A Carolina Wildman Website Production
|
A Carolina Wildman Website Production |
|
Menu
|
Recipient Of The Jerry Byrd Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Stafford
The Jerry Byrd
Lifetime Achievement Award ST. LOUIS, Mo
The Jerry Byrd Lifetime Achievement Award became a reality in 1996 with Elmer Ridenhour from Roanoke, VA being the first recipient. The Award is giving to those people that have dedicated their life to both playing the steel guitar and the preservation of the instrument. Bill was awarded this prestigious honor in the year 2002. Due to sickness of his wife, Betty, Bill had to miss the Awards ceremony and his friend, Mitsuo Fujii from Tokyo, Japan accepted the plaque in Bill's behalf.
Having followed
Bill's career for the past 20 years or so I personally think the award was
very deserving. Bill has spent many years of his life both playing and
promoting the steel guitar around the US and even to foreign countries. He
does this out of pure love
And his talents and expertise goes even further. He has been employed by various steel guitar companies seeking his advise on how to make their excellent guitars even better. And conducting clinics for them. I remember being in Tokyo, Japan with Bill and he was able to give input on the construction of the Excel Superb steel guitar that became a important part to the construction of the "state of the art" guitar. Last, but not least, Bill's playing ability on the steel guitar is admired very highly amongst steel players and fans alike. I think the title of "Mr. Smooth" fits the skill and feeling Bill manages to include in every tune he plays. His execution of both slow country ballads and Hawaiian style is unequaled by anyone. I am a great fan of Jerry Byrd and when Jerry made the suggestion that if Bill would make a trip to Honolulu, Hawaii he would produce an album on Bill. This is testimony enough to Bill's talents! At the top of the list of Bill's accomplishments, and possible the most important one of all, is he a warm and wonderful person. Congratulations to Bill having received one of the most prestigious awards of all, The Jerry Byrd Lifetime Achievement Award!
Bill received the PSGA Appreciation Award . Tt was presented to Him in New York along with Alvino Rey during the same presentation. That was a neat honor alongside the great Alvino Rey who is the "father of our pedal steel guitars". Excerps From A Letter From George "Keoki" Lake Until I heard you in Joliet, I could never imagine such a beautiful sound coming from a pedal guitar. You were a revelation to me .... Did you happen to notice Jerry's reaction when you first hit the stage ? He was at the back of the hall chatting with others when he heard your gorgeous
sound. As you know,
he was not a pedal enthusiast either, but he left that group and came closer
to the stage with a beautiful expression on his face....the expression of
approval.
For a few years,
BILLY HEW LEN played pedal. He did a lot of great jazzy stuff but eventually
gave up on it due to the weight, time setting up and tearing down, and sea
rust. Hawaiians like to get their instruments out of the case and start
playing immediately. Billy was the only guy I heard on pedal before ever
meeting you whom I 'pedal-approved'. But his style was unlike yours...he did
very jazzy runs, etc., whereas you sought sweetness and smooth sounds. Your
whole approach to the pedal steel guitar is that of a fine musician who has
explored all the wonderful chords, passing chords, tonal expression and
feeling which 90% of the pedal players today cannot even begin to fathom or
concieve. The pedal guitar, in the hands of of person like you, is the
ultimate instrument. We, who play the traditional "Hawaiian Steel Guitar"
will forever be looking for that perfect tuning and the 'lost chord', which,
in a sense is ok, as in doing so, we have perpetuated the 'Signature Sound of
Hawaii' as Jerry often stated.
Unbeknown to you, I
bought a pedal guitar last year, (MSA). In the less than a year of trying to
play it, thinking with my feet and knees, I realized it was a whole new
ballgame, very frustrating, and it was affecting my attitude towards the
traditional steel. I packed it up, took it to the local guitar store and
asked them to sell it for me on consignment. I feel badly it defeated me,
while at the same time, satisfied that the traditional steel is and
always will be my
enjoyment of the steel guitar. You are the genius of pedal of whom I hold the
highest of respect Bill. I am content to plod along on traditional steel,
especilly now that I am 80 years of age ... kinda late to teach an old dog new
tricks.
I detest the
Nashville 'string-pulling' harsh sound which the majority of pedal players
do. No sense of tone, indeed, no tone control on their instrument. Also,
they usually stick to the 3 or 4 chord syndrom....you hear one pedal player,
you've heard them all. Alvino Rey, Paul Martin and yourself, plus Buddy
Emmons and a very few others have made a study of the pedal steel. I doubt
there will ever be another quite like Alvino Rey with his big band and his
unique tone....some love him, others hated him. I'm with the former...he was
a genius ! I love everything you do also. Listening to you is listening to
a Master !
George "Keoki" Lake |
|
|
for
the steel guitar. Bill is not limited to playing only steel guitar shows.
There is times where he will take his steel guitar in the schools and give
concerts for the students and explain the sounds of the steel guitar and
giving them first hand demonstrations on how to play the instrument.