curly chaker

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 7 Sep 2003 5:50 am

i have a tape of curly playing at scotty's
on or at xmas. does anybody have any info on curly's amp &and steel setup ? i know he played m.s.a 's for a while and a mci ?

paul wade
msa d-10
evans amp www.geocites.com/mysteelpage [This message was edited by Paul Wade on 13 October 2003 at 06:59 AM.][This message was edited by Paul Wade on 13 October 2003 at 07:05 AM.]

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 7 Sep 2003 9:52 am

Paul, that video is a priceless piece of history because of the shortage of his playing. I don't know exactly what he was using but I know he used Session 500 amps because he related more to that deep tone they had.
His setup has been listed in a couple of publications. Winston had a book with his setup and Tom Bradshaw also had tunings with his, except for his two vertical levers that were in Winston's book. Russ Wever may be able to recall the amp that day as Russ was playing bass. Curly was usuing his MCI after years of MSA. Johnny Cox has one of Curly's steels as he was very close to Curly for years.

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 8 Sep 2003 7:07 am

On that video he was using an MCI steel and some kind of Peavey (couldn't tell).
FYI, I have been working on a video project, which the first part is editing the original video of that Curly Chalker show. Unable to locate the original video tapes, but were able to use a 2nd generation copy. As you know, the audio was very poor and part of the show was missing audio. Besides editing the show visually, I have also been able to use a different audio source to replace the existing audio and add audio to the previously silent video portions. The parts of the video with the guest singers has been removed, which strips the show down to about an hour of video. Also authored a DVD of the show, with simple menus. I think this will be a great resource when it is finally released.

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 8 Sep 2003 8:09 am

Michael...
I hope that this will be made to all of us who appreciate and love to hear Curly play. Any format is appreciated, VHS, DVD, etc. If this becomes available, I want to be sure to get a copy!! Thanks.

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Billy Easton
Casa Grande, AZ
Southwestern Steel Guitar Association

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 16 Sep 2003 9:01 pm

Does anyone know whether it is fact or rumor that just before Curley died, he was using (2) Peavey Classic 50/212's?

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“Big John” {(<< Uh~
http://community.webtv.net/KeoniNui/BigJohnBechtels

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 17 Sep 2003 10:54 am

Peavey interviewed Curly before he got too sick and the interview was in their magazine. This was after his stroke that prevented him from playing as he had for years. I was fortunate to get a copy of that mag at a Peavey dealer and Curly was using different equipment based on his phsyical limitations at the time, but whether he actually used what the article said is open for debate. Johnny Cox may be very informed about what was actually used, if any.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 17 Sep 2003 11:33 am

I have seen the first part of Michael's DVD and it looks and sounds 200% better than the videotape that was made available. When this project is complete, it's going to be the definitive video document of Curly in action.

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 17 Sep 2003 12:09 pm

YeeHaw! Curly was such a wonderful, unique player- I can't wait to see and hear the new improved version; meanwhile, I will continue to wear out my VHS and hope that one day I can play 5% of what he did...

Graham Griffith · Post by **Graham Griffith** » 17 Sep 2003 8:37 pm

I've seen a video of Curly playing at the California Country Club in December 1986. From the preceding discussion is this the same video ... not Scotty's from the backdrop.

Also, who is the guitarist?

Graham

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 18 Sep 2003 5:36 am

Graham...
Although I am thinking that it was prior to 1986, the tape I have of Curly at the California Country Club has my friend Johnny Davis playing lead. A monster picker who worked around California for years, with the likes of Red Rhodes et al. He used to room with Jimmy Bryant, and wrote one of the tunes Jimmy recorded "Lazy Guitar". He now lives in Prescott, AZ, and I am going to get to work with him this Saturday night at the annual Marty Robbins tribute in Glendale, AZ. Life is good!

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Billy Easton
Casa Grande, AZ
Southwestern Steel Guitar Association

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 18 Sep 2003 5:56 am

The 2nd part of the DVD project that Mike Perlowin alluded to is indeed the California Country Club. I'm clearing my hard drive space to digitize that show and edit out all the dead space for a DVD as well. The two DVDs should make a pretty good collection. The sound was much better on the video of that show.

Graham Griffith · Post by **Graham Griffith** » 18 Sep 2003 1:17 pm

Billy,

Lucky you ... Johnny Davis is one of the rare consummate musicians and certainly on a par with Chalker ... when they trade it's wild. Give Johnny my compliments.

Of course the question begs ... does Johnny have any recordings out there that are accessible?

Graham

Joan Cox · Post by **Joan Cox** » 18 Sep 2003 7:01 pm

This is to answer a question that John Bechtel asked: The question was asked if Curly was using 2 Peavey Classic 50/212s before he died. I asked Johnny and he said that Curly had them but never played them out anywhere. Johnny also said that he was using 2 older Session 400s when he was filmed doing the St. Louis video in 1986. Paul Wade asked that question, so I thought I'd try and relay that answer also. He was playing the black MCI on that video, which Curly gave to Johnny before he passed away.
Joan Cox

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 19 Sep 2003 5:09 am

thanks,to all and you joan cox, for answer to my reply. about curly. does any body have his tunning on his guitars ?

paul wade

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 19 Sep 2003 8:51 am

I am thinking that it was prior to 1986

Both the California country club and St louis concerts were recorded in December if 1986. The 2 concerts were held 2 weeks apart.

I was at the California show and it was one of the best steel guitar events I ever attended. There was no opening act. Just Curly and Johnny and the others, playing all afternoon. You can see the back of my bald head in the audience at one point in the video.

I'd like to thank Michael Brebes for taking on this project. He is doing us all a wonderful favor. michael is a relative newbie on ther steel, but he is a truly great guitarist and a magnificent singer and songwrite/composer. He is also a really nice person, and I feel honored and very lucky to have him for a friend.

Joan Cox · Post by **Joan Cox** » 19 Sep 2003 8:57 am

Hi Paul-I'll have Johnny email you Curly's tuning and pedal set up. I think he might even have it on a document at the house. If I can find it, I'll try and send it to you. I'll ask Johnny about it also for you.

Joan Cox

Terry Bethel · Post by **Terry Bethel** » 20 Sep 2003 8:59 pm

When this project is finished, I'll take one of each, so please put me on your mailing list.
Terry Bethel

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 11 Oct 2003 5:17 pm

me too please.

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Larry Harlan · Post by **Larry Harlan** » 12 Oct 2003 5:20 pm

Joan, if possible, please e-mail me curley's tunings and compedents. I loved his playing and the C6th neck is my favorite. Thanks. Larry

Joan Cox · Post by **Joan Cox** » 13 Oct 2003 4:37 am

Hi Larry..I'll make myself a note and email it to you.

Joan

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 13 Oct 2003 5:41 am

Curley Chalker was truly one of the world's unique players. Like Jerry and Buddy, he did not copy anyone. What he played was his own. And he was a chord king if there ever was one. His ability to emulate the big band bass line and their classical voicings was, and is, unprecedented in the evolution of our beloved instrument.

We have lost one of the greatest players of all time when he left us. It is sad indeed that such awesome talent is eroded away quickly by our human failings. For if not for that; and the advent of digital video and sound, we would have been able to permanently capture perfectly his dexterity in producing sounds never heard before he brought it to us. And ONLY as he could do it; soooo effortlessly.

May Jesus rest his soul,

carl

Larry Harlan · Post by **Larry Harlan** » 13 Oct 2003 4:21 pm

Joann, THANKS! I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. Larry

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 13 Oct 2003 5:01 pm

I agree totally with C. Dixon, Curly was one of the top steel players of all times. I miss him, also the late Julian THarpe, Zane Beck, Jimmy Day, Bob White, and some of those who have passed on, or who cannot play anymore because of their physical conditions.

I was listening to Curly's tapes the other day and it was so great to hear him again!
I have all his recordings in my steel collection and any serious steel collection wouldn't be complete without them.

His recordings titled "Counterpoint, Big Hits On Big Steel, Neveda Breaks, More Ways To Play and Nashville Sundown" are each unique with his Master Players Touch all over them. Lastly, there is also all the great steel backup work that he done on recordings with numerous singers and bands.

May GOD bless each of you!

Terry J. "Woody" Wood

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 13 Oct 2003 6:44 pm

Carl and Terry, when ever the subject of Curly comes up, my ears perk up as he is my all time favorite hero. I have other great heros but Curly defined my taste in steel music and I truly miss his great knocked out playing.

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 15 Oct 2003 1:09 pm

In the excellent "Manual of Style" book, there was talk of various books in the works, including one authored by Curly- I wonder if Jimmie Crawford may have gotten any material from him...

Curly's playing is SO amazing, it would really be great to have some technical insights into the way he thought on the instrument. His harmonic knowledge was really deep!