Don Helms receives special honor

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

Famed sideman gets saluted at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

By Ron Wynn, rwynn@nashvillecitypaper.com
November 10, 2006

The driving, hard-edged and instantly recognizable steel guitar playing of Don Helms has been part of the country music universe since the mid 1940s when he joined Hank Williams’ Drifting Cowboys. Since that time, Helms’ piercing solos and backing in high E6 tuning have been heard behind masterpiece recordings from Lefty Frizzell, Patsy Cline, Stonewall Jackson, Webb Pierce, Jim Reeves, Ernest Tubb, Johnny Cash, Ferlin Husky, Loretta Lynn, and the Wilburn Brothers.

Saturday’s “Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Session Players” at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honors Helms in a program hosted by Museum Instrument Curator Bill Lloyd. The 79-year-old Helms still plays and performs regularly, and has extremely fond memories of his many employers, particularly Hank Williams and the Wilburn Brothers.

“Hank never told me what to play,” Helms said. “None of the people I’ve worked with over the years have ever done that. Hank would say I’ve got this song here and he’d do a little bit of it and I’d play an intro. Then he’d say let’s do it and we’d start playing the song. The very last session we did together went just like that, and then I never saw him alive again. Working with the Wilburn Brothers was like a 10-year family reunion. It was a fantastic experience, and I’ve never had more fun with anyone than I had working with them. I also loved playing with Ray Price.

“One thing about Hank that I want to add is that he was a really good friend and he wasn’t anywhere near as much of a drinker as a lot of writers claim,” Helms added. “He would get drunk and be really out of it for about three or four days, then he’d dry up and he wouldn’t touch a drop of alcohol for months, and then he’d do the same thing all over again. But there’s been a lot inaccurate things written about Hank, especially in regards to his drinking.”

Helms was also for many years part of Nashville’s tremendous “A” team, a group of supremely gifted session musicians who collectively played on a host of the finest recordings ever done in any genre.

“Country music has changed about six times since I first came to Nashville,” Helms said. “When I first started here they were calling it hillbilly, then it was country, then it was country-western, then it was something else. But in all that time and through all those changes, I always played the steel the same way. Hazel and I have been married over 61 years, and from Hank Williams to Hank Williams Jr. to his daughter Jett and all the other great people I’ve played with, I never had to change my approach. I’ve been fortunate and blessed enough to have played with people like Hank Bradley and Grady Martin and so many Hall-of-Famers and to make a living playing the music that I enjoy and love.”

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[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 10 November 2006 at 01:43 PM.]

Ted Solesky · From: Mineral Wells, Texas, USA

I've been fortunate to meet Don when he was with the Wilburn Bros. He wrote out his tunning for me when I told him that I was interest in learning to play the steel. He was a true gentleman and a pro. He sure deserves all the awards he gets.

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

What was the "High E6" tuning that he used ?

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I'm currently talking to Don about appearing on our Steel Show in February, here in Florida.

He was here 3 years ago when we hosted a Steel guitar hall of fame fundraising show and with all the "big name" pickers, Don had probably the largest audience.

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

Don, You are "THE MAN". Ilove it every time we get to pick a few and I love you as person. You have raised the bar for every musician who has followed you no matter what instrument they play. Young and old love what you do so don't ever stop. I am honored to call you my friend and look forward to the next time I can hug your neck and we can pick a few. Say "HI" to your bride Ms. Hazel and we love you so much. Bobby and Linda

[This message was edited by Bobby Caldwell on 10 November 2006 at 02:54 PM.]

Luke Morell · From: Ramsey Illinois, USA Hometown of Tex Williams

Thanks for posting this Roy, Don has always been one of my favorite players, he deserves all the recongnition he gets.

Ted Solesky · From: Mineral Wells, Texas, USA

Alan, I'm not sure about the tunning. I was a kid when he wrote that for me and it's been lost. I sure wish I had it for memory sake. He did what he could to encourage me to get involved with the steel.

Walter Stettner · From: Vienna, Austria

Let's all stop for a minute and think about how lucky we are to have legends like Don, Herb Remington, Jody Carver and Roy Ayres as well as several others still among us. Talking to Don and listening to the stories he has to tell is like a lively trip to the past, when history was made.

We should consider ourselves privileged to be able to ask questions on this forum and get first-hand information from the players who created history! Let's cherish every minute of this!

Thanks, Roy, for letting us know!

Kind Regards, Walter

www.lloydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

Matthew Prouty · From: Warsaw, Poland

When they mention High E6, they are talking about Don's tuning, which was very similar to Little Roy Wiggin's tuning which as a major 3rd above C6. Sometimes the base stings will add a 7th tone, sometimes not. High E6 can be tuned just like C6 and all of the tabs for C6 can be played on this tuning, just up a third.

There is a great tab book done up by Don that has a few of his songs (Hank tunes) in it. These also can be played on C6 easily.

M.

Chuck McGill · From: An hour from Memphis and 2 from Nashville, R.I.P.

Always a class act.

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

Walter-I am so happy to read the news about Don Helms. He has paid his dues.Yes , we have been lucky to have players like Don and Jody and many others to help show the way. A high E6 was popular with many of us....al

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

A bump to the top for you guys who may have missed this important post about one of the old-time greats.

Congratulations, Don.

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Nigel Mullen · From: Cassilis, New Brunswick, Canada

Congratulations Don: You deserve all the awards they can lay on you. All the best to a fine gentleman.

Tom Harris · From: Mississippi, USA

I been a Don Helms fan since early fifties,and met him for the first time in Dec. of 2004 in McGee Miss,,one thing that impresed me about Don is (even tho he's a legend)he's a down to earth type of person,,he answered a lot of question i ask about Ole Hank,and didn't seem to get bored with me asking them..to me,,Don's style of playing is like Speedy West,,aint to many players can do it lol...Hoping Don is around for a long time to come...
Tom Harris.....

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

wonderfull man to talk with. It's great to see him recognized.

t

Jesse Pearson · From: San Diego , CA

Don Helms is my strongest influence on country steel. As a guitar player I used to get really frustrated trying to sound like him on the guitar. Dewitt Scott gave me Don's phone number one winter and I remember how nervous I was trying to get the nerve up to call him, lol. His wife answered the phone and he was the coolest guy, taking time to answer my questions. I mostly play Texas style Blues Rock on guitar as my main gig, but Don's stuff always fits right in with that kind of gig no problem. Congratulations Mister Helms and thanks again for the lessons and inspiration. I'll be playing your songs forever.

Lynn Owsley · From: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Saturday at the CMA's Hall OF Fame was certainly Don Helm's Day. The Ford Theater was overflowing(Even Smiley Roberts and I had no seat)with many of Don's family and friends and other people who love him and his music.There were many from other countries making this an international event.
A large video screen behind the stage was filled constantly with songs from TV,live shows and studio tapings, and hundreds of stills that helped to tell Don's most amazing story.At times, Don would look back over his shoulder and comment on a particular pic or song.He told stories of how many hit songs came to be written and recorded.This was a complete type of honor for Don as the HOF went on into much detail on other stars and legends that Don has been a part of their careers also.
Don sat in an easy chair on stage with Museum Curator, Bill Lloyd,who was doing a great job of interveiwing which sounded like a little talk and visit on the back porch among neighbors.After a time Don moved to his steel guitar which was also set up on stage ready to play and as the vid screen ended a song Don began to play the same song accapello,and there's another ovation!
Then Don introduced one of his best friends ,Dan Furminic to come on stage and play Flat top guitar, then Don went for the heart,playing solos and turn arounds from one hit after another...
There were standing ovations,one after the other,I lost count after 5 but I think it was 8 He then closed with just him and his old steel doing the Hank Classic, "Cold,Cold Heart".Many of us then had to watch this standing ovation through tears.I was very happy to get to see this great man get this honor,Yes Saturday was Don Helm's day in Nashville

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

Lynn,

Thanks for that great report. Wish I could have been there.

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Ron Elliott · From: Madison, Tennessee, USA

Congratulations Don. Leslie and I sure would have been there to witness that wonderful gathering with you and Miss Hazel.
Don is my Brother, my friend, and my Hero in whom I have the deepest respect. Sorry we had to miss that special event, but we were playing the PSGA show in Norwalk, CT.
Great job, Don...most deserved. Ron & Leslie

Pete Young · From: Quebec, Canada

As I said on another post, I met Don at steel guitar world around 1990. He might as well have been my next door nighbour We talked for an hour and he never said, enough of that. I came away from that feeling like I had a new friend. Just a great man

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