Russ Hicks R.I.P.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 16 Dec 2023 8:55 am

One of the "good guys" Always looked forward to seeing him at SC shows.. Saluda, and Belvedere.
Russ always greeted you like a long lost friend. Peace and comfort to all the family.

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 18 Dec 2023 8:31 pm

Another one of my favorite pickers is gone.
He had a unique style. Another WV picker gone.
Prayers for Laney and family during this bad time.

Richard Ingley · Post by **Richard Ingley** » 18 Dec 2023 11:26 pm

This really makes me sad. Russ was one of my favorites. I will always miss him, and I always will think of him with Laney by his side. What a team.
God bless you Laney and the girls in this trying time.

Dale Foreman · Post by **Dale Foreman** » 19 Dec 2023 11:18 am

This was taken year before last at the Dallas show. That’s my guitar Russ is sitting at and this is the last time we spoke. Great guy!

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 19 Dec 2023 5:27 pm

Rest in Peace, Russ Hicks…

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 19 Dec 2023 7:12 pm

So sorry to hear this, as Russ was truly one of the old-time greats. I only met him once, and he was very gracious when I told him I was a Barefoot Jerry fan, and that his work with that group was really ahead of its time. As I recall, he also played many years ago with Kitty Wells and Bill Anderson. Along with pedal steel and guitar, he also played sax.

Rest easy, Russ.

manny escobar · Post by **manny escobar** » 21 Dec 2023 5:38 am

When I performed in Norwalk in 2011, Rusk Hicks wrote such a nice compliment on the forum that made me feel so proud. He said I was playing the steel and conducting the band with my elbow. I have it on display in my breezeway showing it to everybody. I was devastated to hear about my favorite celebrity steel player.

David Farrell · Post by **David Farrell** » 21 Dec 2023 6:49 am

Rest in Peace Mr. Hicks.

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 2 Jan 2024 1:48 pm

I’m not on the forum very often, but it seems like every time that I log on someone has passed away! I hadn’t been on the forum for awhile…and losing someone like Russ Hicks certainly stings.

Russ was an absolute monster picker…I certainly think he’s pretty high up there on the list of the best pickers. Besides being an AMAZING picker, he was a really great guy!!!

When I first met him, I didn’t know much about him. It didn’t take long to figure out that he was great. Thanks to my buddy Randy Weideman, I got to spend some time with Russ, first in Nebraska and then down at Tulsa. Russ always treated me like an old friend…and of course, he had some great country music history stories.

Probably the coolest thing I ever witnessed was Russ Hicks and Randy Weideman playing a show with dual pedal steels at the American Legion in Columbus, Ne. When the people arrived at the Legion, a few took note that there was two pedal steels. Most all of those folks had ZERO idea who Russ was at first. Then Randy and Russ picked some, Randy introduced Russ and the people learned who was Russ and it was an incredible night. Randy is a superb picker and when you added Russ Hicks to the mix, holy moly what an awesome experience…I’m glad that I was there.

Fly high Russ…you were one of the greats!!!

Casey

Dennis Saydak · Post by **Dennis Saydak** » 29 Jan 2024 3:53 pm

My eyes might decieve me but I think this is Russ playing a ShoBud on Austin City Limits. I was fortunate to enjoy his talent at the Wisconsin Dairy Steel Shows.

https://youtu.be/EdNht2kiSNQ

memphislim · Post by **memphislim** » 29 Jan 2024 3:58 pm

That is Scott Walls on steel.

Dennis Saydak · Post by **Dennis Saydak** » 29 Jan 2024 4:22 pm

Thanks for the correction memphislim.

Carl Houtz · Post by **Carl Houtz** » 4 Feb 2024 8:56 am

I am not on the forum much, but being on the stage with Russ was a great honor for me and the rest of the guys. Blessings to Russ's family.