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Topic: Robbie Springfield |
Keith Hilton
From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
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Posted 6 Feb 2005 2:44 pm |
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| Some of the people new to steel guitar may not be familiar with Robbie Springfield. We all need to remember what a great picker Robbie Springfield is. Robbie e-mailed me telling me how much he liked my volume pedal. I asked Robbie if he could get me a copy of the stuff he did with Fiddlin Frenchy Burke. In my opinion, it is some of the fastest, and cleanest steel picking ever recorded. At the time of these recordings Robbie was only 15 years old. When you listen to the recordings you can not believe you are listening to a 15 year old kid. Why can't we hear stuff like this on radio today? Robbie lives in Viola, Arkansas. In my opinion, he is a super picker and everyone in the steel community needs to be aware of Robbies contribuitions to our instrument. If I am not mistaken, Randy Corner was on guitar. For those who are not familar with Fiddlin Frenchy Burke, he is cajun. He seems to have 2 speeds: Ultra High Speed, and a modified Ray Price speed. The CD Robbie sent me is one of the most interesting CD's I've ever listned to. It is so fast at times you feel like you are falling out of an airplane. [This message was edited by Keith Hilton on 06 February 2005 at 02:47 PM.] |
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Zach Parish
From:
Asbury, MO USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2005 2:57 pm
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| In my opinion Robbie is one of the best that there is. I feel extremely priveleged to have him as my teacher. As busy as he is, he still finds time to help me out. I even bought my guitar from him. He bought a new MSA Millenium D-10 just recently. He new I was on the market for a D-10 so he called me and offered me his MSA Classic SS. I hope one day I can play half as good as he can. |
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MIKEHOLLAND
From:
stegenevievemo.usa
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Posted 6 Feb 2005 3:43 pm
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| I worked with one of Frenchies x lead guitar players for awhile A gentleman by the name of Jack Martin. He taught me a lot, and brought new meaning to the words descending scales. I wish Robbie could make some instructional videos or tab to offer on the forum. He's setting on a gold mine and doesn't know it. His playing is mind boggling. |
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Susan Alcorn
From:
Baltimore, MD, USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2005 7:30 pm
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| Robbie, originally from Houston, Texas, is one of the unsung greats. Impeccable taste and a beautiful tone. |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 6 Feb 2005 7:40 pm
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Robbie is one of the best. The work he did with Frenchy years ago forced us Houston area players to "straighten up our act" and learn single note scales on E9 (aka speed pickn'). Robbie is a real Christian gentleman and I am glad to see he is getting the attention he deserves. He sure gave us a great show in Tulsa last year. Jody.
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Scott Henderson
From:
Camdenton, Missouri, USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2005 9:55 pm
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Jody is right what a great show robbie put on in Tulsa. He is also a great down to earth guy. I have done a couple shows with frenchy but could no where near play the licks robbie was kickin. he's hotter than bacon straight off the fryin pan!!!!!!
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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com
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Al Udeen
From:
maple grove mn usa
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Posted 6 Feb 2005 9:58 pm
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| Back in 1975 when I first went to work for Gretsch, as Sho-Bud Product Mgr, I was Interviewed by Jack Bowles on the Sho-Bud Showcase show, Jack asked me what song would I like to hear, I said, Big Mamou, [sp] by Frenchy Burke, as I had heard about Robbie Springfield being the 15 yr old player on the song, & that he was playing a Sho-Bud, everyone on here needs to hear it if you havent, By the way, Keith, Its been a long time, & Ive been using your great pedal for several years, without a nickels worth of problems! God Bless! Al Udeen [This message was edited by Al Udeen on 06 February 2005 at 09:59 PM.] |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 6 Feb 2005 10:45 pm
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One of the first LPs I ever bought (well, maybe number fifteen or so from the start) was Frenchie Burke's album on 20th Century, with Robbie Springfield and Randy Cornor - must have been back in -74, when I was fifteen myself as well. The steel and guitar playing on that album was - and still is - fantastic, and the record's almost worn out by now. Extremely tasteful AND extremely fast - not often seen in combination. I believe Robbie is playing on Randy's rare solo album as well, another gem. They need to be re-released on CD!
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Bob Kagy
From:
Lafayette, CO USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2005 3:05 pm
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| Robbie's steel breaks on Frenchie Burke's Big Mamou - one of my all time favorites. |
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Fred Shannon
From:
Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Feb 2005 3:56 pm
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Want to hear "greased lightning", just listen to Robbie's rendition of "Orange Blossom Special" on the Burke album. Speed and tone personified. Never, Never,.....Land
fred
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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Posted 8 Feb 2005 5:03 am
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| Glad you made this post Keith. Robbie was and still is a monster player, and a gen-yoo-wine nice guy! I had the pleasure of working in the studio with him a couple years ago and it was all I could do to concentrate on engineering the record with him effortlessly executing those great licks one after another. It was such a treat for me because I had worn out that Frenchie Burke record many years ago back in Virginia, just marvelling at Robbie and Randy's playing, and wondering if I would ever get even minutely close to that with my own. And today Frenchie himself still speaks of Robbie with great reverence and respect. And if you work a gig with Frenchie and do "Big Mamou" and those other great tunes of that record, you can feel that "Springfield yardstick" behind held over your head come solo time! (Right JC?) |
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Charlie Moore
From:
Deville, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 8 Feb 2005 4:41 pm
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| Yea,met Spring in 1980, in Houston his wife sang in OUR BAND and yes he was a monster then....Charlie......... |
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Keith Hilton
From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
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Posted 8 Feb 2005 7:23 pm
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| Tommy, you are one of my favorite players also. That record you cut, "The Return of Wayne Douglas" is as good as it gets. Picking in a band with Bobby Flores would be wonderful. I think the steel guitar world needs to know about the really great players. Players like you Tommy, Robby Springfield, Dickey Overby and other greats. Some day before I die, I would like to play a steel show with Bobby Flores. Bobby Flores is Tommy Jackson and more! There are so many bands trying to play the Ray Price 4/4 shuffle stuff and they are not even close. It is rare to hear a band that gets the 4/4 Ray Price 4/4 shuffle stuff correct. It is something you have to feel. |
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Robby Springfield
From:
Viola, AR, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2005 6:54 pm
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You guys are too much! Sorry it took so long to respond...just got through fighting the computer monsters and got back on line. With so many greats out there, all I can say is a very sincere THANKS!!!
God bless,
Robby |
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Bobby Flores
From:
Blanco, Texas, U.S.A. (deceased)
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Posted 16 Feb 2005 8:52 pm
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I had the privelege of working a few gigs with Robby a couple of years ago. I knew he was an incredible steel player (understatement) but I had no idea that he was such a monster on guitar as well! He played with the same taste and finesse as he does on steel and in my opinion no one should play more than one instrument THAT dang good! Blew me totally away.
As stated above, also a true gentleman and a consummate Pro. A living legend here in Texas.
Randy Corner was also mentioned...... an unbelievable player and a guitar hero of mine. Two of the greatest pickers on the planet, no doubt.
Bobby[This message was edited by Bobby Flores on 16 February 2005 at 08:53 PM.] |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 19 Feb 2005 7:29 am
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I have a video-tape of Robbie playing "Big Mamou" with Frenchy that I made back in the early '80s. His speed and concentration reminded me a lot of my own playing. It was also nice that Frenchy saw fit to feature him so much. Would that some "stars" would do that sort of thing today.
It's good to hear that Robbie's still pickin'.  |
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Lee Holeman
From:
San Benito, Texas, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2005 5:41 pm
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| Years ago (to many to tell), I had a band at the'Cactus Club' in Houston, and Robby (very young) and his dad (also a good musician) would come out to hear me play steel. I didn't take him long to whiz by me. I talked to him a few months ago, and not only is he a fine musician, but also a gentleman, and living a christian life. I'm very proud of him, and wish him the best. |
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