Freeman Cowger

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

I know that Mr. Cowger passed recently and that he was a steel guitar maker for quite a while. I bought one of his instruments (Cougar SD10) and found it to be a nice guitar after tweaking on it and adjusting everything.

Anyone here have any history on Mr. Cowger and the different models of steel he built during his career.

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

I'm sure others will know much more about Freeman. He did work for Sho Bud for a number of years.

He built single neck steels only, and I never saw any more than 10 strings, although he offered less if you wanted.

He also built non pedal steels that were attachable to his pedal steels.

He built a non pedal 10 string 30" scale steel for the late Claude Brownell who was a major player of the Alkire Eharp tuning.

Freeman was a very warm person. He had a low and slow voice, always very calming. From the very first time that I ever spoke with him, he treated me like I was his best friend.

I later found out that he shot his best friend

.....

I'm joking of course....couldn't resist that one.

I miss Freeman and I believe that his steels that were moderately priced, no frills, would be in demand today. He also would (and did) make any string spacing that you requested....on his pedal steels.

Yeah, Freeman was a good one.

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

copied from an old thread.....

Here are more details about Freeman Cowgar for those who are interested:
Freeman was born January 12, 1933 which makes him 69 1/2 years of age at the time of his passing. He had been in good health all his life up until June 2002. He was a military veteran. He was inducted into the Michigan Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in April 2000. He has built steel guitars for approximately the past 30 years. The basic E9th steel guitar starter course he developed many years ago was probably the first of its kind on the market and for quite some time was made available by MSA to the purchasers of their steel guitars. Freeman was skilled as a machinist, cabinet maker, mechanic, designer, pilot, and believe it or not a plumber, as well as being a talented musician who had worked with a number of big-name performers. His life somewhat resembles that of Shot Jackson in the sense that whatever needed to be done, he generally had a knack for it. Welding, painting, wiring, organizing an event, whatever the task, Freeman could handle it well.

He sincerely cared for other people and was very much involved in his rural community; for example he started and directed the Coats For Kids program in the Fairview-Comins area as well as being influential in several other local programs. He enjoyed children and they enjoyed him. He was acquainted with many people and had friends throughout the nation and in other countries as well. Although perhaps not financially "well-off", he was rich beyond measure in many other ways.

Those wishing to send cards of sympathy, memorial contributions, etc. may address them in care of Karen Wicks, P.O. Box 64, Comins MI 48619 USA.

As a footnote here, it should be stated that Freeman made every effort to fill his Cougar steel guitar orders during the final weeks of his life. He did the very best he could. It is the desire of Freeman's son and concerned members of the Michigan Steel Guitar Club that no Cougar steel guitar purchaser be "left hanging" for a pre-paid order. We are currently aware of one such unfilled order. If there is any other customer who has paid in advance to order a new Cougar steel and is currently awaiting delivery of the instrument, you are requested to contact Danny Hullihen of Harrison Music/Jagwire String Co. as soon as possible to exchange information so that the matter can be taken care of in a timely fashion. Danny is a frequent participant in this forum and has posted above.

Russ Tkac · Posted 24 Jan 2006 6:50 pm

He had a store near where I grew up "Cower Music" and in 1970 about the only place I could go and see a steel guitar. I remember the Miller Steels that he had looked so impressive to a 15yr old.

Russ

Jude Reinhardt · From: Weaverville, NC

I have an eight string non pedal console Cougar Big Boss that I bought used from Elderly a few years ago. It has a detachable padded arm rest which can be replaced with a six string. It has a 24" scale and 3/8" string spacing at the bridge. If anyone knows what pickup this might have please let me know. It sounds great through any amp I've tried it with. I'm looking for the six string to hang on it; I think it was called the Sidekick.

Jude

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

Freeman also made a non pedal with legs and I believe it was called "The Boss."

His top of the line pedal steel was called "The Elite."

He made a 7 string pedal steel, 3 & 4 with six string spacing for me. Whatever pick up used, sounds very rich.

Gary Schuldt · From: Seymour, TN.

Hey Bill,
I have what i think might be the only left hand SD steel Freeman might have ever built. Jokingly,when he finished it ,he told me he had to stand on his head to build it.I have an old sho-bud tab book with his picture in it. I still have my guitar.Frreman went beyond the call of duty and really helped this ole boy when i was first learnig. He put up with all my stupid questions. He was a kind and gracious man,and i thank him for giving me the chance to learn the steel guitar. I don't think he ever received the recognition he deserved from the steel guitar world. he was truly one of the pioneers.He will be sadly missed.
Gary Schuldt
Cougar SD-10
Peavy Nash 112

Jordan Walton · From: Washington, USA

I have a Cougar King Elite. It has the Little Boss 6 string add a neck. A great feature Freeman invented. I was able to talk to Freeman about it and he remembered the guitar because it has black metal end plates instead of chrome. He was very helpful answering my questions about upkeep and whatnot. I recently got in touch with his daughter, she was pleased to hear I really love her Dad's guitar.

Ernie Pollock · From: Mt Savage, Md USA

Claude Brownell stopped by my shop once with his steel built by Mr Cowger, when Claude played the guitar it sounded great, we played for over 3 hours, him on the Cowger & me on what ever I was playing that week!! If all Mr Cowgers guitars sounded as good as Claudes, he was doing ok!!

Ernie Pollock

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