Saw John, When he was in his early 30,s Conway was doing a show in Orlando Florida, Someone requested for Conway to sing Last date, And when John did his part of the song, He got a standing ovation. Harold Jenkins, And Vince in my opinion, Were lucky to have the talent of John Huey 👏
I met John Hughey 30 days ago.What an adorable person ....an incomparable human being... an extraordinary musician......impossible not to get chills running up and down the spine when he played.......my weakness is very strong because I´m not crying right now........goodbye my friend.....Adair Torres
Mr Hughey proved the steel guitar was an orchestra in one instrument. The rest of us will be trying to figure out how he did it for years to come! R.I.P.
If there are steel guitars in Heaven, im sure John Hughey will be playing it! Rest in Peace John, us on Steel Guitar Forum miss your wonderful style of playing that we all try to master but cant!! Dedicated to his memory from ole Jimbo in Montana!!!
BEAUTIFUL!! these guys and gals are like what put nashville on the music scene,its like they are the core of Nashville,they are of the best in the business.that"s my opinion.
This is so good, and it makes me sick to KNOW that this form of expression has gone the way of Rock and Roll Guitars, and a bunch of screaming non singing call theirself country bob boo's. That the only reason they have a record deal is because of their image created by the Nashville Big Wigs. NONE of them can play good music anymore, Steel Guitar Players are on OUR way Out!, I'm also a Steel Player and Play Country on mine totally, Thanks for posting
I met John at the Scottys International Convention and he was the nicest man. He always had time to talk to me and I was so happy to get some of his cd's. He will be missed so much. I'm just thankful that I have a bunch of his music. A most outstanding player.
John Hughey was absolutly AWESOME! He had his own style of pickin ! We will all miss him , but we still have his memories , and his beautiful style , to keep all the true country music fans alive and kickin' ! Miss Ya John ........
I ditto willyJames's comments , beautiful playing. I didnt know John, only through his music,what I have seen on youtube and from what his friends have said about him, a real nice guy with a genuine friendly smile. He made his mark as one of the legends of our instrument and he will leave a cavernous void , on a personal note ,I was hoping to see him at one of the conventions in 2008 I should have gone over the pond sooner. Never leave until tomorrow what you can do today.
It doesn't get much better than this video. Thank you for posting. John Hughey is a personal hero of the Pedal Steel guitar, and because of this video I am able to actually see the genius at play. Once again thank you
That number goes into the thousands of sides (songs) he is on. Papa John was one of the most demanded steel guitarist in Nashville. But that is just part of the story. I once heard that an "A" list steel guitarist was scheduled to do a session, and when he first heard the songs he said "this stuff needs Papa John"; so Papa John Hughey ended up coming in later and laying down a completely new steel guitar track. That is true respect by your peers when one picker steps back for another.
This song was written by the great Ray Pennington.He recorded a lot of music with Buddy Emmons on the Step One Productions label.A good example of Step One is on a song called Christmas in Virginia by Clinton Gregory, check it out on utube
Vince wrote a song in tribute to John Hughey titled "Buttermilk John" which is listed in "Guitar Slinger" album released in 2011. John played on Vince's record for 20 years and was a father figure to Vince. Buttermilk John was his nickname because he loved buttermilk and cornbread. Vince recalls " The song also honor John's ,wife, Jean with whom he had a wonderful relationship. They were the kind of couple you aspired to be like. They always went everywhere together." You can also see John in the background when Vince was performing for A&E Live by Request in 1998. A beautiful john's steel guitar solo for "My Kind Of Woman/My Kind Of Man" in between Vince and Patty Loveless duet.
Papa John toured with Vince Gill for about 10-12 years, or 1990 through 2000/2002. His last year with Conway was 1988, and in 89 he was working with Loretta for part of the season. When John retired from the road, he stayed very busy as a session man, and with the Time Jumpers, until he passed. It's all on his website.
READY FOR A GREAT STORY FROM THE PAST ? My wife Ardell Davis ...now Stewart..used to say that John Robert could make his guitar talk...age 16-17 Back in her pre-high school days, Ardells' best friend...Nell Hughey... ...was John Hugheys' younger sister.!! John played with Harold Jenkins , the leader of a wanna - be rock group ..in Helena Crossing, Ar. Imagine : Ardell Davis and Nell Hughey in the Hughey living room...listening to 5 teenage guys jammin' . The group shortly after ...went on to WORLD - WIDE FAME ! Because...you see.. Harold Jenkins later took the name CONWAY TWITTY...( he took his name from nearby Conway Ar.) John also toured with Vince Gill.
+Jack Stewart I love that you mentioned how John Robert could make his guitar talk. My grandfather an accomplished musician who taught me the beginnings of the fiddle and banjo, always said if you can't make your instrument talk & sing then you were just making noise. I gave up the fiddle after he dided when I was 8 and toyed with the banjo,. When I was 12 I found an old Martin guitar in an old barn and asked for it. It was made in 1949 the year I was born. So I treasured that till I went in the Army. I still can't read music so I play rhythm, but I strive to hear the words of the songs when I play. I'm proud to say my grandfather was an accomplished musician that could play any stringed instrument yet he couldn't read music. I've been told he could play any instrument but I never heard hime venture from the fiddle, guitar or banjo. I had a fiddle that he made till it disappeared from my ex mother-in-laws attic where I had stored it for my son thirty some years ago.
