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Topic: Jerry no longe teaches |
Jack Byrd
From:
Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 2:22 pm |
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| I talked to Jerry a couple of days ago. He has his ups and downs but is gaining back some weight. In the past week he cleared out his teaching studio in Harry’s Music Store and is all done teaching. His bar hand shakes so much he said he can’t hold the bar anymore. He has sent all of his students instructions on what to do to complete his course tailored for each of them. They were all sorry they couldn’t continue with him but as Jerry said it is time to stop and it was going to happen at sometime anyway. I asked if there were any other teachers on the islands who could pick up the students and he said to his knowledge there were none. What a shame in the home of the steel guitar. Maybe this will spur someone on to try and fill the vacuum and provide instructions to the young people who would like to learn how to play this great instrument. It is for sure they will not get rich doing this as his cost per lesson which was low and had not been increased since he started teaching if they continue at his rates. At least his instruction course will always be available which will fill some of the void left by his forced departure from teaching. |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 3:35 pm
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I don’t think anyone will be able to replace the styling or silki sound of Jerry. Long before I had visions of playing the steel, Jerry had been a long time favourite of mine.
I suppose however, and as sad as it is, all great legends must take their place in history. Jerry will always be one of a kind.
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I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 3:48 pm
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| Jerry is the greatest! His coursebook, arrangements, and video, are the best and most comprehensive steel guitar learning materials available. In that respect he'll always be teaching. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jerry as he recovers. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 4:48 pm
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I'm hopeful that our "unofficial" JerryByrdFanClub.com web site will be incentive enough to motivate both newcomers to the site and older professionals alike to pursue the many fabulous techniques Jerry has offered us down through the years.
The site was created with the hope that those not really familiar with Jerry's playing might have the opportunity to hear some of his greatest musical contributions and thus be motivated to want to learn to play the steel guitar with all of the feelings that Jerry put into his songs.
I'm so happy I managed to get a snapshot of Harry's Music last month and to see the very door that so many enthusiastic students walked thro' to get their music lessons from Jerry. I had always dreamed of having at least one music lesson from my "master" of steel guitar.......however, I was not so fortunate. This truly saddens me. |
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Jerry Warner
From:
Charleston, West Virginia, USA
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 6:33 pm
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| HOW Mny wished that they could play just half as good as jerry byrd with that touch and tone and without the pedals, and there will never be another steel player like the jerry byrd pedals or no pedals there will only be one and there are a lot of greats outthere but only one BYRD WITH THAT TOUCH AND ONLY ONE W/ TONE and there are some others thats close, lets hear from you fans of mr jerry byrd. |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 7:11 pm
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...
Last edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 13 Sep 2019 3:19 am; edited 1 time in total |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 7:37 pm
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I was hoping someone like you would come forward and show the young Hawaiians what the steel guitar is all about Jeff. That's great, and with Bobby in the picture also, the steel guitar will live on in the younger generations which come along. Jerry's work will NEVER be equalled. Sadly the time has come for him to pass the "torch" and hopefully Bobby and Jeff will carry it forward. God Bless Jerry and may his years ahead be as pleasant as possible.  |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 8:28 pm
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This signals the end of an era that has seen few if any equals. It's not often you find a player, not to mention a legend considered(by most) the very best in his field that is willing to teach, and certainly not to the extensive degree that Jerry did. I doubt there's been a teacher with as many students that cared about each individual as much as Jerry. He truly sought to bring out the best in all, while making sure they had the ultimate foundation to build upon to take their talents as far as they could. And still at a whopping $25 a pop in 2004(?!), I doubt there has ever been a better deal.
As Jeff Strouse stated "Jerry is the greatest".
For those lucky enuf to have access to Bobby on Oahu for lessons, he's can be reached at Tamashiro Market in the late morning's. While his teaching style is completely different than Jerry's, you will get an intense introduction to the steel that is based in playing from the heart and soul. Those who've enjoyed Bobby's playing know that's what he's all about.
I second George's admiration towards Jeff for joining the teaching ranks. The future looks a whole lot brighter.
Where do I sign up?!
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 24 Oct 2004 8:30 pm
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| How sad that the man who probably had more bar technique and finesse than anyone, now has the shakes so bad he can't teach. His music will be enjoyed forever and thank god he recorded so much of it. Let's all support Jeff and Bobby and the continuing art of Hawaiian steel guitar. |
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Denny Turner
From:
Oahu, Hawaii USA
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Posted 26 Oct 2004 12:29 am
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I cannot think of Jerry's retirement as sad nor a loss. I will always think and feel that Jerry was, is and will always be a profound blessing to this planet, and the abundance he has given us will last for a very long time if not forever, ...and can only make me VERY happy and VERY fortunate to have experienced it. I join the countless people and surely this forum that wish Jerry the HAPPIEST of a long and peaceful sunset, ...trusting that he realizes the grand joy he has brought to us and this planet and the happiness of lives he has touched so dearly. THANK YOU Jerry, ...beyond measure.
Aloha,
Denny T~ |
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Denny Turner
From:
Oahu, Hawaii USA
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Posted 26 Oct 2004 12:59 am
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Even though Jerry finds it appropriate to close his teaching studio; I thank him for the many things he has taught us through Jack on this Forum. I hope Jerry will be able to continue to teach us in this manner from time to time as he might desire.
Aloha,
DT~ |
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 26 Oct 2004 12:59 am
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| Well said Denny. |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 26 Oct 2004 9:25 am
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I hope and pray that Jerry will have many more years to enjoy his retirement.
I know that Teaching can be very stressful and he just may be able to relax a little more now. .....al
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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
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