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Topic: Who's This "Killer Player?" |
Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Dec 2003 10:20 am |
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Who Is This Steeler???
Betcha' this one blows your hat in the creek. This player took up pedal steel after hearing Ricky Skaggs' version of Cryin' My Heart Out Over You, with Bruce Bouton on steel. It really hit his 'hot spot' and he knew he wanted to play the instrument. He had just returned from college where he "thought" he wanted to become a gymnastic coach. His brother, Charlie, was playing regular guitar and was the only musician in the family, although the entire family loves music. He got in touch with Herb Remington in Houston, Texas and Herb furnished this guy with a single 10 Red Marlen with 3 and 3.
The career begins. His neighbor was Tom Brumley and Tom took up the steering wheel and helped him considerably back in the early 80's while our player was teaching gymnastics. Herb Steiner also administered some lessons to this guy.
After practicing for a couple of years in the early 80's he became frustrated with learning and put it up for a couple of years. The steel was pulled out of the closet again in '85 and he, again, began practicing with his neighbor Tom Brumley. Tom jump-started him, and he played his first gig with his brother in a little honky tonk band called "The Honky Tonk Cats".
I got this quote from somewhere, can't pin it down right now, but I'm sure if I get it wrong I'll hear from Herb Steiner. Quote or words to the effect: "I remember that day some years ago, when a very young XXXXXX (name withheld of course) came to me at Picker's Paradise Music and said, 'I have this here steel guitar, and I want to play just like you do.'
I said, son, that's going to take a few weeks!"
Brash? No just confident that he was gonna' become a steel player. Playing was sort of a hobby until 1988 when our player got serious.
His biggest steel guitar influences were/are Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, Hal Rugg, Jimmy Day, Pete Drake, John Hughey, all the steel players who played with Bob Wills, Pete Drake with Gary Stewart, and Tom Brumley with Buck Owens.
When queried about the greatest influence on his playing, Lloyd Green's name was instantaneously blurted out.
When asked for who and what was the best advice he has been given relative to steel work he said, "Tom Brumley mainly taught me the approach to playing the steel. He told me the steel guitar is getting lost in country music, so for a young steel player like you, I want to say the best way for you to learn is to turn on your favorite music and hear what you want to play. Then when its time to play, PLAY THE HECK OUT OF IT; and when its not time to play, don't play. Make the steel guitar an outspoken instrument like it should be. Don't get caught up in only learning from tablature and copying other players. Be your own player, play what you feel and hear and by all means play it with all you got." Sounds like good advice to me.
Here are some of this guy's credits: his first paying gig was in 1988 with Larry Joe Taylor (Texas singer songwriter), his first road gig was in the "Southern Accent" band and they toured top 40 country music for a year. The bass player (Steve Layne) and he quit and joined the Gary P. Nunn band in 1990. Junior Brown played guitar in that band and our man played Steel and Steve played bass. Steve eventually left and played and recorded with Junior Brown until recently as Junior was having a nice run through those years.
Our man also played and recorded with a dozen other Texas singer songwriters and helped alot of the younger ones get their start; so along with Gary P. Nunn and Larry Joe Taylor, he also played steel with Ronny Spears, Ed Burleson, Pat Green, Tommy Alverson, Davin James, Rodney Hayden, Brian Black, Heather Myles, Derailers, and Asleep at the Wheel.
He recorded with several other artists also. He has done extensive Commercial recording work at Tequila Mockingbird Studios. If you've heard a commercial on Texas Radio, several of them were recorded there. Along with that, if you heard a steel guitar, then there's a good chance you would have heard our player. He also did several TV commercials such as "Monster.com" during last year's super bowl. He's completed all the Cracker Barrel Recordings and played the Grand Ole Opry.
One could go on and on about this player's activities, his many trips to Europe, Australia, and his hundreds of thousands of miles travelled in this country and Canada but I don't want to use up all of b0b's HD. But in summary our player is always willing to help out the new steelers out there in any way he can. Whether it be his numerous contributions of licks and advice to the forum, or just his individual style of playing. Which is probably best described as uniquely and refreshingly country, he makes anyone who reads or listens to him aware that there IS more than one player or one approach available for study.
One would probably not want to ask him too many questions about his likes and dislikes of "today's country music scene." He will become very vocal and utter words like "Blasphemy" etc.
Here's one for you. When asked what his favorite steel ride was, and immediate answer was, "----the intro John Hughey played on Conway Twitty's "I've Just Destroyed the World". Now you know.
I've left out one band and singer our player has worked with on purpose, because one mention of this singer's name would give the entire piece away immediately.
So who is the player, and for kicks, who is the singer I left out.
Fred
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The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real
[This message was edited by Fred Shannon on 03 December 2003 at 10:45 AM.] |
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Larry Miller
From:
Dothan AL,USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2003 10:23 am
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| RICKY..Dale Watson [This message was edited by Larry Miller on 03 December 2003 at 10:24 AM.] |
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Jeff Lampert
From:
queens, new york city
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Posted 3 Dec 2003 10:34 am
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3 minutes. What took you so long? .. Ricky is a terrific player. And his willingness to put himself out to help other players with his tabbing and generous spirit is second to none. Even if he wasn't the player he is, he'd still be the person he is, which in my book is way more important. I'm glad he's my friend.
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[url=http://www.mightyfinemusic.com/jeff's_jazz.htm]Jeff's Jazz[/url]
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Terry Srader
From:
Georgia
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Posted 3 Dec 2003 11:05 am
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Let me add my appreciation for a very professional and gracious man.....Ricky Davis.
As I'm a newcomer to the steel guitar, I had many questions which Ricky graciously answered. I realize his time is valuable but he even called me back to answer more questions....from his cellphone....while driving from a gig an hour away from his home....now that's a giving man!!!
Thanks Ricky....for giving of your time.....and "playing the heck out of the Blue Darling". |
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John P. Phillips
From:
Folkston, Ga. U.S.A., R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Dec 2003 6:43 pm
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Like they keep on saying Ricky, "YU DA MAN !!"
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JUST 'CAUSE I STEEL, DON'T MAKE ME A THIEF
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2003 7:29 pm
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| Yeah Ricky!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 3 Dec 2003 7:30 pm
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Yeah Ricky!!!!!!!!!!!
Woops, sorry, I got carried away.
Jerry[This message was edited by Jerry Roller on 03 December 2003 at 10:13 PM.] |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Dec 2003 7:50 pm
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After just downloading the 30 some licks, I just got my faith back in that "Old Sho~Bud Sound".
The only way I can think of making it better would be to take 1k off the pickups, and adding another screaming Fender Twin. Maybe just a "titch" more reverb  .
Damn! That's a good sound!
The way it's SUPPOSED to be.
How soon we forget where it all came from....
Thanks Ricky D.
Just started getting my case ready for a "freight shipment" of an old Sho Bud Pro when the economy permits. Probably this spring/summer.
EJL |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Dec 2003 12:14 am
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I wasn't being facetious in the least. Sounded like the "old time" "balls out" sound without loss of clarity that "got me into it". I know the limitations of the transfer.
I take it that's the one you pictured in the House of Wood.
Very nice.
EJL |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 4 Dec 2003 4:24 am
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A well deserved recognition of Ricky's talent and contribution to the steel-guitar!
www.genejones.com |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Dec 2003 6:22 am
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Well Larry and guys, I guess 3 minutes has to be some sort of a record. There wasn't a prize offered, but a piece of advice if you please. If you haven't heard Dale Watson's "One More Once More", you've just missed a huge part of Swing music.
It's very difficult to write a piece on someone like Ricky, mainly because one wants to get all of his achievements into the article, but at the same time keep some semblance of a mystery for guessing. If I had put in what a terrific talent he has in the restoration of our beloved instrument, it would have lasted only perhaps half the time before someone had it.
Too, those of us in this area who know what a tremendous support Dale Watson, and others like him, give to our "real country music" are also aware of the tremendous contribution Ricky Davis made to that band.
If I had said, what someone has already mentioned, the fact that Ricky will go to great lengths to lend his God Given talents and render the advice he gives to the younger players, you would have known immediately who it was.
In any case Ricky Davis is one of the jewels in our profession and I'm proud to call him "Amigo".
Fred
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The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real
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Roy Rosetta
From:
Nederland, Texas.. On the Texas Gulf Coast
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Posted 4 Dec 2003 8:30 am
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Ricky---one of the nicest people you will ever meet and so very humble. What a great player...just wish someday I could climb on stage and work along side of this super player. Well deserved "kudo's" to Ricky.
Hey folks, I might mention, for those of us that chase that little white golf ball, Ricky does that quite well also.
How about a few pointers next time I'm out in the hill country, Ricky !!!!!
...Roy
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Music is a "gift" with many wrappings....
....Roy
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 4 Dec 2003 9:37 am
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It's about time someone brought up Ricky's accomplishments in the Music world.
If anyone deserved a little recognition , on this Forum, it sure is Ricky Davis. What a guy! Thanks Ricky for being Ricky.
And thanks Fred for doing such a great job on the research......al
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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
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Jerry Brightman
From:
Ohio
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Posted 4 Dec 2003 10:09 am
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I'm in on the Kudo's to Ricky...Great player, great person, and a great friend.
Jerry
http://www.slidestation.com
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Graham
From:
Marmora, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 4 Dec 2003 1:56 pm
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Don't think I have to add anything here you don't already know, Little Brother. Love Ya!!
You need a CD of your clips?? If so, let me know and I'll make one up for you from the video and send it down to ya. Haven't forgotten the record you won either, hard to find something to ship LP's in anymore!
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Rebel™
ICQ 614585
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Ron Page
From:
Penn Yan, NY USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2003 2:22 pm
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Ricky,
You play too loud, but your tone sucks!
(Just wanted you to know someone was paying attention.)
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HagFan
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2003 7:09 pm
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WOW; I'm speachless....I'm without Speach..ha
Thanks so much for the support and pats on the back...Especially you Ron..ha  actually it goes>: "your a little loud; but your TONE sucks"...ha(I love that quote)
Graham(Big Brother) Yes that would be soooo cool to have the Video sound track on CD;>..especially if you can fix the hardness of the recording transfer to MP3 that happened....???...It's just too hot a signal on the player online...(and if anybody can; you can.)
Roy; I would be ultimately Honored to play the same stage with you my friend...Maybe on day when they ever let me play a slot at the Dallas Show...that would be a dream to have you there with me my friend....>you command such confidence and make every single person on that stage feel at ease and comfortable.
Thanks Jeff; you are a true friend and inspiration....
Thanks Fred for your super duper support of all steel players on the planet.
Thanks Jerry Brightman; you ain't so bad yourself..Actually I've grown to Love you man...you are such a treat to talk with and your enthusiasm to ALL Steel guitar is second to none.
Thanks Al; your Pats mean more to me than you'll ever know...
Terry; Larry; John; Jerry and Greg....Thanks a bazzilion as ya'll just uplifted me so much....as sittin' in this room just polishing parts all day and night...can make you go>DANG I'm tired....>but the enthusiasm goes along way over here...>thank you.
Ricky |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 7 Dec 2003 9:53 am
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Ah but there is one BIG thing missing here.
Ricky is a super Hawaiian lapsteeler too!!
Roy this guy is great to play with on stage.
I was fortunate enough to play with him the day before I played with you at ISGC.
He makes the SS Hawaiian sound real sweet.
And he knows the style very well.
And lets not for get his restoration work either.
Others have said how helpful he is to other steelers. Well for a new owner of a Sho-Bud he is heaven sent. I was very pleased to finally meet Ricky at ISGC and personally thank him for his e-mail help. And then I got to play with him, better still!
So my friend Ricky, congratulations on being recognized here in 3 minutes flat! And kudos to Fred for putting this up to; credit where credit is due. |
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Red Kilby
From:
Pueblo, CO, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Dec 2003 12:37 pm
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It was a true HONOR to sing while Ricky played out in St. Louis this year. I don't know about anybody else??? But I had a ball, I hope that Ricky and I can do it again someday.
To all you folks that caught our show thanks for sticking around, to all that didn't man did you miss out on one hell of a steel player, RICKY DAVIS.<<< MY FRIEND!!!!!. |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 7 Dec 2003 1:57 pm
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Hi Red, hey man you did some fine singing and playing too.
A pleasure to hear you, and hear Ricky on PSG with something nice to play on. |
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