Who is the steel player with David Church?

Morgan Scoggins · Post by **Morgan Scoggins** » 24 Sep 2009 1:07 pm

I just looked at some country musicians on Youtube and ran upon a fantastic singer named David Church. Is he new to the music scene or has he been around a while? He sings a lot of Hank Sr's songs, and has a wonderful voice. Also, One of the steel players he used played a Gibson Console steel and played a lot of Don Helms licks.
I dont know much about this group but I really like them. Maby someone knows who the steel player is.

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 24 Sep 2009 1:47 pm

Morgan...If your cable or Direct TV system offers the "RFD TV" channel, there is a show that airs on Saturday night called "Midwest Country" that features David quite frequently. On some appearances I believe he has had Mike Sweeney on pedal steel.

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 24 Sep 2009 4:57 pm

Yes, Mike Sweeney is the latest steel player working with david Church; but the lad whom plays the Gibson guitar does do many of don Helm's licks and style of playing. I can't think of his name, off hand, but I'll bet joe Savage could tell you; Joe is the staff steel man on this fine Saturday show . Hey , joe , help us out..Bernie

Delvin Morgan · Post by **Delvin Morgan** » 24 Sep 2009 4:57 pm

The guy with the Gibson consol was Dennis something. Sorry I forgot his last name. And yes, he is good. But so is MR Sweeney.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 24 Sep 2009 8:36 pm

His name is Dennis Pardo.

Larry Rafferty · Post by **Larry Rafferty** » 24 Sep 2009 8:41 pm

[quote="Delvin Morgan"]The guy with the Gibson consol was Dennis something.

The last time I saw David Church perform was at The Lakeside Restaurant in Ballston Lake, NY in August of 08. He had Dennis Pardo playing Steel for him. I beleive Dennis is from Connecticut.

I spent about 30 minutes talking steel with Dennis after the show. He said he travels with David quite often, (but not always) and they usually hire a local band for backup. Dennis is a super nice fellow and has the Don Helms routine worked out nicely.

The house band was Sonny Thompson and the Mavericks. Larry Edwards on Telecaster lead, Jeff Durkee on Bass, Gary Hobbs on Drums, and Sonny Thompson on vocal and rhytmn guitar.

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 25 Sep 2009 2:41 am

Being originally from Connecticut, I am ashamed to say I am not familiar with Dennis or his work other than hearing him back David. He certainly has the style down, an added plus being that he plays all those great classic licks on a Gibson Console Grande.

Morgan Scoggins · Post by **Morgan Scoggins** » 25 Sep 2009 4:25 am

Thanks for the info guys.I sure do enjoy this group since I am a huge fan of HW sr. and Don Helms. I also play 8 string nonpedal steel and, you guessed it, play a lot of Don Helms' licks.
I will try to catch David Church on cable and try to get some of his recordings. I love that steel guitar sound!!!

Danny Hammers · Post by **Danny Hammers** » 25 Sep 2009 5:38 am

The YouTube's I seen, The guy on the Gibson IS Dennis Pardoe. From Lusby, MD., a plumber for the local school system. And the nicest guy you will ever meet.
I've know Dennis several years, and I'll tell you what when you close you eyes and listen to him, he is the nearest to Dons playing that it can get.
Dennis and Don were good friends and played together
many times.

Danny

Morgan Scoggins · Post by **Morgan Scoggins** » 25 Sep 2009 6:22 am

Danny,
The next time you see Dennis, tell him he has a big fan in Snellville, Ga. I hope to meet him someday.

Mike Sigler · Post by **Mike Sigler** » 25 Sep 2009 11:42 am

David
Is a great singer, and just lives about 20min. up the road from me.... i have done many road jobs with him and he has been around for a while.. Started out doing bluegrass. but he is a heck of a nice guy!
Mike

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 25 Sep 2009 12:39 pm

Morgan and Mike : Glad someone remembered Dennis's name ; He was with David from the first time I had seen him on mid-west country. And, me too, being an ardent fan of Hank Sr. and Don Helms; was turned on by how much dennis sounded like Don's style of playing. He is the closest that I have heard to our buddy, Don.. Mike S. is a fine steel man, but not as original as Dennis, when it comes to doing the Hank Scene. And I am tickled to see David spot-lighted now , letting all see what he truly looks like, ten gallon hat and all..Bernie

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 25 Sep 2009 3:04 pm

I must be invisible on here. The name might not have been spelled right but I did come up with it. Let's give credit where credit is due guys. I know because I have also done some time steelin' with David.

Danny Hammers · Post by **Danny Hammers** » 25 Sep 2009 3:15 pm

Ok Craig
I'm Sorry I didn't see your post.
I will give up the credit.
Danny

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 25 Sep 2009 5:00 pm

Hey there, Craig.. Sorry I missed your admission that you knew whom was being talked about. I do remember reading your post as to our mystery steeler being Dennis Pardo . I also was aware that you have worked the Sandstone Mid-West Country show. Doing a real fine job, too.. Have you backed any of those " ACTS " in recent weeks.. I missed a few during the summer while camping. Whom is the steel man that worked with the Patsy Cline Gal..? Thanks, Craig..Bernie

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 25 Sep 2009 6:33 pm

Apologies accepted from you guys. Bernie I haven't been there for over a year I think, but I will be going up there in two weeks to tape a show with Maggie Mae. It will be a nice week-end. Maggie is taking two buses up for her show from here. Saturday they all get to see David Church and Sunday will be a show with Maggie. it should be a fun time. Maggie is a hoot to work with and it will be good to see David again. As far as the Patsy gal steeler I don't remember his name but wow couldn't she sing? I must also add here that Dennis does a great job of playing Don's style. When he wasn't with us I got the honor of trying to play like Don. Let me tell you copying Don is harder than you think with a pedal guitar especially if you don't use the pedals.

L. A. Wunder · Post by **L. A. Wunder** » 25 Sep 2009 9:34 pm

The player with Lisa Layne (Patsy Cline Gal) is Al "Boo" Miller.

Andy Schick · Post by **Andy Schick** » 27 Sep 2009 6:52 am

I have been very fortunate to have played for David for the past 3 years when he comes to Canada.

Most definetly a treat to play the good stuff.
David and Terri are great people on and off the stage.

I also did get the chance to meet Denis and his wife.
Very very nice people as well.

Hope to do more Canadian work with David in the future.

Andy Schick.

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 27 Sep 2009 9:02 am

I heard yesterday that Tommy Butler is going to Sandstone with David on the 3rd. I'm sure he'll do a fine job. I enjoyed the 1 trip I did with David and Terri but the amount of work I do in town here prohibits me from doing many things like that. I wish all parties the very best.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 30 Sep 2009 7:08 am

I'm supposed to be backing him on a Xmas show here in Calgary on Dec. 17th. Looking forward to it.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Who is the steel player with David Church?

Who is the steel player with David Church?

David Church

Mid-West Country show On RFD Channel

David Church

Dennis Pardo

Apologies Are In Order To Our Friend, Craig