Don Davis, great old player???????? Yep

Bobbe Seymour · From: Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.

I was going through Nashville in the spring of '59 and stopped by Tootsies on Broadway. When I walked in, there were only two guys in the place, both playing the pin ball machine, I recognised one as Buddy Emmons, and he introduced me to his friend, Jimmy Day, a name of which I was familiar with (no kidding!).
We talked for a good while but every few minutes they would take turns running over to the Juke Box, inserted some nickels and played the same song, over and over.
I finally asked Buddy, why are you playing that tune over and over? He said, "for that steel part, man, listen to that!" I said who is it? He replied, "That's the smoothest, best tone player in Nashville, Don Davis". I said I hadn't heard much about him, Buddy then said "He's been on the opry for years". Played with everybody, never used pedals. Just then Jimmy said, "he's one of my favorite players".
I later met Don, a great guy, since moved to Alabama, but I don't see him getting the recognition he certainly deserves.
Every old picture I see of the Opry has Don holding or playing his D-8 National.
Any other memories of this great old steel player? Don Davis, Opry steel player.

Bobbe Seymour

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · From: Southaven, MS, USA

I used to see Don in Mobile when he was on leave with Tex Ritter. I played at the Tapson House across street from the Cawthorn Hotel off the square. We drove by his house back in Sept., but he did'nt appear to be home. He still lives in Gulf Shores on Cabana Beach Drive, does not play any more, sold his axe, says he "took off my gloves about 20 years ago." In the old days at the Tapson House, we played a cocktale gig in the afternoon and 4 hr dance/dinner gig there six nights/week; I played with Lou West Combo; Don sat in from time to time. He had some techniques that were strange, amusing, and good. Kinda like Slim Idaho in a way. Barney Miller has tried to get him to join us at the Deep South Club, but no luck. I wish he would get back into the swing--I think he'd like and enjoy it now. He did a lot of recording in Nashville back then, esp. with George Morgan. ----j------

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

I happen to have some olde tapes of the Robin Hood Flour Show with host George Morgan with Don Davis on steel. He does a lot of straight commercial steel playing of the day but also on several occasions he cut loose with some real authentic sounding Joaquin Murphy sounding runs, TONE included.
Several years back I also had the good fortune of acquiring Don's olde Sho-Bud FRY PAN that was gifted to him by Shot Jackson.
We've exchanged correspondence a couple of times and he strikes me as being another straight forward type of person........one anyone would be proud to know.
I miss hearing his newest solo's on those old record hits of the day. I miss you Don.

c c johnson · From: killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.

The only time I saw Don in person was at the Kiel Auditorium in St Louis in about 44 or 45. Roy Acuff was the headliner and this was when Oz had switched to a little blonde National incased in a regular guitar body. Pee Wee King was on the same program and Don Davis used Oz's rig. Standing up with a strap over his shoulder. Oz hated the electric guitar and always said his happiest moment was when Roy unplugged the electricity. Of course a little later Roy hired Shot and he played an electric guitar and Oz went back to his Do. cc

Bobbe Seymour · From: Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.

Now we talkin'!

Roger Shackelton · From: MINNESOTA (deceased)

Hi Bobbe, I saw Don playing steel for Cowboy
Copas on the Ganaway films that were playing
Saturday mornings at 6 A.M. in Seattle, in the mid to late 1980s. Don was sitting on a hay bale playing his D-8 National guitar on his lap.

Roger

Roger Shackelton · From: MINNESOTA (deceased)

Delete double post

[This message was edited by Roger Shackelton on 04 April 2006 at 01:46 AM.]

John Daugherty · From: Rolla, Missouri, USA

Bobbe, back around 1960, I bought a (used)triple neck Steel guitar. I was told that it was made by Don Davis and Hank Garland. I think the name on the front was "Dalen" or "Dalan".
It appeared to be made with Bigsby parts. It had one "Bud Isaacs" pedal that looked like a Shot Jackson mechanism.
I played that guitar when I toured Canada with Lefty Frizzell, Then sold it to a guy in Chilliwac, British Columbia when the tour was over.
Shortly after that, I had the pleasure of working one night with George Morgan and doing my best to play all the Don Davis licks knew.
Yes, Don had a wonderful touch and sound.

------------------
www.home.earthlink.net/~johnd37

[This message was edited by John Daugherty on 04 April 2006 at 06:17 AM.]

Bobby Caldwell · From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA * R.I.P.

Bobbe, Hi my friend . Hope all is well with you. I have some recordings of Don and Hank Garland playing together. It is great stuff Don is playing a Bigsby and sounding very good. I too understand Don and Hank built a steel guitar called Daland. I saw one on an old Ganaway show but that's it. Do you know anything about that? That would be someting to see. Bobby

[This message was edited by Bobby Caldwell on 04 April 2006 at 06:26 AM.]

Bob Hickish · From: Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.

Anybody know if it was Don Davis that
recorded " Hay Mr. Steel Guitar Man "
By Geo. Morgan ? Or was that Little Roy ?
Hick

John Daugherty · From: Rolla, Missouri, USA

I understand that most of the steel work on George Morgans records, including "Candy Kisses", was done by Billy Robinson.

------------------
www.home.earthlink.net/~johnd37

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

I followed Don into a Mobile club in about 1945 when he moved to Meridian to play with Red Stanton. Then a year later, I followed Don into Red Stanton's band when Don went with Pee Wee King. At the end of WWII I wanted to buy a D8, and the only ones available were the National like Don's and one by some then unknown company called Fender. Needing some advice on which was the best choice, I wrote Don a letter in care of Pee Wee at the GOO and asked how he liked his National. It turned out he had left Pee Wee to go to to the west coast. Pee Wee wrote back and invited me to play a fair gig with him in Mississippi. At the end of the gig, Pee Wee offered me the job. So, for the third time, I followed Don into a job. I telephoned Don a few months ago and encouraged him to start playing some steel shows, but he said he simply wasn't interested. Too bad. Following Don Davis into three different bands ain't easy. Incidentally, I live near Hank Garland's home in Florida, and just a few months before he died, Hank told me that Don had always been his favorite steel player. You could not ever hope for a greater compliment than having the great Hank Garland say you are his favorite steeler.

------------------

Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.

c c johnson · From: killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.

I have an LP by George and credits are all Roy Wiggins CC

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

Hey bobbe:
If my failing memory hasn't let me down, I recall Don Davis with Red Foley. JB also did a lot of Red's recordings.
I agree as to the smoothness of Mr Davis..

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · From: Southaven, MS, USA

Roy - I'm pleased that you attempted to get Don back into the groove, but dissapointed that he was not interested. I had hoped that at this point in time he would have forgotten his bitterness toward Nashville and limber up. At our ages and circumstances, I feel that music is a ++. After all studies show that if you're "into" playing an instrument, you live longer, and it helps to keep to keep your brain in health. BTW - I did'nt know that you and Don ever played with Red Stanton. Red also lives in Gulf Shores. Back in that same time frame, Don left Tex Ritter,and Tex's side kick, Dub Taylor created his own rodeo show. Dub called me from Pennsylvania to join his show (at the request of Sonny & Bill Burns); I turned it down--among other things, I hate cold weather (also why I turned down a gig in Branson recently)--I think I've become independently lazy to a degree. I did'nt realize that Dub Taylor was judged such a great actor on Broadway by his peers until he passed away a few years ago. -----j-----

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

For your information, Jerry Byrd recorded "Almost" with George Morgan plus several others that I can't now recall. Oh, "Whistle My Love".......was another.

Al Johnson · From: Sturgeon Bay, WI USA

Mr. Smooth George Morgan always used very top steel players his first 6 records (singles)were just a small group steel, lead and rhythm. So mellow and great picking.
One of my greatest treats was early '50s George Morgan and Jerry Byrd working for and with each other Jerry Byrd solo was St Louis Blues
at Clinton Iowa. Al

Rick Jackson · From: Carson City, Nevada

On a few occasions when talking to Bud Isaacs, he has told some Don Davis stories. I called him tonight and told him about this thread and he said to tell this story: At one time, Don Davis was married to Anita Carter. They bought a new home and had a housewarming/jam session. Anita was really proud of this new house. Don was a notorious prankster per Bud. The band was Dale Potter playing fiddle, Bud on steel and a fellow some might remember named "Strolling" Tom Pritchard on bass. Now Strolling Tom was a little slow . He had his bass set up next to the fireplace mantle and had an open bottle that he would pull on now and then. Don noticed this and while Strolling Tom wasn't looking, Don replaced his bottle with a bottle of Wesson Oil. He reached over and took a big pull without looking at it. Don had already let everybody know what he was going to do. Bud said Strolling Tom let go with a projectile of vomit all over carpets, walls, people and instruments. Needless to say everyone thought it was hysterical except for Strolling Tom and Anita Carter.....

[This message was edited by Rick Jackson on 04 April 2006 at 06:35 PM.]

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

Hi Bobbe, Bobby Garrett and I used to feed the juke box the same way to listen to Don Davis. I think the song was "Rainbow In My Heart" by George Morgan, not sure. Don was most certainly a great player. Would be nice to have him on some of the steel shows . Jody.

Forum Index > Steel Players		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic