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Topic: Ray Montee |
Tom Wolverton
From: Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 2 May 2017 9:51 am
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Ray, in the brotherhood of steelmen, you are top drawer. You have been so generous in sharing your knowledge and wisdom to us all. Personally, you have opened up the Bryd world to me in a deeper way. We all thank you for that. _________________ To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Brad Bechtel
From: San Francisco, CA
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Posted 2 May 2017 7:00 pm
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One of the highlights for me in attending the Texas Steel Guitar show was to finally meet and hear Roy playing. He's truly a gentleman in all senses of the word.
I wish him and his family the best. _________________ Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Mike Neer
From: NJ
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Posted 3 May 2017 9:10 am
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I just got off the phone with Ray and he says he is feeling good, not sick.
He is craving a piece of German chocolate cake with some ice cream and a root beer, in case anyone is planning on a visit.
_________________ http://www.steelinstruction.com/
http://mikeneer.com |
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Bill Leff
From: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 3 May 2017 10:04 am
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Mike Neer wrote: |
I just got off the phone with Ray and he says he is feeling good, not sick.
He is craving a piece of German chocolate cake with some ice cream and a root beer, in case anyone is planning on a visit.
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Thanks Mike for reaching out and the update. |
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Mike Neer
From: NJ
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Will Houston
From: Tempe, Az
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Posted 3 May 2017 10:34 am
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Yes, thanks for the update Mike. |
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Bob Russell
From: Virginia, USA
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Posted 3 May 2017 6:31 pm
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Mike Neer wrote: |
I just got off the phone with Ray and he says he is feeling good, not sick.
He is craving a piece of German chocolate cake with some ice cream and a root beer, in case anyone is planning on a visit.
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That's great news; thanks, Mike!! _________________ Lots of stringy things, many of them slidey. |
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Bob Watson
From: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
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Posted 3 May 2017 11:15 pm
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Mike Neer, thanks for the update, its good to hear Ray is comfortable. Best wishes Ray, your posts on the Steel Forum are always inspirational. |
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George Keoki Lake
From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 4 May 2017 1:16 pm
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It's been quite awhile since you and I chatted back and forth. I had no idea you were not feeling up to snuff as for the past 4 months I was confined to the hospital with a shattered spine ! Man, that was very painful !!! I'm learning to walk now which is also a painful project....hopefully at 89 I'll succeed before I reach 101.
Seriously Skip, I hope you'll make a great recovery and I'll be looking forward to your ever informative e-mails.
Cheers from Canada old friend...Get well soon. "Keoki"[color=darkblue][/color] |
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Abe Levy
From: California, USA
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Posted 8 May 2017 9:47 am
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I don't know Ray personally, but I've always enjoyed his posts here. I also happen to own a '56 Bigsby which is the same year as his. I figured I'd call to maybe cheer him up. They said he's no longer there. Anybody know if went home... Or HOME? _________________ Mostly Pre-1970 guitars. |
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Bill Leff
From: Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 8 May 2017 12:09 pm
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George Keoki Lake wrote: |
It's been quite awhile since you and I chatted back and forth. I had no idea you were not feeling up to snuff as for the past 4 months I was confined to the hospital with a shattered spine ! Man, that was very painful !!! I'm learning to walk now which is also a painful project....hopefully at 89 I'll succeed before I reach 101.
Seriously Skip, I hope you'll make a great recovery and I'll be looking forward to your ever informative e-mails.
Cheers from Canada old friend...Get well soon. "Keoki"[color=darkblue][/color] |
Good to have YOU back Keoki! Keep movin'! |
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Russ Blake
From: Oregon, USA
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Posted 8 May 2017 12:38 pm
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Abe, I went over to the facility yesterday with the requested cake, ice cream and root beer and was told that Ray had been discharged to go to a family member's house. I hope that means he's feeling a bit better? |
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Abe Levy
From: California, USA
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Posted 8 May 2017 1:04 pm
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Thanks Russ. Glad to hear. By the way, I've started a Facebook page called "west coast steel guitars of the mid century". I think you'd dig it if you're on FB - some of your friends are already there... _________________ Mostly Pre-1970 guitars. |
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Jerry Wagner
From: California, USA
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Posted 9 May 2017 3:27 pm Ray Montee
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I first became aware of Ray through the Forum, as I found his posts on steel guitar history and many other topics insightful and informative. Ray's dedication to the JB Fan Club website is well known. Most of all, I was really blown away by Ray's playing on Manny Fernandez recordings. Here's a little hapa haole tune I'm especially fond of from Hawaiian Memories, called Hula Breeze: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeTfmFjxm3Y
Jeff Au Hoy had this to say about Ray back in 2006:
"In my opinion nobody today plays this pretty, this smooth, this tasty." |
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Chris Templeton
From: The Green Mountain State
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Posted 11 May 2017 10:32 am
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Russ, Good to hear that Ray his nutrients.
Has he ever seen ye ol' Bigsby? I imagine he has and maybe heard you play it too.
For those that don't know, I was house sitting in Tucson, in the early 90's, and one day I went to The Chicago Music Store and I spied a triple neck, missing the back two legs and no case. leaning against the wall. I bought it and loaded into my van. It was what I imagine loading a wounded solder into an ambulance would be like.
A few month's later, I sent it to Paul Warnick to have it refurbished.
I put it on Ebay and Russ got it.
It made me so happy that it went to somebody who plays it and not just a collector.
Russ is a great player.
Here is a picture Russ sent me of the original owner, Chuck Gillette:
Salut! _________________ Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.com/album/the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8: |
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Jack Hanson
From: San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 11 May 2017 11:29 am
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Great story and great photo. Dig that Stratele, or whatever it is. Proof positive that mixing and matching of parts from the assembly line instruments out of Fullerton is no recent phenomenon. Is the legendary Chicago Music in downtown Tucson still around? |
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Chris Templeton
From: The Green Mountain State
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Posted 11 May 2017 1:27 pm
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I haven't been back to the store in years, but would guess it's probably had a makeover.
When I was there, the whole second floor was just band instruments. Horns etc.
I miss those kind of music stores. _________________ Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.com/album/the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8: |
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Russ Blake
From: Oregon, USA
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Posted 20 May 2017 9:37 am
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Update! Pete Burak and I had a nice visit with Ray the other day. He seemed to be feeling pretty well and was in very good spirits. We talked about sponge baths and Sponge Bob and the BIG trucks that Ray loves so much. Pete played us some tunes on his dobro which Ray thoroughly enjoyed, as did I. He is still looking for help with the Jerry Byrd site.
Chris, Ray and I did have a little Bigsby class of '56 reunion a few years back. That quad is something to behold.
Abe, you and Fireball will be invited to the next reunion. I'm not a facebooker, but I'd love to see the page you mentioned.
That's all for now. Keep sending the good wishes Ray's way. |
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Pete Burak
From: Portland, OR USA
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Posted 25 May 2017 8:43 am
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OK I had to remind Ray of a funny Eric West story in order to get him to smile!
We had a good visit!:
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Will Houston
From: Tempe, Az
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Posted 25 May 2017 12:21 pm
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Good to see you Ray. I've enjoyed your many utubes over the years. |
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steve takacs
From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 26 May 2017 10:26 am
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Ray, I wish you good health. ç¥ä½ 身体å¥åº·. Steve t from China |
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Bill Hatcher
From: Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 26 May 2017 7:25 pm
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best to you ray!!! |
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Geoff Cline
From: Southwest France
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Posted 27 May 2017 8:19 am
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Great to see Ray smiling. THANKS for all of the amazing music, knowledge and passion over the years. You make this community better by sharing so generously! |
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Charlie McDonald
From: out of the blue
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Posted 27 May 2017 8:41 am
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Hello, Ray! _________________ Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Abe Levy
From: California, USA
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Posted 27 May 2017 12:44 pm
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Looking good, Ray! _________________ Mostly Pre-1970 guitars. |
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