A day with Hank Garland

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

I had the good fortune to spend a few hours with an old friend with whom I had lost contact for 50 years: the great Hank Garland. Of all the guitarists I have ever heard, country, pop or jazz, to me Hank was the best ever. He and I became close when I was in Nashville. After Pee Wee moved the band to Louisville, my first wife (now deceased) and I knew him and his wife, Evelyn, well and we used to visit back and forth. I thought that some of you who knew him (or knew of him) might be interested in how he is doing.

Hank was in Nashville when I first went there in 1946. He was then known as "Junior Garland" and played with Paul Howard's band. He later became known as "Sugarfoot" Garland after recording Sugarfoot Rag. Hank practiced 8 hours every day and soon got into a jazz mode. He recorded 5 albums, one of which I have had for many years and play quite often. A few years after I left Nashville he was in a bad auto wreck that crippled him up badly and caused permanent memory loss.

The reason I bring this up at this time is that I visited with him in his home just before Christmas -- after learning that he now lives with his brother, Bill, and sister-in-law, Amy, about 20 minutes from my office. It was heartbreaking to see him in his condition. It really made me think of how blessed some of us other oldsters are to still be kicking around and enjoying life. Hank is about 6 months younger than me.

I was apprehensive about visiting him, as I did not know what his physical or emotional condition might be. I was pleased to find that he is up and about, although he walks with a cane. I was also concerned as to whether it would bother him to talk music, but he loved it. I asked him if he remembered Jabo Arrington who played twin guitars with him on Paul Howard’s band. He said, “Didn’t he have a missing forefinger on his left hand?” I said, “Yes.” He told me that some things come back to him immediately, but if they don’t register immediately, they are gone forever. I mentioned several other musicians who were in Nashville when we were there. Some of them he recalled but others he could not.

Bill said that he had cared for Hank for all the years following his car wreck. They are wonderful people who love and protect Hank. At this time they wish simply to keep him out of the limelight and allow him to live out his life in peace. For that reason, I will not be giving out his address or phone number.

One room of their house is dedicated to Hank’s memorabilia, and Bill has tapes of hundreds of songs with Hank playing guitar. Before I left Hank gave me a rare "box-set" of his 5 CD albums and an autographed picture taken at a time when I knew him as a young man. As Bill walked me back out to my car, I asked how Hank was really doing. Bill responded, simply, “Roy, he is at peace.” I suppose that, in the end, that is all that any of us can hope for.

[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 05 January 2003 at 06:22 AM.]

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

Roy thank you for this post about your visit with Hank Garland. I have exchanged e-mails with Amy occasionally and she is always willing to speak of Hank's accomplishments during his career.

Also, there is a very informative website on the net about Hank. You can find it at: www.hankgarland.com

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 07 January 2003 at 03:57 PM.]

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Roy
Thanks for that great 'post' - I've just ordered the CD set.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

Roy, what a marvelous post! Hank was one of the greats---wait, he'll ALWAYS be one of the greats! And you have done us all a great favor with your post. Thank you, and God bless!

John P. Phillips · From: Folkston, Ga. U.S.A., R.I.P.

Roy,
Many thanks for the report on on of my all-time favorite pickers. It's nice to know that he is still around and is at peace with his life. Tell Bill and Amy to give him a big hug and kiss from all us old-timers next time you speak with them.
GEEZE, and just when I was thinkin about him once again too !!! Ain't it strange sometimes ??

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JUST 'CAUSE I STEEL, DON'T MAKE ME A THIEF

[This message was edited by John P.Phillips on 05 January 2003 at 06:12 PM.]

[This message was edited by John P.Phillips on 05 January 2003 at 06:14 PM.]

Gary Walker · From: Morro Bay, CA

I too exchanged emails with Amy, who was very nice. I also bought the box set and it is great. Hank not only played beyond all others but co-designed the Byrdland guitar for Gibson. The Byrdland has been played by some of the greats including Roy Clark. My friend Doyle Dykes spent some time recently with Hank and tells of it on his website. The fans of Hank read like Who's-Who of the guitar world because he laid the foundation for Jazz guitar as we have it today.

Perry Hansen · From: Bismarck, N.D.

Thanks, Roy.

Michael McGee · From: Everton, Missouri, USA

Roy, thank you so much for this post. I had no idea that Hank was still alive.

For those on the forum who've not heard Hank Garland, if you love great guitar playing, you ABSOLUTELY MUST hear him play. I never met him, but his ability still inspires me.

mm

scott murray · From: Asheville, NC

What can you say about a guy who played with Hank Williams AND Charlie Parker?

He's an absolute legend.

Can someone tell me if the boxset includes the 'Jazz Winds' album? thanks

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Hi, Scott

Yes it does - I've spoken with Amy Garland today and I asked that very question.

I can't wait to get the set....

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

Scott: Yes, it includes "Jazz Winds in a New Direction."

Frank Estes · From: Huntsville, AL

Thanks for info! I just order the set as well. My renewed interest in guitar has really grown in the past year. Once I got hooked on steel, I gave up guitar for several years and I always felt I was "cheating on" my steel if I practiced on another instrument!

Anyway, at last year's annual Gardendale steel guitar show (Birmingham, AL), Hal Rugg mentioned he was about to do a song written/recorded by Hank that Steve Palousek also plays. I forget the tune (it's not Sugarfoot Rag), but I later asked Hal about it and he mentioned how Hank was one of his heros and that he was sad to see how he had lost his memory/ability. I think Hal said he did NOT get the chance to meet Hank before the accident.

Hank_Garland · From: Orange Park, FL 32073

Hello Roy! We so enjoyed our visit with you. Thank you so much. Hank's web site is being redesigned at the moment. We can be reached at: jazbilly@bellsouth.net Hank loves his e-mails and friends so please write to him. Thank you again Roy!
Amy Garland for Hank "Sugarfoot" Garland

Craig Stock · From: Westfield, NJ USA

Roy,

Thanks for posting this, I went to allmusic.com and read up on Hank and was really impressed, I love Jazz also so that helped. It was neat to see that Hank played on a Junior Brown album as well as Asleep at the Wheel (Western Standard Time) and Brent Mason's great 'Hot Wired'

I will be getting some of Hank's CDs

And if you are reading, greetings Hank!

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Regards, Craig

RON PRESTON · From: Dodson, Louisiana, USA

Roy,
I cannot thank you enough for starting this wonderful thread on Hank.
I started playing guitar when I was a pup.
I have played several tunes by Hank through the years.
He is truly one of a few that has influenced my guitar playing through the years.
I often wondered what had happened to him.
Again, Many thanks.
I will send him an email and tell him thanks also.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Yep, Hank was in the top ranks as a guitarist. Does it get any better than his solo on "Relaxin'" from Jazz winds? He played it all from Country to Nashville sessions, to Bebop. Hank was a huge early influence on George Benson who loved the fire in his jazz playing.

[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 11 January 2003 at 06:21 PM.]

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

I knew a hot young lead guitar man in Clearwater, Florida a few years ago who bragged that there hed never been a jazz guitarist that had played anything he couldn't duplicate note for note. I told him about Hank, and he said, "Bring me a tape and give me a week -- I'll play every damned note he plays and I'll do it cleaner and better." I took him a taped copy of Hank's "Move" from the "Jazz Winds" album.

Never heard from him again!

scott murray · From: Asheville, NC

Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

Nice "MOVE" yourself, Roy !! I enjoyed it and this thread of yours and I thank you !!

Regards, Paul