Remembering Jimmy Day

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 23 Jul 2007 9:29 am

Jimmy was the greatest! Here's a new article about him:
Austin360.com

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 23 Jul 2007 9:59 am

Thanks for the link, Bobby, that was a good article.

I had never owned, until last year, a copy of "Golden Steel Guitar Hits/Steel And Strings" - Jimmy's solo stuff. I was on business in Santa Cruz, and went to a record shop and there it was in the used country section - the Bear Family Records edition - and pretty cheap. I couldn't believe my good fortune!

But only knowing Jimmy from the hits on which he played steel - which of course are outstanding, I wasn't quite prepared for the shock I would experience from being exposed to him being front and center on a solo album.

I drove back to the hotel listening to the CD, then before going up to my room, I listened to about five more tracks - I couldn't turn the key and stop listening.

What an absolute master. I could certainly see Willie Nelson's point about retiring the steel guitar seat in his band after Jimmy left.

Jim Hankins · Post by **Jim Hankins** » 23 Jul 2007 10:17 am

I think that would be my "desert island" CD.

Kevin Macneil Brown · Post by **Kevin Macneil Brown** » 23 Jul 2007 11:02 am

Everytime I listen to Jimmy Day, I get surprises and shivers.
Thanks for the thread. A nice reminder that it's time to give "Golden Steel Guitar Hits/ Steel And Strings" another spin.

Chris Scruggs · Post by **Chris Scruggs** » 23 Jul 2007 11:08 am

His playing on Ray Price's "San Antonio Rose" tribute to Bob Wills is breathtaking as well. The great thing about that record is because it's a tribute record, they wseem to be having fun and aren't thinking of making hits. It's some of the most laid back, soulful playing I've ever heard Day play behind a singer.

His Roly Poly solo is my personal favorite on that record.

Chris

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 23 Jul 2007 11:37 am

Thanks b0b !

I will pass this link on over to Joe Day , Jimmy's older brother .He is always thankful to receive info. about "his little Brother".

I know he will appreciate your rememberance and looking at the link you posted .

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 23 Jul 2007 11:37 am

Nice article...I think it was Willie's picnic#3 in Gonzales Texas.I was playing with the late B.W. Stevenson.They gave the bands a choice of a motel or camping out behind the stage,they had a big compound set-up.I was there hangin'out with my good friend Josh Dubin a great steel guitar player who was playing with Milton Carrol,and then Jimmy, Cheryl and the kids showed up and we all stayed up thru the night while Jimmy told us a few great stories around a campfire.At about six in the morning Leon Russel hit the stage and woke everyone up,and day two was under way,I remember the three of us Jimmy,Josh and Myself watching Leon do his thing from behind the stage,and Jimmy said "Man That Leon's Something Else".How privileged Josh,and I were to be taken under the wing of our friend James Clayton Day..We both miss him.

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 23 Jul 2007 3:33 pm

b0b,
Great article, thanks for posting it.

Ken Crisp · Post by **Ken Crisp** » 23 Jul 2007 6:13 pm

Chris Scruggs wrote:His playing on Ray Price's "San Antonio Rose" tribute to Bob Wills is breathtaking as well. The great thing about that record is because it's a tribute record, they seem to be having fun and aren't thinking of making hits. It's some of the most laid back, soulful playing I've ever heard Day play behind a singer.

His Roly Poly solo is my personal favorite on that record.

Chris

LOL Chris

.. We share the 'exact' same sentiments. Day's fills and breaks are unmatched on the "S.A. Rose" album. As for Roly Poly, When I heard that break many many years ago, I was awed at how clean, and every pedal string in 'perfect [and I mean perfect] tune'. How bout "Bubbles in my Beer" ? Another one right on the money.

Jimmy Day is my all time favorite [as if you couldn't tell

].

Jimmy's "Golden Steel Guitar Hits" is my favorite album. If you'll listen closely, you'll here Jimmy's bar move across the strings, such as masterful singer breathes [inhales] before precise delivery.

And "Steel and Strings" album has so much feeling, I believe when Jimmy finished up his last tune in the studio, they found 'blood' on the strings cause he had poured his heart and soul out. You could tell through the wave of the bar, the swells and dies of the notes, he was conveying a message to his listeners.

Thanks b0b for posting that link.

Bobby Caldwell · Post by **Bobby Caldwell** » 23 Jul 2007 6:32 pm

I worked with with Jimmy so many times. He always played with so much feeling that sometimes the back up back up band had tears. Then he would play an up tune and blow your socks off. What a player and what a talent he was. I will miss him always and think of him often. God bless my pal Jimmy Day. Bobby

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 23 Jul 2007 6:44 pm

Thanks b0b for the post. Jimmy was one of my heros. I will always remember him.

Joe Harwell · Post by **Joe Harwell** » 23 Jul 2007 8:09 pm

With a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye, thanks.

I think BE's description of Jimmy's playing is one of the best I've read.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 24 Jul 2007 10:02 am

"Jimmy Day used to come through Lubbock with Willie back in the '60s," recalls pedal steel player Lloyd Maines. "I would just stand at the side of the stage and watch every move (Day) made"

Now I don't feel so bad for staring at the decks...

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 24 Jul 2007 10:16 am

Nice b0b! Thanks for sharing this

Lynn Owsley · Post by **Lynn Owsley** » 25 Jul 2007 10:46 am

b0b,Thanks for sharing this article.
Jimmy was my very best friend, more like family in many ways as we even fought a lot too.I have so many memories,most of which are happy memories, I miss him so much,but he is with me often in music and memories...
Chris Scruggs, Jimmy told me many times about cutting the Ray Price San Antonio Rose Album.
He said that the "feel" was just right and all of the pickers and Ray just seemed to have "the magic" and that they were having so much fun with it that when it was time to break off for the day they all decided to keep going and they cut the whole album in one evening session....this is almost unheard of in music,then or now !!!

Dave Diehl · Post by **Dave Diehl** » 25 Jul 2007 11:00 am

There are a lot of excellent players out there and many have left their mark on all of us... but there are three whose names a synonymous with the instrument.... Jimmy Day, Buddy Emmons, and Buddy Charleton.

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 25 Jul 2007 11:09 am

One of my fondest memories is the time I rode next to Jimmy in the car as we went out to eat after the PSGA show in the early 90's in NY. To share that time with a legend was beyond my imagination. I can still see him playing at that PSGA show with my other most favorite player Jeff Newman looking over his shoulder as he played. I to this day have that picture framed and hanging in my music room.
How I miss them both.
Don

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 25 Jul 2007 11:17 am

Don Sulesky wrote:One of my fondest memories is the time I rode next to Jimmy in the car as we went out to eat after the PSGA show in the early 90's in NY. To share that time with a legend was beyond my imagination. I can still see him playing at that PSGA show with my other most favorite player Jeff Newman looking over his shoulder as he played. I to this day have that picture framed and hanging in my music room.
How I miss them both.
Don

Ken Crisp · Post by **Ken Crisp** » 26 Jul 2007 9:08 am

Thanks for the picture Don, of "The Man of Steel".

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 26 Jul 2007 2:14 pm

OK heres a couple of JD. This thread made me listen to the first classic Farewell party solo again.The Johnny Bush recording.

Ted Solesky · Post by **Ted Solesky** » 26 Jul 2007 4:19 pm

I've met Day a few times. Even when he was with Willie when he had short hair. ppheeww that's a ways back. One time I was at outdoor park and it rained. Day took the whole drove of steel players back stage with him and played. Johnny Paycheck was with him. And then ol Ray Price was sitting the corner by himself and motioned for me to come over and listen to a new song he wrote 'I Can't Run Away From Myself' and asked if I liked it.?? MMMMEE?? I'll never forget those times.

Neil Lang · Post by **Neil Lang** » 26 Jul 2007 5:32 pm

I just received a video of Ray Price in concert in Oklahoma city in the late 80's. It is wonderful, with Jimmy playing that Blue Darlin Super Pro! Kinda like a trip to heaven I guess. Or at least what I hope it is, if I make it there? Got to see him live in concert with Ray up here in Minnesota in the Mid nineties. A night I'll never forget.
Neil

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 29 Jul 2007 5:27 pm

I love Jimmy Day's playing. Thanks for the link.

Ken Crisp · Post by **Ken Crisp** » 2 Aug 2007 4:03 pm

John Coop informed me today [if i have it correct], Jimmy recorded "Steel and Strings" album using a D-8 with no knee levers. Sure fooled me !

Just goes to show the "brilliance" of the man.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Remembering Jimmy Day

Remembering Jimmy Day

Jimmy Day

. . . and a tear in my eye, thanks Jimmy.

Jimmy Day Remembered