My past returns to haunt me...in a good way

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 24 Jan 2002 7:46 pm

I was trading emails with my old friend Jim Clatterbuck, the drummer in my first pro band Hickory (as opposed to garage band) and many other musical projects in my life.

We met when he auditioned for Hickory, an original country-rock band in DC in the early 70's, fronted by songwriter Dave Allen (Imagine the confusion) and harbouring the guitar, vocal and keyboard talents of Steuart Smith (collaborator with Rodney Crowell, and recently playing with The Eagles)

Jim and I scanned some old pix for each other, and sent them as attachments, and I got the best surprise... a picture of me playing my first S10, my beloved Z B Custom, the "one that got away"... onstage backing up Billy "Crash" Craddock of all people (has to be 1974). Hickory was the house band at a club called "Classic Country" in Arlington VA at the time and we opened for, then backed up many national acts. I was youngster with almost no knowledge of the rich history of C&W; all I knew is I wanted to make "that sound". I learned a lot from Steuart and the circumstance- every week backing a different front man, learning (or creating instant arrangements for) their tunes...("okay- in G..when I raise my left foot we're four bars from the end...")

<A href ="http://www.users.voicenet.com/~vanallen ... ickory.jpg"> Hickory with "Crash" </a>

<A href ="http://www.users.voicenet.com/~vanallen ... .jpg">Blow up: the YOUNG hippie journeyman and his beloved ZB Custom</a>

I sure miss that guitar. I ordered it new from the factory,1972.
Lacquer, Walnut brown aprons and maple top. and it had that rich ZB tone. the Rusty Young, Tom Brumley sounds I longed to be able to make...

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 24 Jan 2002 8:12 pm

Nice hair, Dave.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 24 Jan 2002 8:35 pm

Dva

Nice picture,,,how many "lbs" (pounds) ago was
that picture taken

"did your barber die?
or didnt you have a barber,??

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 24 Jan 2002 8:36 pm

Why, Jim, I do believe you're jealous!!

Hey, I told you, it WAS 1974...

and Carver, you were once fairly hirsute yourself :
Jody and his Quad

Still got the majority of it too, at least in quantity of follicles if not length...
I thank my mother...

[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 24 January 2002 at 08:42 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 24 Jan 2002 8:44 pm

DVA
I think you look better now. I know you must play better,,I do have the "proof" you know.

The "King Of Zing"

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 24 Jan 2002 8:49 pm

DVA ,,,what does dat woid meanz "hirsute"?

That picture of me looks like I have "no teeth and a "big nose",,,that was taken by a
Gibson rep who was trying to do me in.

Besides that was taken 8 years ago and I have been to a barber twice since then.,,,

Do you like my "Gucci Loafers"?? "Yuppie"

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 24 Jan 2002 8:55 pm

I'm surprised no one commented on my footwear

Jody, you know I love a good definition!

http://www.dictionary.com/cgi-bin/dict.pl?term=hirsute

"just remember the little hippie boy, and never carry more than you can eat." G.Parsons[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 24 January 2002 at 09:00 PM.]

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 24 Jan 2002 9:19 pm

Was that the day Jody "came out"? Of the woods that is? What was thing he was a holdin'? A Zither? My oh my.....

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 25 Jan 2002 5:18 am

I love that photo of Jody, "the fifth Beatle".

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 25 Jan 2002 6:01 am

Oh Yeah Jimbo???

Well I had three estimates for a haircut and
Im going to make a decision this week and settle for the best price.

As for you Montee,,,go get a "truss" and pick up that "Bigsby"

did you have an exam
by Paul A. before you bought that thing??
should have been part of the package..

That Van Allen is an Intelligent guy,,how the hell did he wind up getting into steel guitar??

When I started,,only the "goofy" kind of guys played that "flat thang" and slidded that "bar". "wha hoppen baby??

come to think of it,,Ray started playing that "flat thang" about the same time I did,,,"goofy"???

This Forum is closing down this weekend,,,at least I can get away from all you guys for a while,,, DINGO,,,,Ringo's brother...[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 25 January 2002 at 06:23 AM.]

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 25 Jan 2002 2:17 pm

hey "Dingo"

"Flat guitar with a hundred strings"

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 25 Jan 2002 3:50 pm

Listen To This,,,
I went into Manhattan today,,it was time for a hair cut,,I had three "estimates" so far.

I drove my car into midtown Manhattan,,,,hey
where else can a guy get a "great haircut"?.

Im sorry ,,,Im mean hairstyling...where I live here in PA,,,,,you get a "haircut",boot
cut style,,,like you are going in for brain
surgery.

There is a place here called "Haircut Harry" they do a good job if you like it cut short as a "Marine Sargent" no fooling around here,,costs a big $2.50 plus tip and you get
the Buzzer....lawn mower style.

I figured Oh the hell with it,,I have been to a place in Manhattan where many top celebrities have their hair styled.

Why not me?? I went into this beautiful shop,
the stylists were dressed alike,,,the manicurist gals were "drop dead" georgeous".

I walked over to the coat rack and started to take off my trench coat,,,,,,,when all at once,,,,the stylist (owner) looked at me and
said ,,,welcome Mr. "C"...I thought...hey now this is where its at.

I replied,,,,,well Im "Finally Here",,,,,the
stylists stopped clipping hair,,,,,the shampoo girls looked up at me as well as the manicurists.

The gal said Mr. "C" Guido (owner) will be with you shortly,,,I said "no problem" she then asked me if I would like a drink or something of a refreshment, (this was not your neighborhood barber shop).

There were pictures of "celebrities" everywhere,,,,Sinatra,Dean Martin,,Merv Griffin,,Johnny Carson,,,all the "heavyweights. And to think "me" just an
ordinary guy will have my hair styled by Mr.
Guido....stylist to the Stars.

I very proudly said again,,,well Im "Finally
Here"....one of the stylists ran over to me and said Mr. Cohen will you please sign my CD.??

I said "Oh wait a minute" I tried to explain
he ran into the back of the shop and handed me a copy of Jim Cohens CD and asked me please sign this for me.

I was embarrased and replied,,,,Im sorry there is some mistake here,,,,Im not Jim Cohen,,all the "scissors" stopped scissoring
the sound of the rythmic clipping stopped & all eyes were on me.

I was motionless,,,I said Im not JIM COHEN...
Guido said in a loud voice....Oh NO??? who the hell are you??? I said my name is Jody Carver,,,he replied "who the hell is Jody Carver??,,I said well "Im my mothers son who was Mrs.Carver"

One guy walked over and said out loud....Oh
I remember this guy,,he used to sell guitars and he had a "club he belonged to years ago.

Guido said."OH Yeah?? what club is that?? the Italian American Club??.

I had to stand my ground,,,"hey these guys are not going to push me around" I replied ,,
No my friend,,,,"The Hot Club Of America".
One guy hollered...I never hoid of youse guys
are you kidding me???.

I didnt realize that Jim Cohen was known to these people,,,his CD really gets around...I then said,,Im sorry to disappoint you,,,can I still get a haircut?? Guido said OK..I'll
cut your hair,,,how do you like it??? I said
cut it like you cut Jim Cohens hair,,,,he said,,,well OK,,,,but I have never met Jim Cohen, but have heard he is a big tipper.

I said yes,,,he most certainly is. I got a great hairstyle and now I look like George
Carlin. The cut shampoo and manicure was $185.00 total ,,,,not bad,,,hey any guy who could afford this 'more power to him.I told him there would be a good tip for him and his staff.

Guido said as I left his chair,,,,Hey (thats me) how well do you know dis guy Jim Cohen??
I said "very very well",,,I said in fact here
is Jims address and phone number,,he told me he would take care of the charges,,

He then said OK that sounds good,,I know Jim will give us all a good tip,,,you look like a lousy tipper.

I agreed,,,but I had to sign a few Cd's for Jim anyway,,,what the hell..I mean this is the big time,,I wouldnt want Jim to look like cheapskate,,,,,would you Jim??

Jim,,,you can expect a phone call from Guido
tomorrow regarding the charges,,,please take care of it ,,I did get them to order a few CD's from you,,,so be a sport will ya? and make an old guy who looked like a "beetle"
look good,.

Thanks for the hairstyle,,,PS I paid the parking lot fee's out of my own pocket....I felt like I was somebody once more,,

take care of the bill,,,Guido looks like one of those guys with a "flat nose and no neck" you know the kind,,,I think its in your best
interest that you settle the bill,,,

Tell him the guy from "The Club" is a friend of yours,,,he will remember,,,I look GREAT...
thanks to you...Im "Finally Here"

I told him if he didnt hear from you,,,,to contact bOb Lee at the Steel Guitar Forum and they will take care of it if all else fails. PS I didnt get a "massage" I didnt like the look of the massuer,,,looked like a
Yumo wrestler..."spell correct" he looked like a fat slob with a diaper on his butt.

Many thanks to you.... your buddy Jody...the
"old beatle"

PS edited as I forgot,,,,,I had a "tan and a facial as well,,,,that was
an extra $50.00.....send a good tip,,dont make me look bad..

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 25 January 2002 at 03:58 PM.]

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 25 Jan 2002 4:27 pm

And SVELT, too! What happened there, DVA???

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 25 Jan 2002 4:55 pm

I sit down to play ; the only exercise I get is hauling a Twin Reverb around a couple of minutes a night ( oh, yeah and chasing a 4 year old...

); I clean my plate like my Mamma taught me; as Tom T Hall sang, "I Like Beer"; my Daddy was a "pear shaped" man, so I was genetically predisposed...multiply by 28 intervening years

and he asks me "what happened there?"

you got a problem wit dat??

Jody... might the next CD be "Finally HAIR?"

sorry Jim...[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 25 January 2002 at 05:15 PM.]

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 25 Jan 2002 5:39 pm

That old DVAw/ZB is a bit Howard Stern. I'll take the 2002 DVA.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 25 Jan 2002 6:13 pm

Im beginning to see the Light...

Jon,,,where were you when Merle Travis sang
"Dark as a Dundgeon" Hey DVA is that the right spelling??

Enoch Light,,,Judith Light,,,,any relation to you?? Hey,,,if you need a good haircut I can get you a good deal,,,,tell them Jim sent you.

Have a good weekend,,Im changing strings this weekend,,,9 necks total

need a good hat?? Howard R, can do the job
man ,,,with my friends I have all the connections....with my friends,,,who needs
"enemas"

edited for spelling,,,where are you DVA when I need you????[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 25 January 2002 at 06:29 PM.]

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 25 Jan 2002 10:13 pm

Finally HAIR!

Jody, I actually have four different barbers; which one did you go to? I hope it wasn't the "wrong one"!

[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 25 January 2002 at 10:16 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 25 Jan 2002 11:00 pm

Jim,
Wait a while,,,,Im thinking of what to say.

Its not often I have to think,,,,but when it comes to a guy like you,,,,,it takes fortitude and much concentration,,,hey DVA started this,,,now he's in hiding

Did you ever try Bobbe's barber??? Its the
Tip Top Barber Shop in Nashville,,,if Bobbe
dont tip him,,,,he blows his top.

Im not finished with you yet,,,,,they told me
you pay for your haircuts on "layaway" they
lay your hair away until payment is made in
full,,,,but you still have the other three barbers to back you up...get back to you,,
have a good week end,,,,stay away from DVA
he's BIG trouble....

he should talk,,,,look at his hair,,,Dan Ackyrod at the
steel guitar,

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 25 January 2002 at 11:10 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 26 Jan 2002 6:36 am

Jim
Those that see this thread may wonder? But since it is all in good fun and we are just
having a little bit of fun fooling around,,I want
to tell you,,I think you are one of the finest steel players around these days.

You sounded great in Norwalk although,I didnt get there in time to hear your complete
set.

What I did hear was "second to none" and you
certainly improve each time I hear you play.

I have heard many great players over the years and I can honestly say,,,you are right up there with all of them.

But do me a favor,,,,pay that barber for me,
I really look great and thanks again for a great gesture by treating me to a great haircut, and thanks for the great playing as
well.

PS I liked that Fessenden "T" shirt

Im a size (L)

dont send any,,I have enough "T" shirts,,,my favorite is the one with "Brittany Spears" on the front,,,,and
Jennifer Lopez on the "rear"

later my friend.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 26 Jan 2002 6:40 am

screeeeeeeech!!!!

bodies straining against seatbelts as we decelerate rapidly and a make a sharp turn...

back onto

THE TOPIC!

which was:

The follies of youth, and my first professional quality S10, a ZB Custom with a big fat tone. I loved that guitar, but at some point I tried to change the copedant, and got that wacky undercarriage all out of balance. Sold it for a loss in 74 when I got my MSA D10, to a guy who got it fixed up. This guy is the kind of "instrument collector" who NEVER (he says) sells anything once he's acquired it, even if he never plays it. I see him yearly at the Steelin' for Hearts Jam. I know he still has it, but he won't sell it back to me.

It's kinda like having a sweetheart who married another guy for his money, who now sits in the loveless mansion on the hill. You know she's comfortable and all, but you know YOU could LOVE her so much better.

The other side of the coin is she's thirty years older, and now I've got a new midlife crisis honey (my Zum) who's young, trim and petite and a musical nymphomaniac.

okay gang...have a nice forumless weekend.

I'm going to take my trophy babe outta town for the weekend (see events and announcements)so I won't be missing anything....

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 29 Jan 2002 1:24 pm

I still think I got a great haircut,,,

Thanks Jim,,

Hey DVA,,,,,are you "pulling rank" because you "outweigh" me???

I'll be off here for a bit,,and you will miss
me. Take care,,,,dont drive so fast.

Joel Glassman · Post by **Joel Glassman** » 29 Jan 2002 1:52 pm

Jim,
In the "Happy Jimbeaux" picture, is that
paper money stuck on your forehead?
For me a $5 bill might not balance the
"money vs. looking like a fool" axis.
I'd look like a fool for $50 though. :^)