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Topic: PHIL BENDER'S Excel Jerry Byrd T-8 |
Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 9:32 pm |
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Several months ago Phil Bender listed his Excel Jerry Byrd T-8 in the Instruments For Sale section.
This is it here:
and more pics can be seen here.
So I contacted him and we sealed the deal. He lives about 4 hours from here and he was kind enough to deliver the guitar.
It's a beautiful guitar and it plays great. Phil had added the 3rd neck himself, and he did a real nice job of it. He had also modified the case to accomodate the additional neck.
Unfortunately, the reason he was selling it was because he had developed Parkinsons and was having increasing difficulty controlling the bar. So he decided to get out, clearly not a happy decision for him.
It was impossible to feel elated about acquiring the guitar, and I didn't even post pics on the forum and all the usual stuff. I told Phil that I would never sell the guitar but if he wanted it back I would sell it to him. He replied that he was glad I wouldn't sell it but that he wouldn't be wanting it back. I remember having a funny feeling when he said that, an inkling you might say.
Shortly after that Phil sent me some cassettes of him playing at HSGA Festivals to make into a CD. That's when I really got to hear him, and he is a beautiful player. It was very emotional to listen to him and to think that he couldn't play any more.
Although we didn't discuss it beforehand, I left in his spoken introductions to the songs. I thought they provided some good insight into the song, and you could hear the very appreciative audience and get a feel for the vibe in the room. After I sent him the CDs he mentioned to me that he would rather the introductions had been left off.
Then a few weeks later I saw a post on the HSGA forum by Gerald Ross. Phil had sent him one of the CDs so his songs could be posted on the HSGA site, and he had asked Gerald to remove the introductions. Gerald made an executive decision and declined to do it, for essentially the same reasons. Phil couldn't get anyone to cut his intros . .
I'm not exactly sure why I found that funny.
Then a few months later just before the holidaze I received an email from Phil. He had been taking some new medication and had regained 89% control of his left hand. He asked if I still had the guitar and if I would still be willing to sell it back to him.
So today Phil and forum member Don Fullmer came to pick up the guitar. We had a real nice visit.
l2r - Phil Bender, Don Fullmer, Rick Alexander
Phil got reacquainted with his baby:
Then we put the headphones on him and told him we were going to record a song:
We decided to record Song Of The Island with the backup track from TUFF FUN TAB. Phil opted to use his C6/A7 neck and did a very nice version of it.
Listen to SONG OF THE ISLAND by Phil Bender with Yours Truly on Guitars, Ukulele and Bass.
Afterward Don brought in his 12 string (with 10 strings on it) Sierra and played a few songs. I wished we hadn't run out of time because I would have liked to record his playing as well. The man has a fine touch, no doubt about it.
Both of these guys are beautiful players and it was a very enjoyable couple of hours in the studio. It was great to see Phil in his much improved condition and in such good spirits. He has some gigs lined up and he's on his way.
I never figured I'd be happy about letting a nice guitar go. But this has made me feel very joyful, there's no better word for it - and Phil says he feels 100 times as joyful.
RA
BIG STEEL
Last edited by Rick Alexander on 6 Jan 2007 11:44 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Mitch Druckman
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 10:25 pm
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| Welcome back Phil. That recording is beeeeautiful. |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2007 10:51 pm
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| A good story with a happy ending...what a great way to start out the new year huh? |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 6:08 am
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Phil,
Good to have you back in Florida and playing once again.
We've missed seeing you at the Manasota Steel Guitar Club in Bradenton.
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 16.
Hope you and Don can make it.
Blake
Last edited by Blake Hawkins on 6 Jan 2007 8:42 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 7:52 am
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Great story Rick!
I hadn't heard about Phil's medical problems but I'm glad things are better now and he is playing again.
When I attended my first HSGA Joliet convention in 1998 Phil spent a few hours with me giving me pointers and helping me with my steel guitar technique (also calming my nerves about being a newcomer to the organization). This was a wonderful gift he gave me and I'll always remember his kindness.
Don Fulmer too, a very friendly outgoing guy who is a hell of a musician.
Listen to them on the HSGA site.
Phil Bender - HSGA website
Don Fulmer - HSGA website
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
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Al Terhune
From:
Newcastle, WA
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 8:20 am
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Rick -- well done. Very touching. Working with seniors, a number whom have Parkinson's, I find this very inspiring. Hooray for new medicatons!!!!
Where can I get a copy of Phil's CD?
_________________
Al
My equipment:
One heck of a Wife
The ghost of a red Doberman
Several pairs of reading glasses strewn about |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 8:29 am
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| Outstanding story, Rick. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 8:36 am
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Thanks, Rick, for sending me the link to this wonderful thread!
Rick really is one of the good guys, everyone - I'm very happy I got to meet him myself only last year....
RR |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 8:56 am
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Rick-Thank you for posting. That was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. I am so glad that there was a happy ending.
Not only because he got his guitar back, but also that he regained his health and ability to play it. Just Great and all of us steel players surely appreciate it.
I know I do, as I played non pedal from 1936 to 1947 until I got my first pedal guitar, a rare used 1942 Gibson Electra-Harp, 8 stirngs, 6 pedals. It had a Multi-Kord type changer in it.
Thanks again, Rick, you have a lot of interesting guitars in your studio.....al.
_________________
Michigan (MSGC)Christmas Dinner and Jam on my 80th Birthday.
My Email.. almarcus@cmedic.net
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus
Last edited by Al Marcus on 6 Jan 2007 12:22 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 10:47 am
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Rick very, very nice.
Phil sounds lovely, warm and sweet tone.
I think you will prize the expirence more than
you would have the guitar if you had kept it.
_________________
DLD, Chili farmer. Plus bananas and papaya too.
Real happiness has no strings attached.
But pedal steels have many! |
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Matt Johnson
From:
California, USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 11:04 am
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You are a good man, Rick.
Thanks for sharing the story. The music sounds beautiful! 
Last edited by Matt Johnson on 6 Jan 2007 12:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Gary Lynch
From:
Creston, California, USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 11:38 am
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Rick,
You are a stand up guy. |
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 11:44 am
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| What a great story! And I know it was fun "hanging out" with those guys. Both are awesome players! Don stopped by my house one time a few years back and we picked a bit. Phil also plays the beautiful Diatonic tuning, so I'm glad he's playing again! |
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Michael Winslow
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 12:51 pm
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| Thanks for sharing this great story with a happy ending. A wonderful gesture for a fellow musician and Forum member. You're first class all the way, Rick! |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 5:28 pm
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| There are those who take, and there are those who give, Rick has always been as kind and and a gentleman one would ever have to call "friend". Nice Story. Great Ending and brings emotions out in me. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 6 Jan 2007 6:23 pm
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| Great to see phil up & at 'em again!! |
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Gary Boyett
From:
Colorado
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 5:48 am
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This is so cool! I just love Happy endings.
It must be a special feeling to get not only your playing ability but your baby back.
Thanks for hanging onto that steel Rick.
Ya did good Vern..... |
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Andy Barlo
From:
Schererville, Indiana, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 12:13 pm
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It is great to see the big smile on Phil's face again. A few months back, when I was unable to play my steel, I became very depressed. This was my life and love so I can relate to Phil's situation. Welcome back Phil.
Andy |
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Maurie Junod
From:
Oak Forest, Illinois, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 2:05 pm
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Well that was really scary news. Phil is one of my favorite players. I am soooo glad that the story has ended happily.
Many thanks to you Rick for bringing the story to our attention.
Maurie |
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Terry Farmer
From:
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 2:19 pm
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| Rick, that is a beautiful story. I'm very interested in the medication that restored 89% of Phil's left hand usage. My son suffered a stroke about 3 years ago and can't use his right hand. He's tried many medications to no avail. The tremors he suffers are similiar to Parkinson's. Could you possibly put me in touch with Phil? |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 6:30 pm
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You got it Terry.
Thanks so much for all the nice comments everyone.
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 6:39 pm
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I'm happy for Phil. Way to go, Rick.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 7 Jan 2007 10:31 pm
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For anyone who hasn't heard Phil's beautiful playing, get on the HSGA site and listen. My favorite is Estrelita.
Regards BILL |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Jan 2007 5:49 am
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I did the mix for Phil's rendition of SONG OF THE ISLAND a bit hastily, and upon listening to it a few times I thought there were a couple of things that needed correcting.
Mainly the steel had too much reverb and the ukulele was too "up front" in the mix.
So this is the new mix - SONG OF THE ISLAND |
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