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Post new topic What Has Happened To Sonny Purdam?
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Author Topic:  What Has Happened To Sonny Purdam?
Henry Matthews


From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2014 7:20 am    
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Does anyone know where Sonny Purdam is? Sonny was playing with Connie Smith last time I saw him and that was years back. He was a fantastic player and fast as lightening and very tasteful player.
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.


Last edited by Henry Matthews on 17 Oct 2014 7:56 am; edited 1 time in total
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Gary Lee Gimble


From:
Fredericksburg, VA.
Post  Posted 15 Oct 2014 12:11 pm    
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A few years back, I attended a steel jam outside Frederick, MD. with Sunny in attendance. The last I heard, he had some health issues; haven't seen him since said jam.
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Henry Matthews


From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2014 10:18 am    
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Thanks Gary, Sonny really impressed me with his speed, taste and accuracy so just wandering if was still around. He was playing an SD-10 Emmons thru an old Session 400. His tone was awesome.
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.
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Jack Goodson

 

From:
new brockton,alabama (deceased)
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2014 10:43 am     sonny purdum?
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sonny is still alive and kicking, i still stay in touch with him quite often. he still has some health issues. but i would kill to have as fast a right hand as he has....thanks jack
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Henry Matthews


From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2014 1:57 pm    
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Thanks Jack, good to know Sonny still around. Yes, he does have a fast right hand, awesome player.
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.
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b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2020 8:03 am    
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Received via email
Quote:
Good evening,
My name is Jaime Smith. I live next to Sonny's brother, Bob, in Thurmont, MD.
Bob told me about his brother playing with Connie Smith, and I looked it up. That brought me to you and the Steel Guitar Forum.
Sonny is in a nursing home in Florida. He had another stroke, and the onset of dementia.
Bob said that Sonny is getting depressed and that cards or letters may help.
If anyone would like to send cards to Sonny, here is the information.

Carlton Sonny Purdum
Villa Health & Rehabilitation
120 Chipola Avenue, Room 513-D
DeLand, FL 32720

The facilities number is 386-738-3433.

Thank you so much.

Jaime Smith

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Jack Goodson

 

From:
new brockton,alabama (deceased)
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2020 10:55 am     sonny?
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i still stay in touch with sonny, mostly through his wife. the last time i talked with him he only talked about 5 minutes before his voice got weak....thanks jack
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Bob Watson


From:
Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2020 1:34 pm    
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What a strange coincidence, I was thinking about Sonny just a few days ago. I haven't seen Sonny since he was working on steels at Corner Music in Nashville TN. I had heard he was in Florida so I knew he had left Tennessee. I remember first seeing Sonny play at either Gabes or The Rose Room in Nashville. I first met him at a Jam session that Judy Martin ran at the Rose Room. I was sitting in on his Sho Bud and we had a great conversation afterwards. He had told me that I sounded good, but asked me if I was open to some advice. I told that I would love some advice from him and he told me to pick a little harder. He said something like, not real hard like you would a Dobro, but harder than you are now and be more decisive when you pick. It was some of the best advice I have ever gotten and I noticed an improvement in my steel playing within a few weeks. Sonny is really a great guy, I hope and pray he starts to feel better asap.
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Jack Goodson

 

From:
new brockton,alabama (deceased)
Post  Posted 21 Oct 2020 1:45 pm     sonny
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sonny had the first stroke when he was 44 years old (he was working with connie smith at the time) since then he has had 12 strokes. he is still in the nursing home. he is 68 now....thanks jack
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b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 5 Nov 2020 9:08 am     Received via email
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Quote:
I have an update regarding Sonny from his Brother Bob.
Sonny is home now but is still bed ridden.

Below is his home address.

If you would like to send a card, please send it to:
953 Village Green Road
Deland, FL 32720

Thank you so much for your time and concern.

Jaime Smith

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Jack Goodson

 

From:
new brockton,alabama (deceased)
Post  Posted 5 Nov 2020 9:22 am     sonny?
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BoB, i talked with his wife day before yesterday and sonny had just home. his condition has not changed much. i am going to call again today and will update any changes....thanks jack
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John Sluszny

 

From:
Brussels, Belgium
Post  Posted 5 Nov 2020 9:53 am    
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That's all I could find ! Solo at 18:47
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm4lX7ags0w
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