Joaquino on video

[Dave Mayes]

The thought that I would never have a chance to see Joaquin Murphey in action was more than this man could bare. Prayers answered! A collection of musical interludes from 30's, 40's, and 50's "B" (or "C") westerns is out on VESTAPOL 13089. Titled "Take Me Back To Tulsa". 65% Bob Wills, the remainder Tommy Duncan, Spade Cooley, Smokey Rodgers, Tex Williams and one Hank Thompson. I think most of the video is a throw away, but Joaquin has a solo spot in the Tex Williams number and SOMEBODY HELP ME - I think it's Murph in the last number on the tape (with Spade Cooley), but he is so young and skinny I'm not sure it's him.

[Michael Johnstone]

There's a BUNCH of film on Joaquin.Spade Cooley made quite a few "Soundies" over at Universal around the late 40s early 50s, although Wayne Burdick is the steel player in a lot of them,Murph is in more than his share.A lot,but not all of them,were sidelined-in other words,the band recorded the song first and then lip-synched it on film.Also,many people don't know that they also appeared in a string of singing cowboy movies.You know the kind where the star breaks into song and the band appears on the back of a hay wagon or the corner of a saloon,etc. Murph told me they used to use the band members as extras in crowd scenes and on horseback as well.So some of those "posse chasing the outlaws" scenes feature a galloping Joaquin.Last summer,Jeremy Wakefield loaned me a video of a lot of this material and Joaquin and I sat down and watched it.Murph was very excited to see it and had NEVER SEEN most of it.He finally started to cry and said "I wish I could take my new steel and crawl into that TV and show those guys how I'm playing now" He also told me that he was in a 3 Stooges short where he actually played live instead of sidelining.Bobby Black confirmed that-he had seen it.And he said that the one-of-a-kind D-8 Bigsby LAP steel now owned by Chas Smith-the same one that we passed around at Murph's funeral-was the one Murph played in that film. I sure do miss that man. -MJ-

[Mike Spaeth]

Michael, I think it would have been quite an honor to know Joaquin. There is so much musical history in the older players.(Sounds like good book material????)Anyway,I'm told a bass player from Spade Cooley's band lives about 30 mile from me. I think it's time to meet the man.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Mike Spaeth on 11 March 2000 at 11:14 AM.]</p></FONT>