Hal Rugg

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 29 Feb 2008 3:30 pm

Just felt like giving a shout out to the late great Mr. Rugg; been listening to a lot of him lately...

Like the great stuff he did with Osborne Brothers, endlessly inventive and never any doubt who it is playing (the singing's pretty damn good too!); one Bear Family box set that's worth saving up for!

And I came across Hal's instrumental album: "Steels the Hits of Loretta Lynn" on CD at Ernest Tubb's Record Shop the other day which I hadn't known was available (my old LP's pretty worn out), it's hardly left the CD player in my car since. And only 10 bucks!

One that I'd never heard until recently was an album that Keith Gaddis did several years ago, he loves Hal's playing so much that he flew out to Phoenix after Hal had moved out there just to get him to do all the steel on his album. He thinks it might be the last stuff Hal did on record, there's some great stuff. It's on RCA, but out of print and probably kind of hard to find. Keith was Dwight Yoakam's guitar player for a while and is a really knowledgable steel fan.

So, anyone got favorite Hal Rugg? He sure did a lot for the steel and inspired a lot of folks, as well as being an incredibly nice guy...

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 29 Feb 2008 3:54 pm

It wasn't totally Hal, but "Sonny, Hal, and Weldon - The Steel Guitars Of The Grand Ole Opry", is one of my favorite steel albums ever. Great playing by all three and a great choice of songs IMHO.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 29 Feb 2008 4:35 pm

There are a half dozen people in Nashville who made a lasting impression on me
Hal Rugg is one of them.
I might have told the story before but it needs to be repeated.
I met Hal for about 2 hours at Jeff's school in 1978.
Jeff had 'concert night' as part of the course. He alternated between Buddy Emmons and another one whose name escapes me.
Emmons had just landed a good job and was unavailable so Jeff got Hal instead.

I can say without hesitation that those were 2 of the most magical hours of my life.

The entire class got to crowd around Hal as he played some of his well-known tunes. I remember hollering out to him Hey Hal do the intro to 'One's on the Way!' No sooner had I uttered the words than Hal fired off the well-known intro, rapid-fire, and clean, and, to our amazement,"just like the record".

Not only was he a super picker as we all know, but there is way more to the man than just that.

-Those 2 hours with Hal showed me that he was a great teacher, my own opinion is that he was of the Jeff Newman class of teachers. There was no end to Hal's patient explanations to our question 'How'd you do that, Hal?' He also taught much along the lines of Jeff's teaching style, by painting pictures in your mind. A talent held by very few teachers.

- I have also had the honour of meeting one of Hal's relatives and I had my thoughts about Hal confirmed: That he was a great family man. He put family first and the steel second. He was a respected and loving husband, as well as a revered man who was looked up to by his kids and grand kids.
A man who is well loved by his kids and grand kids is numero uno in my books, and I can only hope that I have managed to be a man of the same caliber.

Hal was loved by everybody because, I think, he loved everybody.

mtulbert · Post by **mtulbert** » 29 Feb 2008 7:14 pm

Well,

I have to admit that I get a little misty thinking about Hal. I was an engineer in Nashville during the 70's and probably did a 1000 sessions with Hal during the time I was there.

He always had a smile, liked everyone and it did not matter who was behind the mic. Either top name act or someone who could barely sing, he always played totally outstanding great parts.

I miss him terribly.

I only wish that I had kept some of the outtakes and ad lib stuff that he did. I think he played at about 30% of what he could have on the records.

Regards,

Mark T

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 1 Mar 2008 3:33 am

The video, "Live at Bell Cove" featuring Hal and Buddy Emmons going head to head I feel is a must for any serious Hal Rugg fan. I have watched this video dozens of times and am equally amazed each time at the artistry demonstrated by these two incredible players.

Russell Nugent · Post by **Russell Nugent** » 1 Mar 2008 7:13 am

There's a nice tribune to him that was put together by one of his granddaughters, I believe.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yA0rj41PrXA

Antolina · Post by **Antolina** » 1 Mar 2008 7:39 am

I met Hal back in '84 or '85 when I attended Jeffran College. Jeff was really concious about mking sure we got all we could for our money. At the end of the week He treated us all to a special concert featuring the great Hal Rugg. Hal had asked us what we wanted to hear. The requests were flowing like. I never thought he'd even hear me when I shouted out. "Last Date". Without missing a beat, I got that famous smile of his as he played the most moving rendition of that song I'd ever heard.

Hal was a special kind of man and one of my heros.

rc

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 1 Mar 2008 8:20 am

I always liked 'Altered Ego,' and enjoyed playing it for all the musical snobs I knew ......

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 1 Mar 2008 9:10 am

I consider myself fortunate to have have heard Hal play at a few shows, the last being in Dallas in 2002.
His playing grabbed my ear and never let go. A giant.

JACK HEERN · Post by **JACK HEERN** » 1 Mar 2008 9:36 am

My favorit cut of Hal's was " Take me as I am or let me go" .
His talent was only exceded by his love and kindnes that he showed to his fellow man.
I miss my buddy

Jack

Bobby Caldwell · Post by **Bobby Caldwell** » 1 Mar 2008 1:49 pm

Hal was great no matter wht he played. He was a "Master Player" and a great guy to be around. I miss him so much and think of him often. The steel guitar world has lost so many greats and it is not the same with out them. Bobby

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 1 Mar 2008 3:22 pm

I just thought of another favorite to add; Hal's playing on k.d. lang's "Shadowland". Especially on "I'm Down to my Last Cigarette", one of my favorite country shuffle recordings ever (she sings her butt off too). I think his tone was captured on that album as well as it was ever recorded, and the playing is just perfect for the songs.

Joe Goldmark · Post by **Joe Goldmark** » 1 Mar 2008 3:22 pm

Hi Pete,

There's an album by Country Joe McDonald, years after he left "The Fish," called "Thinking Of Woody Guthrie." It was recorded in Nashville, and Hal was the steeler, and he rips on a few of the tunes. There's also some Hal instros on an early George Jones Greatest Hits collection. There's a wonderful 45 of Hal & Buddy Spicher going under the name of the "Family Jewels" called "Chicken Gumbo/Sweet Sauce." It was taken from a whole album that they did in the 70's that was never released. Finally, if you can catch some of the Wilburn Brothers videos from their 70's show, Hal always played an instrumental. I think there's some up on YouTube.

I think you can safely say that Hal is in everybody's top 5 steel players list.

Joe

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 1 Mar 2008 5:36 pm

exactly joe, (now that we've all gotten past that ugly r.r. thread)
in the seventies, when i was looking for any music with steel on it, certain players continually impressed me the most. they were: buddy emmons , weldon myrick, john hughey, doug jernigan and hal rugg. he had the tone and style that i enjoyed most. you could catch glimpses of him on tv. he'd turn up making kd lang and delbert mcclinton look really cool.
saw him at the june jam in '95 and he is one of the ultimate steel players in history.

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 1 Mar 2008 5:59 pm

Is Hal's CD's still available?Maybe thru his wife?

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 2 Mar 2008 1:22 am

I started playing steel in '96 and my first steel show was the Knoxville Jamboree that year. I really didn't know too many names, but the standout moment for me was Hal playing "I Don't Believe I'll Fall In Love Today"... THAT was the sound I wanted to make!

A few years later in St. Louis I got to shake Hal's hand and he signed my copy of "Steels Loretta Lynn"... he seemed a little tired when I approached him, but he perked right up and was so friendly and appreciative of my adulation. And humble.

The Loretta Lynn box set was one of the first things I immersed myself in when I started... Hal was so creative and such a huge part of her sound. I'm also a huge fan of the Osborne Brothers stuff. Good for Sonny and Bobby for using Hal (and Buddy) so prominently on their bluegrass recordings. I love stuff that is rooted in tradition but also cutting-edge at the same time. Hal was definitely both.

thanks Hal...

Colin Goss · Post by **Colin Goss** » 2 Mar 2008 1:37 am

And don't forget the USAF Country Music Time programmes - many of them had Hal playing steel. These were the first examples I had of his playing, because Rob Powell used to play them on his country music programme on Radio London (UK) in the 1960s/ 70s.

I have been able to buy a good number of the LPs through ebay and I can thoroughly recommend them to any of Hal's many fans.

Steve Alonzo Walker · Post by **Steve Alonzo Walker** » 2 Mar 2008 6:34 am

I was playing in a club somewhere in Nashville and when we took our first break of the night, I went to the table my was sitting at and there was Paul Franklin's sister talking to my wife. So, I sat down and joined the conversation and she said she was enjoying my playing and that her and Hal was making the rounds...oh by the way, he's sitting right behind you! Well, I turned around and there he was. What a shock that I was playing with the great Hal listening! We had a nice conversation and I tried to get him to play the next set but he kindly refused and I had to force myself back onstage and play again in front of my hero. Man, I was so nervous!!!

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 3 Mar 2008 9:11 am

I learned to play Nashville style E9th from Hal, watching (and taping on my cassette player) the Wilburn Brothers shows, so any of those cuts are favorites.

In terms of showcasing Hal's jazz side, I love Altered Ego, as well. His version of of 'All the Things You Are' is one of my favorite steel guitar jazz performances.

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 3 Mar 2008 9:28 am

Hal was such a Great Steel Guitar Artist. He was also a great guy!

I have alot of his steel recordings as soloist and on albums/cds. One of my favorites is one of his last projects, his Gospel Music Steel CD. It has beautiful and innovative arrangements of Gospel Music, played on steel guitar by one of the best Hal Rugg.

Terry Wood

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 3 Mar 2008 9:53 am

During the 80s, Hal would show up at the convention with a tight, well rehearsed band and play everything from jazz-rock fusion to Bach.

These performances were all recorded. Scotty has the master tapes. I have cassette copies of some of them.

This material SHOULD be made available. There's enough for at least 2, possibly 3 CDs.

Tiny Olson · Post by **Tiny Olson** » 3 Mar 2008 6:49 pm

Man... I go along with all the good comments already made here about Hal. Back in the 70s and 80s I crossed paths with him from time to time and he always made a point to come up to me and say hello and talk if he spotted me first. One of my favorite players and a genuinely great man. He was quick to deliver a compliment too. Hal also loved bass-fishing... one more plus in my book!! I miss him and I'll never forget him.

Once in the early 80s while I was with Gene, Gene was scheduled to do a TV show at the Opry. We did all those shows with him as a rule but on this show he was to be backed by the house band. Hal was the house steeler on this occasion and he and Jimmy Capps were backstage working up the twin part to "Got No Reason Now For Goin' Home" which Danny Rainwater and I had cut on the record. Hal looked over and saw me and said, "Hey Tiny, is that the way you played it??" I told him of the positions and string combos and had used and he messed with it for a minute. Then he smiled and said he wouldn't have thought to play it that way... but it works. He played it his way on the show and it was just fine!!

Without a doubt, one of the true legends and giants of the steel guitar. God bless and keep you Hal.

Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" Olson

Miguel e Smith · Post by **Miguel e Smith** » 4 Mar 2008 2:16 pm

The first steel player I ever saw perform was Hal on the Wilburn Bros. TV show many years ago. I didn't even know what the instrument was called for a long time but I really thought he was remarkable. Ironcially, Hal and I had talked several times about recording some new stuff together during his remission period. I'm very sorry I didn't drop everything else and get that one done. A great musician and a good cat too...He's missed.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 4 Mar 2008 2:20 pm

Yes, we miss Hal!

Larry Sasser · Post by **Larry Sasser** » 29 Mar 2008 11:12 am

I am glad to say Hal was one of my very very best friends and no words can tell you how much I miss him.

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