So who was that playing for Merle...

Scott M · October 10th, 2003, 01:39 AM

on the Letterman show? I'm guessing I should know the guy playing the Haggard tele.

-Scott

shuggie1 · October 10th, 2003, 01:46 AM

If it was and older guy it was lefty frizzels original gtr.player,dang I just forgot his name,DOH!!!!!!

Anonymous · October 10th, 2003, 02:09 AM

If so, he has to be nearly 70 now. If you ever get a chance, pick up some of the stuff he did with Buddy Charleton when they were playing with E.T.'s Troubadors. It's very much in the Jimmy Bryant/Speedy West vein, i.e., HOT twin guitar/steel! :-) CS

Andy R · October 10th, 2003, 11:57 AM

Chris, it wasn't Leon. He had a heart attack a couple of months ago, and started back playing with Porter just a week or to ago. He showed me the setup on his G&L (9s and super low action...he does his own frets) and shared this philosophy: "I always pretend the fingerboard is hot so I barely touch the strings and don't leave them on long". Wierd, but he sure makes it work!!

Mike D. · October 10th, 2003, 11:57 AM

But I was a little disappointed with his song choice last night. He had three Teles going and the best that they could do was a very simple arrangement. To make up for it I decided to stay up for The Mississippi All Stars on Conan O'Brien. Now that was a treat. Really interesting guitar rigs too. Looked like 2 Peavey SS Bandits on top of Marshall cabs and a Peavey Wiggy. Sounded great.

J_Gordon · October 10th, 2003, 12:37 PM

I missed Merle last night. Is Redd not playing with Merle anymore? If so, anyone know why? Redd, if you happen to read this can ya fill us in?

Thanks.

Redd Volkaert · October 10th, 2003, 01:11 PM

Norman Stevens is the fella with the Merle tele, he played for Leffty Frizzel in 54', recorded a few singles with him also.

The other tele belongs to Kenny Vernon, a country singer and ol' pal of Hags from the 60's, he had a few records of his own on Capital some time ago, now he opens for Merle, and plays rythmn.

As for me I haven't played with Merle for almost a year now.

Redd

Big Tony · October 10th, 2003, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris S.

If you ever get a chance, pick up some of the stuff he did with Buddy Charleton when they were playing with E.T.'s Troubadors. It's very much in the Jimmy Bryant/Speedy West vein, i.e., HOT twin guitar/steel! :-) CS

Hey, Chris!

My knowledge about country music history is a bit limited. Is any of that stuff reissued on CD? Can you give some help with album titles, labels, and stuff? I guess E.T. stands for Ernest Tubb. I've got a very nice "Early Hits" CD on U.K. label AVS Ltd with Tubbs; the guitar players are Tommy "Butterball" Paige, Grady Martin, and Billy Byrd - the steel players are Jerry Byrd (I love the man), Don Davis, Dickie Harris, Speedy West (Yes!), and legend Don Helms. Wonderful recordings! I'm very curious about Rhodes/Charleton...

Anonymous · October 13th, 2003, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R

( Leon)... had a heart attack a couple of months ago, and started back playing with Porter just a week or to ago. He showed me the setup on his G&L (9s and super low action...he does his own frets) and shared this philosophy: "I always pretend the fingerboard is hot so I barely touch the strings and don't leave them on long". Wierd, but he sure makes it work!!

Thanks Andy. Wow, I'm sorry to hear about his heart attack, but I'm glad to know he's back playing again. And you're right, that's quite a tip, but it definitely works for him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Tony

Is any of that stuff reissued on CD? Can you give some help with album titles, labels, and stuff? I guess E.T. stands for Ernest Tubb... I'm very curious about Rhodes/Charleton.

I'm sorry Tony, someone gave me a tape of a bunch of Rhodes/Charleton instrumentals about 25 years ago, and that's what I've been listening to ever since, so I don't know what's on CD and what's not. I did see an Ernest Tubb box set listed somewhere, so you might check that out. A lot of the instrumental tunes appeared on albums along with vocal cuts. (And yes, he's the original "E.T.") ;-)

The duo stuff is great, swings like crazy. Best of luck, CS :-)

lewis · October 13th, 2003, 02:25 PM

I'm not too familiar with Merle but I was happy with his performance on Letterman. Glad to see Teles and not Parker Fly guitars, not that there's anything wrong with them.
The song wasn't a barn burner but that's what was cool. Is it off his latest release?

Big Tony · October 17th, 2003, 02:39 PM

Thanks, Chris! I will do a search on the Net. I believe I need to get those instrumental recordings. 8)

lewis:

Yup, that one is on his latest CD for Compendia Records: "Haggard Like Never Before".

Jay Jordan · October 17th, 2003, 03:58 PM

and you are sorely missed redd

at least by us merle fans

TelecasterSam · October 18th, 2003, 12:41 AM

Wouldn't it be great to have Leon playing for Hag? Maybe we could drop enough hints to get them together!

Johnny Isaacs · October 18th, 2003, 02:38 AM

....I want to be playing with Merle! (But then again, don't we all?!)

The "Wanna be Stranger"
Johnny Isaacs

1stTeleUSer · November 5th, 2003, 11:43 PM

[quote="Big Tony. Is any of that stuff reissued on CD? Can you give some help with album titles, labels, and stuff? quote]

Hi Big Tony,
I don't want to sidetrack the thread but just thought I would tell you about Sundazed Records releasing a 3 Cd set of all my dads (Jimy Bryant) stuff in the next few weeks. It is going to list for around $37 I think...that is a great price and Sundazed is doing a great job on the notes.

Well, if you get a chance, check it out...and I hope you hear some things you can use.
John Bryant

Tele295 · November 6th, 2003, 03:19 PM

You keep us posted on that, JB.

What's going to be on it?

October 10th, 2003, 01:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Scott M Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vincennes, IN Posts: 135	So who was that playing for Merle... on the Letterman show? I'm guessing I should know the guy playing the Haggard tele. -Scott __________________ Scott M

October 10th, 2003, 02:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
Anonymous Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 0	I'm guessing Leon Rhodes. If so, he has to be nearly 70 now. If you ever get a chance, pick up some of the stuff he did with Buddy Charleton when they were playing with E.T.'s Troubadors. It's very much in the Jimmy Bryant/Speedy West vein, i.e., HOT twin guitar/steel! :-) CS

October 10th, 2003, 11:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mike D. Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 570	Merle's A Legend...... But I was a little disappointed with his song choice last night. He had three Teles going and the best that they could do was a very simple arrangement. To make up for it I decided to stay up for The Mississippi All Stars on Conan O'Brien. Now that was a treat. Really interesting guitar rigs too. Looked like 2 Peavey SS Bandits on top of Marshall cabs and a Peavey Wiggy. Sounded great.

October 10th, 2003, 12:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
J_Gordon Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 101	What about Redd? I missed Merle last night. Is Redd not playing with Merle anymore? If so, anyone know why? Redd, if you happen to read this can ya fill us in? Thanks.

October 10th, 2003, 01:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Redd Volkaert Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 441	Norman Stevens Norman Stevens is the fella with the Merle tele, he played for Leffty Frizzel in 54', recorded a few singles with him also. The other tele belongs to Kenny Vernon, a country singer and ol' pal of Hags from the 60's, he had a few records of his own on Capital some time ago, now he opens for Merle, and plays rythmn. As for me I haven't played with Merle for almost a year now. Redd

October 10th, 2003, 01:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
shuggie1 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 319	If it was and older guy it was lefty frizzels original gtr.player,dang I just forgot his name,DOH!!!!!!

October 10th, 2003, 11:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Andy R Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nashville Posts: 660 4 Photos	Chris, it wasn't Leon. He had a heart attack a couple of months ago, and started back playing with Porter just a week or to ago. He showed me the setup on his G&L (9s and super low action...he does his own frets) and shared this philosophy: "I always pretend the fingerboard is hot so I barely touch the strings and don't leave them on long". Wierd, but he sure makes it work!!

October 13th, 2003, 02:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
lewis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,922 28 Photos	I was impressed. I'm not too familiar with Merle but I was happy with his performance on Letterman. Glad to see Teles and not Parker Fly guitars, not that there's anything wrong with them. The song wasn't a barn burner but that's what was cool. Is it off his latest release?

October 17th, 2003, 02:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
Big Tony Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sweden, by golly! Posts: 2,528 29 Photos	Merle Thanks, Chris! I will do a search on the Net. I believe I need to get those instrumental recordings. 8) lewis: Yup, that one is on his latest CD for Compendia Records: "Haggard Like Never Before".

October 17th, 2003, 03:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jay Jordan TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 70	merle and you are sorely missed redd at least by us merle fans

October 18th, 2003, 12:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
TelecasterSam Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 201	Playing for Merle Wouldn't it be great to have Leon playing for Hag? Maybe we could drop enough hints to get them together!

October 18th, 2003, 02:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
Johnny Isaacs Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,494 3 Photos	Secret Confession..... ....I want to be playing with Merle! (But then again, don't we all?!) The "Wanna be Stranger" Johnny Isaacs __________________ Myspace music page I've never trusted a guitar player who hasn't licked a few 9volts... Famous last words...... after this one, no new Tele's!

November 5th, 2003, 11:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
1stTeleUSer TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 15	Re: I'm guessing Leon Rhodes. [quote="Big Tony. Is any of that stuff reissued on CD? Can you give some help with album titles, labels, and stuff? quote] Hi Big Tony, I don't want to sidetrack the thread but just thought I would tell you about Sundazed Records releasing a 3 Cd set of all my dads (Jimy Bryant) stuff in the next few weeks. It is going to list for around $37 I think...that is a great price and Sundazed is doing a great job on the notes. Well, if you get a chance, check it out...and I hope you hear some things you can use. John Bryant

November 6th, 2003, 03:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
Tele295 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Haunted Amp, CA Posts: 3,481 14 Photos	Jimmy Bryant Box set You keep us posted on that, JB. What's going to be on it? __________________ "Turn it up and it doesn't need any reverb." - Danny Gatton www.dannygatton.info Tiger Town Aces - Music That Bites Back In Redd we trust! Free Bill Kirchen! If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?