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Writer's pictureDarin Shiflett

The Lashley Chronicles - Letter 14


This letter is one of many letters written detailing the development of the pedal guitar, and the birth of the Emmons Guitar. It also includes standardization of the tuning and copedent, as well as historical commentary. 

The letters were written from Ron Lashely Sr. to Mr. Paul J. Graupp, the editor for "Pushin Pedals", the pedal guitar section of Fretts magazine, which was published by Fender Sales.


 

Scroll down for the complete transcription of this letter. The spelling and grammar shown below is exaclty how it was written by Ron Lashley Sr.

 






 

TRANSCRIPTION

 

SALES & MANUFACTURING CO.

HANFORD ROAD,   GRAHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

March 6, 1964


Hello Paul, 


Nice to hear from you.  I’m anxious to get a copy of the draft on the record and guitar.  I didn’t see the downbeat review and would like to very much.  Maybe I overlooked it.  Which issue is it in.  Perhaps you did motivate them in reviewing it. 


Thanks alot for all the promotion that you are helping us achieve.  Buddie said to keep up the good work.  If there are any other questions concerning the guitar please feel free to ask  Did you see the write up on Buddie in the “Music City News”, Feb 64, It was prepared several months ago and finally got out.


I would like very much to have Speedy West’s tuning and pedal se up.  Thanks for Chalker’s.


I’m going to have to disagree or interpret differently with one statement concerning the musicians on Buddies album.  I don’t think any corners were cut in furnishing musicians to cut with Buddie.  Bobby Scott and Oscar Peterson will usually be considered the top two jazz piano players in the business with any distinction between the two hard to make.  Dave Brubek perhaps most popular piano jazz man is more of a mathematician than a musician, was once quoted to have said that Bobby Scott played more piano than any other he had ever heard.


Now I’ll agree that the abstract was held down on the album for a well planned commercial reason but this doesn’t mean the talent is missing.


The album was cut last summer in New York before a stereo was ready.


I have Millies address now and she has agreed to feature an article on Buddie and the new guitar if she can get it in the next 3 weeks it will go in the next issue.  I don’t suppose you could find time to write it (or help) for us.  If you possibly could I will sen you a copy of the article from Music City News, and with the downbeat review and your article for Fretts and any questions that I could answer you could draw from the material to make a feature article.  We also will probably run the same article  in Country Song Roundup magazine.  If this is asking to much please feel free to say so and I’ll get write on it.Our leaflet isn’t ready yet but I’ll send you some as soon as it is off the press.


Chalker doesn’t have an album out but Thompson’s latest album has Chalker on it.


Jimmy Crawford is a real fine pedal steel man who has been around Nashville for several years.  He played with George Jones for quite a while but for the last year has been semi free lance.  I don’t know who Sonny Curtis is with but heard he was with George Jones.  Not a reliable source.


Don West is playing a bar room night club in Washington, D.C.  I don’t know where he is originally from but he has spent quite a few years in Atlanta, Ga.  I’m planning a trip to Wash soon and will get some specific information from him if you would like an interview on paper just joy down the questions.  I can get his address easy enough because I have a sister who lives in D.C.


You can probably get in touch with Herb Remington through Fender.  I would like his address also if you get it. 


Thanks for the address of the steel men.  I’ve got to pull out now and get to work.


Your friend,

Ron


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