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Topic: On stage with a legend,, Don Helms. |
Rick Tyson
From:
Ohio
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Posted 13 Apr 2003 1:31 pm |
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Well last night we did our tribute show to Hank Williams in Ohio with Don Helms doing the steel on the Hank Williams cuts off our new CD just released. With Don on one side of the stage & me on the other, I felt so humbled to be on the same stage with a living legend. Don was as smooth as glass on that old double 8 Gibson. What a gracious man he is actually giving me the nod to do some of the steel on Hanks songs,, awesome !!
Before the show Don was telling us of some of Hanks stories in the dressing room. In the studio once Hank was doing a cut & needed an Intro. so he tells Don ,,,you know what I want for an Intro. just give me somthing,,,and so Your Cheating Heart was cut.
And what a funny man Don is, during the show Don told the audience they had a beauty contest once in his home town & no one won.
Then he said the population never changes because every time a baby is born, someone leaves town !!
Don had a birthday last week so one day he had a knock at the door so he opened the door and in walks Smilley Roberts, opens his guitar case ,sings happy birthday to Don, packs it up & leaves without a word LOL. what a guy.
Any way, after the show I asked Don where he was heading to next & he is doing a show with Ray Price next week & on & on & on and this man is 76!! sure hope Im doing that good at his age.
At rehersal I was marveling at Dons old Gibson double 8. He said he was once offered $100,000. for it once. Don said nope, this is my retirement LOL.
I could go on & on but I would need a book.
Any way, I can say I played on stage with Don Helms
PS: Smiley when you see Don, tell him the guy we were talking about at dinner before the show was Herby Wallace, he will know what the message means. We were name dropping. |
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Jesse Pearson
From:
San Diego , CA
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Posted 13 Apr 2003 1:40 pm
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Great story Rick, Don's way of playing steel is a great way to learn the instrument. Thanks...  |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 13 Apr 2003 4:52 pm
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If I read the New Orleans Jazz Fest schedule correctly, Don Helms will be interviewed at the fairgrounds club house, Sat, April 26.
I don't see any mention of him playing though. He did play last year with Jambalaya and was certainly glad to see this legend play. |
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Terry Huval
From:
Lafayette, Louisiana
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Posted 14 Apr 2003 5:22 pm
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Don Helms is as genuine a person as you can find. And I agree sharing the stage with such a legend is indeed humbling.
He joined my Cajun band Jambalaya on stage for short Hank Williams set at the 2002 New Orleans Jazz Festival (he even let me play a song on his legendary Gibson Console Grande during our Cajun set - the guitar almost seemed to play by itself - I was so moved by getting the chance to play it, I don't know if I really remembered my part!!) . The crowd attention given to him was great. He also did a workshop and his humor and stories were so wonderful.
Unfortunately, the Jazz Fest folks did not opt to have him again this year. They said a reduced budget reflective of the state of the economy was the reason. We hope we can make it happen next year, assuming Don still wishes to travel that far. |
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Leroy Riggs
From:
Looney Tunes, R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Apr 2003 11:39 am
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| I was one of the attendees at St Louis last year and had the privilege of meeting Mr. Helms. I noted then how extremely mentally alert and quick he is. In the extended talk I had with him, I felt I was talking to a humble, talented man who was talking to me at my level. He never tried to talk above me. Considering that I grew up with Hank Sr. being my favorite singer/songwriter, and considering the steel has always been my favorite instrument, this man is easily my all-time favorite musician. |
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Dave A. Burley
From:
Franklin, In. USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2003 10:48 pm
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Gees Rick. I have been in Ohio that past few weeks and can't believe that I missed your show with Don.
Where was the show at?
We will be having Jett Williams in Delaware, Ohio on May the 16th. Don told me that he will be there with Jett so you might catch that one.
Yes, Don and Hazel are the greatest.
Thanks,
Dave A. Burley |
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