Hal Rugg

Loren Nelson · Post by **Loren Nelson** » 13 Feb 2002 12:44 am

I lost a tape I had of Hal Rugg at the St. Louis Convention that I've GOT to get back in my collection! I think it was from 1986 (maybe 85'). He did a version of "Please Release Me". First time through- melody. Second time through- Paul Franklin style. Third time through- the most amazing Hal Rugg stuff I've ever heard!!! He has this couterpoint lick on there that is absoutely incredible! (From the 1 to the 4 and sometimes from the 5 to the 1) Does anyone have a copy of this?

Thanks,
Loren

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 13 Feb 2002 4:25 am

Sounds like a heck of a tape to loose! If you're like me, you probably loaned it to someone and forgot who has it. I have lost more training material that way. By the way, how's the T.L. gig going?

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Gaylon's Homepage
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Craig Collins & High Lonesome
www.craigcollins.org

[This message was edited by Gaylon Mathews on 13 February 2002 at 04:26 AM.]

Curt Olsen · Post by **Curt Olsen** » 13 Feb 2002 7:16 am

Loren, are you still working with TL nowdays ?

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Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 13 Feb 2002 10:33 am

Loren, I was going to drop you an email, but it is not posted.

Drop me an email.

Bill Ferguson

Loren Nelson · Post by **Loren Nelson** » 13 Feb 2002 11:33 pm

Well guys, I hate to tell you this but Tracy Lawrence is going without Steel Guitar this year! He's downsizing and I'm out. My last gig with him was the Opry at the Ryman in December. I couldn't have picked a better way to end it than that! Not one show in three years meant more to me than that one! And not becouse it was my last Tracy gig, but becouse it was my first time at the Ryman! What a thrill!!!!

Loren

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 14 Feb 2002 4:21 am

I'm glad you got to do the Ryman before it was all over. It doesn't seem right to axe the steel in Tracy's music. I don't know what kind of instrumentation he has left but it really burns me up when an artist that has so much steel guitar in their songs axes the steel and keeps the keyboard of fiddle as I've seen done so many other times. What a shame.

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Gaylon's Homepage
www.geocities.com/nashville/1064

Craig Collins & High Lonesome
www.craigcollins.org

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 14 Feb 2002 5:30 am

The truth is they have been doing it for a long time. My recall begins with Eddy Arnold dumping Lil' Roy Wiggins and later on Ray Price dumping all steel work for a Montavanni String section. The worst I've ever heard was Box Car Willy letting Bobby Garrett go when Bobby got cancer. And while it may be nothing unusual, it's still a slap in the face to all of us !!

Regards, Paul

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 14 Feb 2002 5:54 am

The steel is always the first to go. And Paul, I agree the worst was what Box Car did to Bobby Garrett. After that I never cared to see or hear Box Car again even tho he also had terminal health problems.

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 14 Feb 2002 8:41 am

You can add Conway & Diffie to the drop steel list!

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 14 Feb 2002 9:02 am

Loren! Was that the tape that you got from me? If so it was 85 & I taped it myself in front of the stage at St. Louis. Sorry Bout Your Gig, I didn't know! au

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 14 Feb 2002 9:46 am

Moved from 'Pedal Steel' to 'Steel Players'.

Kenny Davis · Post by **Kenny Davis** » 14 Feb 2002 11:54 am

I've got a tape from the 1980 St. Louis Show of Hal with a guy on an electric piano (Rhodes maybe?)and a bass player. Pretty far-out stuff!

Earl Erb · Post by **Earl Erb** » 14 Feb 2002 2:44 pm

Hey Loren,I live directly behind Jack Gavin.

Hal Rugg and I are old friends for about 35 years, I'll ask him about that tape when I talk to him again. I played a gig with him last week.

[This message was edited by Earl Erb on 14 February 2002 at 02:48 PM.]

Loren Nelson · Post by **Loren Nelson** » 14 Feb 2002 10:37 pm

Earl, I have talked to Hal about it. He doesn't remember that "Hal Rugg lick" but others do, and I will have it again! (I'm going to learn it too!) L.N.

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 15 Feb 2002 10:12 am

I think I have that set somewhere here on casette recorded from the floor. Hal also plays a swinging version of Columbus Stockade Blues over some non-country changes and Reba's When Whoever's In New England. Hal's set is between Franklin and Newman. Some fellow named Galstone or something like that

is playing guitar along with George Tidwell and Dennis Sole (sp)on horns.

E mail me with your address and I'll dig it out make a copy for you.

Bill Cunningham

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"Gimme a steel guitar, 2 or 3 fiddles and a Texas rhythm section that can swing"..W. Nelson

Earl Erb · Post by **Earl Erb** » 15 Feb 2002 11:37 am

Galstone?! Ouch! Gregg will love that one...as in Galbraith.

Joe Law · Post by **Joe Law** » 15 Feb 2002 12:08 pm

Please forgive me for this aside to the original post. This is directed to Jack and Paul.I sat beside Bobby Garrett's wife Friday night at Scotty's Convention this year. I talked to her a lot about Bobby as he is one of my favorites. Naturally this subject came up as I had to ask her about Box Car doing Bobby this way. She was astonished that this had gotten out as she said that BoxCar had done everything a fellow could do to help Bobby and that the lay off was mutual , that Box Car thought Bobby might need the rest and he did not want to pressure him too much.She said if I am not mistaken that Box Car had also helped them financially.She said this was the gospel and for me to dispell this rumor anytime I heard it, that there definitely were no hard feeelings from Bobby or his family whatsoever.I'm not saying you don't know what you're talking about , this is just what she told me .

Edgar Pro Case · Post by **Edgar Pro Case** » 15 Feb 2002 1:07 pm

Loren, if you run into my old boss BB Watson, give hime my e-mail and number and have him get in touch. I worked with him when Light At The End Of The Tunnel was big in the early 90's after I worked at Opryland. Tracy is a dear friend also from the old days, (early 90's) and the Gabes scene. We were on the Be A Star Show taping the same day. Regards, WC Edgar-620-245-1523 shobud@alltel.net [This message was edited by Edgar Pro Case on 15 February 2002 at 01:09 PM.]

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 15 Feb 2002 2:00 pm

Sounds like an interesting tape to lose! And if you haven't heard Earl pick that tele..........Thanks Earl!

Earl Erb · Post by **Earl Erb** » 15 Feb 2002 4:58 pm

Kevin, thank you...it's nice to be remembered.

Larry Moore · Post by **Larry Moore** » 15 Feb 2002 6:33 pm

Hal has a CD Title "FINALLY" It has "Release Me" on it don't know if it is the same , but it is Hal and very good,all the tracks are great.
Larry

Louie Hallford · Post by **Louie Hallford** » 16 Feb 2002 2:40 pm

Loren,I think there is a good chance I have the performance you are looking for.I recorded the whole convention from 1979 to about 1990.

Send me an email or a snail mail address where we can stay in touch as I have 100's of similar tapes(not all St Louis) so it will take a while to research for it.

wayne yakes md · Post by **wayne yakes md** » 20 Feb 2002 4:03 pm

To my friend Paul and all,
Box Car Willie LOVED Bobby Garrett and NEVER fired him. Box took sick real bad and had to close his act, quite nearly died. Bobby told me that it was a miracle Box survived. He was in the hospital a long while and it was touch and go. Bobby was always in contact with Box and his immediate family during this time because of his concern and respect for Box, an old friend. Bobby did not go back to Box because he was into other things and then Bobby took sick and did not survive his cancer. So, please friends, these are 2 old friends who played together and illness caused their separation. We ALL love them both!

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 20 Feb 2002 4:36 pm

Wayne: Thank you for that information ! It's a relief knowing they were friends to the end. Some of us are old Air Force guys just like Box was and I can only speak for myself but I prefer this ending.

I'm sure that only the high regard all of us felt for Bobby was the reason so many reacted to the thought that he may have been hurt in any manner. My thanks and usual high regards to you for correcting my mistake.

Regards, Paul

Loren Nelson · Post by **Loren Nelson** » 22 Feb 2002 12:47 am

Thankyou Bill Ferguson!!! For sending me a copy of Hal Rugg from the 1985 Convention in St. Louis. Now, instead of hanging out at the Forum, I can hang out at my Steel and learn some Hal!!! And, I don't mean Ketchum!!!!!

Thanks so much,
Loren