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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Cassette: Free shipping! |
"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:
The CD reissue is on the Sony Music Special Products label. The cassette is "new old stock" from Tom Bradshaw's PSG Products label.
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Midland Cassette: Free shipping! |
"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.
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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. -b0b-
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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! -b0b-
4 Cassettes: Item #A-401 $25.00 Free shipping! How to Order |
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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. -b0b-
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