Spade Cooley & Tex Williams

Perry Hansen · Post by **Perry Hansen** » 27 Jun 2000 8:03 am

Jason, No I don't have that Stringmaster. I sold it to a man named Johnny Cox in San Diego and bought a Fender 1000 which I sold in Hawaii. However, I played on it for a couple of years in the early 60s in Anchorage Alaska. I think Johnny sold it to a Native in Nome around 65.
Perry

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 27 Jun 2000 4:22 pm

Did Johnny Cox work with Freddie Hart in the Heart Beats?
{actually, now I think I'm thinking of Jimmy Fox?}

How about Muddy Berry who was the drummer who went from Cooley's band to The Western Caravan with Tex, which by the way was a profit sharing democratic group when they first formed. They were all sidemen who didn't want to be sidemen in their own group.
Muddy later became a real session drummer and even played on a Ventures LP, plus some Buck Owens sessions with Ralph Mooney, Jim Pierce, Bobby Austin, Don Rich and Buck of course.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 27 Jun 2000 4:33 pm

Muddy Berry was Joaquin's favorite drummer. He volunteered that one time, and I asked him about Warren Penniman, another great Western Caravan drummer. He said "Warren was okay... Muddy Berry, now..."

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Herb's Steel Guitar Homesite

Perry Hansen · Post by **Perry Hansen** » 28 Jun 2000 2:53 am

Jason. Johnny Cox real name was Hubert. Every one called him Baby Hughy so he decided to change his name. First he tried Dusty Cox, then decided he wasn't that old. Then he went to Rusty. That did'nt work either so we decided on Johnny. Fantastic non-pedal player. He never could get the hang of the pedals tho. He passed on about ten years ago. Great loss. BTW, we put the first country band in the Westerner in National City, Cal. Consisted of myself, Neal Hartung on drums, Glen Holoway on lead, Bud Crowder on Bass and vocals. Johnny took over for me when I left in 58. He also added Paul Harper on Fiddle.
\Perry

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 28 Jun 2000 5:05 am

Thanks Perry, I can imagine him wanting to ditch the whole 'Baby Hughey' thing, a childhood friend of mine had the same problem believe it or not.
I actually started it when we were kids, after he tried to piggyback ride me at a barn dance while I was crossing the floor. Suffice to say the nickname came about after his weight brought me crashing to the floor.
Must have been all of ten years old at the time.
Is Bud still with us Perry?
Herb, sometimes I get blown away by the Swing drummers, the engine for such large groups, but really not given the recognition like the jazz guys.
Then you've worked with Johnny 'The Texas Drummer Boy' Cuviello, who actually cut a couple of showpiece tunes with Wills!

Perry Hansen · Post by **Perry Hansen** » 29 Jun 2000 4:44 am

Jason. I last heard from Bud asbout 6 years ago. He was in a small town in Arkansas flying a crop duster.
Perry

ROBERT LEE CRIGGER · Post by **ROBERT LEE CRIGGER** » 4 Jul 2000 7:17 pm

JASON--Muddy Berry worked a trio with Phil Baugh and Eddy Downs at a place in Pomona, CA. for years---Very good trio--Of course with Phil, it sounded like 6 pieces---

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 5 Jul 2000 2:34 am

FWIW, I have a 78RPM record of Spade's Steel Guitar Rag. Same as what WCKY used to use for a theme song. I hate to say it but I bought it new...

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 6 Jul 2000 6:46 pm

Hi guys,I've been offline for a few days, hey Robert Lee, a trio with Muddy and Phil, yowza..that's etched in my brain now.
I suppose you would have hit California a bit late to see the Curtis Leach, Bobby George, Phil Baugh, Vern Stovall, Wayne Kemp bunch in action..Curtis and Vern split for Texas in '65, although it took Phil a bit longer to leave the area.

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The future ain't what it used to be

billchav · Post by **billchav** » 6 Jul 2000 8:45 pm

Herb, do you have an update on Merrill? that played steel for L.Welk, I think Welk gave him one the the first Fender Pedal Steels. Bill C.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 7 Jul 2000 4:58 pm

Guys: Excuse me for jumping in. Buddy Merrill (Lawrence Welk's group), lives in Temecula California, and is now playing weekends occasionally, mostly on Steel Guitar,. Welk rarely let him play steel, But he is a great player, especially on C-6 tuning (Sorry, Jerry Hayes,

) He is a very nice fella and fun to talk to about the "Old Days"

ROBERT LEE CRIGGER · Post by **ROBERT LEE CRIGGER** » 9 Jul 2000 11:43 pm

JASON--Yes--I did get to Ca. a little late for Curtis Leach and Vern Stovall, and Wayne Kemp--but I met Vern when he came to visit Bobby George, and met Wayne Kemp in Nashville--he was Hal Wayne Vest's next door neighbor for awhile, and I was working with Hal on the road. I played in a band for about 6-7 months with Bobby George, Peaches Price, Jimmy Collins and Tony Goodman at a place called the "Brite Torch" in La Puente, Ca. I hung around with Bobby George off and on for about 5 years ---he was the best song writer I have ever met. Phil Baugh was working the trio during most of this time--I got to California Valentines day, 1966 and left in 1973-4 Very good times--