Johnny Cox

Joan Cox · Post by **Joan Cox** » 23 Jul 2002 4:19 am

I guess this is going to sound like I'm bragging on my husband, but I don't care, (because I am). I just felt like letting everyone know how much I appreciate Johnny as a musician and as a person. I have went with him the past few Monday nights to the Station Inn. For the past two weeks, he has been in the "experimenting" mode again, this time with the Bflat6th tuning 12 string guitar. I've sat there and watched and listened like the other steel players in the audience, and I don't know how he does it. It doesn't seem to matter whether he has ten, eleven, or twelve strings..he still plays flawlessly. And then he goes from E13th to E9th to Bflat6th to C6th with no problems. I went last night to help him with his equipment (his back was bothering him) and he played like I never heard him. He's also been playing a 10 string lap steel that Rex Blattenberger built for him that's tuned to E13th..no pedals..He just lays it on top of the pedal guitar, and plays it like that.

I know the last SuperJam has come and gone, and I don't know if anyone has done this already, but I would also like to thank him for single handedly putting together the best SuperJam the NTSGA has ever had. He put together the players for the show, made the arrangements, and wasn't afraid to call Buddy to ask him to play. I don't know if everyone knew that he volunteered to put this show together (as he has done twice before) and although I wasn't able to attend, he called me several times in Missouri and held the phone up so I could hear parts of it.

I'm very proud of him each time I get to hear him play, either when we're out, or at our house when he's changing pedals and stuff around on his guitar. He's a wonderful husband and he's helped me lots with my playing too. OK..I'm done.

Joan

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 23 Jul 2002 4:36 am

Joan
NO you are not done..You have only just begun
Your husband is a great steel player and I admire you for what you posted.

Both of you are fortunate to have each other.
I hope I can attend next years show to hear
Johnny perform and meet both of you. Be well.

My best to both of you. I enjoy posting nice things to say about nice people.

Jimmie Misenheimer · Post by **Jimmie Misenheimer** » 23 Jul 2002 4:50 am

Joan... We have never met, but I was on a few shows with "Ole John" some years back. You brag on him all you want to kid - I'm right there with ya'!! It doesn't get any better than "Mr C."!!! Jimmie

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 23 Jul 2002 5:00 am

She's right about all of that stuff. I heard him play on that Super Jam and I've been to the Station Inn enough to know she's right as rain. Still listening to the CD's and the tape I got Joan and love it all including yours. Good folks these people.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 23 Jul 2002 5:02 am

Joan,
First of all,let me apologize to you & Johnny,for not mentioning his putting the show together,after the "SuperJam X".

I guess,in the excitement,(& the heat) I forgot. (I'm kinda fortunate,at my age,to be able to use,"senior moment" as a "cop-out".)
Seriously,Johnny does deserve a lot of credit,for putting it together.

Also,you're right about Johnny,being able to play a steel w/,just about,any amount of strings on it. Which reminds me,I'm working on a new steel idea for him. It only has one string! However,it has 50 pedals! Ya gotta be "greased-lightnin' " to get them "Chalker-chords".

------------------
<pre> ~ ~
©¿© ars longa,
mm vita brevis
www.ntsga.com </pre>

[This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 23 July 2002 at 06:47 AM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 23 Jul 2002 5:08 am

When your SMILEY....the whole world smiles
with you.

Thats the limit. Wished there were more.

See You guys next fall..I hope.

Joan Cox · Post by **Joan Cox** » 23 Jul 2002 5:16 am

Smiley, don't mention that idea to Johnny..he'll be trying to figure a way to play it. No apologies necessary, OK?

Joan

Abe Stoklasa · Post by **Abe Stoklasa** » 23 Jul 2002 6:05 am

Without Johnny Cox, I would've never heard Good Western Swing!!! I make regular trips to the Station Inn just to hear him play, and it isn't too close.

Thanks Johnny, for everything.

Joan, thanks for posting this! I can't wait to hear you two on your new album!! I wanted to pick one up at the Jam, but I didn't have a ride to get up there.

Joan Cox · Post by **Joan Cox** » 23 Jul 2002 6:15 am

Hi Abraham..thanks for what you said. We have our new CDs up at the door now at the Station Inn on Monday nights when Johnny plays there. If I don't see you before, I'll have some with me in a couple of weeks at our next NTSGA meeting on Tuesday, August 13th.
Joan

Bill Simmons · Post by **Bill Simmons** » 23 Jul 2002 6:28 am

Hey Joan, you have a right to be proud of your husband. First of all, Johnny (and Joan)has a heart to help people and secondly, I can't say enough about Johnny's steel playing! Just the other night I watched an old 'Singing Rambo's' video cut live from Souls' Harbor Church in MPLS about 1973. His playing (he was about 16) was killing me as we watched this young 'kid' play so clean and aggressive!

Yesterday he called to wish me a happy birthday and he told me about his experimenting with the new tuning. He's always trying to improve and learn. He can play any steel with any odd ball pedal setups etc and play like it was his guitar!

Not only is Johnny an incredible person and dynamite steel player, but he is one of the best steel guitar repairman 'bar' none. My '79 Zum Birdeye plays as great as any new steel of any make thanks to Johhny's attention to detail and experience.

By the way, you ought to hear Johnny 'sing' on he and Joans' new instrumental CD!! It's worth buying their new CD (which is sooooo good) just to hear him sing. What a great voice. I'm proud to call Johnny and Joan 'dear friends'. Everyone be watching for some great new things from Johnny and Joan. Bill Simmons

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 23 Jul 2002 6:34 am

Joan: I was going to post somethoing over in the Music Forum under the "Roadhog " thread but thought it would be silly to say something so serious in a thread so obviously funny.

I'd like to think it was you who got Johnny out of those trucks and back on steel where he truly belongs. What if he had been in a wreck or rolled out of the sleeper laughing at Lester ? Why he could have broke a finger or worse yet, a hand and then what would we have ??

I have expressed my admiration for THE FIRST COUPLE OF STEEL GUITAR before and it surely hasn't worn any thinner. I am so proud of both of you and the class image you project to our world of steel, that I really can't put it into words. I'm sure the Forum feels the same way I do !!

Best Regards, to Both of You, Paul[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 23 July 2002 at 07:36 AM.]

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 23 Jul 2002 6:52 am

Joan,

I've known Johnny for 30+ years. He was a kid when I first met him years ago at the old Sho-Bud store. The first time I ever heard him play, I heard super-greatness. John is a very valued friend, as you both are. I remember years ago he decided to go the single 14 route with the Julian Tharpe setup. He was working for Cal Smith, I believe, at the time. He got the guitar one afternoon at the factory, and just put it on the bus that very same night. He played it the whole road trip, and I mean played it. He sounded like he'd been playing it all his life. You both are a real class act as people, also. I'm proud to be able to call the two of you my "friends."

------------------

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 23 Jul 2002 6:55 am

Ok you guys, a little mushy for me! Seriously, I am the most blessed man in the world to have Joan as my wife and most of all my best friend. She is the one who always encourages me to keep playing in a town where discouragment is the norm. I am very flattered that you guys say such nice things and I don't take them lightly. And yes I am in a Bb6th universal mode these days. My friend Junior Knight was so kind to leave his S12 Carter with me after the superjam and I am having a ball with it. I do have my own S12 Zum on order and can't wait to try some new stuff with it. Thanks again to all the great players who were nice enough to say yes when I asked them to play the last superjam. Robert Rogers, John Bechtal, Will VanHoye (who filled in at the last minute, Robby Turner, Junior Knight, Hal Rugg and Buddy Emmons. It was these men that made the superjam the best yet. Also Earl Erb, Rick Vanaugh and David Smith.
Ok I'm done now.

Johnny

Doyle Huff · Post by **Doyle Huff** » 23 Jul 2002 7:39 am

Hi Joan. Every word you said is true about Johnny. Any one who was at the Tulsa show I'm sure would agree with you. You play pretty darn good yourself. I'm proud to able to call you both my friends.

Joan Cox · Post by **Joan Cox** » 23 Jul 2002 8:24 am

Thanks everyone for your nice words. I just felt like bragging a little, I guess. Doyle, Bob,Bill,Smiley and the rest of you guys, you're the best. Come by our booth in St. Louis and see us.
Joan[This message was edited by Joan Cox on 23 July 2002 at 09:29 AM.][This message was edited by Joan Cox on 23 July 2002 at 09:30 AM.]

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 23 Jul 2002 11:43 am

Good to see you back on Jody....

It is so nice to see all the pleasant posts on the Forum. Johhny and Joan , you must be two great Peaple.....al

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 23 Jul 2002 12:03 pm

Al: I think Jody said he wasn't going to post anymore meaning that he would be reading
only. The guy is such Gentle Man!! He cannot resist saying something nice after he reads something nice !! That's just how the Man made him !! He is a rare individual indeed. He usually will quote us a song lyric so here is one for Jody, Joan and Johnny: You make me laugh when I'm blue... something to that affect....My Funny Valentine !! I'll bet Johnny and Joan could give one beautiful rendition of that old timer. Duet....Do it !! From BE-Danny G.

Sorry Al ! I promised myself I wouldn't say Oldtimer anymore !

Regards, Paul[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 23 July 2002 at 01:06 PM.]

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 23 Jul 2002 8:27 pm

Joan, I received your Gospel CD and trax plus his cassette of Ballads, Shuffles & Swing. His Chalker tunes knocked my out especially "The Heart of A Clown". That sure got my attention. But your project of "Not Bad For a Girl" was not bad for anybody. You both are a great team and bragging on your husband is well deserved and shows real love on your part. I'm married to a classy lady just like that.

Wish we lived closer to you both. Would love to spend some quality fellowship with you two, thanks, Gary

Corky Owens · Post by **Corky Owens** » 23 Jul 2002 8:39 pm

Hi, Joan. You don't know me, but I play for Gene Watson. I've had the pleasure of working with Johnny on a couple of package shows with my favorite female singer, Connie Smith and at the Opry a few times. You go ahead and brag all you want. I enjoyed hearing him play some licks that made me get chill bumps. And how does he play all those tunings? Tell him I said hey. God Bless. Corky.

------------------

Bob Hayes · Post by **Bob Hayes** » 24 Jul 2002 7:33 pm

Joan,
I've posted praise notices about Johnny since I've been on this forum!!..in fact on one post last ye4ar I posted almost a novel,,on how talanted Johnny is ..no mater what instrument he plays or Who's instrument he plays on!!! I saw you bothat the Bell Cove last year..and I'm telling you..ya'll were "Picken"..So just keep tootin you're horn...everyone IS listnin!
Grouchyvet

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 25 Jul 2002 4:51 am

Paul
Your "Nobody Till SomeBody Loves You..

There are many of Somebody's out there.
I will be off for a bit, My wife is going in for surgery again. I like nice things that are said about nice people,,thats why I post what I do...Thanks Al,,,all of you be well and as we all agree Johnny Cox is great. And
to his wife Joan,,,,,this is a nice tribute
to your husband,,,

Best to all of you. I will be back sometime soon God willing.

Joan Cox · Post by **Joan Cox** » 25 Jul 2002 9:14 am

Thanks Jody..We'll keep your wife in our prayers for a quick recovery. It's kind of a nice change to see something positive on this forum. Quite a change from the norm. Thanks to all of you.
Joan

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 25 Jul 2002 9:29 am

Hi Joan, You have only heard the"tip of the iceberg". Johnny is one of the most phenominal players to ever sit down at a steel guitar. His tone, technique, and knowledge of the steel guitar is incredible. See ya'll down the road. Jody.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 25 Jul 2002 9:37 am

I can't add anything to the heartfelt praises above, but I will slap on the headphones and reach into my desk drawer for "Ballads, Shuffles and Swing", and follow it up with "Not Bad For A Girl".

I hope to see the two of you at Scotty's again this year.

------------------
HagFan

Pat Coyne · Post by **Pat Coyne** » 26 Jul 2002 7:23 pm

I just couldn't let this pass without saying something! I love Johnny Cox as the OLDER brother I never had. There is nothing I wouldn't do for Johnny, and I know he would be there for me also...Thanks for "walkin the talkin". Most don't know that Johnny is involved daily in a ministry helping people who are "down and out" and need a helping hand. These postings are a fitting tribute to someone loved by many! Thanks Joan for starting this....and I love you too!

------------------
"basso profundo"