Jay Dee Maness

Reggie Duncan · From: Mississippi

I remember as a kid, listening to country music on a little cheap radio, especially during the summer break. One day, I heard a song, with this great steel break. I told my steel-playing Dad, when he got home from work. I then tried everyday to hear the song, but it seemed it wouldn't be played again. But, then there is was, again. What a great break! The announcer said that it was "Ray Stevens, and Misty". I told Dad who it was and began to try to record it for him on my tape player. Finally, it came on, and I wasn't ready with my recorder! But, I got it hooked up just in time to catch the break!
I couldn't wait for Dad to get home! I waited by the front door for what seemed like hours. When he came in, hot, tired and thirsty, I told him I had something I wanted him to hear. All of a sudden, he didn't seem so tired any more. We rewound, rewound and rewound the tape for 20-30 minutes, listening to the finest playing I had ever heard. He guessed that it was Hal Rugg. We found out later, that it was Jay Dee Maness.
Where were you when you heard "Misty"?
Was there a song that affected you like this one did me?

[This message was edited by Reggie Duncan on 29 June 2002 at 06:30 AM.]

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Jay Dee and Ray Stevens? Ya learn something everyday. Thanks Reggie!

If there's anyone here that hasn't heard Jay Dee's work with "The Desert Rose Band", you're missing some great stuff.

Their Greatest Hits CD is around in the low priced bins.

Hello Trouble....

quote:

"Was there a song that affected you like this one did me?"

It was "Panama Red" by the NRPS that got my attention, circa early 70s. Also Bobby Black's work on Commander Cody's Truck Drivin Favorites.

[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 29 June 2002 at 06:33 AM.]

Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

My first radio inspiration in the late 60's by Lloyd Green. My first steel album "The Hit Sounds" on an 8 track cartridge by Lloyd Green in the late 60's
Dennis

John Lacey · From: Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

I remember Mike Holder having a copy of Ray's album in the early 70's in Toronto. We would replay that solo until a hole wore on the record. Great solo, J.D.

Andy Greatrix · From: Edmonton Alberta

The first time I heard "Under Your Spell", in the fifties, Ralph Mooney tore me in half, and I've never been the same since.

It wasn't just the notes and the tone, but the rythm of his playing and the rythm of the band as well, not to mention that great harmony singing.
The total package just laid me to rest.

Henry Matthews · From: Texarkana, Ark USA

I REMEMBER THE FIRST STEEL SOLO THAT REALLY INSPIRED ME. I BELIEVE IT WAS IN THE LATE 60'S. I DIDN'T EVEN PLAY STEEL THEN BUT EVERY TIME CONNIE SMITH'S, THEN AND ONLY THEN, WOULD COME ON THE RADIO, COLD CHILLS WOULD GO DOWN MY BACK WHEN WELDON WOULD KICK OFF AND TAKE THE RIDE ON THAT SONG. AT THE TIME I LISTENED TO 60'S TYPE ROCK BUT THAT ONE SONG STUCK IN MY MIND FOREVER AND IS STILL MY FAVORITE STEEL RIDE.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Hey Reggie, I don't remember where I was the first time I heard the song but I do remember being knocked out by Mark Cassteven's banjo intro just before the band joined in, the arrangement of the song, and of course Jay Dee's steel playing. I had just begun to try and learn the steel at that time and the song was a huge insiration for me, although I never was able to learn Jay Dee's break. I remember driving in my car and when this song came on, I would twist the volume knob all the way.
This rendition may be my all time favorite of "Misty"....well that one and Jimmy Smith's!
The liner notes on the "Misty" album credit Jay Dee on Misty and Sunshine and guess who on the other steel cuts? Hal Rugg!

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Jay Dee Manness,

Like like Dan Dugmore, Sonny Garrish and Norman Hamlet, etc, are unsung heros in the world of the PSG. These geniouses sit there year after year doing their thing. Seldom in the lime light of fan adulation and admiration.

Yet, their playing is absolutely incredible. Ever heard Linda Ronstadts "Blue Bayou"? Ever hear that awesome steel guitar break? The one that even caused BE to turn and take a second look or two?

Like to know who it was? It was Dan Dugmore. And this young man has done this soo many times. He is unbelievable good. And so is Jay Dee Manness. Along with Sonny Garish and others of course.

True, Buddy Emmons, Buddy Charleton, Jimmy Day, LLoyd Green and Paul Franklin are the "catch names" of the steel guitar world. But I tell you here and now that....

Jay Dee Maness and the others I listed earlier in the post, are out of this world players.

God richly bless them for what they have done for our beloved instrument and for what they have done for the many singers they have recorded with.

carl

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

Jay Dee's teaching video is in the final stage of completion. It is an hour long, includes famous solos (Yes-Misty is one of them), interviews with questions about how he thinks when he plays, road stories, etc., licks (or "liks" as he like to spell 'em), and a book with tablature of the stuff on the video. YOU WILL LIKE IT~~ I am sure-
it will be available by Scotties ~~

Ernie Renn · From: Brainerd, Minnesota USA

The one that hooked me was the intro to "Half A Mind" by Buddy Emmons on ET's record. "Touch My Heart" was about the same time for me, too.

Had to add that Jay Dee Maness is one fine player and a great guy, too! (It is a JDM thread.

)
------------------
My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com

[This message was edited by Ernie Renn on 29 June 2002 at 12:40 PM.]

Tom Jordan · From: Wichita, KS

There was a few that twisted my ear and got me hooked on the pedal steel...I didn't know what it was but I had to make that sound. Once I found it, I like many my age (15-ish) were pulled into mainstream country music and searching for more....my inspirations:

Peaceful Easy Feeling--Bernie Leadon
Fire on the Mtn--Toy Caldwell
Panama Red--Buddy Cage

The list could go on but this is an example of how young rockers were pulled into the world of pedal steel by people who were willing to play outside the box. Most of my friends couldn't relate to the sound I unless I said..."ya know, that sound that they get on Teach your Children"...

Tom Jordan

Leroy Riggs · From: Looney Tunes, R.I.P.

Sonny Garish seems to play fairly generic but is a really good steeler. I enjoy his work.

(Edited for spelling.)

[This message was edited by Leroy Riggs on 29 June 2002 at 01:49 PM.]

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

I think Bernie Leadon did "Peaceful Easy Feeling" on a Telecaster with a Parsons B-Bender, but it was still killer!

Tom Jordan · From: Wichita, KS

Stephen,

That is interesting. Clarence White fooled me for quite awhile. I think the discography lists Bernie as pedal steel but a B-Bender tele would make sense...I don't seem to get much on web searches for Bernie Leadon that references the PSG...and the ending licks of the solo (E, F#m, A, B7 chords) have always frustrated me trying to get the voicing right.

Thanks for that info,

Tom Jordan

Gary Walker · From: Morro Bay, CA

In the late 60s a singer by the name of Tony Booth came out with some great songs and when I found out who it was playing that knocked out steel I became a fan of Jay Dee and had the privilege of spending a day in his company in March and it was a wonderful day.

Rich Weiss · From: Woodland Hills, CA, USA

About a year ago a tribute album to Hank Williams called "Timeless", was produced. Jay Dee played on a song with Tom Petty. His two solos were so perfect. I figured them out, hoping I could incorporate some of his ideas into my own arsenal. My theory proved fruitless. The guy's a genious. I've been watching him since the old Palamino days, with Tony Booth.

Chuck McGill · From: An hour from Memphis and 2 from Nashville, R.I.P.

John David Call
The first time I heard Country Song by Pure
Prarie League it brought the Pedal Steel to
me as a real instrument. I had to learn to
play it.Then Rusty Young with Poco,Bobby Black with Commander Cody and Dicky Betts
solo record with one side of John Hughey

[This message was edited by Chuck McGill on 30 June 2002 at 06:35 AM.]

[This message was edited by Chuck McGill on 02 July 2002 at 05:51 PM.]

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Yes, John David Call's work on PPL's "Amie".
It was only on the live album. The other, more popular, versions had no Steel.

The intro had interplay between the Lead Guitar and Steel, sorta like "Leather Breetches". That caught my attention, big time!

Dave Van Allen · From: Doylestown, PA , US , Earth

I heard Ray & JD misty after I had been playing a few years... it was a delight to hear, and a challenge to emulate on the bandstand.

the tune that caught my attention and made me say "what the heck is that?!" then "I gotta TRY that!!" was POCO's first album, title cut "Pickin' Up The Pieces"; Rusty Young on ZB CUstom PSG.

I was about 15, at some hippie teenager party and someone put the album on...it was brand new (1968-9?)and I have no idea who put it on or who of the folks at that party WOULD 've (we were all into Cream and the Stones and stuff), but there it was... and MY LIFE WAS NEVER THE SAME AFTER. I took a left turn and never came back....

It is so interesting that some folks react like that to a steel.

I was talking to Herb Remington, on a trip I took to his Houston shop a few years back, about how one gets addicted to steel... and asked him what attracted him to the instrument... this LEGEND of the instrument got a far away look in his eye, and spoke as if HE was 17 again and said to me "it was the 'slidey' sound"

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

The first steel playing I remember that turned me on was the fine work of Hoot Raines with Slim Whitman in 1950 or so. I was about 9 or 10 years old and didn't know what it was but I really liked it. After I started playing music (mandolin) in the mid fifties I started hearing Ralph Mooney with Wynn Stewart as I was in southern California at the time and He really knocked me out. Also when I was a teenager Joaquin Murphy was on Channel 5 (KTLA) with the Spade Cooley show. What a hot player. He was so far ahead of his time. Sometimes he'd play single string stuff that if you weren't looking you'd think it was Joe Maphis. After I started playing professionally in the sixties I'd go out sometimes on my off nights and watch steel players. I was playing lead guitar only then and doing a lot of steel licks so I finally bought one and tried to do it right. Being in LA at the time I could go out and see people like Jay Dee Maness, Red Rhodes, Carl West, Gene Fields, Blackie Taylor, Dave Knight, Jimmy O'Rafferty, Johnny Davis, and many more. It was a dream world back then. I'm so glad I got to live through that time. All in all, my favorite player who's influenced me the most though still has to be Ralph Mooney. His stuff still is my favorite to this day and always will be. However, if I had to pick a player who was the epitome of modern steelmen it'd have to be ol' Jay Dee. A great player and human being. He's still got the same wife he started out with!! How many of us can say that?

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney tuning.

[This message was edited by Jerry Hayes on 30 June 2002 at 10:45 AM.]

Jerry Horner · From: Tahlequah, OK, USA

That's amazing Jerry. Hoot was the first one to turn me on too. Alot of the younger players missed out on some of the great players before pedals.

Jerry

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Jay Dee has always been one of my faves. First became familiar with him on the Suite Steel album doing Muddy Mississippi (did I spell that right, WHEW!! )Line. Desert Rose band is some incredible stuff. Got to see them live and they smoked. I think the band had way too much talent (just kidding) to survive. Every one in that band was expert quality.

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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

Rick Jackson · From: Carson City, Nevada

Some of you that were in southern california in the early 60's and 70's will rememeber Jerry Inman. I think he led the band at the Palomino at one time. To get to my point here, he released an album around 1976 titled "You Betchum Jerry Inman" and it had Jay Dee playing some beautiful stuff. The song that really stands out in my mind was the song "Scotch and Soda". If you ever get the opportunity to hear it, it will stop you in your tracks. Jay Dee, if you're out there can you comment on that album? Thanks....rj

Tiny Olson · From: Mohawk River Valley, Upstate NY

Reggie:

I too think that Jay Dee's ride on Misty is one of the true classic rides in steel guitar history. It's fantastic.

I was driving to a gig (as a teenager it seems) when I first heard that ride and was blown away. After setting up at the place, I spent half-an-hour just trying to get any of it together at all.

Later I met Jay Dee through the Booth Brothers (Tony and Larry) who I worked with in Gene Watson's show. I went to several recording sessions with Jay Dee and a couple gigs, including a super cool gig with Jay Dee on steel and Thumbs Carlisle on guitar. We had a big time even though Jay Dee and I had a flat tire on the way back from that gig and had to change it in the middle of LA.

Jay Dee's a great guy, lot's of fun to be around and an absolutely terrific stylist and player.

Tiny Olson

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

I appreciate JayDee as a gifted musician and exceptional person, whom I'm proud to consider a dear friend.

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