quote

Larry Dering wrote:
There is a DVD of him that was on the forum store. Check there or put in wanted to buy section.


It is still listed in the forum store.
_________________
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 54 years and still counting.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
scott murray


From:
Asheville, NC
Post  Posted 8 Jul 2022 10:35 pm    
Reply with quote

Counterpoint might be my favorite Curly album:
Side A
Side B

there's also Nevada Breaks and the S'Wonderful album with Joe Venuti, Jethro Burns, and Eldon Shamblin: https://youtu.be/GHuh0rzeC4Q

and check out the ISGC '76 recording on archive.org if you haven't yet: https://archive.org/details/1976_St_Lous_Pedal_Steel_Conv.stereo.SBD.flac
_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bill Ferguson


From:
Milton, FL USA
Post  Posted 9 Jul 2022 6:46 am    
Reply with quote

Here is a "live" audio recording that I made at the International Steel Guitar Convention MANY years ago.

It features Jimmy Day and Curly Chalker on stage at the same time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQwRjqeKaQQ
_________________
AUTHORIZED George L's, Goodrich, Telonics and Peavey Dealer: I have 2 steels and several amps. My current rig of choice is 1993 Emmons LeGrande w/ 108 pups (Jack Strayhorn built for me), Goodrich OMNI Volume Pedal, George L's cables, Goodrich Baby Bloomer and Peavey Nashville 112. Can't get much sweeter.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bill Cunningham


From:
Atlanta, Ga. USA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2022 5:14 pm    
Reply with quote

There is a 1960’s (I am guessing) Capitol LP by Merle Travis titled “Travis” where Merle recut his 1940’s and 50’s hits. For me, it is some of Curley’s best picking on record. It was played on a Fender 1000 we are told.

I have had a scratchy cassette copy from a LP since the early 1970’s and am always on the lookout for the original LP or hoping for a CD re-release some day.

The Dick Curless “Live At Wheeling” is another good one along with his “Shadow Of Your Smile” cuts with Stan Hitchcock and Charlie McCoy.
_________________
Bill Cunningham
Atlanta, GA
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Darvin Willhoite


From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
Post  Posted 10 Jul 2022 7:50 pm    
Reply with quote

I agree Bill, I think Curley's best instrumental was "Shadow of your smile", his second best, in my opinion, was "Danny Boy" with Charlie McCoy. I've tried to imitate his "Danny Boy" solo ever since I heard it the first time.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
David Barnett


From:
Eastern Kentucky, USA
Post  Posted 14 Jul 2022 5:48 pm    
Reply with quote

Appreciate all the suggestions n things fellers, I’ll definitely check em out. I’m jonesing pretty hard on Chalkers cut of “King of The Road”, he’s grooving on that pretty good!
_________________
David Barnett RN
Hatfield Banjo Endorsing Artist
Derby SD-10
Emmons Legrande ll D10
A few old Prewar Gibson Banjers
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Chris Brooks

 

From:
Providence, Rhode Island
Post  Posted 15 Jul 2022 5:56 am    
Reply with quote

I want to play like Curley Chalker when I grow up.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 15 Jul 2022 7:35 am    
Reply with quote

https://www.reverbnation.com/stanhitchcockhearttoheart/song/4943060-shadow-your-smile-stan-hitchcock
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jamie Howze

 

From:
Boise, ID
Post  Posted 15 Jul 2022 8:29 am    
Reply with quote

While not a Chalker per se this is one of my all time favorite recordings:

'S Wonderful: 4 Giants of Swing
Joe Venuti/Eldon Shamblin/Curly Chalker/Jethro Burns.
https://www.amazon.com/SWonderful-Giants-Swing-Four/dp/B01G65Y7QU

I don't know if it is still in print but seems to be available from a few places.

The record puts Chalker in a cool laid back setting along with some of the greatest players ever playing iconic tunes.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 15 Jul 2022 9:40 am    
Reply with quote

Jamie, Bob Hoban, the producer/piano player on the S'Wonderful LP had some unreleased cuts from those sessions. After he died, his wife was selling homemade CDs titled "Joe Venuti & Jethro Burns, Curly Chalker 1977".

Curly does some seemingly simple but profound playing on their version of "Embraceable You."

http://sndup.net/ggny
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Joe Krumel

 

From:
Hermitage, Tn.
Post  Posted 15 Jul 2022 10:02 am     David Barnett,curly chalker lp
Reply with quote

Hi David. If you have the Big hits on Big steel lp,could you look and see if Bill Purcell played piano on King of the road. Thanks,joe
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jack Hanson


From:
San Luis Valley, USA
Post  Posted 15 Jul 2022 1:04 pm    
Reply with quote

The Forum Store has the E9 LP of Gord songs on cassette for only $2.00 (a great bargain).

https://www.steelguitarshopper.com/categories/Music/?q=chalker

Chalker is universally acclaimed for his C6 work, and for good reason. The Nashville Sundown LP is nearly as astounding, in my opinion. Kudos to Chris Clem for posting the entire record on YouTube. Thanks, Chris!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9lvwQHvO1w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwIabER0Q2w
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jim Fogarty


From:
Phila, Pa, USA
Post  Posted 15 Jul 2022 1:51 pm    
Reply with quote

Gotta say......as much as I enjoy Chalker's pedal steel playing, his NON-pedal playing is what really knocks me out!

https://youtu.be/CMMzwQi07vs
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
scott murray


From:
Asheville, NC
Post  Posted 15 Jul 2022 4:04 pm     Re: David Barnett,curly chalker lp
Reply with quote

Joe Krumel wrote:
Hi David. If you have the Big hits on Big steel lp,could you look and see if Bill Purcell played piano on King of the road. Thanks,joe


no credits listed on the LP but the Praguefrank website says it's Bill:
http://countrydiscography.blogspot.com/2010/12/curly-chalker.html

Pursell also played on Buddy's black album. what an exquisite player!
_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Joe Krumel

 

From:
Hermitage, Tn.
Post  Posted 15 Jul 2022 4:26 pm     Bill purcell
Reply with quote

Thank you scott for your effort. Bill Purcell was a monster pianist for sure. Thanks so much.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
David Barnett


From:
Eastern Kentucky, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2022 7:12 pm    
Reply with quote

Managed to snag these on eBay! Getting ready to break open a new bottle of Rum I’m trying and spin these suckers. Cheers!!




_________________
David Barnett RN
Hatfield Banjo Endorsing Artist
Derby SD-10
Emmons Legrande ll D10
A few old Prewar Gibson Banjers
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Duane Becker

 

From:
Elk,Wa 99009 USA
Post  Posted 28 Jul 2022 7:37 am    
Reply with quote

This reminds me that the Nashville Sundown lp is great! Love Alberta Bound. Although the album is all E9, you will soon realize that Chalker is also one of your favorite E9 players.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Dave Mudgett


From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
Post  Posted 28 Jul 2022 7:51 am    
Reply with quote

Count me in. Curly was absolutely great, on either C6 or E9 - his E9 playing is totally under-rated, IMO. Of course, he was inimitable on C6.

Definitely look at the praguefrank website linked. He also has a long discography of session work. If you google curly chalker site:http://countrydiscography.blogspot.com you'll get a lot of links.

Quote:
Gotta say......as much as I enjoy Chalker's pedal steel playing, his NON-pedal playing is what really knocks me out!

https://youtu.be/CMMzwQi07vs

Yeah, anything he touched was great. That is an excellent clip, also featuring the great Thumbs Carllile on lap non-steel guitar.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jack Hanson


From:
San Luis Valley, USA
Post  Posted 28 Jul 2022 8:29 am    
Reply with quote

Another bonus from Chalker's Nashville Sundown LP is that it's one of the finest (if not the finest) album Charlie McCoy ever made.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
David Wright


From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
Post  Posted 28 Jul 2022 11:02 am    
Reply with quote

I grew up on Curly, My Dads favorite player ever..He is one of my 3 steel players heros ever...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
David Barnett


From:
Eastern Kentucky, USA
Post  Posted 1 Aug 2022 6:08 pm    
Reply with quote

Yessir David W., he could flat cut it!

I love the Nashville Sundown album, my favorite cut is “If You Could Read My Mind”, it’s so good!
_________________
David Barnett RN
Hatfield Banjo Endorsing Artist
Derby SD-10
Emmons Legrande ll D10
A few old Prewar Gibson Banjers
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron