Don Rich Memorium

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 17 Jul 2004 9:30 am

on this date in 1974 Buckaroo Don Rich died in a tragic motorcycle accident. Singer, Fiddler, Telecaster Maestro and Buck Owen's "right arm". http://sundazed.com/artists/artistpage_gfx/artist_pics/donrichpic.jpg
We miss you Don, but are so glad there is so much of your recorded work to remember you by.

http://sundazed.com/artists/buckowens.html

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 17 Jul 2004 10:02 am

Thanks for reminding us Dave..What a talent he was..He has not & can not be replaced to this day - 30 years later!!!!!!!!!!
Missed by all & never to be forgotten.......
Ron

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 17 Jul 2004 10:16 am

IMO,

The most incredibly unique musician country music has ever known. Every facet of him fit perfectly into this world we love soo much.

Not even his natural born ("I want you to be my friend") escaped the above euphamisms. I just loved to watch every movement he made. His awesome physical dexterity on that telecaster was equalled in every thing he did.

Standing back OUT of the lime light becoming just another member of the band, only to blossom to a musical giant when the music called for it. Only to blend immediately back in to a band's obscurity, rendered this musician's musician truly an icon of all musical icons.

I dare say there was as many adoring fans' eyes on him as on the "star of the show". A feat that has seldom been matched I am sure.

To watch him play was to love him. To know him was to adore him.

May Jesus rest his dear soul, and may he richly bless all of you,

carl

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 17 Jul 2004 10:46 am

I met him backstage once. He was always smiling and friendly.

James Lutz · Post by **James Lutz** » 17 Jul 2004 10:47 am

One of my main influences, for all the reasons Carl mentioned. There's more to being a professional in this here music business than just being able to play your instrument well. Don was a real professional. His contribution is huge, and it is sorely missed. May he continue to influence new generations to become good players, and more importantly, good people.

Jim

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Minds work like parachutes. It's best when they're open.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 17 Jul 2004 12:35 pm

One of the all time greats! Too sad that he left us so early!

Kind Regards, Walter
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

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Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 19 Jul 2004 6:22 am

I saw Don in 1968 in Santa Rosa. What a Great Talent! He was the Co-Star of the band with his playing and singing.

Just a sad day for everyone when his life was cut short. He had a lot more to offer....al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Tay Joslin · Post by **Tay Joslin** » 19 Jul 2004 9:22 am

Dave,
I didn't realize that you had already posted a Don Rich memorial; I wasn't trying to "out-do" you. I am only 24, but Don Rich is a bigger-than-life hero to me. It shames me to know that hardly anyone my age even cares to hear about who he was and how important his contributions to Country music were and still are to so many people. Thanks for being a fellow Don Rich fan, Dave!

Yours truly,
Tay Joslin
Newbern, Tennessee
U.S.A.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 19 Jul 2004 10:03 am

No worries Tay! I was just cross posting threads of like-content so folks would see what else had been written on the subject... no concern about "out doing" anyone... it's all good.

DON RICH RULES!

Charles Turpin · Post by **Charles Turpin** » 19 Jul 2004 10:25 am

I seen Don Rich and Buck Owens in St louis at the Keil Auditorium in 63.As a 12 year old kid then, it amazed me how Don,Buck, and Tom Brumley on steel all did. ALl the leads together on the show.
I think Don was a marvelous musician and i am not sure but i was always told he was the one we can credit the Open G string on the guitar to. He was so wonderful he had so many tricks in his playing, such as everyone told me he replaced the third string with a G banjo string.And to me he is credited for tuning the guitar one fret lower than what we tune it today. Giving a basser tone. I will always wonder,what would happen today if people like Don could have the sounds to create with back then. But i had forgot the day he died, yet i remember sitting and crying cause he was my elvis of the guitar

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Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 19 Jul 2004 5:01 pm

I was pretty young when the Buck Owens show was on the air so I do not remember much about Don Rich. His style of playing has sure blessed me many times. Hearing his unique style is like a breath of fresh air. I hope RFD TV will show the Buck Owens show where I can see Don play and sing. It appears to me he is greatly missed by many musicians today. He mad a huge impact on many musicians .

Herman Visser · Post by **Herman Visser** » 19 Jul 2004 6:05 pm

Even though its been 30yrs I still miss his music or what would have been.Thank God we have what he left us great music.He will live on in music for along time.My kids discover Don not to long ago and really got into it, my son plays guitar and thats what he is going after, he calls it the Don sound.And that will take care of the next 50yrs of Don music.REST IN PEACE ( always a great fan)

Tay Joslin · Post by **Tay Joslin** » 20 Jul 2004 2:35 am

Just a friendly bump; I'm wanting to hear more stories about Don Rich. PLEASE SHARE!

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 20 Jul 2004 4:37 am

He's the reason I started carrying a guitar tuned down a whole tone. I know that he and Buck tuned down a half but in the late 60's I was working with a singer who did "Act Naturally" in the key of G. I had a Tele that I tuned down a whole step so I could play that ride just like Don did. He was a master of using those open strings for sure. I wish they'd put on those old Buck Owens Ranch TV shows again. I'd love to see those. Don used to sing one on his own with Buck's show called "You Bring Out the Best in Me" which was a good song. I've never heard it done by anyone else. His harmony singing on "Close Up the Honky Tonks" is a lesson in how to sing harmony. No one did it better...Have a good 'un..JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 20 Jul 2004 4:50 am

Buck Owens Ranch Show videos are available: http://www.buckowens.com/

Tay Joslin · Post by **Tay Joslin** » 21 Jul 2004 8:53 am

Another friendly bump; I'm only 24, so it's a great privilege to hear these stories from you folks. Don Rich deserves to be remembered. How about a few more stories?
Also, feel free to e-mail me at:
waylonwillieandtheboys@yahoo.com

THANKS!
Tay Joslin
Newbern, Tennessee
U.S.A.

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 21 Jul 2004 11:16 am

In many ways, Don was like Ronald Reagan.

The late James Mason (movie star) once said when he was not smiling, his face fell into a natural frown. Thus many people asked him, "are you mad at me?", when that was the furthest thing from his mind.

Don Rich was just the opposite. Even when he was not smiling, (like Reagan), to others it appeared that he was. This, along with both of their demeanors, simply endeared themselves to the vast majority of people meeting them and working with them.

The late ultra left-wing Senator Tip O'Niel once said, "In my 50 yrs of politics, I have NEVER seen ANY one as popular as Ronald Reagan".

This inate gift that Don (and Reagan as well as few others) have is a wonderdul gift. Because it brings joy to all the moment they appear. They can be doing anything, doesn't matter, and most love them.

What made Don's joyful saga even better was, he was also a very gifted singer, showman and musician. Played a fiddle to die for IMO. His style of playing that telecaster was exemplary.

NO singer ever was embellished greater than Don embellished Buck Owens, IMO. I believe Buck would tell you, "Don was the perfect sidekick". There are not words to describe how well he typified whatever Buck was trying to project.

And that built-in smile was a fan pleaser if there ever was one.

How he was loved

,

carl[This message was edited by C Dixon on 21 July 2004 at 12:19 PM.]

Red Kilby · Post by **Red Kilby** » 28 Jul 2004 9:40 pm

Go to www.slidestation.com this is Jerry Brightman's website. He has special page on Don Rich, Check it out!!!!!![This message was edited by Red Kilby on 28 July 2004 at 10:42 PM.]

Geoff Cole · Post by **Geoff Cole** » 29 Jul 2004 9:37 pm

I remember when I read in the newspaper many years ago,Don had been killed in a motor cycle accident, I burst into tears. My Mother was nearby and asked "what is wrong son? are you hurt?"."No"I said,"
Önly my heart has been ripped out", and I went to my room.
It's amazing, after so many years the man holds so much respect on the Steel guitar forum and yet to my understanding never played a steel guitar.

Jim Walker · Post by **Jim Walker** » 29 Jul 2004 11:16 pm

Don passed around the same time I started playing, I remember seein' Buck and the Roos when I was itty bitty. One of my Tele heros.

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97' American-Fender-Tele-Bender-Blaster-Caster
Line 6 Amps http://www.soundclick.com/bands/5/jimwalkermusic.htm

[This message was edited by Jim Walker on 30 July 2004 at 12:17 AM.][This message was edited by Jim Walker on 30 July 2004 at 12:19 AM.]

Eddie D.Bollinger · Post by **Eddie D.Bollinger** » 30 Jul 2004 5:48 am

I remember at 8 years old seeing Buck and Don on TV and saying I wanted to be just like Don. He understood what REAL, heartfelt, country music was and needed to be.
I am tired of arguing about how awful and
embarrassing new music is today. If I seek
out the music of Don's prime, I feel a great deal more satisfied.
In our "Bollinger Family Theatre" show
here in Bruce, MS, He is still my #1
influence. When I see those old ranch shows,
and I see how much fun he had. I usually
find something to interject into my music.
It would appear that Don is still with us.

Eddie

Tay Joslin · Post by **Tay Joslin** » 30 Jul 2004 8:53 pm

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and stories about Don Rich! What a privilege it is for me to be able to learn about Don through first-hand stories like these! At 24, I never had the opportunity to meet Don, as he had been gone for five and a half years by the time I was born in 1980. I WOULD PAY ANY AMOUNT TO OWN AN AUTOGRAPH OF DON RICH! Seriously. Jimi Hendrix might be considered "King of the Stratocaster", but let's hear it for Ol' Don Rich, "King of the Telecaster"! Also, at least Don died in an admirable fashion and did not O.D. on dope like Hendrix and the rest of his pallies! Don Rich didn't have to take a drink, roll-up a joint, snort a line of cocaine, or stick a needle in his arm to be good at what he did. Perhaps many of you find that last comment "out-of-line"; I don't care. Don Rich lived a straight, clean life and was a devoted husband and father. He always accompanied Buck in singing Gospel songs, and did so with heartfelt sincerity. Gentlemen, keep those stories of yours alive for young guys like me! My generation needs to dig back a few decades and rediscover what class and decency are. Don Rich was both classy and decent; Jimi Hendrix was neither. Don't misquote me here- Hendrix is a legend! I dig what Hendrix did for music, but it just seems strange to me that people always know who you're talking about when you say "Jimi Hendrix"; in contrast, when I talk about Don Rich, the dim response is always the same: "Who in the world is Don Rich?!" Well, obviously, someone hasn't been doing a very good job of keeping the history books updated in Nashville (which is most often the case with legendary steel players, too). People these days think of Toby Keith and Shania Twain when they think of Country music; they just don't get it. In conclusion, I want to know one thing: WHERE IS DON RICH'S PLAQUE IN THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME?!!!

If anyone can answer that, you have my undivided attention.

Yours truly,
Tay Joslin
Newbern, Tennessee
U.S.A.

Tay Joslin · Post by **Tay Joslin** » 2 Aug 2004 6:17 am

Just a friendly bump; let's keep Don Rich's memory alive!

Tay Joslin · Post by **Tay Joslin** » 4 Aug 2004 7:07 am

Another bump for Ol' Don.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 4 Aug 2004 7:42 pm

This is another gentleman that I would have liked to meet. Mr. Telecaster. Interesting that he started on fiddle as his main instrument. Historic figure in country music and an inspiration to many.