The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Mel Tillis
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Mel Tillis
Don Kuhn


From:
Poetry/Terrell ,Texas, USA
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 8:36 am    
Reply with quote

It's being reported that Mel Tillis past away this morning at age 85. Prayers for the Tillis family.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Charlie Hansen


From:
Halifax, NS Canada and Various Southern Towns.
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 8:48 am    
Reply with quote

https://countryrebel.com/blogs/videos/country-legend-mel-tillis-has-died
_________________
I don't know much but what I know I know very well.
Carter S-10 3X5, Peavey Nashville 112, plus Regal dobro and too many other instruments to mention.
Bluegrass Island CFCY FM 95.1 Charlottetown, PE, Canada, on the web at cfcy.fm.
A Touch Of Texas CIOE FM 97.5 Sackville, NS, Canada,
on the web at cioe975.ca.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jeff Harbour


From:
Western Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 9:04 am    
Reply with quote

Huge loss... Not only for his own career as a performer, but for many many hits for other artists that most people aren't even aware that he wrote.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Barry Coker


From:
Bagley Alabama, USA
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 9:27 am     RIP Mel
Reply with quote

I saw Mel 40 years ago in concert with Conway and Loretta. He was not only a singer and song writer but an Entertainer many may claim that but he truly was still in my memory one of the best concerts I ever attended. RIP Mel our loss will be heaven gain. Sad Sad Sad

Last edited by Barry Coker on 19 Nov 2017 4:12 pm; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jack Stanton


From:
Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 9:50 am    
Reply with quote

Saw Mel at the Lone Star Café in NYC, must have been close to 30 years ago. Paul franklin was still on the road with him. Great band and Mel was at the top of his game. As Barry said, great songwriter, singer and performer. Another country legend gone.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ron Sodos


From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 10:04 am     Rest in Peace Mel Tillis
Reply with quote

Had a chance to meet Mel in Branson thanx to my friend Terry Bethel. Mel was a remarkable artist and a true gentleman. He will be missed. RIP Mel Tillis!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Craig Stock


From:
Westfield, NJ USA
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 10:23 am    
Reply with quote

RIP Mel,

Back when I was young in the 70's, he was one of the first guys that I was exposed to as a country singer from movies and the soundtracks especially 'Coca Cola Cowboy. I have fond memories of that time and Mel's songs and voice bring it all back.

Thanks Mel!
_________________
Regards, Craig

I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.

Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

John Brock


From:
Xenia, Ohio
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 10:30 am     Mel
Reply with quote

Another huge loss. I remember meeting Mel at Bobs fuelstop on the mile back in 74 or so. A wonderful person.RIP
_________________
GFI S10 Nashville 400 Epiphone J200 Kentucky BM650 Mandolin Fender 112 Alvarez 5018 12
Rus-Ler Deluxe
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 12:53 pm    
Reply with quote

Sad. Mel hadn't been in good health for a while. He was living at his home near Ocala, Fl (Ocklawaha), about 30 miles from me. He passed away at an Ocala,Fl hospital.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Don Kuhn


From:
Poetry/Terrell ,Texas, USA
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 2:30 pm    
Reply with quote

Had the pleasure to see and meet Mel and Mel Jr. aka as Sonny. in May of 2016 at the Horseshoe Casino in Louisiana. I have always liked his music and especially the one Who's Julie.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Tommy Shown

 

From:
Denham Springs, La.
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 4:09 pm    
Reply with quote

I wish I could say I have seen him in person but I cannot but I was fan of his music. I am really saddened by his passing.Just as I was of George Jones's passing.

RIP Melvin, may you rest high on that mountain
Tommy Shown
View user's profile Send private message

Godfrey Arthur

 

From:
3rd Rock
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 5:22 pm    
Reply with quote

Godspeed Mel.


You were a joy to watch and listen to.



_________________
ShoBud The Pro 1
YES it's my REAL NAME!
Ezekiel 33:7
View user's profile Send private message

Clyde Mattocks

 

From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 7:51 pm    
Reply with quote

What a talent! What a catalog! Thanks for all the great music.
_________________
LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Harlow Dobro
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Godfrey Arthur

 

From:
3rd Rock
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 11:30 pm    
Reply with quote

Here's Mel in Cannonball Run with Terry Bradshaw featuring Burt Reynolds and slew of stars.



Cannonball Run with Tony Danza


And with Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Villain being Mel




_________________
ShoBud The Pro 1
YES it's my REAL NAME!
Ezekiel 33:7
View user's profile Send private message

b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 19 Nov 2017 11:35 pm    
Reply with quote

I saw Mel Tillis at the Sonoma County Fair in the early 80's with Paul Franklin on steel. It was a great show and the first time I met Paul.

Mel was a consummate entertainer. His show was as perfect as a country show can be. I've always been a fan. He made a lot of people happy. God bless him.
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website

Tommy Alexander

 

From:
Friendswood, Texas 77546
Post  Posted 20 Nov 2017 5:27 am     Mel Tellis
Reply with quote

In the early 80's, Mel Tellis came to Alvin, Texas for a show at a place called "Bohickies"! Paul Franklin and all of the band; forgot the names of the band, but I got a chance to hang out with the guys, along with Paul, Mel's brother Richard and I had a great time for the day and had a chance to go and pick up Mel at the airport.
It was a delight to have lunch and hang out with all of the guys and after that, I had a chance to stay and watch the band work; that was the best time.
The greatest time to be around Mel and Richard; very funny guys to be with. I will always remember that.
It's very sad to loose a great singer and as a person also. Mel will be missed; "God Blessed"....
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Walter Stettner


From:
Vienna, Austria
Post  Posted 20 Nov 2017 7:38 am    
Reply with quote

This is really sad news. I remember having a front row seat in Mel's theater in Branson. What a great show he put on!

Another legend gone. Thanks, Mr. Mel for all the great music.

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria
_________________
www.lloydgreentribute.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Sonny Jenkins


From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
Post  Posted 20 Nov 2017 8:40 am    
Reply with quote

Yes,,another legend gone!!!,,,one that was in the upper crust of greats!!!

By far my favorite CD is one that was given to me with a rather dubious history behind it. Don't know how much truth there is to it, but back in the early 80s (when Paul was with Mel) plans were made to do a "live" recording,,,,I've heard different stories as to the venue,,,from opry house to panther hall. Anyway,,,due to a mix up in the contract signing/agreement, it supposedly not released,,,,rumored to have been several law suits etc. Anyway,,,somehow the show was in fact inadvertently recorded and some copies "leaked" out. I was given the CD by a friend of a friend of a friend (etc) that was reportedly in the recording booth.

Anyway, it is not like the other "live" recordings and as I said,,,it is by far the most listened to (AND TREASURED!!) CD in my collection,,,, a young Paul Franklin is ALL OVER it demonstrating (IMO) how steel guitar is supposed to sound.!!!!

May Mr. Melvin Tillis rest in eternal peace,,,,
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

George Redmon


From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
Post  Posted 20 Nov 2017 2:17 pm    
Reply with quote

What country music is suppose to sound like. He will be missed.
View user's profile Send private message

Bill L. Wilson


From:
Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 20 Nov 2017 10:02 pm     R.i.p. Mel.
Reply with quote

Fronted a show in Clinton Oklahoma many moons ago with Mel. Got him to sign my strap.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Mitch Drumm

 

From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
Post  Posted 20 Nov 2017 10:32 pm    
Reply with quote

He has about 350 songs under his name at BMI:

http://repertoire.bmi.com/Catalog.aspx?detail=writerid&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&keyid=344091&subid=0

Of which I remember:

All right, I'll sign the papers
Bopalena
Burning Memories
Detroit City
Heart Over Mind
Honky tonk song
I ain't never
I'm tired
Juke Box Man
Kissing your picture
Let's walk away strangers
Mary don't you weep
Mental revenge
No love have I
One more time
Petrified
Ruby don't take your love to town
Sawmill
Snakes crawl at night
Stateside
Stonin' around
Stop the world
Ten thousand drums
Tupelo county jail
Unmitigated gall
Walk on boy
Wall of tears
Wandering boy
Wine

Lotsa Price, Pierce, and Faron songs there.

Not many writers can match that catalog. There was a time when I would see the names "Tillis-Walker" on half the 45 labels I looked at.

His earliest recordings, pre-1965, are very strong. I think there is a CD out there that compiles them. Maybe the best version I ever heard of "Heart Over Mind", with apologies to Ray.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1TCnzuJcj8

Don't know who that steel is.
View user's profile Send private message

Sonny Jenkins


From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
Post  Posted 21 Nov 2017 7:31 am    
Reply with quote

Hey Mitch,,,,that list /link just about says it all!!! Maybe Jimmy Day on steel???

Not sure how long Paul was with Mel but I would think that that period played a huge role in where Paul is today,,,JMHO.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Tim Sergent

 

From:
Hendersonville, TN, USA
Post  Posted 21 Nov 2017 7:42 am    
Reply with quote

Mel told me one time that at one point out of the top 50 songs on the radio he had 18 of them. That's a pretty good percentage
View user's profile Send private message

Joachim Kettner


From:
Germany
Post  Posted 21 Nov 2017 8:51 am    
Reply with quote

In 2002 Pam Tillis recorded a whole album of her father's songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R07uOi7Jh3s
_________________
Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Sonny Jenkins


From:
Texas Masonic Retirement Center,,,Arlington Tx
Post  Posted 21 Nov 2017 9:42 am    
Reply with quote

As sooooo many talented people,,,,Mel was exceptionally talented,,,,,his art work,

http://meltillis.com/giftshop/artwork.asp

sad, but most people don't realize what a loss,,,,what a loss!!!

And to many of us Mel was an outstanding representative of our Masonic brotherhood,,,,
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP