Jeff Newman Archives

Ed Baker · Post by **Ed Baker** » 8 Apr 2005 8:28 am

I've been a user of Jeff's material since I started PSG in 1979 and have virtually every product he produced, starting with the Pedal Steel Monthly program. The news of his death was very tragic to me since I'm also a pilot.
Do you think anyone could approach Fran Newman to see if she would like to have someone take over the detail work of managing current requests for Jeff's material.

I'm sure a compensation plan could be worked out so that Fran would continue to benefit from the incredible volume of his instructional material. Also, having an outside person, who could afford the time and energy to market the material, has the strong likelyhood of increasing the potential income for her.

I fully realize that this would need to be handled with extreme tact and respect. But, I wondered if there was anyone in the group that Fran would know and trust that could broach the question. www.theworld.com/~ejb

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 8 Apr 2005 8:53 am

Fran has stated that she will continue to provide Jeffran Materials. Jeff's teaching material is timeless and Jeffran will continue to provide them.

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 8 Apr 2005 9:00 am

I like dealing with Fran; knowing that she profits directly from the sale makes me feel good.

Kurt Graber · Post by **Kurt Graber** » 9 Apr 2005 1:40 am

Lets face it, The Jeff Newman courses were well thought out 1st Class material. If you pay attention to the material, Jeff made everything perfectly clear and answered just about every question that you might have. Yea it's fun to watch the TW video intro (less than 5% of us are capable of playing at best) and listen to licks off of other courses that you have no idea where or how to use them. You won't have that in a Newman Course. Jeff was top of the line and 100% toward teaching...period!!! Fran still puts out the best instruction course, especially for someone that is totally lost and really needs some help. As long as Fran has a handle on the duplication and putting together the courses, and I'm sure she does, there is no need to have a MR Steel Guitar Man run the show. I know anybody that wants to really play their instrument successfully should look nowhere else, especially the new players. Jeff made courses on just about everything. I really hope she is around for a long time.

Peter Dollard · Post by **Peter Dollard** » 9 Apr 2005 9:10 am

I took a two day seminar in 1976 down in Phoenix where he layed out everything;rock and roll, country, how to back the singer...his newer courses extended that knowledge but if you payed attention those two days you could get a lifetime of steel playing for the bargain price of $100.00. The thing about Jeff was he didn't want to short change anyone he wanted every person in that class to be motivated...these past few days have been driving me crazy...I loved that man. Homage to an old friend and an exceptional teacher and steel player..Peter

Bob Smith · Post by **Bob Smith** » 12 Apr 2005 1:52 pm

I have Jeffs " Up from the top" course which im still workin on. Theres just tons of good stuff in it. But when I wanna get motivated ,amazed, and in a good mood I put on the video that has him playing a song called" Steel Guitar Jubilee" its just so perfect!! bob

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 12 Apr 2005 1:55 pm

I just saw a report in the local paper that the Lakeland "Sun and Fun" fly in starts today. Jeff always like to attend this event. The first thing I thought of when I saw the report was Jeff.

Bowie Martin · Post by **Bowie Martin** » 12 Apr 2005 3:46 pm

Fran actually did almost all of the day to day work in the business. Jeff was the idea man and a great thinker, teacher, organizer, instructor, and personality. Fran did then just what she is doing now. Running the business end. Very few people in any walk of life will leave the legacy, knowledge and regretably "the void" that Jeff did. I have been to seminars, talked with "steel guitar" teachers, etc. and they don't even have a clue to what shoes they are trying to fill. If I was going into the steel guitar teaching business, the first thing I would do is buy everything Jeff has for sale, and review it, then come up with my own ideas. Most of the current "teachers" don't have a clue, and that is sad - sad - sad...We need someone in the steel guitar community with the desire, drive, guts, and talent (and integrity - something that I have found wanting in some of the new teacher want to be's) to at least try to follow in his footsteps. Fran has the greatest collection of instructional videos (and CD's, tapes, etc) that have ever been assembled. What a blessing to new players. I just hope she continues to promote them, as Jeff did. She is a wonderful person. And how I hate not looking forward to visiting with them together..they were so happy together.