Tommy Roots & "All of Me" rendition....

Charles Curtis · Posted 25 Mar 2006 12:36 pm

I believe that Tommy was going to do a video and accompanying tab for a few C6th songs and among them would have been the song, "All of Me". If anyone out there has a copy of the tab by Tommy I would sure love to have it. I saw Tommy do it on a video once and I've never forgotten just what a great rendition he did. I liked all of Tommy's playing. Again I would really appreciate it if anyone has a copy of this song that Tommy tabbed himself. I guess that a lot of us are kind of bummed out today with Buck's passing; what a great man.

Ron Kirby · From: Nashville TN

Charles, I to have heard " All of Me" Tommys version, only I dont think I have a copy ! Tommy was a great steel man !! and a good person, in 1972 when I was pickin at Yellow Rose sit down gig, In Corpus Christi Texas, Tommy used to stop by during practice hours and show me C-6th lines, he could also make E-9th sound like c-6th Ill look through my old tapes if I find it, Ill post It Take care Ron

Charles Curtis · Posted 25 Mar 2006 7:03 pm

Thanks Ron. To me it sounded like Curly C's style, or was it Tommy's? I think the guy was amazing though I never met him. He talked on the video, I remember, that it was going to be, I believe, C6 Bandstand Instrumentals. The way he did that piece just blew me away. There's not too much I get excited about at this point in my life, (getting up there) but if he did that tab and someone has it......oh well, I can dream.

Ron Kirby · From: Nashville TN

Charles, The Tune was a mixture of Curlys style and Tommys, Mainly Tommys, alot of pickers have not heard such a big band cut,,with Tommy standing out , in a very big way !he put alot of time in his cut getting the guitar to sound as big as possible, without being to loud, I looked for a cassette tape I used to have with the tune on it, but I was doing a lot of road work after that gig, no luck yet ( could be lost) but Ill try to contact Randy Reinheart who picked lead guitar with him, and with us as well, you might try calling Clawsons Music center in Corpus Christi Tx. They used to sell all his product, have a blessed Sunday,, Adios Ron

Tom Sullinger · From: Texas, USA

It is great to hear about Tommy, I picked bass with him a few times and even at the Yellow Rose as well as the Bumble Bee next door while I lived in Corpus. Like Ron Kirby said, the best contact you could have to find this is with Bubba Clawson, or if his dad is at the store try to talk to Bob at Clawsons Music on South Padre Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas. I know Bob will have that in his collection. Johnny, (not Randy) Reinheart fronted the band and picked lead with Tommy on steel for many years and from what Bubba Clawson told me six or so months ago, Johnny is living and still picking in San Antonio Texas.
Have a great day and THANKS FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES. TOM

Charles Curtis · Posted 26 Mar 2006 12:00 pm

Thanks guys; Tommy is one musician that I truly wish I could have met. I understand that he would give away a lot of stuff at shows to help people. He definitely, IMO, knew where it was at; man what a picker.

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

Charles,around 20 years ago I bought one of Tommy's "Bandstand Instrumentals" courses on VCR tape.

He was playing one of the nicest MCI's that I have ever seen and what a tone! I went over to Arlington with the intention of buying one but it was just out of my price range in those days.

Tommy was a good guy.

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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Ron Kirby · From: Nashville TN

Tom Sullinger,, Johnny Reinheart, is one of the best lead pickers Ive ever heard, dont you think so !!! Tommy took a gig with Barbara Clawson, at that time , So Johnny put a group together, I was on steel, Johnny lead, Sandy Parker on Drums, Johnny Beck on bass,Richard Glover on Fiddle, Dennis Gilly on Piano, and doing most vocals,Man we had a blast,, When we left the Rose, We went south Texas, and played a sit gig I think two years ,then every one went there own way, I will try contact Reinheart, I might make a trip to visit ! Take care,,, Ron

Les Pierce · From: Shreveport, LA

Hey, Ron, I recognize one of those names.
http://www.dennisgilley.com

I never meet Tommy, but I have sure about him through the years. I was only living a few miles away, and his passing was the first I had heard of him, and then it was too late.

Les

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Strat,Tele
Dekley S-10

Tom Sullinger · From: Texas, USA

RON, Tommy Roots and Johnny Reinheart, had one of the very best relationships I have heard with the Lead and the PSG. Each of them knew exactly when and where the other was on the necks and could exchange parts anytime.
That was when Barbara recorded "ONE BUDWISER" and had Richard Glover on Fiddle, and Bob Clawson normally on bass.

I also played full time with Dennis Gilly when he was too young to drive and his dad took him everywhere. Great memories.
I went into a club one night in Mc Allen, Tx and found Johnny and his band playing, sounded great. YOU were probably there..
I would love to hear Johnny again before he joins Tommy on stage with the other masters of music. We are all getting older and should stay in touch.Tom

Boo Bernstein · From: Los Angeles, CA

Johnny Rhinehart was the band leader/guitarist for Freddy Fender when I played in his band in '79 and '80. Great player and wonderful guy. I just spoke to him recently and he seems to be doing pretty good - and still playing music! His mailing address is in Engleside, Texas. Wow, this takes me down Memory Lane. When I lived in Corpus, Tommy Roots was a principal at a school and was not playing full time. He hooked me up with Dekley to become an endorsee -- and he was very helpful in giving me tips on C6th playing. Boo

Tom Sullinger · From: Texas, USA

Great, I am originally from Aransas Pass and the next time I go to Ingleside, 5 miles awat, I will find Johnny.
How was Freddy to work for. I had a big bad problem on the way I saw him treat Bill Melhart one Saturday at the horn shop. He was too good for any of us including Bill who did the work on one of Baldemar Huerta (Freddy Frnder) Strats.

Gary Carriger · From: Victoria, Texas

Tom / Ron / Boo,
Knew all those guys you've mentioned...played with most and in most of those places. Tommy was a great player.
Johnny R was and still is one of the best lead guitarist. Played a gig with him at the Rockport Oysterfest a few weeks back, opening up for Herb Steiner and his singer..Johnny Bush. I don't have a number handy on Rheinhart, but can run one down if you like.
Do any of you remember the club Western Palms (great club, meat market if there ever was one)...or the steel player there....Dean Thompson.
Gary

Ron Kirby · From: Nashville TN

Tom, Gary, Boo, Tom Yes! I was there for two years--it was fun. Im not getting older, I just started young Ha !! Yes we should keep in touch! Boo, Ive heard alot of good things about your steel pickin, do you have any new CDs, or a web site !! Tom, WE worked alot of shows backing up Bush, Fender and a fiddle player ( so called the worlds fastest) Sho-Shi Toboshi (mispelled) But Richard Glover all ways showed him a few things Ha! it was great!!! Gary, If you could get me Johnny Rheinheart number I would be forever greatful !! Dont you-all think this FORUM is wonderful, I will send Bob a donation !! thanks Ron

Charles Curtis · Posted 31 Mar 2006 5:23 am

I don't know who owns the rights to Tommy's recordings, etc. or what would be involved, or if it's possible, but I think that it would be great if that video of Tommy playing, "All Of Me", on the C6th neck could be shared with the forum; just to give everyone a look at a truly remarkable musician and educator. What a blast!!!!!

Tom Sullinger · From: Texas, USA

WESTERN PALMS, WHAT FANTASTIC MEMORIES.
cHARLIE, iF BOB CLAWSON WAS NOT RECORDING TOMMY AT THAT TIME, I THINK TOMMY MENTIOONED TO ME IN ABOUT 1997 - 98 THAT HE WAS USING HACIANDA RECORDS AT SIX POINTS IN DOWNTOWN CC. IF YOU GO TO THE DENNIS GILLEY SITE http://www.dennisgilley.com
OR ASK GARY TO CONTACT DENNIS IN CORPUS, I BET HE COULD SEND YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. DENNIS COULD HAVE BEEN RECORDING TOMMY IN HIS GILLEY RECORDING STUDIOS.
TOM

Boo Bernstein · From: Los Angeles, CA

Great to make contact with so many players who knew Tommy and Johnny. If anyone sees Johnny, please send him my regards.

Ron, thank you for the kind words. I don't have a CD out nor do I have my own website -- guess I should get on the ball

I recently played on a single by the band Erasure (a dance band from the 80s/early 90s who are putting out an acoustic record) and an upcoming album by Chris Jones -- great traditional country record produced by Pete Anderson.

I cherish those Texas days and it brings a smile to my face to hear from all you guys who lived down there "in the day." Boo

Tom Sullinger · From: Texas, USA

HAY BOO, get yourself on down any time, You and all of the Form members from out of state are always welcome in Texas.
We all need to gather at the next big steel show and really talk about the good old days.. Tom

Jim Keith · From: Anna Texas, USA

Charles, I was blessed to have known Tommy for a few years, and I have an audio tape of All of Me. It was included on the album Grass Roots of Steel. If you are unable to find a video version, I would be happy to make you one of the audio tape. Carson Wells was the producer along with Tommy, but he too has passed. Carson was also a very fine steel man that I once had the pleasure of working with. Since both are gone, I don't have a clue where to look. Good luck with the search. If you need that, shoot me an e-mail.

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Jim Keith

Charles Curtis · Posted 8 Apr 2006 5:38 am

Thanks Jim, I didn't know that Carson had passed. It doesn't seem too long ago that I talked with him on the phone; I believe that he was in San Antonio at the time. Man this is a shocker, we are losing so many of the pioneers. I was (am) looking for the tab; the way Tommy did it really grabbed me. I think that he was amazing on either neck. When I saw that video, I had the same reaction that I did the other night as I was sitting a few feet in front of Mike Cass while the great "Ray Price" performed; not getting away from the subject but I think that Ray still has the same great voice that he has always had, and that night everyone was on their feet in appreciation. Mike, IMO, was fantastic and I liked the way that Ray would look over at him when he would do an instrumental. Maybe someday that video of Tommy will be shown here and everyone that never saw him will be able to enjoy that level of professionalism.

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