WHO is JERRY BYRD's Number #1 Fan?

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 23 May 2010 3:32 pm

Ron your kind words are sincerely appreciated.

When I initially posted this item, I realized I was going to generate some emotional responses.....and I did.

Anyone with an ounce of brains realizes that I was not Jerry Byrd's only fan nor his only #1 fan. There were so many people out there that were on a first name basis with Jerry and I wish I could have been one of them, but alas, I wasn't.

I'm just proud that he was kind enough to communicate with me over the span of years that this continued. I surely do miss him.

Garry Vanderlinde · Post by **Garry Vanderlinde** » 27 May 2010 10:23 pm

Byrd is God

Buddy Emmons is Jesus

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 22 Dec 2012 10:37 am

...and Ray Montee is his prophet.

Keep it up, Ray.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 23 Dec 2012 11:23 pm

Byrd is God

Buddy Emmons is Jesus

No, they are both idols!

Matthew Dawson · Post by **Matthew Dawson** » 24 Dec 2012 1:18 am

I can't claim to be his #1 fan, but I did practically go into convulsions yesterday trying to explain to my "Spanish" guitar playing friends how JB had the greatest tone and musicality in the history of the electric guitar. The Electric Spanish guitar is just a fad that will pass.....

Tom Snook · Post by **Tom Snook** » 24 Dec 2012 6:17 am

I seem to remember getting a fair amount of scolding for writing,Don Helms is God a few years ago.Some folks made me feel kind of unwelcome.I meant no disrespect to any one,especially GOD!Or Don Helms for that matter.

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 24 Dec 2012 12:03 pm

I think all of us are forgeting Al Stotler, who Jerry always considered to be his #1 fan. Keep your thumb pick hot. cc

David Nelson · Post by **David Nelson** » 25 Dec 2012 3:02 pm

More than 13 years of research were necessary, but I am now able to say, unequivocally, and without possibility of contradiction, that I am the #1 Jerry Byrd fan in my household.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 25 Dec 2012 5:00 pm

David Nelson wrote:...I am the #1 Jerry Byrd fan in my household.

I'm the only one in my household who's ever even heard of Jerry Byrd.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 25 Dec 2012 5:44 pm

Who is Jerry Byrd's #1 fan?

Well, let me put it this way:
I have a hand-written personal letter from him he sent to me from Honolulu.
I have it framed on my music-room wall.
"Tiare No Tahiti" (yes, that one). I can play it just like he does (yes, including the harmonics).

Now, do you really want to claim you are a Jerry Byrd fan __ at all?

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 25 Dec 2012 10:44 pm

I don't lay claim to a rating, but I was taught by Kenny Dail, I have several bakelite Ricks, a Jerry Byrd Rick console, a couple of handwritten letters from Jerry. I have sat in the studio to watch the Two Guitars show with Jerry & Chet and had Jerry dedicate Limehouse Blues to me. I have been to Jerry's house in Nashville with the late Jack Ward, one of his personal friends and Jerry fixed sandwiches and drinks for us before sitting crosslegged on his living room floor and giving us a private concert. Oh yeah, I have a bunch of Mercury 78's as well as quite a few albums and records he played on by other artists. Due to being close friends with Jimmy Capps, I have been priviledged over the years to watch sessions and broadcasts which Jerry was on and interact with him. After he moved to Hawaii, I only had two correspondences with him, but I treasure every moment of this genius' music I have experienced.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 26 Dec 2012 8:20 am

Clyde, you may just be Jerry's #1 fan.
At least I'm on the fans list __ I think.

Will there be another to eclipse Jerry Byrd?
...probably not in our lifetime.

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 26 Dec 2012 9:50 pm

When I took lessons from Jerry at Harry's Music Store, he never played steel, only rythm guitar.
He once came to Maui to hear my older pal, Ray Knapp play. Ray asked me to sit in. I had traveled from Kauai and I was petrified when I sat in and Jerry was in the audience. Stone cold petrified. Jerry's bar control was unbelievable. Him listen to me?
The thing I love about steel without pedals is you can't BS on the A&B pedals until the next idea comes along.
Go to any pedal steel gathering and you mostly hear players doing this. That's one of th reasons I love Buddy's playing so much, because he doesn't B.S..
Jerry called pedal players, "pedal pushers".
Jerry's #1 Fan? from my perspective (in no order), Ray Montee, Scotty, Senor Ely & Kaleo, Jerry's wife.

Paul Seager · Post by **Paul Seager** » 28 Dec 2012 9:21 am

I have a confession. I am not a Jerry Byrd fan! Now I realise that to many or most on the SGF, this amounts to a statement akin to blasphemy (particularly to the "JB is God" fan-club

) and I am not saying that I couldn't become a JB fan, heck we even share the same birhtday ... it's just that I have no idea where to start with him.

Most of the YouTube videos that I've seen are a little too saccharine for my taste and until I saw Mike Neer playing Slippery Elm, I might never have taken any further interest in JB at all.

So, here is a plea to all you #1 fans: Convert me! If there is one JB album / colleciton that I should pursue and play until thin, which is it?

\ Paul

Oh and just for the record, I'd always thought Ray Montee was the #1 JB fan. First time I typed "Jerry Byrd" into Google, I arrived at Ray's site and its been bookmarked ever since.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 29 Dec 2012 11:04 am

From Jerry's earliest recordings, each one has become a progression of sophistication in its own right.

Each song can become an extremely valuable lesson for learning how to play the steel guitar. I know of no single record that could provide all you're commenting about.

I'd go for a listen of "DROWSY WATERS"..... It was an early recording. Then, 'Steelin' the Blues" with Rex Allen on vocal. Don't listen to the 'music' but rather, to the many different bar movements and the seamless tonal changes throughout each song. No one has ever matched his skillful technique, not eve pedal players.

Jerry seldom played the same lick or 'trick' in any one song and in fact, you'd be hard pressed to hear the same lick in any other song. He was very creative, something seriously lacking in much of today's music.

Speedy West, Johnnie Siebert, Don Davis, Billy Robinson and countless others credit JERRY BYRD for their deep seated interest in steel guitar.

Just LISTEN to JERRY BYRD. Sooner or later, you're going to ask yourself: "How'd he do that?" Then, you'l be hooked.

James Trout · Post by **James Trout** » 10 Jan 2013 11:30 am

Reading through these posts cracks me up. However, what I'm a fan of is anyone passionate enough about lap steel to run a website, share a picture or video, tell me a story, post tab, or just giving me your honest opinion relating to lap steel (in all of its forms). To b0b for the forum, Brad as the moderator, and everyone who posts - I'm your fans - keep up the good work!!!

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 10 Jan 2013 11:36 am

Jerry Garcia?

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 10 Jan 2013 3:13 pm

Um, why Garcia? From JB's biography it seems Garcia had contacted him and wanted lessons, but wasn't willing to make the move to Hawaii. Maybe there's a joke here I'm missing.

David Nelson · Post by **David Nelson** » 10 Jan 2013 4:36 pm

I, too, must be missing something. Sorry. I thought this whole topic was a joke.

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 11 Jan 2013 2:59 pm

For the most part, I'm not a big fan of Jerry's music. But I am in awe of his technique! That guy was THE MASTER of technique. I've read his instruction book. So I know how he did it. But I can't figure out how he did it......if you know what I mean.

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 13 Jan 2013 11:12 am

I will never forget that one handed catch Jerry Byrd made in Superbowl XXIII.

Nate Hofer · Post by **Nate Hofer** » 14 Jan 2013 5:57 am

I'm Ray Montee's number one fan. Anyone care to challenge me?

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 14 Jan 2013 8:21 am

Solomon Hofer wrote:I'm Ray Montee's number one fan. Anyone care to challenge me?

I thought I was.

Ian Ufton · Post by **Ian Ufton** » 17 Jan 2013 9:59 pm

I knew J B --- backed him up on 2 [ ?] occasions -- considered him a friend --- had long discussions with him about music , steel guitar etc. --- the world misses him , Im miss him --- a brilliant musician , once called me his " soulmate ' --- I have countless personal letters which I treasure to this day --- and was one of the the priveledged few who had access to his home phone # ,
R I P Jerry
ps I know that he believed in " living again -- coming back as another person " -- i sure hope he was right !
Ian K.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 18 Jan 2013 5:43 pm

Ian, you play one fabulous rhythm guitar!
Few can even begin to compete with you. I've enjoyed your playing, especially with JERRY BYRD.

The Steel Guitar Forum

WHO is JERRY BYRD's Number #1 Fan?

A great BIG thank you, Ron!

I Am !!!

Not a Jerry Byrd fan, I'm simply amazed............

Jerry Byrd Fan

You're one of the greatest....................