almarcus2a

Hi Al,

Thanks for sharing the great times when Steel Guitar was the "In" thang! Those of you who were around in those days and caught all the Greats were real lucky huh? It's not as fullfilling nowadays for newcomers now is it? Al Thanx for Posting on the Steel Guitar Forum and helping me along the way, I'm looking into your "Lean and Mean" E9 Universal tuning and I like it.

CrowBear Schmitt

St Beat PairO'knees, France

http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/SteelGuitarFrance

I have heard the name Al Marcus for years while I was a Fender Sales Representative. I was never able to meet Al over those years.

The Steel Guitar Forum is where I was finally able to meet with someone I have idolized for years and I regard that as my good fortune.

God Bless Al Marcus, he is vintage and valuable to those who play steel guitar. His knowledge and musical ability goes far beyond the "norm".

Fondest Best Wishes, Al, to you and yours.

Your friend and fan

Jody Carver

Al,

Your nice comment on the Forum reminded me to check out your website again and as always I am tremendously impressed with your extraordinary career and your musical credentials.In brousing one of your "set lists" I was reminded of my early days when I learned to play many of those songs. Fortunately, I was allowed to work with some great musicians from the big-band era who had started playing in western-swing combos after the demise of the big ball-room orchestras. They were very patient with a rookie kid who was trying to play a strange instrument completely out of the box of his ability. What little I know came from my association with those great musicians on the bandstands of the 1950's. Thank you for your contribution to the world of music and for sharing it with others via your website.

Sincerely and respectfully,

Gene Jones

Dear Al,

Sure glad I browsed your web site tonight. Lots of interesting reading and facts. I will be re-visiting soon when I have more time as I want to absorb more of your advice and have a closer look at those copedents you charted.

Your musical experiences re-kindle very fond memories for many a musician I'm sure and must instill much wistfulness in many who perhaps had the love of music but unable to grasp the opportunity for one reason or another.

Loren Bayles

Al,

I get a real charge out of your website every time I visit it, and see more all the time about an era that is rich in musical history. I find you to be a real pioneer, and have personally appreciated your encouragement regarding tuning developments in pedal steel. You just keep on going, and it's an inspiration and a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Charlie McDonald

Lubbock, Texas

Hi Al, sure enjoyed the "walk through history" reading your wonderful web page this morning.

You are truly one of steel guitar's living legends. It is one of my greatest pleasures in knowing you along with the great Alvino Rey and Jerry Byrd. Thanks for all you have done for all.

Really enjoyed this reading so much and how close our paths came to crossing many years ago. (When I got out of the navy the first time, shortly after the Korean war-1953, I was invited to move to Petaluma, Ca. and play with a group there for a few years).

Your mention of Alvino really brings it all home again. I was with Sierra when Alvino came into the shop with his Sho-Bud. He wanted it overhauled. It was beyond that stage. I had just developed the tuning I wanted to have on my first S-14 string unit. This steel was set up in the front office. Alvino asked me to play it for him and explain the tuning. Right after that he ordered a new steel and really wanted those extra low notes, but opted for just one-the low E I had on the bottom of my steel. (It was an 080 ga. then). We built him an eleven string Sierra in less that two weeks. Alvino stayed in town that entire time and it was one of my greatest times of my steel guitar life. Getting to know this man and his wonderful wife. Alvino had his motor home and would park in the front parking lot early every morning. Going out to his RV on those mornings, having coffee, and listening to all his wonderful experiences just topped off my life from then on. Alvino told me when he ordered his new steel that he would have liked to have those extra strings but was too old to "learn new tricks" etc. HO HO HO.

I am so proud of your friendship. Thanks so very much for being another "topper-offer" of my life. I treasure this with you, my friend.

P.S.

Hello again, Forgot to tell you that I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast near Gulfport, Mississippi. My home town.

Bill Stafford

Your experiences are incredible. What a blessing to have played all these years and during such a time when the music was great! i am a banjo player of 38 years trying to learn steel guitar.

A different world to say the least. Thanks for all you have contributed to the audiences and the rest of us musicians, incuding banjo players.

tony williamson

rutherfordton,n.c.

Al,

I happened on to your web page from the Steel Guitar Forum. I really enjoyed seeing the pictures and reading the stories of your life. Sometimes I think I was born too late.

Rick Hulett

Django's Cadillac

www.djangoscadillac.com

Send me an email, Click here!

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