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Topic: Cold Chills with Corky Owens |
Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Nov 2004 6:43 am |
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I had the pleasure last evening to sit through an hour or so of "pure country music". Gene Watson and the Farewell Party band treated the customers of The Ranch nightclub in Midland, Texas to a show that featured absolutely nothing but "Real Country Music as it should be performed". Curiously not a single person on the bandstand had pants with holes in them. What a relief!! I thought we had lost our sense of dressing properly.
Needless to say my attention was centered on the fabulous Corky Owens and his Carter axe. You talk about class personified on a bandstand and you have to put Corky in there with the greats. His demeanor is only indicative of the many hours he had to spend to "master this instrument".
My good friend Johnny Beck, one hell of a bass player, and I sat mesmerized by the tightness of this band. There's no star player, just a group of 5 guys that realize their job is to make the singer look his best, and they're pros at their profession.
Corky Owens did a number on Gene's rendition of "I Never Go Around Mirrors (an old Lefty Frizzell standard) that just ran cold chills up this old man's back---that's hard for one to do considering I'm in my 56th year with this astounding instrument.
What solidified my feelings was after the song, Johnny turned to me and said, "Man that steel left me with tears in my eyes and cold chills all over my body." If you know Johnny as well as I, you would know that was the ultimate compliment he could pay a musician.
In short WOW what a show. This outfit comes into your area, and you don't catch the show, you've missed a great deal I can assure you.
Corky you were super and thank you for the graciousness you gave to me and my party. Tell Dayna hi for us.
fred
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The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real
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Rich Mounce
From:
Dunfermline, Il
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Posted 12 Nov 2004 7:20 am
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Fred...I have had the pleasure of seeing the Gene Watson show several times and I agree with you! Doesn't get much better and Corky is a super player and as I have said several times on the forum a heck of a nice guy too...Gene is like Ray Price - just gets better with age. I ditto Fred's view...If the Gene Watson show comes to your area don't miss it!
Rich Mounce http://takeoff.to/steeljam |
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Walter Stettner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Terry Downs
From:
Wylie, TX US
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Posted 13 Nov 2004 8:59 am
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| It can't be said enough times. Corky is an outstanding player and an outstanding person. I talked to Corky last night, they were playing just west of Waco. We, as real country music fans, are fortunate to still be able to see a show like Gene's. |
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Zach Parish
From:
Asbury, MO USA
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Posted 14 Nov 2004 11:12 am
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I seen Corky a few years ago. He was a super nice guy and a great steel player. I would go back and see him anytime.  |
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Corky Owens
From:
Owensboro, KY USA
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Posted 14 Nov 2004 5:35 pm
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Thanks so much guy's. I don't know what to say. Ya'll have me in tears reading this and thinking the years practicing have started showing in my playing. Frad, it was great talking with you. Maybe next time we'll have more time. Terry, we have to get together soon. Thanks again guy's. You don't know how good this makes me feel. Corky.
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