The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Your Tunes: I Saw The Light

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I Saw The Light

- Rated: 50 ↑
Nov 11, 2008 11:31 p.m. Richard Hudson:

Okay. You guys gotta promise you won't laugh when you hear this one.

Back in 1996, three of my all time guitar heroes were on The Grand Ole Opry stage at the same time, playing the Hank Williams song, "I Saw The Light." I used to stand in front of a persimmon sapling, playing like it was a microphone, playing like I was Hank Williams singing on The Grand Ole Opry.

I'm still floating on a cloud after a telephone conversation a few days ago; but I used to sit in front of our old battery powered radio on Saturday night and listen to The Grand Ole Opry from beginning to end hoping that I would get to hear Chet play just a couple of notes. At the first sound of his guitar, I knew it was him. There never was a doubt. Well, I found out the other day that I'm not the only one that used to do that very thing.

But can you imagine seeing The King Of Twang, Mister Guitar and the incredible Doyle Dykes all on stage at the same time just jamming out?

There is a youtube video of that performance. In my laughing stock of a production, I tried to duplicate that performance with a very poor imitation of Duane Eddy, an even poorer imitation of Chet Atkins; and I really butchered Doyle's part. I'll never hear the last of this. Oh well, you live by the sword and you die by the sword.

One thing I want to be sure to point out. My poor performance is in no way reflective of the immense respect I have for these three gentlemen.

Thanks,

Richard

I Saw The Light
- Rated: 20 ↑
Nov 11, 2008 11:49 p.m. AJ:

Mr. Modest (a.k.a. Richard Hudson) - That was great! I think you did a fine job of it. "I Saw The Light" is probably my favorite Hank song; I really like some of his other songs but this is the one I often sing to myself.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 12:40 a.m. gretschman36:

Richard: As usual, another fine job. My god, man, you have the Chet style down.

Every time I hear you play Chet, I get a dopey grin.

See?
- Rated: 8 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 12:50 a.m. Macky54:

That was damn cool Ricardo.

Hows that 6120 Stereo coming along. Still getting settled in to mine.

Jeff
- Rated: 13 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 4:56 a.m. farmerbrown:

Amen to what Gretschman said! Makes me want to either burn my guitars or sell them when I hear you play Richard!
- Rated: 115 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 5:05 a.m. wenzel:

Richard, you are always amazing!
- Rated: 48 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 5:14 a.m. dmanlow:

Very nice! Thanks.
- Rated: 8 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 7:25 a.m. ChuckH:

Love it!
- Rated: 56 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 7:28 a.m. fieldhdj:

Always love your stuff Richard. Thanks again for sharing with us.
- Rated: 50 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 8:09 a.m. Richard Hudson:

You guys are just too kind. Here's the real deal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiyBtPdnUoI
- Rated: 34 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 8:14 a.m. Bernw:

Superb Richard - again! Now - will you please now put something on here that is utter crap - because I am running out of superlatives!!
- Rated: 7 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 10:13 a.m. fbama73:

Richard, I hope to someday be as poor of a player as you :)

When someone plays finger style really well, I get an odd calm feeling and think of my father. You accomplished that.

And the video- did it give anyone else goosebumps? I didn't know it was possible to stack the deck AND deal from the bottom!
- Rated: 50 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 10:23 a.m. Richard Hudson:

Can you just imagine what it would be like to be standing backstage at the Opry and have Duane Eddy and Chet Atkins walk by? That performance had it all; Legendary performers, incredible performers not yet at legendary status playing a song written by a country legend. The electricity was probably at least at a million volts that night. That was a special one for sure.
- Rated: 93 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 11:45 a.m. Pappy:

I thought for sure you recorded the Ace of Base song.
- Rated: 49 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 12:25 p.m. Ric12string:

As always, Richard, another very nicely performed and pleasing performance from you.

What guitar were you using for Doyle's part? It sounds like an out of phase Strat.

gretschman36 said: Every time I hear you play Chet, I get a dopey grin.
I was born with that dopey grin permanently affixed, Gman36.
- Rated: 77 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 12:28 p.m. sassy:

That is JUST TOO COOL Richard
- Rated: 61 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 12:54 p.m. Bear:

Richard, once again I am taken aback by your virtuosity. I absolutely love that song as I do most Southern Gospel and your rendition was fabulous.
- Rated: 74 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 1:12 p.m. bonedaddy:

Awesome picking Richard, very fine tone and impeccable timing, as always.
- Rated: 50 ↑
Nov 12, 2008 1:50 p.m. Richard Hudson:

Well, Doyle is an acoustic player. I have a very nice hand made small jumbo cutaway built by Travis Williams with the Baggs Hexaphonic pickups. The video was done in 1996 before Doyle's signature Taylor DDSM came into being; so the tone was not quite as sharp and distinct as it is now. I think he was probably playing a 614ce - not sure about the electronics, maybe an LB6.

So anyway, to answer the question, I plugged my Travis into the amp and played away for Doyle's part (minus all the hot licks he threw in).

I still haven't been able to get that bite Duane gets with his tone; but I used the CGP in mono for that part. I've got a sneaky feeling that if he handed me his guitar, I still wouldn't be able to get the tone. Chet was on the '59.
- Rated: 14 ↑
Nov 17, 2008 6:22 p.m. Richard Baguley:

Richard, I'm glad you mentioned trying to get Duane's "bite". Perhaps Dynas have something to do with the elusive tone? Not to mention that "something" that Duane has that eludes most everyone else!

Great piece, yet again.
- Rated: 50 ↑
Nov 17, 2008 8:07 p.m. Richard Hudson:

Thanks Richard. Most of that great tone is definitely in the hands of the master.

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