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Topic: New Kid on Block |
Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 17 Feb 2005 4:30 pm |
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My name is Larry, I live 5 miles ouside of Kingman Az. Be 57 yrs. old next month, Working with part time week end bands playing bass and lead guitar since the very wise old age of 13. I allways loved the steel guitar,working with steel players over these 40 something yrs, and listening to the greats, it only fueled my desire, finally, 8 yrs. ago I succumed to my addiction. And after woodshedding 2 yrs, our bass player and lead singer [some of you west coast players who worked L.A. and Riverside during the 60's, and 70's may even new him] kept insisting I put my steel in the show. After kinda agreeing to, I backed out at the last minuite. This man drove 10 miles to my house, personally loaded my steel, and steel amp in his truck, went to the club, and set it on the band stand, looked me in the eye and said "PLAY"!! He played lead guitar from that night on, untill his death due to cancer 2 yrs, ago. I have never fully forgiven him for the embarassing times this caused me, and on the other hand I give my most profound, and heart felt THANX to my friend Jack Montgomery for making me play, but most of all for having confidence, and faith in me that I could!! If I had waited untill "I" thought I was ready, well , I'd still be jammin to cd's in my bedroom, instead of getting to play for people who actually like what I do nearly every week end. Trust me,, I'm no hot lickin, fast single note picker by any means, but every since the night my friend set my steel on the band stand, I have been striving, and will continue to strive to Play in Tune, Play Tastefully, Play with Feelings, and when in doubt, Play MELODY,MELODY,MELODY!! Jeesh,,, this turned into a long post!! So this is who I am, and what I'm about,,Just ME,,,doing the very best I can with an instrument we all love, hope I don't embarrass any of ya'll, cause that's the best I can do!! Don't give up on me......................some day I MAY make a steel player
Larry Strawn
Emmons S/D10 3/4 Sessions 400 and a home grown e/f rack[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 17 February 2005 at 06:58 PM.] |
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Larry Jamieson
From:
Walton, NY USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2005 5:52 pm
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Hey Larry,
Hang in there and keep on pickin! You will learn more on the band stand than in your bedroom, and if you play regularly, you are getting in at least 3 to 4 hours of practice every week. Take your guitar home and work on the tunes you have trouble with during the week. Get together with other steelers when you can, and ask them how they would play a given tune. Its a great instrument with a long learning curve, but with some determination and practice you'll do fine! Have fun. Larry J. |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 17 Feb 2005 6:01 pm
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Thanx Larry,First thing I do after a gig is unload and set up in our little[tiny] music studio. BIG PROBLEM [why I;m here} I'm the only steel player left in our corner of the state! I've already heard from Mr. Mayville in Vegas,,,, I think I'm onto something. again thanx
Larry |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 9:10 am
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| Quote: |
| Play MELODY,MELODY,MELODY!! |
Ahhh yes, the long-forgotten best place to begin when nothing else comes to mind. I'm sure you sound a lot better than you make out here, welcome aboard! |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 11:31 am
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Thanx for the reply, and the welcome Dave,,been a long time since I've been up in your part of the world, may have even heard you work! During the 70's I done a couple gigs at the old Flower Drum on I think 122nd and Division, a couple out at Taylors View Point on Columbia Blvd. Of course, I guess every one has worked "Jubitz" lol... anyway sounds like lots of good FOLKS here. Hoping to learn something.
Larry S.
Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Home Grown E/F Rack |
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Kirk P Dighton
From:
Troy Mills, Iowa
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 11:50 am
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Hey Larry,
Your story sounds familiar. I had been playing trumpet, guitar and bass for over 30 years and jumped in to the steel after my good frined (and steel player) died from Leukemia. I have been playing almost 4 years now. I remember being apprehensive and other steel players "forcing" me in to playing at jams etc. They were very encouraging to me and never once did I hear, "You aren't woth a darn" from anyone. Steel plaers are the best friends to have in the world. Keep at it buddy! Kirk |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 12:12 pm
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Thanx Kirk, I used to be VERY unsure of myself,especially if I thought there was a steel picker in the house! None ever said a bad word to me, One older steel man from Needles Ca.[He's now playing in the Lords Angel Band also] told me " hey we all had to learn," When one was there, I'd invite him to sit in, some accepted!! Then I'd grab my Tele, and stand over his back, and watch like a hawk!! I still do that when one comes in!!! Love it!! Thanks for the reply, and keep pickin!
Larry S.
Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400, Home Grown E/F Rack |
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Gene Wilcox
From:
Kingman AZ USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2005 7:48 pm
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Larry is the real deal..
I met him and we had a great time. I taught him to run from the room holding his ears shortly after he offered up his axe, for me to take a couple hacks at!!! Good to see you pop up here man.
Gene
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 19 Feb 2005 8:44 am
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Hey Geno,,,glad to see ya here! Thought I was all alone up here in our part of the world.Got some stuff coming up we may have to rethink. Breakfast is ready!!!!Ya know I aint gonna miss that!!
Larry
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 20 Feb 2005 4:28 am
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Welcome Larry
Membership has it's privileges,
now you can harrass us all you want.  |
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Chuck McGill
From:
An hour from Memphis and 2 from Nashville, R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Feb 2005 5:57 am
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Larry that's a great post. We should all be
proud of the friends who helped us as players
and humans. Especially the ones who are gone
now. |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Feb 2005 9:50 am
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Thanx every one, I know I'm gonna enjoy this forum, and the folks on it. And Chuck, there's not a night I step on the bandstand that I don't miss Jack Montgomery, Ther's been other players standing in his place on stage,but no one has ever taken his place!
Larry S.
Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400, Home Grown E/F Rack |
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Nic du Toit
From:
Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
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Posted 20 Feb 2005 1:38 pm
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Hi Larry,
Welcome!
You are still closer to the 'big' players than I am, being in South Africa.
However,the guys on the forum are always ready to answer questions. Just ask!
Regards,
------------------
 Nic du Toit
1980 Emmons P/P
Peavey Session 500
NEW CD "Nightmare on Emmons Steel"
Click here to E-mail us.
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Larry Behm
From:
Mt Angel, Or 97362
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Posted 20 Feb 2005 3:36 pm
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Larry have you spent time with my friend Bill Bailey/
Larry Behm |
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Dean Vallery
From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Posted 20 Feb 2005 3:39 pm
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Hi Larry,
Welcome! It took me many years to find the forum. Cool place.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. It always word like that.
Deano |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Feb 2005 4:37 pm
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Yes Larry, Bill Bailey is a friend of mine! A very fine steel player, It saddens me that he has his steel in the closet!! I managed to pick up a few licks from him every now and then!! He's one of the gracius players that would sit in now and then. He came out a couple of months ago and done a grand opening at a new club in town with Garland Hackney [Hack and the 57's] Maybe he'll get the itch, and bring it back out, I certainly hope so, he's a great player and a great person. Thanx for the reply!!
Larry S. |
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Bill Bailey
From:
Kingman, AZ
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Posted 20 Feb 2005 9:11 pm
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Thanks for the kind words Larry, and welcome to the forum, I am glad you finally dropped in. The reason you haven't seen me out since the Grand opening of Nicks on 66 is I have a job that starts at 1:00 PM and goes to 9:30 PM Monday thru Saturday and only have Sunday and monday off and have been putting in a lot of 12 hour shifts in between normal shifts. I haven't played but one gig since the one you mentioned with Hack and the 57's except for the 2 hour show the 10th of this month. I was invited to play at the River Resort RV park in Bullhead City with my friends Charley Connor and the Old Mill Opry. It was two hours of rehearsal and two hours of old country music, lots of fun. Glad you are getting to play lots of gigs, keep it up . Larry Behm, sorry I missed you at the South West Steel Guitar show this
January, maybe we can get together next year, Thanks for the memories.
Bill Bailey
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[This message was edited by Bill Bailey on 20 February 2005 at 09:15 PM.] |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Feb 2005 2:48 pm
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Well Bill, If you'd find a job with decent hrs. we could play more!!! But I think Jimmie Hill is a lost cause, Told me he sold out and was thru!! Any way what I said is true, wish you were playin more. I'm a big Bill Bailey Fan...
Larry S.
ps first time I heard you was right after I moved here,[93] Longbranch Saloon, with I think Jeff, if my memory serves me right.[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 21 February 2005 at 02:51 PM.] [This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 21 February 2005 at 02:53 PM.] |
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Bill Bailey
From:
Kingman, AZ
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Posted 21 Feb 2005 8:35 pm
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Thanks Larry,
Til then you will have to keep the steel chores around here done up for us both, take care friend.
Bill Bailey
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