The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Jerry Byrd's book
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Jerry Byrd's book
Bill Creller

 

From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 19 Feb 2019 6:16 pm    
Reply with quote

I was just re-reading Jerry's book, "It was a trip "
I had not read it again since Jerry's passing. I bought it from Jerry in Hawaii, at the HSGA convention there. He and his wife both signed it for me, on 4-29-03. Sad that he was gone two years later. Kinda wondered how many folks here have the book (?)
I see that Amazon has a few in stock yet...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Frank James Pracher


From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 19 Feb 2019 6:18 pm    
Reply with quote

I have a copy Bill.. Great book!
_________________
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one"
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Blake Hawkins


From:
Florida
Post  Posted 19 Feb 2019 7:43 pm    
Reply with quote

I also have a copy. Interesting. Especially for a fan who remembers JB from his early days.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jim Mckay

 

From:
New Zealand
Post  Posted 19 Feb 2019 8:23 pm    
Reply with quote

I have a copy also.
While I like all players for their different styles, Jerry still holds 1st place for me.
Also great to mention his relationship with the great Chet Atkins among others, another one of my top idols.
_________________
Canopus d-8
Excel Jerry Byrd frypan
T-8 Stringmaster
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Steffen Gunter


From:
Munich, Germany
Post  Posted 19 Feb 2019 10:25 pm    
Reply with quote

I bought a used copy from Amazon about two years ago (it's never been published in Germany). I guess it is always a bit more expensive being a steel guitar fan and player in Germany...
_________________
My YT channel: www.youtube.com/user/madsteffen
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Nic Neufeld


From:
Kansas City, Missouri
Post  Posted 22 Feb 2019 3:31 pm    
Reply with quote

I have a copy but I never really properly worked through it...it spent a lot of time in tunings I wasn't set up for when I was getting started, so I kind of skipped it mostly, but maybe someday (when I'm not actively taking lessons and trying to keep up with that!) I'll revisit it. The accompanying CDs have some nice backing tracks (real instruments as I was told).
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Scott Thomas

 

Post  Posted 22 Feb 2019 4:18 pm    
Reply with quote

Jerry's autobiography

It Was A Trip, On Wings of Music

I need to finally pick this up.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 23 Feb 2019 9:14 am    
Reply with quote

Nic,
This isn't about his instructional material, it's about his book.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Keith Glendinning


From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 23 Feb 2019 10:11 am    
Reply with quote

C'mon Erv, I think you're nit pickin in this respect.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

David Matzenik


From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
Post  Posted 23 Feb 2019 1:07 pm    
Reply with quote

The only thing wrong with Jerry's book is that it's too short.
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 24 Feb 2019 7:02 am    
Reply with quote

Keith,
I was just trying to clear up a bit of confusion. Very Happy
Erv
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Nic Neufeld


From:
Kansas City, Missouri
Post  Posted 24 Feb 2019 10:19 am    
Reply with quote

Appreciated, not sure why I overlooked that!!

Have never read his autobiography but will some day hopefully! I'm currently reading the biography of R Alex Anderson (famous songwriter of hapa haole tunes)...
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Tony Oresteen


From:
Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jan 2023 2:43 pm    
Reply with quote

So I am late to the party here but I just finished Jerry's autobiography "It was a Trip: On Wings of Music" and I really enjoyed it. Every steel player should read it.

A few things that I learned:

1. Single strings. We take for granted that individual strings are available. Jerry had to beg Squier to sell individual strings by gauge.

2. C6 Tuning. I never knew that Jerry developed it in 1938.

3. The importance of radio shows in the 30's & 40's for working musicians

4. Jerry didn't read music scores.

Now to finish Steve's book on Buddy Emmons Smile .
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black
PedalMaster D8
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jack Hanson


From:
San Luis Valley, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jan 2023 7:25 pm    
Reply with quote

I purchased a used but mint copy from an Amazon seller a few years back. Was surprised and delighted to learn after delivery that it was an autographed copy.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Roger Fletcher

 

From:
United Kingdom
Post  Posted 10 Jan 2023 11:25 pm    
Reply with quote

Nic Neufeld wrote:
I'm currently reading the biography of R Alex Anderson


I searched for this book on Amazon but just came with numerous books on quilting!

However, I did stumble on this video of R. Alex Anderson singing Lovely Hula Hands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKFnWgWED5E[/url]
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

David Matzenik


From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2023 2:02 am    
Reply with quote

I read JB's autobiography. My complaint was it is too short.

I have not seen his instructional material. So, to those who have: is it actual helpful, or is it just a number of transcriptions?

I have spoken with several great musicians, and it is my conclusion that many of them are inarticulate, or don't know what is difficult for us mortals.
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ethan Shaw

 

From:
Texas, USA
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2023 10:53 am    
Reply with quote

His instructional book is great! If you can get through it and play everything right, you're a really good steeler. A lot of it is pretty advanced, and in my opinion it's not the book a beginner would want to start with. But really good for someone who has some experience and is looking to get even better. He works through different tunings, and it's a wealth of information.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

David Matzenik


From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2023 2:23 pm    
Reply with quote

Ethan Shaw wrote:
His instructional book is great! If you can get through it and play everything right, you're a really good steeler. A lot of it is pretty advanced, and in my opinion it's not the book a beginner would want to start with. But really good for someone who has some experience and is looking to get even better. He works through different tunings, and it's a wealth of information.


Thanks Ethan, it seems to have rubbed off on your playing. I may look into it, but like Dylan said, "Some things get to late to learn." Rolling Eyes
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2023 2:30 pm    
Reply with quote

You might have better luck with this Jerry Byrd's instructional book.
This was my first exposure to the C6th tuning, quite an eye opener.
Erv Very Happy

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Matthew Lyons


From:
Breezy Point, NY
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2023 7:13 am    
Reply with quote

It's available of Amazon in paperback and Kindle version...used and new copies it seems. Hope this helps. I'll try and post this link:

https://www.amazon.com/Was-Trip-Wings-Music/dp/1574241311/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25BB22ERR689Q&keywords=jerry+byrd+autobiography&qid=1673536156&sprefix=jerry+byrd+autobiography+%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-1
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ethan Shaw

 

From:
Texas, USA
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2023 10:56 am    
Reply with quote

Haha, Thanks, David! But trust me, I had the same thoughts more than once!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Olaf van Roggen


From:
The Netherlands
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2023 12:43 pm    
Reply with quote

I bought the book when it came out while on holiday in Austin Texas.
I want to read it again, it's on the list with some other books.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Tony Oresteen


From:
Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2023 6:40 pm    
Reply with quote

Matthew Lyons wrote:
It's available of Amazon in paperback and Kindle version...used and new copies it seems. Hope this helps. I'll try and post this link:

https://www.amazon.com/Was-Trip-Wings-Music/dp/1574241311/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25BB22ERR689Q&keywords=jerry+byrd+autobiography&qid=1673536156&sprefix=jerry+byrd+autobiography+%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-1


I got my copy on eBay for $15 shipped in VG condition.
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black
PedalMaster D8
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Terry Wood


From:
Marshfield, MO
Post  Posted 28 Jan 2023 9:48 pm    
Reply with quote

Yes I highly recommend Steel Guitarists to read Jerry Byrd's book titled "It was a Trip on the Wings of Music." Also I recommend that they read Don Helms book titled "Settin' The Woods on Fire," and the new recently released Buddy Emmons biography titled " Buddy Emmons Steel Guitar Icon." Everyone of these books are excellent and very informative. They tell it like it really was in the beginning of Steel Guitar. All Legendary Players and 3 of the best ever to play the instrument.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP