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Topic: Al Petty |
Billy Tonnesen
From:
R.I.P., Buena Park, California
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Posted 22 Nov 2008 11:48 am |
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| I just posted something about "Al Petty" in the Pedal Steel Section abour Fender 1000's. Al was a real pioneer in So. Calif. in the 50's. He worked for Leo Fender in the Lab. How many of you remember Al and his great playing. |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Nov 2008 12:10 pm
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| Billy, I grew up with Al in Tyler,Tex. and we both learned to play at about the same time along with Bobbt Garrett. I taught in his school in Odessa,Tx. in about 1954, just before he moved to Calif. Al was a genuis when it came to steel guitars. I sure learned a lot from Al. Jody. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 22 Nov 2008 2:50 pm
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| Anybody have any updates on Al? I assume he's still where he's been for the last several years. |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Nov 2008 4:19 pm
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Jack, haven't heard any news lately, but I think he's got another appeal coming up shortly.
phred
_________________
There are only two defining forces that have offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American GI!!
Think about it!! |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2008 8:32 pm
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You can google in Al Petty steel guitar,and read his story,very interesting.DYKBC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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LJ Eiffert
From:
California, USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2008 9:17 am
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| Let's see if " Al " can turns his life like he can on the Steel Guitar. That would be great. LJ |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 23 Nov 2008 2:19 pm
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Billy, I first met Al in his pre-toupee days and before the period of time when he called himself Al "Perry"..... I'll never know why he did that, to me Petty sounded better than Perry anyday.
Do you remember a little short bass player named Bobby Ray? Anyway, one night Bobby and I went out to see "Al Petty & the Countrymen" at a club on Lincoln Ave. in Cypress, Ca. I believe. The bandstand was on the left as you went in the front door and about 3 feet high. As we walked in, Al was doing a very pretty rendition of "Danny Boy" if I remember right. He was really into it and Bobby being a bit weird, walked right up in front of Al's guitar and started pulling on his pedal rods with the same action as you'd milk a cow! These horrible sounds started coming out of Al's amp and he stood right up and yelled at Bobby..."you fool, you fool" I grabbed Bobby's arm and said "Let's get outa her" and we did......
The next time I saw Al, a friend of mine (drummer Al Brown) was playing for Al at a club in the basement of a hotel in Long Beach named "The Breakers". What a show! I'd never heard a more perfect sound in my life. Al had Al Brown on Drums and a blind piano player named Joe Pope who also played one of those Fender keyboard basses with his left hand. They had a number of speakers in the club and anyone of them that you went to had a perfectly mixed sound coming from it. Everything must have been miked as it sounded like a studio recording anywhere you sat. At that time Al was still playing that Fender 1000 with sixteen (16) pedals on the thing. That night he played "Caravan" and I don't think to this day I've ever heard any better rendition than that!
I'm really sorry he did what he did to become incarcerated but a person has to pay for their mistakes. He's got a bit of age on him now so I hope they let him out sometime, I'd hate to see him pass away in prison. No doubt about it, the man's a steel guitar genius and still has a lot to offer us!.....JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Alan Coldiron
From:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2008 7:47 pm
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Al changed his name to Perry to escape from the steel player "Petty" to become the singer, entertainer "Perry". I worked for Al playing bass in 1980 - 1981. Its at that time somewhere he saw an article claiming he might be dead. He contacted Scotty and he asked Al to play the convention for the first time in 1980. At that convention he shook so bad it sounded like he had tembelo on his amp. It would be a few months later that he became a Christian. In April of 1981 Al returned to his real name "Petty" and changed from a secular night club act to a gospel act. The last time I played for Al was the 1981 convention.
Al was an amazing musician and one of the most intellegent people I have ever known. I learned more in the year I was with him than anyone else I have ever met. He knew how to teach how to play commercial and I credit him and my brother Vern for the way I play today. As a side note my brother Vern Coldiron who was married to Al's daughter Halo for a few years, played mainly drums, but sometimes bass for many years.
I would love to someday play bass for Al again but the chance of that is pretty bad. As I remember Al was about 72 when he went to jail and got 24 years for what he did. He is someone who should be remembered for his talent an inovation. |
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Kevin Mincke
From:
Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
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Billy Tonnesen
From:
R.I.P., Buena Park, California
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Posted 23 Nov 2008 8:55 pm
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Jerry:.
I remember when Al and Danny Michaels paired up and were playing at the Saddle Club on Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles. They were really far out in their individual playing and arrangements they played together. You also mentioned Joe Pope. Joe was an institution in So. California. Joe was blind but once you played with him and he got to know you he never forgot your voice. If you went where he was playing and said "Hi Joe" he usually would call you back by your name. |
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Ed Iarusso
From:
East Haddam, CT US of A
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 8:20 am
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I don't know the Al Petty story of why he went to jail. Could someone give a brief overview of what he was charged with and what he said to defend himself.
Thanks, Ed |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 8:55 am
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Ed, google up "Al Petty", you can get all you want here:
http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/InPerson/MajorPerson/telecom2000.htm
But don't stop at that article, read some of the other info as well. In a lot of opinions all was not accomplished as well as it should have been, by the US Justice Dept., in Al's trial. Several of us who were present will, and have attested to that fact.
phred
_________________
There are only two defining forces that have offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American GI!!
Think about it!! |
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Ed Iarusso
From:
East Haddam, CT US of A
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 1:00 pm
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Fred, thanks for the link. I have read portions of it and the earlier links from others. Very unforunate? situation for everyone involved. I had heard of Al years ago but didn't know much about him or his story. A rather unusual fellow to say the least. Thanks again for the link.
Ed |
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Skip Edwards
From:
LA,CA
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 1:38 pm
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I saw Al play at Blackie Taylor's old store in Hawaiian Gardens...around 1980. The unique thing about his playing was his heel and toe pedal setup. He sat on a bench that supported his thighs, like an organist, so he didn't have to rest his heel on the floor, making it easier to do his heel and toe thing. I remember he only had 2 levers on that particular gtr - a Sierra - because the heel pedals replaced some of the levers. I tried it out, and it was really strange, but I could see how it sorta made sense. It sure sounded like it made sense when he played it.
The first 2 heel pedals replaced the E raise and lower levers... I remember that much of the setup. The rest is Greek to me.
Here's a pic of a S12 that GFI buit for him.
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 2:32 pm
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What a fascinating and sad story. Are there any sound clips of Mr Petty's playing? Some highly intelligent people do veer over to the wrong side, and it sounds as though Mr Petty was one of these. What a waste.
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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Archie Nicol R.I.P.
From:
Ayrshire, Scotland
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 3:27 pm
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I believe that Sierra had 21 pedals, if my memory serves me right.
Arch.
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I'm well behaved, so there! |
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Keith Hilton
From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 7:16 pm
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| Newspaper story said he got 24 years 9 months in Federal Prision without parole, at the age of 69, for running a "Ponzi Scheme". If you don't know what a ponzi scheme is, look up Charles Ponzi, the fellow who invented the paramid scheme. I always liked Al and admired his playing. He probably had an I.Q. of 200 to 300, where normal people have about 100. That may of been what got him in trouble. |
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Alan Coldiron
From:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 7:20 pm
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When I went to work for Al in 1980 he had a Sho Bud. He had a Deckley for a few months then went to Sierra sometime in 1981. All were double necks with 21 pedals. At the 1981 convention Sierra introduced the Al Petty model. If I remember correctly it was a single neck with 3 toe and 2 heel pedals. I'm not sure what happened to that but it obviously didn't catch on.
I do have a copy of "Al's Steel Guitar Wobble" from I think the late 50's and a live/studio 2 album set that I recorded with Al in 1980. I also have some cassette tapes from some of Al's last performances as a night club act somewhere. I have digitized "Al's Steel Guitar Wobble" so if anyone knows where I can put it I'll post it where everyone can here it.
As far as a seat I think he used a piano bench at the time. These are some of the things I remember but that was 28 years ago. |
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Skeeter Stultz
From:
LOMITA, California, USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 8:43 pm
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When I first came to California in Sep. 1959 I had Western Swing in mind as I had a triple neck string master but by then pedals were in and that's another story.I was introduced to Al at the Saddle Club in L.A. I finally sat in and he asked me to work for him on Weds. night as he was working at Fender five days a week and playing six nights. He said he was getting tired.I did work a few weeks like that and I had no idea how big the shoes were that I was trying to fill. When I came back to Calif. in 1965 we renewed our friendship again.I highly respect Al for his playing and I really don't think he thought he was doing anything wrong.
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GFI ULTRA D-10, EVANS, FENDER 2000 (WORN OUT) TWIN REVERB W/JBL'S, OLD 4-10 BASSMAN |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 9:18 pm
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| Skeeter Stultz wrote: |
| I highly respect Al for his playing and I really don't think he thought he was doing anything wrong. |
I agree with Skeeter. I too have known Al for quite a while; we met in Los Angeles in 1970, and I used to listen to his radio show on KFOX, broadcast live from Evelyn's Panama Club in Long Beach. I've always liked the man and had good conversations with him.
I talked with Al just before all his troubles went down. I think he truly believed he wasn't doing anything except making good money for his investors. Talking about the Feds, he kept saying "they don't understand. They just don't understand. Why can't they listen to me?"
I also agree with Keith. Al is brilliant and a thinker who ignores limitations. And in addition to everything else, he's a great preacher. I've heard some wonderful sermons from him. But even he will admit that he's had some real demons to wrestle with in his life, as have we all to one degree or another. And I believe he's going through one now.
Jim, I think you have a good idea about a petition to pardon Al Petty. He's a Texan also, but I don't know if that'd carry any water with President Bush. |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 10:31 pm
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I hesitate to post, as it's always a can of worms with AP..
Isn't what he was convicted of doing a little less criminal than our "top" lawmakers that turned Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac into Ponzi Schemes, or the thousands apon thousands of people that lied on their loan apps to get financing, and were told they wouldn't get caught unless they defaulted?
I say Pardon Him.
Hope somebody has the gumption and ability to submit him for consideration.
Sounds like his only shot.
JMHO.
Eric L. |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Nov 2008 10:58 pm
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Well, I can assure you folks the paper work, with quite a few signatures is in. I doubt it will do any good. I don't think George W. wants the stigma of living with what his Pop did, but we're giving it a try.
I, like Herb, don't believe AP believed he was doing wrong, and it's been said that not one single investor lost a dime. I don't know about that, but I believe he did a lot of good for a lot of people.
I covered the trial as a reporter for the paper I was writing for and there were some pretty sneaky procedures used by the DOJ.
The last I heard he was playing and teaching guitar while in stripes. Maurice A. has been in touch with him some.
Phred
_________________
There are only two defining forces that have offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American GI!!
Think about it!! |
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Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
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Posted 25 Nov 2008 3:04 pm
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24 years for some pyramid scheme...??? people kill and rob and rape and they don`t get 24 years....this stinks...
I`m nota saying he is not guilty but common, 24 years...??? thats redecilous....
Db
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www.steelguitarsonline.com |
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Wayne Franco
From:
silverdale, WA. USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2008 4:18 pm Maybe there isn't a better system...but
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| Our justice system is an adversarial system. The prosecution vs. the defense. Add an overly zealous prosecution, some good ol popular public opinion about the subject that makes it "in vogue" to get a conviction and you're off to the races. And of course everyone has to be paid so it is a business in its own right to boot. Just look at the people who have spent many years on a conviction only to be proven innocent by DNA. Its not too much of a stretch to believe there are lots of innocent people in jail because they were wrongly convicted of a crime where no DNA was involved. I see these stories on TV, this one of Al Petty and can't help thinking, What if that were me. If you think you can go into a court room without a really kick ass lawyer on your side (read a lot of money) and think you're going to get a "fair" trial then you might as well just put your hands behind your back,let them handcuff you and take you away. It's not some thing that most of us think about much. |
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