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Steel guitar's most influential artist, and a legend to his peers.
More major players credit Jerry with influencing and inspiring them than
anyone else. It was his style that most modern players tried to copy when
they were learning.
His talent is deceptively simple because it is unpretentious and honest,
while always delivered with precision, clarity and richness of tone.
Jerry took harmonics to the height of perfection, while the "do-wah"
sound he created with his guitar's tone control has never been equaled.
Few have mastered his delivery, and that is why he is truly the "Master
Of Touch And Tone," as the inscription reads on his plaque in the
Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. Even today, his execution remains flawless,
while his tone is as rich as when he recorded his first song in 1949.
Jerry is most often mentioned as the greatest steel guitar player of
all time! He is best described as "in a class unto himself,"
since he created his own mold. Although his preference was Hawaiian
music, he added such a distinctive sound to Country that he captured
the attention of virtually every player of his day... many of whom went
on to become major stylists in their own right.
In the 1950s he recorded behind Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, Rex Allen
and Red Foley. On those artists' recordings Jerry made an indelible
mark as a steel guitarist. His individual recordings soon followed and
were ultimately assembled into albums that included Country, Pop, Hawaiian
and even Japanese music.
Byrd so impacted the sound of traditional Hawaiian steel guitar delivery
as to cause modern players and a listening public to deem his interpretation
of it as authentic Hawaiian, even though there is no true standard of
authenticity for the sound of a steel guitar playing Hawaiian music.
Byrd though, changed the perception of how the music should be delivered
on a steel guitar. If you allow yourself to be absorbed by his interpretive
styling of the Island's melodies, it is easy to conclude that the music's
originators intended it to be played in the Byrd manner. Today, all
major recording productions (motion pictures, plays, commercials, etc.)
emphasizing this musical genre, use players who can duplicate the Hawaiian
guitar sounds typical of Byrd's stylized delivery.
Jerry chose not to take up pedals, feeling confident in his ability
to continue doing what had gained him the appreciation he so justly
earned. His decision was a good one, since his talent and style didn't
need changing. After all, perfection achieved needs no improvement!
James Cagney once said, "A man practices all his life until he
finally becomes himself." Jerry practiced all his life, but has
been his own man since he decided that the steel guitar was going to
be his life.
-Tom Bradshaw
His Steel
Guitar Hall of Fame plaque reads:
MAJOR INFLUENTIAL STYLIST, COMPOSER AND ARRANGER
"THE MASTER OF TOUCH AND TONE"
BORN: MARCH 9, 1920 LIMA, OHIO
INDUCTED: 1978
Jerry Byrd died in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 11, 2005.
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CD:
Item #C-025
$15.00
Cassette:
A-008-C
$10.00
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"Byrd of Paradise"
Jerry Byrd recorded several beautiful Hawaiian albums of the Monument
label before he left Nashville for the islands. The original LP
cover of this album said:
Jerry Byrd has never been to the south sea islands, but his life
reflects an over-whelming passion for polynesian culture. He reads
everything he can find about polynesian lore and history. He serves
polynesian food in his polynesian home. He writes polynesian songs.
He is a pioneer of the Hawaiian steel guitar, which is why we
have named this great album Byrd of Paradise.
The CD reissue is on the Sony Music Special Products label. The
cassette is "new old stock" from Tom Bradshaw's PSG Products
label.
- Hawaiian Wedding Song
- Bird of Paradise
- Forever More
- Evening in the Islands
- Theme from "Adventures In Paradise"
- Beautiful Kahana
- Beyond the Reef
- Tangi Tahiti
- Rainbows Over Paradise
- Pearly Shells (Pupu O Ewa)
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Mountain Apple CD:
Item #C-030
$18.00
Midland Cassette:
Item #A-011-C
$10.00
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"The Master of Touch and Tone"
Remastered for CD by The Mountain Apple Company, this Hawaiian
steel guitar masterpiece was originally recorded by Dewitt Scott
for his Midland label. Jerry played the lead voice on all of the
tunes, backed by Hawaiian masters Norman Isaacs on bass, Benny Kalama
on ukelele and Hiram Olsen on guitar.
We're happy to be able to offer "new old stock" of Scotty's
original mix on cassette, as well as the 2005 Mountain Apple reissue
on CD. No Hawaiian music collection is complete without this beautiful
album.
- Anytime, Any Day
- Carefree
- Maona Chimes
- Chickadee
- Nighttime
- Maui Waltz
- Forever and Ever
- Black and White Rag
- Ho'i Mai (Come To Me)
- Jerry's Tune
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CD:
Item #C-017
$18.00
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"By Request"
Recorded in Honolulu in 1996, this was the master's final album.
I often fall asleep to this CD at night. It's one of the most soothing
recordings in my collection.
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- Blue Mist
- medley
- Invitation to Love
- South Sea Moon
- medley
- Sweet Dreams
- I Fall To Pieces
- Shadow Waltz
- Sophisticated Lady
- It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You
- Ame No Bojyo
- Stardust
- I'll Be All Smiles Tonight
- medley
- Night of Tropic Love
- Hula Lady
- Maile Swing
- Mauna Kea
- medley
- Sweet Lei Mokihana
- Pua Tuberose
- Kaua'i Beauty
- E Mama E
- Kimo Hula
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4 Cassettes:
Item #A-401
Sorry, this item is
NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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"Four Classic Albums"
This boxed set from Tom Bradshaw's PSG Products inventory includes
four of Jerry Byrd's albums. Two are pure Hawaiian: Pagan Paradise
and Hawaiian Beach Party. The third tape, Satin Strings
Of Steel, contains a selection of pop and country tunes from
the 1950's.
Last but not least, Steel Guitar Romantic World is a collection
of Japanese pop tunes. Jerry takes the lead voice on his 7-string
C diatonic, backed by a full orchestra. This has always been one
of my favorite albums - just beautiful!
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- Pagan Paradise
- I Want To Learn To Speak Hawaiian
- Pagan Love Song
- Hawaiian Paradise
- Now Is The Hour
- Little Pineapple
- An Orchid In The Moonlight
- Waipio
- My Isle Of Golden Dreams
- Little Brown Gal
- Sweet Leilani
- When Hilo Hattie Does The Hilo Hop
- Hawaiian War Chant
- Hawaiian Beach Party
- Show Me How To Do The Hula
- Haole Hula
- Drowsy Waters
- Ring Around The Moon
- Hula Lady
- Honolulu Eyes
- How D'ya Do
- Keep Your Eyes On The Hands
- Sand
- Tiare Tahiti
- My Tane
- To You, Sweetheart, Aloha
- Satin Strings Of Steel
- Bells Of St. Mary's
- Ebb Tide
- Orchids In The Moonlight
- Among My Souvenirs
- Green Eyes
- Harbor Lights
- Memories Of Maria
- Last Date
- Breath Of Summer
- Golden Earrings
- Torchy
- Cold Cold Heart
- Steel Guitar Romantic World
- Samba For A White Butterfly
- Saturday Is Number One
- Young People Continue Traveling
- Nonstop Train
- Happiness
- Like A Flower
- Love Crazy
- Love Aesthetics
- I Want To Go Home, But I Must Not
- Into The Sadness
- A Song That Is Sung At The Bottom Of The Sea
- Love Of Bare Feet
4 Cassettes: Item #A-401 $25.00
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Sold Out. Sorry.
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"Steel Guitar Hawaiian Style"
I wore out my vinyl copy of this album - twice! It was recorded
shortly after Jerry moved to Hawaii in the 1970's. This is my all-time
favorite Jerry Byrd record.
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- Kohala March
- Pa'au'au Waltz
- Maui Chimes
- Sand
- Jesu Meke Kanaka Waiwai
- Hanalei Moon
- Hilo March
- Kilima Waltz
- How D'ya Do
- Serenade To Nalani
- Wawohikukapulani
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