I met and had a conversation with Don Helms at the ISGC. He was telling me about his Gibson that he played on the Hank Williams records. Once a collector asked him if he would take "six figures" for it. Don's reply: "That depends on which six figures you're talking about."
He's a great guy, by the way. I ran into him in the Sierra room, where he was buying a new lap steel.
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<small><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Averybob.gif" width=64 height=81>Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session S-12 (E9), Speedy West D-10 (E9, D6),
Sierra 8 Laptop (D13), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (D13, A6)<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 05 September 2000 at 09:35 AM.]</p></FONT>
I agree with you. Don Helms was dynamite and brought back such memories. I particularly enjoyed "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" when Don did his ride because the original record had Jerry Byrd. Don sounded like Don and it was wonderful. I surely agree with Jimmy Day who felt that Don WAS the glue that made Hank Williams so unique and recognizable.
One historical fact I was unaware of: Hank never got to perform "Your Cheatin' Heart" on stage with his band. It was recorded shortly before his death, and didn't become a hit until 6 months later.
Don, being the ever-so-modest person he is, told me that he felt he made a mistake on his lead on "Your Cheatin' Heart". If you listen closely near the middle of his lead you can hear a little string buzz - heck, before he told me he thought it was a mistake, I always thought he did that for effect.
It is good to see Don back on his old Gibson - he and that guitar definitely go together and I can see why he would not want to get rid of it. Don is quite a gentleman and always seem so appreciative of those of us who admire his style.
I was in Bobbe Seymours store last November when Don came to get a tuning key for the Gibson. He was fixing it up and was going to use it on the tour with Jett Williams. Don Sulesky was with me and he got to sit down and talk with Don for quite a while.
It's nice to see some of the pioneers still plying their trade and being accessable and willing to talk to you.
