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Post new topic Happy Goodman steel player?
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Author Topic:  Happy Goodman steel player?
Joe Finley

 

From:
Ozark Arkansas USA
Post  Posted 23 Dec 2003 1:31 pm    
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Listened to greatest hits of the Happy Goodman Family ex:" What A Beatiful Day" does anyone know who played steel on the orginal recording?
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Rex Thomas


From:
Thompson's Station, TN
Post  Posted 23 Dec 2003 1:48 pm    
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As a rule it would be Jack Smith, but I don't know for certain.
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Reggie Duncan

 

From:
Mississippi
Post  Posted 23 Dec 2003 2:11 pm    
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Jack is great! But, John Hughey kicked this one off!
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Rex Thomas


From:
Thompson's Station, TN
Post  Posted 23 Dec 2003 6:27 pm    
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...and there U go.
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Tommy Butler

 

Post  Posted 23 Dec 2003 6:38 pm    
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Don't forget that ole N.C. boy Steve Rabbit Easter either. Playing that ole Emmons of course.
Duane Becker

 

From:
Elk,Wa 99009 USA
Post  Posted 23 Dec 2003 7:00 pm    
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Funny, I just found a CD today of the Happy Goodmans at the store. I've got all their LP's but they are still one of my favorite groups. With Dwayne Friend playing guitar in the 60's followed by Jack Smith on that ole purple Sho-Bud to the "Rabbit"-just cant beat the music-great steel too. Their later recordings has John Hughey, and I've got one that the credits say Lloyd Green. Duane Becker
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RMckee

 

From:
Broken Arrow, OK
Post  Posted 23 Dec 2003 7:35 pm    
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My favorite Happy Goodman album was the live double album. It was black with a yellow ticket on it, I believe. Had the picture of Lloyd Green on the inside cover. I rate it with the Charlie Pride "Live at Panther Hall" album for steel work. One of my all time favorite kick-offs is the one to "Thank God I'm Free". Anyone else remember that record?

Randy
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Duane Becker

 

From:
Elk,Wa 99009 USA
Post  Posted 23 Dec 2003 8:17 pm    
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Randy, ya I've got that one and I rate it high on the list of good steel intros and fills. Along with Thank God I'm free, there is What a Lovely name and What heaven means to me great steel work as well. Anyone have any of the old Dwayne Friend albums from the 70's? Two of Dwaynes albums have Lloyd Green on them and features more steel actually then the Happy Goodmans. Duane Becker
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Eddie Thomas

 

From:
Macon,Ga.,USA
Post  Posted 24 Dec 2003 10:07 am    
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When Jack left the Happy Goodman's, a young guy by the name of Gary DeBenidetto, took his place. An absolute monster player. And he has been a friend of mine for at least 25 years.
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Walter Hamlin

 

From:
Talladega, Alabama, USA
Post  Posted 24 Dec 2003 7:24 pm    
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Watching the Goodmans in the early 70's is what motivated me into learning the PSG. I used their albums to practice by. One of my favorites is the "Wanted Live" album. I wore the record out and had to buy a tape.
My favorite songs are "all of them". But I guess "What a Beautiful Day For The Lord To Come Again", "What Heaven Means To Me", and one that my wife has just started to sing with our band "God Walks The Dark Hills" really stand out in my mind and I still love these songs and enjoy playing them myself.I'm in another world when I hear these people sing. I guess I will always say that in my opinion the Goodmans were the best that southern gospel ever had and will never be equaled. The Hinsons with Ronnie Moore on steel was a close second to the Goodmans.
Walter Hamlin
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Gene Jones

 

From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
Post  Posted 24 Dec 2003 7:36 pm    
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The brother of my friend, Forum member Jerry Horner, also played steel with Happy Goodman. Jerry, will you add to this post?
www.genejones.com
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Reggie Duncan

 

From:
Mississippi
Post  Posted 25 Dec 2003 1:39 am    
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I agree with you all! That Live Happy Goodman album with Lloyd Green on it is the best I have ever heard to date! I also met Gary Dee. Didn't know that he had a long last name!

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Steve Allison

 

From:
Eatonton,Ga. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2003 6:35 am    
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Hey Eddie Thomas,

What is Gary doing now?

He was playing with To The Max several years ago.
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RON PRESTON

 

From:
Dodson, Louisiana, USA
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2003 8:08 am    
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bOb,
I hope it is OK to post the fact that over in "Our Extended Family", there is a thread about Vestal Goodman Passing. Since this thread is about the Steel players that once played for them, I thought it might be OK. Not everyone stops in and reads "O.E.F. often, and that someone might want to know before too many days pass. I, for one, have been guilty of this.
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Eddie Thomas

 

From:
Macon,Ga.,USA
Post  Posted 30 Dec 2003 8:16 pm    
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Hey Steve, how are ya! Gary is still with To The Max. He also has a home studio that keeps him busy. Haven't talked to him in a while, but he is monster player. How about you, where are you working these days? I'm just free-lancing and its keeping me busy. Take care. Eddie
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Paul King

 

From:
Gainesville, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2003 5:41 am    
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I have a couple of the Happy Goodman albums as well as a DeWayne Friend instrumental album. The "Wanted Live" album recorded in St. Louis in 1971 is my favorite album. The one with "What A Beautiful Day" is my second choice. I understand Jack Smith plays on the live album and his playing was first class. The kickoffs were unique even for the time they were recorded. I also have a solo album of Rusty Goodman with Lloyd Green and Gary Dee doing twin steel work. There is also dobro with Lloyd Green and Jimmy Capps. The Happy Goodman family are all gone but their memory will forever be etched in my heart. As much as I loved the Goodmans my all-time favorite gospel group was the Hinsons. A lot of great steel playing mainly by Sonny Garrish.
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Darvin Willhoite


From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2003 8:46 am    
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I have an instrumental album the Goodman band did in the late '60's or early '70's. Jack Smith played steel on it, including a great version of "The Lighthouse" It also had Duke Dumas on guitar, and Aaron Wilburn on acoustic guitar and vocals, and I can't remember the rest of the band, but they were excellent.

------------------
Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
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Reggie Duncan

 

From:
Mississippi
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2003 10:34 pm    
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Other band members were probably Rick Goodman on drums, Larry Strzlecki on bass and Eddie Crook on piano. The last Goodman video of a couple years ago features Jack Smith playing the Lighthouse! Beautiful!
You know, Jack was married to Howard and Vestal's daughter at the time.

Jack told me that Sonny Garrish recommended him to Bill Anderson when he left the road.
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