Harley Brendal

Pat Goodbla · From: Longview, Washington

I just wanted to offer this as a follow up to Tracy Sheehan's warm reference to Harley Brendal in a current Danny Sneed thread. Gotta spread the word.

It is my understanding that Harley Brendal was a friend and an inspiration to many. My good friend Buzz Evans wrote a "Song for Harley" that is track 4 on "The Best of Buzz Evans" CD, (still available).

To quote Buzz from his liner notes, "#4 Song for Harley for my dear friend, Harley Brendal....a world class steel guitarist, and a beautiful human being".

There are 2 other Buzz originals on this CD as well as "Hank's Theme" by Thumbs Carllile.
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Patrick Goodbla

Pre-RP Mullen D-10 10/10

Walter Stettner · From: Vienna, Austria

It is so good to see Harley's name mentioned here. What a great person and unbelievable player he was. I am still good friends with his wife Marie of Billings, MT. In fact, Marie visited me here in Vienna last year while traveling through Europe.

Harley never gave up his day job and never pursued a professional career, otherwise he would have been on top of the pro list.

I will never forget my friend!

Thanks, Pat!

Best Regards, Walter
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Tracy Sheehan · From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

I may have posted this some time back but not sure.I first met Harley in 1963 i think it as in Albuquerque,N.M.We became good friends and stayed at the same motel.He had turned in his notice with the band he was playing with the Terry Lee Clark Four.They had the best female singer i had ever herad.Lynn Gibson.
I replaced Harley when he left.Said he was going back to Billings and learn welding as he did not like playing for a living.He taught me a lot of stuff on the C6TH Which the band didn't want him or me playing.He was just too advanced.He did not play to impress any one,he was just Harley.
When i took his place we played in Albuquerqud for a while then went on the road to Ca.Worked with Wynn Stewart and played a few weeks with Jimmy Synider in Sacramento also.
Fredie Hart,Hank Thompson and i forget who all tried to get Lynn to go pro but she had no intrest in it either.Think Wynn did also but don't recall about that for sure.So the band broke up.
I look back with fond memories at the ones who were so good and going pro was offered to them on a silver platter and the did not want to go pro.I later played a sit down job in Billings and other Mt.towns so kept in touch with Harley.Buzz Evans used to sit in with us.Buzz often laughed and said he was going to break Harleys fingers.
Yep,As Merle sang, Are good times are really over for good? i say yes with a capital Y.

Tracy Sheehan · From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

I may have posted this some time back but not sure.I first met Harley in 1963 i think it as in Albuquerque,N.M.We became good friends and stayed at the same motel.He had turned in his notice with the band he was playing with the Terry Lee Clark Four.They had the best female singer i had ever herad.Lynn Gibson.
I replaced Harley when he left.Said he was going back to Billings and learn welding as he did not like playing for a living.He taught me a lot of stuff on the C6TH Which the band didn't want him or me playing.He was just too advanced.He did not play to impress any one,he was just Harley.
When i took his place we played in Albuquerqud for a while then went on the road to Ca.Worked with Wynn Stewart and played a few weeks with Jimmy Synider in Sacramento also.
Fredie Hart,Hank Thompson and i forget who all tried to get Lynn to go pro but she had no intrest in it either.Think Wynn did also but don't recall about that for sure.So the band broke up.
I look back with fond memories at the ones who were so good and going pro was offered to them on a silver platter and the did not want to go pro.I later played a sit down job in Billings and other Mt.towns so kept in touch with Harley.Buzz Evans used to sit in with us.Buzz often laughed and said he was going to break Harleys fingers.
Yep,As Merle sang, Are the good times really over for good? i say yes with a capital Y.

Danny Sneed · From: Morristown,Az.U.S.A.

I agree with what Buzz Off said,sorry....Buzz Evans... don't forget to check Mr Evans on you tube.In around 1963 we started playing in Billing and I would go and hear Harley play alot and I do mean ALOT,wish Harley was still with us. Danny

Tracy Sheehan · From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Tracy Sheehan · From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Something is haywire here.I thought it had froze up,and the comment to Danny was supposed to be a PM.

Walter Stettner · From: Vienna, Austria

In 1998 I made my first trip to the U.S. I had exchanged letters with Harley and Marie before and both of them welcomed me like a son, although we had never met on person before. I remember sitting next to Harley several times in his living room, watching him play. What a great player and human being he was!

I will send the link to this thread to Marie, she'll love it!

Best Regards, Walter
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Bernie Gonyea · From: Sherman Tx. 75092 ,U.S.A. (deceased)

[b]

Terry or Pat; do either of you have any audio sound bites of Harley playing. ? Would be nice to hear him play..May he rest in peace..Bernie Smile

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2007 Zum S-10; 1967 Sho-Bud [ D-10 ]; 85 S-10 Sierra; 1953 Multi-Kord [ 6 String- 4 pedals ] A Sho-Bro six String Resonator Guitar; Nashville 112 Amp; hilton Vol. Pedal

Pat Goodbla · From: Longview, Washington

I don't, but I will check with Buzz after the holidays and see if he does.
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Patrick Goodbla

Pre-RP Mullen D-10 10/10

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

I met Harley in Billings Montana years ago, and we had some great jamm sessions. At the time he was playing for a man named Smokey Mac.

Harley was an exceptional player and a marvelous person.

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

Harley was a good friend and mentor of Frank Carter's and recently Marie called Frank and said that Harley would have wanted him to have his Emmons- and so he does Smile

.

Ric Epperle · Posted 23 Dec 2008 11:35 pm

We first met Harley back in 1975 when we were working with Bob Hale Talent, Jester Sound. Bob was located up on Poly Dr. in Billings at the time. We went down to John and Nellie's Horse Shoe club to hear Harley sitting in with the band. What a great player! We worked many clubs in the Billings area and every time we could, we'd find out where Harley was playing. In the early 80's, my dad and I played quite regular at the Best Western Bonanza Lounge and Harley would come down to listen to us. Dad and Harley hit it off real well. When I started doing a single on keyboards in 1987-88, I played quite often at the Bonanza and Harley, on occasion, would pop in with his steel and sit in with me. The man was an exceptionally tasty E9th player but he was literally wired into the Cosmos when on C6th. Needless to say, we became friends over that period of time. I last saw Harley at the Holiday Inn in Cody, Wy. back in 1998. He and John Humphreys and others from the Big Country band had a gig booked there. Harley didn't look well. He is sorely missed and so is John Humphreys who passed away soon after Harley.

P.S. Back in the late 70's, I'd go down to the Seventeen Club in Billings on Sunday jam night and sit in with Big Country. I was playing bass then. At that time the band consisted of Frank Skidmore,(fiddle and guitar), Frank Carter,(steel), Jimmy Dressler,(drums), John Humphreys,(bass), and Dave Weir sp.,(piano)... What a good band. I'm glad that Harley's Emmons found a good home with Frank Carter...

BTW.. Frank Skidmore is still kicking and comes down to Sheridan about once a month to play at the Eagle's Club or the American Legion. He and his gal call themselves "Keepin' it Country"...

Regards, Ric...
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Peavy Session 400

Tracy Sheehan · From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Hi Ric.Do you know what ever became of Jimmy Dressler?
I was playig at the Horse shoe in Billings when Jimmy was hired as the drummer.As i recall he came from Wyo.Last time i played in Billings Jimmy,my self and the bartender called Big Jim Blassiger or some thing like that all rented a house together.
Last time i saw Jimmy he was talking about quittig music and going to shoe horses.
Sorry i just can't resist,but remember how great the bands in Mt were and no sound men to screw it up? That was back when musicians knew how to set thier volume.Jimmy always kept his drum volume below the back up players and the back up players below the singer.
Boy,those days are long gone arn't they? Mad

Pat Goodbla · From: Longview, Washington

I talked to Buzz about an hour ago, and he is looking forward to catching up on this thread after the holidays. He was very pleased to hear about the good vibes for Harley.

I am sure he will have some interesting info for us.

I'm not much of a photographer, but one can only guess where this phrase came from. This helps explain Danny's Buzz Off comment in his earlier post.

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Patrick Goodbla

Pre-RP Mullen D-10 10/10

Ric Epperle · Posted 24 Dec 2008 10:23 pm

Hi, Tracy...

Jim's 35 miles south of me in Buffalo, WY. He hosts an event called the Buffalo Invitational Jam every Labor Day. Players from all around attend and Johnny Bush shows up every now and then. I haven't seen him in a couple of years,(he was playing at the Mountain Inn in Dayton WY. with Buddy Beasley and a steel player out of Casper; can't remember his name), but from what I understand, he's doing well. I don't know what he's doing for a living now, but he did sell modular homes for awhile over in Ralston, WY.. I bet I can find out what he's doing after the holidays and I'll get back to you and let you know..

Ric Epperle · Posted 3 Jan 2009 1:36 pm

bump..
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MSA D12 Vintage XL 8+5
Peavy Session 400

Ed LaFond · From: Montana, USA

[quote="Ric Epperle"]Hi, Tracy...

Jim's 35 miles south of me in Buffalo, WY. He hosts an event called the Buffalo Invitational Jam every Labor Day. Players from all around attend and Johnny Bush shows up every now and then. I haven't seen him in a couple of years,(he was playing at the Mountain Inn in Dayton WY. with Buddy Beasley and a steel player out of Casper; can't remember his name), but from what I understand, he's doing well. I don't know what he's doing for a living now, but he did sell modular homes for awhile over in Ralston, WY.. I bet I can find out what he's doing after the holidays and I'll get back to you and let you know..

Hi Ric,
I know it's been a while since your last post, but I wanted to share with you that Jim is now living in Billings, still using the Big Country band name and I've had the great opportunity to play steel with him over the last few years.
Here he is on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7u7yQn7TYM
Ed

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