lost steelers, Jimmy Colvard & Chuck Davis?

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 6 Feb 2002 7:13 pm

Recently I got into an interesting email exchange with a friend/contact and he mentioned a couple of the following steel players who seem to have been forgotten.... Jimmy Colvard and Chuck Davis.

I thought I'd see if anyone knows more about them, what I was told is as follows:

Jimmy Colvard:
This steel guitarist who had worked before the war in Atlanta & Charlotte and had recorded with Hank Penny and others.
Colvard who recorded with Claude Casey in 1940, with Penny in 1941. He worked in Chicago during the war and last reference there seems to be is a 1950 gig with Rocky Rauch in Denver.

Chuck Davis:
A western swing steel guitarist, I was told that circa 1948-49 he was playing in San Angelo, Texas with Dub Adams & then Snuffy Smith.
In 1952 he worked with Merl Lindsay's band in OK City. My contact Kevin described his style as such: The few recordings I've heard that feature him (with Snuffy Smith) are really nice and jazzy (of the single string variety)...I don't know much more about Davis.

Now the question is... does anyone else have info on these two gents?, personally I don't have anything on these guys.

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 6 Feb 2002 9:47 pm

Two Jimmy Colvards? since when! The one I knew was a Top Nashville session player, 64to77, he was not a steel player, but just the best guitar player ever! au

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 6 Feb 2002 10:11 pm

Al, You're Right about that. I believe he took his own life in 77 while I was still in Nashburg. Great Picker!!!

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John

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 7 Feb 2002 3:59 am

I'm with Al on this one, I've only heard of Jimmy Colvard the guitar picker, Al, did you let Jimmy play your Sho-Bud back in the day? Larry

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 7 Feb 2002 7:17 am

Yes I know there's the other Colvard who passed away in 1977, although I can't comment on the circumstances as I've never heard what happened.
He played guitar with Dave Dudley and Barefoot Jerry, etc.

Different guy, just check the age difference, one was active in the 1940s while the other was just being born around that time.

nick allen · Post by **nick allen** » 7 Feb 2002 7:21 am

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR><SMALL>
Different guy, just check the age difference, one was active in the 1940s while the other was just being born around that time. </SMALL><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just a thought... maybe the first was the father of the second...?
Nick

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 7 Feb 2002 7:29 am

It's a thought, Al.. where did your Jimmy originate from, do you know?

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 7 Feb 2002 8:00 am

Jimmy Colvard is credited with backing Roy Rogers on two tunes on a Bear Family LP I have - on steel. The tunes are: "Hawaiian Cowboy" and "Hasta La Vista". I also "hear" him on "Don't Fence Me In" - from another Roy LP. Lush recordings. Man, they didn't spare any expence when it came to the "King of the Cowboys".

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 7 Feb 2002 8:09 am

A further note: these were recorded on Oct. 24, 1947 in Chicago.

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 7 Feb 2002 10:32 am

Jimmy was born in St.Paul, Mn. in 1943 his dads name was Roy, also his brother Elbert who I see ocassionaly, I worked with Jimmy in 58 when he was 15 & leader on some Opry type package shows in Mn. In 77 jimmy called me & said he was in town & would stop by, unfortunately, before he got to see me, he took his life up in Nisswa, Mn. theres a lot more, but too sad to comment on! Yes Larry! Jimmy did sit down to my Sho-Bud#3 a few times, he really dug steel, & I often wondered what kind of a steel player he would of been, due to the fact that he was the best guitar player ever! Thanks guys & Jimmy Rest in Peace! au

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 7 Feb 2002 1:11 pm

You'd think we would learn never to question Jason.

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 7 Feb 2002 1:15 pm

Thanks Al and Dave, sorry to hear that there was a tragic element to the younger Colvard's passing.