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Topic: 91 years old ......world's oldest active steeler? |
Mike Headrick
From:
South Pittsburg, TN, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2015 11:08 am |
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Louis Armentaro of Livingston, Montana just wrote me this letter and is offering a challenge to anyone older who plays pedal steel and is still gigging.. Can you beat him?
"Say Mike. I am going to claim the title of the oldest pedal steel guitar player in the world who is still playing gigs. The person must be able to use both hands, all ten fingers, playing both necks and using both feet on the floor pedals and both knees on all the knee levers. I am 91 next month. Who is older and still playing.? Can anyone beat this record. I want to claim it in Guinness Book of World Records.
Regards, my friend, Louis" |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 6 Aug 2015 11:58 am
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This will be hard to verify for the Guiness Book of Records. The sampling of players here does not count for non-members. They might not allow this unsubstantiated amount. But, who knows.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 6 Aug 2015 11:58 am
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I wanted to add, kudos to him for being able to gig at 91. That's great.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Chris Brooks
From:
Providence, Rhode Island
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Posted 7 Aug 2015 6:52 am
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Congratulations, Louis . . . and again, many thanks for the favor you did me in 1967 (!), issuing me a traveling card.
Chris Brooks |
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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 7 Aug 2015 6:27 pm
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| Norm Hamlet isn't nearly as old as Louis Armentaro from Livingston, Montana, but he's been at it a while now and still leading Merle Haggard's band last time I checked. I think he's had that job for over 40 years! |
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Bob Watson
From:
Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
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Posted 8 Aug 2015 6:53 pm
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Thanks for sharing this with us Mike. Louis, you're an inspiration to all of us.  |
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Joe Naylor
From:
Avondale, Arizona, USA
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Posted 9 Aug 2015 10:15 am Norm
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Norm turned 90 in February and has been with Merle for 43 years.
I have introduced him at steel shows. If you know Norm he is a man of few words. 8 years ago I introduced him as a steel player that could not get a job and has to work for Merle for 35 years. It went on a few years - finally Norm leaned into the Mic - slowly turned it on and said - "Joe...... I think it has been 4 years now of you sayin that about not being able to get a job (and flashed that Norm half smile) -- then he said that 6 months after Merle hired me he made be the band leader and I haven't got up enough nerve to FIRE MYSELF ----- big laugh from the crowd - he leaned up one more time and said ----- Better pick now ----- the MOST I have ever heard him say at a steel show.
So 91 is still the record.
Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com
_________________
Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix) Announcer/Emcee owner www.steelseat.com *** OFFERING SEATS AND Effects cases with or without legs and other stuff ****** -Desert Rose Guitar S-10, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Assoc., Southwest Steel Guitar Assoc., Texas Steel Guitar Assoc., GA Steel Guitar Assoc., KS Steel Guitar Assoc. (Asleep at the Steel) tag line willed to me by a close late friend RIP |
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DG Whitley
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Posted 9 Aug 2015 1:39 pm
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A special congrats to both Louis and Norm, still playing and having fun doing it. Quite frankly I'm jealous of both of them having a job they love for so long.
I can only hope to make it to that age and still be able. Best wishes to both of them. |
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Chubby Howard
From:
Franklin, Ohio, USA
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Posted 10 Aug 2015 5:26 am
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I am almost 90 and still playing 4 to 5 nights a week. I am Lucky to still be able to play and have my health, and Louis Congrats! Norm what can I say he is GREAT!!!!!! Chubby Howard
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www.myclassiccountry.com/programs/chubby-howard-show
Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2015 |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 10 Aug 2015 6:09 am
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Wow! I feel like a young kid. I'm "only" 77 and still picking regularly in a band. I'm also on the Heartland SG Assn's steel show coming up Aug 22nd.
I hope I'm still around and able at 90. |
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Chubby Howard
From:
Franklin, Ohio, USA
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Joe Naylor
From:
Avondale, Arizona, USA
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Posted 10 Aug 2015 9:30 am oops
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You are right Chubby - he is 80 my fat fingers hit the wrong number.
thanks for correcting me
and Congratulations on still havin fun playin - many guys would love to still be playing
Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com
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Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix) Announcer/Emcee owner www.steelseat.com *** OFFERING SEATS AND Effects cases with or without legs and other stuff ****** -Desert Rose Guitar S-10, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Assoc., Southwest Steel Guitar Assoc., Texas Steel Guitar Assoc., GA Steel Guitar Assoc., KS Steel Guitar Assoc. (Asleep at the Steel) tag line willed to me by a close late friend RIP |
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Doug Rolfe
From:
Indianapolis, IN
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Posted 10 Aug 2015 2:45 pm
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| I think L.T. Zinn is approaching 90. |
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Joe Naylor
From:
Avondale, Arizona, USA
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Posted 10 Aug 2015 6:09 pm Leonard T
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Leonard T will be 91 in December - the same date as my youngest son - I simply remember the age difference.
I was raised near the 101 Ranch and he was one of the 101 Ranch boys as he said many years back.
We had quite a talk about that at a steel show several years ago - great player and another great guy too.
So I guess Leonard is second at this point
Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com
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Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix) Announcer/Emcee owner www.steelseat.com *** OFFERING SEATS AND Effects cases with or without legs and other stuff ****** -Desert Rose Guitar S-10, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Assoc., Southwest Steel Guitar Assoc., Texas Steel Guitar Assoc., GA Steel Guitar Assoc., KS Steel Guitar Assoc. (Asleep at the Steel) tag line willed to me by a close late friend RIP |
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Shorty Smith
From:
Columbus, Georgia, USA
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Posted 11 Aug 2015 6:43 pm Getting old
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I'm 83 and still playing my steel one to two night a week with a Traditional Country Band, love it and will continue as long as it feel good, Shorty
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