Marrs Attracts!

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Well, it's been a month, and the trip put me in a state of shock initially.I've been playing catch up ever since, and here's most of what I can put together.

I flew into BNA about 10 PM, rented a hapless Mitzi Galant, follwed a rental car kid that was just leaving his shift to Hwy 40, Tom Bodett left the light on for me in Goodlettsville, and I collapsed at his place. Photo
Then finding out how addicted to coffee I am, I woke up. stumped over to Jack in the Box and bought about three biggie size cups of black tar columbian with an ice cube in them. shot down two of them and headed to Madison. Mapquest works fine unless the street signs are knocked over.

One house looks very much like another there, and I finally found Duane's Log Mansion and Shop. ( It's a VERY stately place, with a great patio, and giant yard.

Waiting inside with my Guitar was a young man in a sweatshirt. The Builder, Mr Jeff Surratt.

It seems that every steel player in Nashville is vying for the distinction of not looking like one.Photo Sweatshirts especially with teams they might or might not follow seem to be the trump card there, and tennis shoes...

My guitar was set up next to a marvelously old Walker Stereo amp. All tuned up to whatever it is they tune to there. Sounded fine to me.Photo

It took a little getting used to the smaller pedals, and the height needed a little adjustment for the knee levers. The new changes were basically set up, and used additional pulls for half stops. With double, and spilt pulls, that's the only way it can be done, as there's always a secondary "resistance point". The only way a spring/barrel type half stop works is if there aren't any other pulls on the half stopped string.

I had a total retrofit, excellent refinishing, 8/4 and two extra verticals. I needed a grover, the heels and pegheads were pitted beyond belief, and I had about 5 extra new changes from stock Emmons setup. I'll post the codependant later.

The TOTAL bill including lots of extra grinding polishing, setup, changes and the two verts was 2000$. MUCH less than I'd expected. I got extra fingers, rods, bell cranks, bearing plates etc. rubber feet, switch, and lots of other stuff. (I totalled up a couple hundred more than that..)

Mr Marrs came in shortly, and dressed for the occaison.Photo We talked etc while we squared up, and got the rig all packed up.

Well The next part was making sure the case fit OK Texas Case, made a full ATA flight case sight unseen as they'd flown it ther instead of my home, and only went by my measurements. It fit perfectly. Also included was a half ounce of dried lentils in a tennis ball container with an arrow drawn around it and a 3 inch high green rubber horse. I scratched my head until it hit me that in addition to the special sizing, brass plate monogram, pedalbar compartment set "just so", I had made two more requests at the end of my last email. "World Peace, and a Pony".

It's good that I didn't ask for a ten inch pianist, or it's hard saying what I'd have ended up with..... All for $300 Bucks.

They're a great company, good people, and now they have the dimensions for a Sho~Bud Marrs Retrofit Professional.Photo
I had missed Mr Lloyd Green by about a half hour, and he didn't sign my guitar not wanting to "violate my instrument without my permission," I about DIED.. I remember him hesitating to sign the Revisited CD for similar reasons. I can not understand humility like that. I go to clubs and sign the band's guitars all the time without them even knowing about it.

Once I signed a guitar player's girl friend, the same way. With a non washable felt tip.Photo
Maybe humility comes at a later age than my 51 years...

I know now that Mr Green's is beyond match. Especially for a guy that singlehandedly recorded more REAL pedal steel music than ANYBODY...

After I wasted about Half of Duane and Jeff's day, I headed over to Bobbes.

I walked in, and while he was on the phone I was doodling around signing his floor guitars with my hat pulled down..

"Eric!" he said, and sunk my hopes of him buying lunch as per my bet...

Anyhow, I got it all set up, and heard him play it, while being totally distracted by his office staff, and by then Bobby Knight and Mike Sweeney that showed up. Photo

We took off to go see the sights, and went into Tootsies, watched some panhandlers playing on the plywood stage, and walked out the back. I met Elvis, and saw THE sho~Bud at the ET Record shop.

Then we went to a great burger place, got Bobbe's to go, and went back to the shop.

There was Russ Hicks, playing the hell out of the old gal. PhotoI was starting to become shorter and shorter. Very nice man and a hell of a player. If he found anything wrong with the guitar, he didn't say anything..

Well, after tons of thank youses' I headed off to the Motel6, Photowith a new amp and volume pedal that Bobbe insisted I take with me.

It had been a long day.

Next morning, I was able to get Duane to invite Lloyd Green over so I could meet him, and get him to sign my guitar.

I spent the best part of the day with him, shooting the breeze, talking about everything from steel guitar, to the Civil War, which we both study, Egyptology, which he is quite an expert at, and all the way to religion. I have never seemed to get to know somebody so quickly. We listened to a couple of his new projects in his car, which I'm sure more will be heard from, and in general, I was about half passed stunned with the whole thing at that point.

I went in and got some parts I needed for the old PIII, Duane drilled and tapped some bell crank swivel connectors, taking about a half hour, and I got a half dozen sho bud plated fingers to match my old ones. They were the "cheap" ones that only lasted 25 years and three thousand gigs... His price?. I wont' tell, but I doubled it, and even felt like a cheap yankee kid, as I left.

Their hospitality, grace, and generosity put me past my already stunned state...

I really don't remember much in chronological perfection after that. I just drove around in a daze, ending up at Bobbe's, where Lynn Owsley played the new axe, Photo

( the only guy on the whole trip that WAS dressed like a steel player)... I listened to a story or a dozen, reminisced about the time I'd met ET, him Pete Mitchell and Jimmy Day on ET's bus when I ran an amp down to them at the Smithsonian Gig they played, and that is on file at the Smithsonian with JCD on bass. If I'd have known, I'd have brought a torpedo™ as well. Oh well..

That night, I went to the Station Inn, and saw the Time Jumpers. Mr Hughey was closest to me on the stage, and played MARVELOUSLY through two 112s. The whole Band was GREAT, from Cowboy Dan, to the two killer fiddle players, and the DYNOMITE female vocalists. I went up to sign his guitar ( cough cough..), and He changed from a slightly well worn and weathered older gentleman to a bright eyed teenager with the contact of our eyes. I can't explain in better than that. It was like looking into the sun reflected in a fast running stream. Anybody that knows Mr Hughey though, knows just what I mean.

It was midnight, and I figured the better part of common sense was to go back to Tom B's.Photo

Wednesday, I went over to Bobbes after his wake up call to "Get Over Here", and met Russ Hicks,Photo Lyn Owsley, and then a bit later Tommy White happend in. I don't think it was all "coincidence" and I had a great time with my jaw dragging on the floor, and playing stupid little background noodlings, I was looking around for my Muse, but she didn't have a real good trip, and was still at the Motel with her "morning sickness", or whatever she had.. ( and no it's not that..)

Time passed I guess, and I spent the afternoon in a daze.. Calling up old friends I know that are in NVl, and trying to get things straight in my head...

I headed out about 800 to Lower Broadway to the tip clubs.

First stop was Roberts, where Mike Sweeney and the band Tommy ( I think) Cox and the "( I didn't get the rest of the name..)" played a couple sets to die for. He is a monster, a great guy, and had a VERY competent Telecaster player trying unsuccessfully to put a sweat on him. I sat with his lovely wife, and talked while they played a long set of great music.

About that time, "Biuuull Dalton" ( Texas for Bill) I'd known and played with in Portland walked in and we recognized eachother, and I headed out with him to the Legends, where I sat in on some guy's GFI set up all back'erds while the band goofed up CHatahoochie, and I drooled over Ms Anita Hill, their fabulous and totally distracting drummer..

Then Race Godson showed up. A nice young feller that left for there a year or so ago. He'd been ridden a little hard, and is still scrambling to make gigs happen on a regular basis, bless his heart. He'll make it. It'll just take a while. I told him..

A couple others, and it was three in the morning. Maybe four.. I went home to Toms and whooped it up with a biggie size chicken burger and the after hours crowd. ( M6)..Photo

Wednesday it was more of the same at Bobbes, We had lunch at a taco place next door, and I finished off the day at his store. Then things start to slip away. I ended up driving up to Radcliff KY to see relatives about 7pm,Photo ended up there till midnight, and stopped at Bobby Knights house about 1am on the way back.

By that time I was babbling, hadn't bathed or shaved all week, and things were so far past keeping track of, I felt like an HST character without the LSD, and the fear and loathing. Guess I'mm just too old for it..... I was totally taken my Bobby's two pet sugar gliders. He shook them out of the crown royal bag where they were bundled up together, and I got to pet one. They're the neatest little creatures. He made me a sandwich, we talked a while and I saw his great Sho~Bud.

About this time, you're probably figuring that I'd lost my mind. I had.

I got back in line to the bumper to bumper truck traffic that goes from Louisville to Memphis all night at 75mph, and slid into M6 about 4am..

Up the next day. Back to Bobbes to get packed up and pick up a few things.

I got a couple chord ends, chords, a Sho~Bud original bar, a bunch of CDs, a Steel Guitar Nashville Guitar cover, and a couple other things.

Maybe his Visa machine had had a breakdown too, cause it added up in my spun out brain to be about twice what he charged me...Picture
Time passed, and it was time to head off to the airport.

I made it in the nick of time, dropped off what was left of the poor Mitzy Galant, greased the skycap 15$, and he shipped my hundred pound ATA case without somehow sending me the 170$ bill....

In MSP airport the band called about being cancelled for the weekend, and the job called about me making sure I could make it in in the morning. ( It was 1000hrs..) I got in at midnight, up at 5am, and was hauling a backhoe to a job at 6am...

I've been scrambling ever since. Three gigs so far on the Marrs. It plays like a dream.

Anyhow, that's my trip to Marrs.

It does seem like a dream sometimes. A very pleasant one that I'll remember a long time.

I've NEVER been treated so well by people that I didn't know.

I must apologize for my brain and conciousness spinning out at the early stage of my visit.

I just seem to have an overload valve, that kicks stuff past "too much" out for a while.

I think it was meeting Mr Green, and having him act like I was "Somebody", but that's just the way he treats people.

Then Duane, Jeff, Bobbe, Lynn, John H, Tommy, Bobby, Mike, treat people that way too.

Since I know so many people there that have left here over the years, If I'd have stayed there another week, I feel like I'd have never gotten out.

My house would sell here in a week, I'd buy one in KY for a third of what I got for it, I'd get a good day job, and then blow it over the first "road gig" that I'd find I could't cut, and come back after losing my job, and head down to Lower Broadway..

It ain't over yet either, I guess.

Anyhow, my supreme thanks to EVERYBODY there.

Bless their hearts.

If I wait til I get it all "Sorted out" I'll never post it. I thought my mind would come back and get the knot between my ears untied.

It never did...

EJL

More on the Guitar in Pedal Steel.

[This message was edited by Eric West on 14 March 2005 at 05:37 PM.]

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Limit on Photos I guess.

Lloyd Green. If meeting him was the only thing I did in Nashville the whole trip would have been worth it.

Since he signed my guitar, I have to watch it at breaks so my buddies don't turn her upside down. I had a girlfrien.. never mind..

EJL

[This message was edited by Eric West on 13 March 2005 at 05:57 PM.]

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

Wonderful accounting of your trip. You're an interesting (good) writer. I cracked up everytime that little photo of Motel six appeared in the upper left hand corner.

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Very interesting story and photos..thanks for showing it.....al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Outstanding, Eric, thanks for the post. Nita and I laughed our way through the whole thing, glad Tom B. still takes in strangers.

See ya in the territories -- dg

David Doggett · Posted 13 Mar 2005 8:11 pm

Great story, Eric. You've got some great memories now to go with your "new" guitar. Hope you're loving that new-old 'Bud.

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

Thanks, Eric. That was really entertaining as well as informative. Hope to run into you some time soon. Come to think of it, seems like I am doing a gig in Portland next month, I'll keep the light on for you....

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www.tyack.com

Billy Joe Bailey · From: Jackson, Mississippi, USA

Very injoyable story Eric I feel like we would all be proud to have Lloyd write on our guitar and also to have had a longtime conversation about live in general WOW
with the Green man himself Mr Lloyd Green.
God Bless BJ

Bob Knight · From: Bowling Green KY

Very concise report Eric. We enjoyed your visit, and hope you return soon.

Best Regards,
Bob

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Thanks Bobby. I'm thinking the realtor will be by thisafternoon..

Just kidding. For now anyhow.

Like I said, any of the people I met there and yours' hospitality made the trip worth it.

I sure don't get treated thataway up north here..

But then, they've gotten familiar with me.

Thanks again.

EJL

Frank Estes · From: Huntsville, AL

Great stuff! Eric is one interesting dude! The important question is, who is the girl next to you in your photo with Seymour?

I have been to see Bobbe's store several times and everyone needs to experience the "Bobbe Treatment!" He is one great host!

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

Excellent Coverage Eric

Y'all done good
Duane, Jeff & Lloyd get mucho merit fer keepin' ShoBud up w: the times.
what's Fred been doin' ?

Eric, i take it you tried the Steel King ?
how did you like it ?

gotta love them Marrsified Buds

Frank Parish · From: Nashville,Tn. USA

I liked the "Bless their heart" part. You got a good taste of real Southern hospitality and found a good place to get it too. Very entertaining story and love the M6 photos!

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Frank. That's Debarella, Bobbe's Office staff.

Certainly a lady that brought out the gentleman in me. Maybe it was the .45 in her purse..

I didn't meet Fred,unless he was the ISP guy that does internet and rebuild stuff there. He was gone most of the time. I never tried out the Steel King. I probably chould have, and iff'n I bought one, I'd sure buy it from Bobbe.

At the prices he charges, I reckon he'll stay in business until all his money's gone.

FP.

Yep, Bless their Hearts.

That came to me from the late Gary Hogue, by way of Mr Green. It was the funniest story, and one of many I heard there.

It tickles me no end to lay out the biggest harrassment of a third party I can think of at work lately, and end it with "bless his heart". It somehow makes me feel better.

I got a good view of the southern soul, and found it to be warm, generous, hospitable, and merciless at freeway merges..

Like I said, if I had another week there, I'd still be there.

EJL

[This message was edited by Eric West on 14 March 2005 at 08:29 PM.]

Bob Watson · From: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.

Eric, congratulations on your new Marrsified Sho-Bud. It’s a beauty! Duane has worked on my Sho-Bud a number of times. He's a great guy and I always enjoyed going over to his shop. One of my favorite things about Tennessee (other than the great fishing) is all of the great steel players that are living there. It’s cool that you got to meet so many in such a short time. Thanks for writing down all of the details of your trip and sharing it with us in such an entertaining way.

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Bob W.

It took a month to be able to post anything about it..

I wanted to post my thanks to all these folks, without having some big long involved thing that would violate people's reading spans, and mention enerybody in the proper order, and not toot my horn for being anything but a long time bush league player in awe of all these great guys that were so hospitable and nice to me.

I can claim that I completely wore out a ShoBud ProIII in 26 years, and that's it. Took more than a couple thousand truck stop gigs to do it too..

Meeting and talking to Lloyd Green was certainly a high point, but then so was sitting at Bobby Knight's kitchen counter after he made me a ham sandwich and let me pet his sugar gliders at 2 in the morning, and a dozen other encounters with the players in Nashville.

Of course the whole point was getting my Marrs from the master builders Duane and Jeff, hanging out at Bobbe's and meeting them ALL on the forum provided by b0b.

That's all I've got to say about that... as Forrest Gump would say..

EJL

Chris Forbes · From: Beltsville, MD, USA

As much as I've enjoyed Mr. Green's music and admired his talent over the years, I gotta admit it breaks my heart to see him wearing a Dallas Cowboy's sweatshirt. Sigh, being a Redskins fan, I just get tired of getting killed twice a year by that team. I hereby extend an offer of buying Mr. Green a Redskins shirt and shipping it to him gratis if he'll quit wearing that dang Cowboy's stuff!!!!!!!!!!

[This message was edited by Chris Forbes on 16 March 2005 at 03:55 AM.]

Dave Burr · From: League City, TX

Thanks for the story and the pics Eric! It was worth the wait!

That's an incredible looking ~Bud and it sounds like you have met some lifelong friends. Godspeed.

Respectfully,
Dave Burr

Doug Earnest · From: Branson, MO USA

I hereby nominate Eric West for the SGF Best Story of the Year Award.

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Doug Earnest
The only Zum Keyless U12, Fender Cyber Twin

Sonny Priddy · From: Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, R.I.P.

You Can Always Have A Good Time At Bobbie seymours. SONNY.

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Mike Winter · From: Portland, OR

Great story and pics Eric. Can't wait to see it in person. What's to become of your old beast, the cool blonde one with the knife levers?

Mike

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

I gotta admit it breaks my heart to see him wearing a Dallas Cowboy's sweatshirt.>/quote<

I have to say that as much as I have always admired Mr. Green, I admire him even more after seeing him wearing my team's sweatshirt, the "Dallas Cowboys".

www.genejones.com

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 17 March 2005 at 09:40 AM.]

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

Cool Eric! Great post, gorgeous steel guitar!

How ya tunin' that baby?

Chris Forbes · From: Beltsville, MD, USA

Mr. Jones!!!!! Not you too!?!?!?!? Awwwwwwwww, you're killin' me!!!

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Mike W \ God willing I'll be playing it at Jubitz next thursday nite, with Jason, and the 1-2 of April there with John and Beth. Flying M this weekend with them, ( a long way out there,) and the Dalles with Monty next saturday.

The old warhorse is getting the front apron straightened, a new marrtian angle steel front axle gang bearing, and a new finish, clear with slight highlights like the fretboards, mica chips. New "Regal" pattern knife handles on the way, with two added verticals in the "Twinkle" pattern. ( thinner profile..)

Rick. Lloyd told me to tune it til I think it sounds in tune and play it. I think I'll go with that. Since he, Lynn, Tommy, Russ, and Bobbe played it, I'm not going to be tuning it at all for a year or so.

( straight up

)

EJL

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