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Topic: Just for fun. List your all time top 5 PSG artists |
Douglas Schuch
From:
Valencia, Philippines
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Posted 17 Dec 2023 3:59 pm |
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So we have two votes for Tommy Morrell (both by Jim Cohen!). I would agree... except that the post specifies "PSG", i.e., PEDAL steel guitar. I know Tommy played pedal steel some, but I think all the music I have by him is non-pedal.
A name I would add before many of the more famous players would be Tommy Detamore - he's not part of the Nashville recording scene, so his exposure is more limited, but everything I've ever heard him play seemed tasteful (sometimes mind-blowingly so) and original.
I would think Big E would be on every list - after all, without him, we would not even have the modern pedal steel guitar.
Well, as my friend and forum bro Harry Johansen likes to say, " 'It's all a matter of taste' said the dog as he licked his ...." Er, ummmm - maybe I shouldn't use that quote!
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Bringing steel guitar to the bukid of Negros Oriental! |
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Marco Schouten
From:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Posted 17 Dec 2023 4:31 pm
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1. Lloyd Green
2. Tom Brumley
3. Doug Jernigan
4. Buddy Charlton
5. Myself 
I really play very bad, but I enjoy practising a lot, it makes me happier than listening to other players.
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JCH SD-10 with BL XR-16 pickup, Sho-Bud Volume Pedal, Evidence Audio Lyric HG cables, Quilter Steelaire combo |
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Peter Freiberger
From:
California, USA
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Posted 17 Dec 2023 6:28 pm
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| Not many surprises here, but I’m surprised to see so little mention of Weldon Myrick. |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 17 Dec 2023 6:32 pm
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| Douglas Schuch wrote: |
| So we have two votes for Tommy Morrell (both by Jim Cohen!)… |
LOL! Well, I didn’t mean to post it twice and I’m not sure how that happened one day apart, but I have to say that Tommy Morrell was certainly one of the finest PEDAL steel players ever to sit behind the instrument. In fact, that was my first exposure to him and then when I later on saw him playing the same things on a nonpedal steel, he totally blew my mind. The man was a total consummate genius.
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www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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George Duncan Sypert
From:
Colo Spgs, Co, USA
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Posted 17 Dec 2023 9:50 pm
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I agree with Jim Cohen about Tommy Morrell. The man could play better than a lot of folks blindfolded.
He just happened to not need pedals but he could play.
Last edited by George Duncan Sypert on 18 Dec 2023 10:31 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Floyd Lowery
From:
Deland, Florida, USA
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Posted 18 Dec 2023 1:33 pm
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My favorites are Julian Thorpe and Jerry Byrd. Then the list goes on and on. So many fantastic pickers. My friend Eddie Long has to be among the best.
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Carter 12 string 4petals 5knees, Mullen G2 3 petals 4 knees
Alesis QuadraVerb, Goodrich Match-Bro II
Peavy Nashville 400 & Session 500 |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 18 Dec 2023 3:34 pm
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| Douglas Schuch wrote: |
So we have two votes for Tommy Morrell (both by Jim Cohen!). I would agree... except that the post specifies "PSG", i.e., PEDAL steel guitar. I know Tommy played pedal steel some, but I think all the music I have by him is non-pedal.
A name I would add before many of the more famous players would be Tommy Detamore - he's not part of the Nashville recording scene, so his exposure is more limited, but everything I've ever heard him play seemed tasteful (sometimes mind-blowingly so) and original.
I would think Big E would be on every list - after all, without him, we would not even have the modern pedal steel guitar.
Well, as my friend and forum bro Harry Johansen likes to say, " 'It's all a matter of taste' said the dog as he licked his ...." Er, ummmm - maybe I shouldn't use that quote! |
I agree about Tommy. He's not only in the top of the steel players list, he's a top notch recording engineer, producer, and all around nice guy.
RC |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 19 Dec 2023 4:58 am
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Ralph Mooney
Speedy West
Curly Chalker
Buddy Emmons
Susan Alcorn
Big Jim Murphy
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Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2023 5:20 am
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Cage
Young
Kleinow
Perkins
Brumley
Mooney
Garcia
Call
Yeah couldn't abide with 5...Each of these guys was a huge influence, and each taught me how to play, even though none ever gave me a lesson....
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I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time...... |
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Rick Grieco
From:
Long Island, New York, USA
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Posted 21 Dec 2023 7:36 am
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Definitely a tough question, but here are my faves:
Red Rhodes
Weldon Myrick
Lloyd Green
Jay Dee Maness
Pete Drake
with honorable mention to:
Buddy Emmons
Dan Dugmore
Al Perkins
Sneaky Pete Kleinow
Paul Franklin
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Justice S10 3x4 Blue Ripple
1975 Fender Deluxe Reverb
Peavey Bandit 112 Sheffield
Gretsch G5422-12
Martin GPC-16E
Gibson SG Standard T |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 21 Dec 2023 12:41 pm
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Well, it's a new Day. Do I get 5 more?
Jerry Garcia
Rusty Young
Terry Bethel
Jimmy Crawford
Doug Jernigan
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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 54 years and still counting. |
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Johnny Cox
From:
Williamsom WVA, raised in Nashville TN, Lives in Hallettsville Texas
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Posted 22 Dec 2023 4:11 pm
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Can't do it in 5. So here are living and deceased, Nashville and other based players.
Nashville based guys:
Deceased: Emmons, Chalker, Rugg, Myrick, Charlton and Drake.
Living: Lloyd Green, Tommy White, Travis Toy, Doug Jernigan, Paul Franklin and Randy Beavers.
(Yeah I know it's 6)
Texas and other based.
Deceased: Maurice Anderson, Tommy Morrell, Joaquin Murphy, Billy Braddy, Bobby Garrett.
Living: Junior Knight, Jim Loessberg, Jay Dee Maness, Burt Rivera, Bobby Black.
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Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967.
Last edited by Johnny Cox on 28 Dec 2023 6:20 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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W. C. Edgar
From:
Iowa City Iowa, Madison CT, Nashville, Austin, Phoenix
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Posted 22 Dec 2023 5:12 pm
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Lots of great players but my favs are
Emmons
Pete Drake
Jernigan
Chalker
Hal Rugg
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First owner of Steelseat.com
1980 Sho-Bud Pro II & 1977 Sho-Bud Pro l
Lawrence 610 Pickups
1979 Peavey LTD
1980 Peavey Nashville 400
Goodrich L-120
Toured with Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Ty England & more |
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Posted 23 Dec 2023 6:46 am
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I'll give it a shot: But it really CAN'T be done
Gone:
Buddy Emmons
John Hughey
Tom Brumley
Weldon Myrick
Curly Chalker
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Maurice Anderson
Ralph Mooney
Gary Hogue
Rusty Young
Hal Rugg
Buddy Charlton
Terry Bethel
Buzz Evans
Ray Robinson
Tom Morrel
Randy Reinhart
Still Here:
Johnny Cox
Randy Beavers
Travis Toy
Lloyd Green
Terry Crisp
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Bruce Bouten
Wayne Dahl
David Wright
Paul Franklin
Mike Johnson
Jody Cameron
Junior Knight
Buck Reid
Sarah Jory
Jay Dee Maness
Bobby Black
I could certainly keep going as memory allows more names into my head, but someone did ask for TOP 5, so lets keep it at that 
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Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
https://www.youtube.com/@steelinatune
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com |
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Dylan Ritter
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 26 Dec 2023 11:44 am
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Bobby Orr. Speedy and revolutionary.
okay - Mooney, Lloyd Green, and Eric Heywood for style at least.
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does it look like it fits on my lap? |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 27 Dec 2023 7:30 am
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Not sure if I can do this:
This is based upon what and who I prefer listening to for the stimulation I get from their talent (in no particular order; that's asking too much!!).
Gary Carter
Buddy Emmons
Buck Reid
Mike Smith
Tommy White
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Tom Morrell - I bow to Jimbo's knowledge of his PSG abilities, but I think I only heard him on non-pedal. I thought him even more remarkable that Joaquin Murphy in that genre.
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IF I was to sign out and create a bogus SGF identity, I'd post again and cite:
JayDee Maness
Curly Chalker
Doug Jernigan
Hal Rugg
Weldon Myrick
And so it goes on.... but my first picks are the ones that say the most to me musically.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Craig A Davidson
From:
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2023 9:30 am
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Buddy Emmons
Buddy Charleton
Jimmy Day
Johnny Cox
Lloyd Green
Runner-ups
Curly Chalker
John Hughey
Weldon Myrick
Ralph Mooney
Tom Brumley
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2013 Williams D-10, 2019 Williams D-10, 1970 Fender Twin, Evans SE200, Fender Tonemaster Twin, Hilton pedal, Jagwire Strings. |
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 28 Dec 2023 12:09 pm
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There are so many!
But I always come back to these:
#1- he may not have been the “best”, but I can still always listen to my hero Speedy West’s Capitol Records albums for hours. It was his music which turned me to pedals. I never met a person doing a credible “Speedy” for more than one or two tunes.
#2- Buddy Emmons for being not just a steel guitariat or even musician, but a versatile artist and musical perfectionist of immense taste.
#3- Lloyd Green for being the most adequate and tasteful backup E9th player. To me, hos Charlie Pried-Panther Hall recordings are the “BOOK” on how to accompany and nevertheless shine. if Jerry Bird had jumped onto the E9th PSG direction, I would theorize, the two would have been playing in very similar styles.
#4: I should want to mention Maurice Anderson who’s been a mentor to me in more than just music. It was Maurice who got me to decide to move to the USadter our first visit (“if one REALLY wants to, I believe a man like you can do it, you just have to commit yourself to it! And I think YOU should!”). There are things in his later years I admire, I also love his application of the PSG in his Gospel Album “The Universal Direction”.
#5 +: Zane Beck would be another very individual PSG”ist with Julian Tharpe. Jeff Newman was to me one the alwayst must tasteful “classic”-PSG’ists… a true Showman and Entertainer. John Hughey whom I wasn’t sure how to approach for his apparence which I described as the one of a “Trucker’s Union Boss”, turned out to be as sweet a pussy cat as his music. Tom Brumley also an incredibly nice person and tasteful player.
I should also mention Paul Franklin for his precise and modern plating and Doug Jernigan for the same and being an incredibly engaged and generous person.
There are some I don’t like and even some I disliked, some famous once included.
Instead of mentioning them, I would rather say that there are a few steel guitar tunes I don’t want to have to listen to ever again, including but not limited to any renditions of “I Destroyed The World (AGAIN?!)” and “A Way To Survive (Listening to that song?)”, unless it’s played my THE Maestro himself. 
That’s my “5”… JD.
They don’t make men like Buddy Emmons anymore.
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Was it JFK who said: Ask Not What TAB Can Do For You - Rather Ask Yourself "What Would B.B. King Do?"
A Little Mental Health Warning:
Tablature KILLS SKILLS.
The uses of Tablature is addictive and has been linked to reduced musical fertility.
Those who produce Tablature did never use it.
I say it humorously, but I mean it. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2023 12:29 pm
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| J D Sauser wrote: |
| ...there are a few steel guitar tunes I don’t want to have to listen to ever again, including but not limited to any renditions of “I Destroyed The World (AGAIN?!)” and “A Way To Survive (Listening to that song?)”, unless it’s played my THE Maestro himself. |
I really don't mind listening to myself playing those two tunes, but agree it's usually a tedious experience listening to others play 'em. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 28 Dec 2023 12:34 pm
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That's a major reason I stopped attending steel shows. There was never enough wheat and too much chaff.
My 'short list' of such songs isn't as short as yours, JD.
To be honest, I'd rather hear steel in a supporting role. Yes, a great player can hold your interest, but steel guitar works best lying somewhere in the mix playing a counterpoint or some rich suspensions.
Paul Franklin, in those Golden Years on the '90s/2000s, played some beautifully laid-back music, adding just enough to lift the productions he was involved with.
Obligato!
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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David Mitchell
From:
Tyler, Texas
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Posted 29 Dec 2023 7:46 pm
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Lloyd
Lloyd
Lloyd
Arnett Mills
Arnett Mills |
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David Mitchell
From:
Tyler, Texas
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Posted 29 Dec 2023 7:58 pm
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| Douglas Schuch wrote: |
| So we have two votes for Tommy Morrell (both by Jim Cohen!). I would agree... except that the post specifies "PSG", i.e., PEDAL steel guitar. I know Tommy played pedal steel some, but I think all the music I have by him is non-pedal. |
Actually Tom Morrell played a whole lot of pedal steel. Just as good or better on pedals as non-pedals. Not sure how he got stereotyped in the steel guitar world. I've engineered many albums with Tom Morrell on pedal steel and two of them I hired Tommy myself to play pedal steel. When I engineered for Tommy Allsup he always hired Morrell and he played swing licks on pedal steels. Tom was very good on pedal steel. He was a musical genius and after all the original MSA pedal steel was designed by Morrell. He told me all he got out of that venture was a single pedal steel guitar. Maurice was a player with some business since and Bud Carter perfected the mechanics. |
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Brendan Mitchell
From:
Melbourne Australia
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Posted 2 Jan 2024 10:34 pm
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Mooney
Green
Brumley
Detamore
Perkins
This list will shock some but the question was to name MY favourite players. If it was my favourite 6 Emmons would have made the list. These are the players I love hearing, who are most inspirational and who I try to copy. |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 3 Jan 2024 4:01 pm
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| Roger Rettig wrote: |
That's a major reason I stopped attending steel shows. There was never enough wheat and too much chaff.
My 'short list' of such songs isn't as short as yours, JD.
To be honest, I'd rather hear steel in a supporting role. Yes, a great player can hold your interest, but steel guitar works best lying somewhere in the mix playing a counterpoint or some rich suspensions.
Paul Franklin, in those Golden Years on the '90s/2000s, played some beautifully laid-back music, adding just enough to lift the productions he was involved with.
Obligato! |
Paul played on a lot of my favorite records in the nineties and 2000s-that's one reason I'm a fan of nineties country music, and he inspired me to play steel |
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Sam Lewis
From:
Conway, Arkansas, USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2024 4:40 am Top five
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| As I read the list from each of you my thought was " That's a great lineup" but when I came to the end I was really surprised not to see the name Steve Palousek |
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