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Author Topic:  Leon Rhodes
Craig A Davidson


From:
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA
Post  Posted 9 Dec 2017 8:37 pm    
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We lost the last member of the great Texas Troubadour Band today when Leon Rhodes passed away. Leon along with Jack Drake, Jack Green, Cal Smith, and Buddy Charleton to me will always be considered the Great Band and the benchmark for all other bands to try to be like.
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Walter Stettner


From:
Vienna, Austria
Post  Posted 10 Dec 2017 12:46 am    
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That is really sad news. Leon attended several conventions in St. Louis in his later years and even played a couple of times. A real gentleman and a true legend has left us.

RIP, Mr. Rhodes


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Larry Dering


From:
Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 10 Dec 2017 6:19 am    
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What a player and a fine gentleman. I had the pleasure of seeing Leon in St. Louis at the convention. He will be missed for sure.
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Bill Ferguson


From:
Milton, FL USA
Post  Posted 10 Dec 2017 6:19 am    
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I am so sad to hear this. Leon was always the perfect gentleman and a fantastic guitar player I feel so honored that he played on my show the last two days in St. Louis. Memories I will never forget
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Last edited by Bill Ferguson on 12 Dec 2017 6:07 am; edited 1 time in total
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Sandra Scott-Wall


From:
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 10 Dec 2017 7:34 am    
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Leon Rhodes did indeed attend the last few years of the ISGC although the last year his illness prevented him from attending. His style and understanding of the steel guitar added a great deal to the overall presentation of the backup band. A lot of fans wished he would have had more solos. Scotty was very pleased to add him to the show.

Our condolences go out to his family and he will remain in our hearts and prayers.
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Barry Blackwood


Post  Posted 10 Dec 2017 9:50 am    
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My favorite of all of Tubb's guitarists. I'll miss you, Leon, along with Hank Garland, Howard Roberts, and all the others in your league. Sad
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Mitch Drumm

 

From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
Post  Posted 10 Dec 2017 10:37 am    
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Leon at age 17 in Johnny Hicks' band in Dallas; 1949:


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Jim R. Harrison


From:
North Vancouver, B. C., Canada
Post  Posted 10 Dec 2017 2:37 pm    
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Years ago, I saw Leon playing in Vancouver with Ernest Tubb. MANY years later, I met him at Scotty's ISGC in St. Louis. Besides being a marvelous guitar player, he was very friendly & accommodating to his fans. See my following two photos.





I'm so sorry to hear of his passing; blessings to his family! Kindest regards, Jim Harrison
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Bill Dobkins


From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 10 Dec 2017 3:08 pm    
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RIP Leon.
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Clyde Mattocks

 

From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 10 Dec 2017 5:40 pm    
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He turned the Billy Byrd style into an art form. What a great player and nice guy. RIP
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Rex Thomas


From:
Thompson's Station, TN
Post  Posted 10 Dec 2017 7:37 pm    
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Oh my goodness!! He was a mentor.
RIP, Leon.
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Smiley Roberts

 

From:
Hendersonville,Tn. 37075
Post  Posted 11 Dec 2017 6:33 am    
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lets not forget what a wonderful caring person he was and what a great sense of humor he had. R.I.P. my friend.
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Billy Easton

 

From:
Nashville, TN USA
Post  Posted 11 Dec 2017 7:08 am    
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So sorry to learn of this. Rest in heavenly peace.
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Barry Blackwood


Post  Posted 11 Dec 2017 9:52 am    
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http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Leon-Rhodes&lc=2351&pid=187488710&mid=7672521#
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Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 11 Dec 2017 6:21 pm    
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He was a phenom! RIP Maestro
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Gary Hoetker

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 11 Dec 2017 9:36 pm    
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Can you hear ET saying "Ahhhh Leon and Buddy now" joining him and the other Troubadours, The Jolly Greene Giant and Jack Drake in heavenly melody?? It is truly "The Great Band". RIP !!
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Graham


From:
Marmora, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 12 Dec 2017 9:17 am    
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Not only a great guitar player but a real good singer as well.



On this 1966 lp, Leon sings two songs:

My Baby's Coming Home & Almost Everything A Lonely Boy Needs

RIP, Leon.
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Jerry Hayes


From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
Post  Posted 12 Dec 2017 12:39 pm    
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I've seen and heard a lot of 'em and I'd have to say that he had the best command of a flatpick I've ever encountered!.. he always made it look so effortless when he played those intricate solos... That is until you tried to copy what he played. I wasn't aware that he was also a vocalist......JH in Va.
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Chris Templeton


From:
The Green Mountain State
Post  Posted 12 Dec 2017 6:48 pm    
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Take it away Leon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUsWl5rRixA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLmxnO8M2Mg
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Tommy Shown

 

From:
Denham Springs, La.
Post  Posted 23 Dec 2017 1:16 pm    
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I have him on an album in vinyl, yes vinyl. It is called the Grand Ole Opry Staff Band. Leon was on a couple of cuts that featured not only his guitar playing talents, but his vocal talents as well. From what I have heard from stories here from the postings about Leon, he was a talented musician and friend to those who knew him personally.
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john buffington

 

From:
Owasso OK - USA
Post  Posted 27 Dec 2017 1:54 pm    
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Not only was Leon a wonderful musician, gentlemen, etc., he was also a devote student of the Bible!
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 28 Dec 2017 1:42 pm    
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RIP Leon, a legendary picker.
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John Brabant

 

From:
Calais, VT, USA
Post  Posted 30 Dec 2017 7:58 am    
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Damn. Just seeing this. Extraordinarily talented and sweet guy. Had the pleasure to chat with him at Scotty's 2014 show. I am so very saddened by this news. My condolences to his family on their loss. He did live life to the fullest and made all of our lives much better by his presence. RIP Leon.
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Bruce Derr

 

From:
Lee, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 9 Jan 2018 2:06 pm    
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During my week at Jeffran College in 1977 I had the thrill of meeting Leon at the Opry. He was very nice to me, a long-haired kid from NY. There were many amazing moments during that week, but none more memorable that one.
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