That SPECIAL TOUCH" on steel guitar

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

I was viewing/listening to an old video tape by the 3-Irish Tenors. Great music; fabulous style; classic presentations. No torn up T-shirts or ripped jeans, shaggy hair or metal pierced eyebrows, nose or lips.

I noticed that these tremendous talents don't just speak/sing the words, but actually embellish each word and sylable with that Irish accent........ Each word sung is "special" and "full", somewhat like each note plucked on an old Rickenbacher Bakelite steel guitar.

Jerry Byrd, I believe is Irish, right? I tend now to believe what I've been hearing all of these many, many years, is that special thing.........the "IRISH" mince into their spoken words. Makes sense, doesn't it?

How many of you, when playing, merely go from one note to the next, and once arriving there, you simply pluck it, shake the bar in somewhat of a mechanical manner then repeat the process until it's all over.

When listening very, very closely to JB's playing, it sounds more and more to ME....that he gives HIS bar just a little extra p-zazz when both he arrives and departs each note played. There's no right angle arrivals and departures from each fret, but rather, a whispy little, wave of the bar/bar hand in doing so.

Anyone else out there, ever listened closely enought to discern that of which I speaketh?
Give it a try and see if YOU too, can hear it. Then, what do YOU think about that idea?

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

I'm pretty sure that Jerry Byrd is an American.

I remember seeing an instructional video of JB at a friend's house. He placed special emphasis on the approach to each note. Yes, I can hear this in his playing. Sounds more Hawaiian than Irish to me, though.

[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 17 July 2004 at 03:32 PM.]

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Jerry does indeed have "something" in his notes. What, I have never been able to identify. All I know is, he can play 2 notes and they have a fullness of tone I have never been able to get. Even though I have tried for over 55 yrs.

It is interesting b0b that my late and dearest friend Mac Atcheson said the same thing you did. Many is the time he told me, "Don't get me wrong, I like Jerry, but his playin' just sounds too Hawaiian to me".

I am in awe to that and your comment. Yes, I do believe Jerry sounds more Hawwaiian than even some Hawaiians do WHEN he plays Hawaiian songs. But try as I may, I have never ever associated any of his non-Hawaiian songs with the genre' of Hawaiian music.

Unless ya mean "Hawaiian" is strictly playing the melody, even when it is ad-libbed.

I suppose the best analogy I know of would be to compare how a western swing player approaches meolody verses Jerry. Or a typical proficient C6 PSG player approaches melody playing.

But like snowflakes, we are all of one source, but all different

Praise Jesus

carl

Bill Brummett · From: Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Ray...
I definitely agree with you on the special little "fullness" that seems to surround all of Jerry's notes.

I really don't think it has anything to do with Hawaiian style or whatever "style" but rather with that special "touch" and feeling that he seems to get. His approach totally avoids the slightly "clipped" sound that a lot of excellent steel players seem to have. Is this because of too much emphasis on blocking or overblocking. I don't know, but you can sure tell the difference in listening to Jerry.

Interestingly, I seem to notice the same "touch" in all of Buddy's work. A couple of others who have this incredible smooth "entrance and exit" fom notes (and chords) are Herb Remington and Chuck Lettes. I'm sure there are others, too but those are the ones that come to mind right now.

But yes, I think what you described with Jerry is really there and it really puts the soul into the steel sound!~

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Ray-Yes I think we all agree that Jerry has a special touch. You are very perceptive...al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

I didn't say that Jerry Byrd sounds too Hawaiian, nor would I. I only mean that I hear more Hawaiian than Irish influence in his music. Maybe that's just because he plays a Hawaiian steel guitar, instead of an Irish instument.

Ernest Cawby · From: Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

Try listening to Jeff Newman he is VERY SMOOTH.

ernie

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

When I referred to "Irish Tenors" in my original post, I was NOT referring to any particular element in his playing that sounded "IRISH" nor "Hawaiian".
I simply was impressed by the manner in which the Irish Tenors both spoke and sang their words; their diction is perfect and the accent is so "Irish" for lack of a better reference. The sound like no American vocalists, that I can think of.
Jerry Byrd's PLAYING, IMHO, displays many of those same unique QUALITIES, I feel.
So many of the current (and older) steel players by their own explanations here on the Forum, seem to be hearing only the notes played, the tune being played, etc. etc.
Jerry's playing actually incorporates a very unique "tonal" or "stylish" quality factor, that you truly don't hear in any one else's playing. Not that anyone should actually expect to however, there is a certain QUALITY FACTOR in Jerry Byrd's playing that simply takes him out of the greater circle of fine steel players and actually sets him a part from them. That is not to imply that there aren't other great players, but rather, Jerry's "uniqueness" thus far has NEVER BEEN EQUALLED in any sense of the word. So much has been said about the guitars he's played, the vibrato, picks or strings used, etc.
This is not something one just "hears" as one of his songs is played thro' a speaker but it is "a sound" that one begins to recognize only after years of listening intently to every quiver of his bar.

Roger Shackelton · From: MINNESOTA (deceased)

Between 1975 and 1993 Jerry Byrd graced the stage at the ISGC many times. Jerry always liked to talk about his life and learning to play the steel guitar as a youngster in Lima, Ohio. On more than one occasion he made mention that his parents were conservative people of GERMAN heritage. The only way to confirm this is to ask his brother Jack in Michigan.

Roger

Tony Davis · From: Brisbane, QLD, Australia

I have been to Ireland...and have been in Pub Jam sessions and singsongs........and can relate to the style of the Irish.
I have also jammed with and backed Anne Marie O'Keeffe who has a voice to die for and she has all these attributes that are given to the three Irish Tenors........'
Sorry to wander away from J.B........just wanted to tell you that I have heard the same thing in a single voice!

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Tony.........you've made the point and I appreciate that.

I really don't care where JB's heritage is from.....we're talking about that gold plated "touch" and "Tone" that few aside from JB have yet displayed on the steel guitar.

When he plays, single notes particularly, you hear what it is I'm alluding to. It's much more than just a pretty melody. It's special.

Roger Shackelton · From: MINNESOTA (deceased)

Ray, When you started this thread you said,

quote: Jerry Byrd, I believe is Irish, right?

I just posted a quote from Jerry's own lips, and now you say you don't care what his ethnicity is. Which way do you want it?

I agree Jerry Byrd has a very unique talent that the rest of us can only dream of having. Jerry Byrd could be of Russian,Polish or Norwegian descent and it would have nothing to do with the talent he has. I don't understand why you are trying to make him into an Irishman.??? Ethnicity and talent don't go hand-in-hand.

BTW: There is nothing wrong with being Irish.

Roger

Bill Stafford · From: Gulfport,Ms. USA

HI Ray, as we all know, Jerry's touch is instantly recognizable, That is what caught my attention when I was trying to play my Oahu Hawaiian acoustic steel guitar in the forties. I did not know who was playing on those records, but I could always tell it was him (Jerry Byrd). Did not even know his name at that time, but his gorgeous tone, touch and technique played all the pretty notes and music in all the right places. I cannot thank Scotty and the International Steel Guitar Conv. enough for allowing me the priviledge to meet and get to know Jerry and then to be able to sit in awe on the first row and watch him play. To be the recepient of the Jerry Byrd Lifetime Achievement Award was the highlight of my life in my music efforts. Knowing that Jerry is the one that makes that selection only makes it more important for me. Lets all hope and pray that Jerry's health will improve and for him to be with us for a long, long time.
Thanks,

Bill Stafford

John Floyd · From: R.I.P.

I had the distinct honor of being introduced to Jerry Byrd by Bill back in the 70's. I could sense a lot of mutual admiration there between the two of them. Special Moment for me and I can always brag that I have stood between the two Smoothest Steel Players ever.
I Only wish I could have been there to see Bill get the Jerry Byrd Lifetime Achievement Award. It was a Well deserved Award to Mr Smooth.
John

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[This message was edited by John Floyd on 26 July 2004 at 03:59 AM.]

Vernon Hester · From: Cayce,SC USA, R.I.P.

Bryd's touch is about as full on single and double strings you can achieve. He made those Rick's growl with this beautiful tone. His father was English,his Mother was the German influence of the family (Page 13 "It Was a trip" Jerry's book). His book will answer a lot of questions for you folk.
Vern

[This message was edited by Vernon Hester on 27 July 2004 at 05:10 AM.]

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