Most Used Session Steeler

Dave Seddon · Post by **Dave Seddon** » 20 Oct 2006 1:37 pm

That's it basically, Who is the ALL TIME most used Session man on steel. When you look at the credits on albums, CD's etc, I have Lloyd Green, Buddy Emmons, Jimmy Day, Paul Franklin, Pete Drake, Hal Rugg, John Hughey, Weldon Myrick, just for starters. I know who my favourite is, but who has top spot up to date??????

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 20 Oct 2006 1:42 pm

I would think it would be Lloyd Green. However, Pete Drake and Paul Franklin have been on several thousand as well. Interesting question.

Pete Young · Post by **Pete Young** » 20 Oct 2006 2:36 pm

I would think Buddy is in there too Just take a look at the credits on his web page. This is a very hard question and a good one. Should be a lot of fun

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 20 Oct 2006 2:59 pm

Last time this question came up, it came out as 1. Pete Drake and 2. Lloyd Green.

Dave Seddon · Post by **Dave Seddon** » 20 Oct 2006 3:18 pm

Before I asked this question I went though the process of checking if there was any similar threads. I couldn't find any so I went for it.!

Dave Seddon · Post by **Dave Seddon** » 20 Oct 2006 3:29 pm

When was that Jim, I haven't seen it.!

Stephen Gregory · Post by **Stephen Gregory** » 20 Oct 2006 3:32 pm

No offense guys but it is Paul by a country mile if we are talking "numbers". He has played on the huge majority of hits during the last 15 years. The other players mentioned have played on a lot of hits, especially Lloyd and Pete, but none with the longevity and frequency and absolute dominance of an era as Mr. Franklin. Honorable mention also to Mr's Garrish, Rugg,Myrick,Hughey and of course the big E.

Gene H. Brown · Post by **Gene H. Brown** » 20 Oct 2006 3:39 pm

Paul has been dominant for the last fifteen years, but Lloyd was dominant for about 25 years, this is a good question and I really don't know who could answer this very good question and be totally accurate. I, myself don't think it really matters because both are excellent session men with two completely different styles and both have thousands of major sessions under their belt.
I don't think either one of these guys are losing any sleep over it, I could be wrong though, JMHO.
Gene

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If You Keep Pickin That Thing, It'll Never Heal!

[This message was edited by Gene H. Brown on 20 October 2006 at 04:41 PM.]

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 20 Oct 2006 3:39 pm

I don't know... Pete, Lloyd, et al were playing when artist's put out 4 - 5 albums a year... not one every two years like they have in more recent times... I think the old heroes still have the top slots...

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Mikey D...

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 20 Oct 2006 3:55 pm

In the old days they would do a whole album before lunch.

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 20 Oct 2006 4:07 pm

My top 4 bet would be in this order:

Lloyd Green
Paul Franklin
Pete Drake
John Hughey

After that I feel it would be close. My theory is that Lloyd I believe was on nearly every recording from the late 60's thru mid 80's. Paul doesn't have the longevity simply because of his age. However, Paul has probably been the most recorded player since the late 80's. Pete & John's longevity is nearly the same as Lloyd's, but I think they had slightly fewer sessions.

One thing for sure, all of the pros mentioned in this topic deserve the credit for the world's greatest music!
Dave

Don Barnhardt · Post by **Don Barnhardt** » 20 Oct 2006 4:22 pm

Jerry Douglas may not be at the top of the list but he should be on it.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 20 Oct 2006 4:22 pm

Instead of reinvneting the wheel- Jim Phelps, could you elaborate on your post?

Is there a thread to which we can refer?

How was the conclusion reached with 1. Drake and 2. Green?

And Stephen Gregory, where does your info come from that it's "Paul by a country mile?"

Unless someone gives some actual evidence to back up the statements, how do we know these posters are correct?

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Mark

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 20 Oct 2006 5:42 pm

You guys better check with the union in Nashville, you'll fine out that Sonny Garrish is logging more sessions than anyone, and has for MANY years.
Sonny started in '74 upon parting ways with Bill Anderson. He did at least 20 a week for several years, and is still going very strong. He does a lot of gospel and custom union sessions, but remember, they all pay the same. A "Tex Nobody" session pays the same as an Allan Jackson session does.
Check the union, local 257 in Nashville, then be ready to be suprised, check it back many years. Itr's a shame that most folks don't even know who he is, he should be in the hall of fame? Possibly.
This post is not to discredit anyone, there are many folks making a good living in the studios in this town, all fine players, just don't forget the stealth player of them all, Sonny Garrish. [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 20 October 2006 at 06:42 PM.][This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 20 October 2006 at 08:27 PM.]

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 20 Oct 2006 6:37 pm

I remember someone posting a comment from Lloyd Green stating something to the effect that he stayed busy in the studio until Sonny Garrish came to town! It may have been Bobbe? Sonny doesn't get the credit that he is deserved as well. Defintely a great style!
Dave

Al Johnson · Post by **Al Johnson** » 20 Oct 2006 6:48 pm

All I know is that for many years on the West Coast Speedy West recorded with many, many people including Bing Crosby. I also hear he was funny and nice guy.
Al

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 20 Oct 2006 7:18 pm

The Nashville local is 257... just a lil' help, Bobbe, ol' bud...

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Mikey D...

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 20 Oct 2006 7:26 pm

Yes Mike, I'm getting old,

Mike Duchette is the son of a legend in country music. The great Sheriff Tex Davis, Tex was with Monument records in Nashville for many years, but I first knew Tex from a Saturday morning jamboree at WCAV radio in Downtown Norfolk Va. later to become the great WCMS country music station that hosted hundreds of live Nashville shows. Tex also discoverd our "garage band", the Blue Caps, Gene Vincent was the singer. Sherriff Tex wrote "Be Bop a loola" and got Gene (without me) on Capitol records, so as you can see, Mike Duchette of Tammy Wynette and Nashville studio fame comes from a great linage of music folk. I really don't think many folks know about this great studio player, Mike is also a wonderful harmonica player and no telling what else he plays. Just thought the forum should know. 35 years of good studio playing and he deserves some recognition of his own, no telling how many sessions Mike has done, a lot I'm sure.
Keep after it Mike, you are doing a great job, and always have.
Bobbe [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 20 October 2006 at 08:42 PM.][This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 20 October 2006 at 08:48 PM.]

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 20 Oct 2006 7:39 pm

I'd hard that same thing about Garrish long before I ever started playing steel, just chewing the fat in the studio with guys - the most-recorded this instrument or that instrument. The late Tommy Tedesco came up for guitar, Garrish on Steel, I think a draw between Lee Sklar and Carol Kaye on bass and I forget the drummers and keys mentioned.

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 20 Oct 2006 8:20 pm

Bobbe... thanks so much. That's awfully kind of you to say... U R D Man...

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Mikey D...

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 20 Oct 2006 8:47 pm

I would have to lean towards Lloyd on this.

At the hieght of his session work,
there seem to have more and faster sessions
than seem to happen today,
even if there were fewer studios then.

And he has the session logs to back up his numbers.

But I also wouldn't dispute Sonny Garrishe's significant output.
I wonder what Lloyd thinks on this qustion?[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 20 October 2006 at 09:50 PM.]

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 20 Oct 2006 10:17 pm

Paul Franklin , if one considers approval of public documentation, which I do.
According to All Music Guide, which I have found to be most accurate, Lloyd Green has three pages of credits. Sonny Garrish has 6 and Paul Franklin is credited with more than 9 pages of legitimate recording credits.
Edited for rambling[This message was edited by Tommy White on 21 October 2006 at 05:56 AM.]

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 20 Oct 2006 11:44 pm

nevermind.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 21 October 2006 at 02:42 AM.]

Dave Seddon · Post by **Dave Seddon** » 21 Oct 2006 12:38 am

I simply asked who was the most used, I wasn't asking who was the best or who had been on the most hit records. I love all steel players. Yes I like some more than others but I certainly wasn't trying to discredit anyone. Actually one of my favourite players happens to be TOMMY WHITE.
Dave.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 21 Oct 2006 1:29 am

.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 21 October 2006 at 02:42 AM.]