Remembering Jeff Newman

[Jerry Overstreet]

I was thinking about the anniversary of Jeff's passing coming up just a couple of days before I got the news about Herby Wallace.

Two of our best gone, 8 yrs. apart but within a couple days of the same time of year.

Missing both of these steel guitar greats. We've lost so many.

I remembered Peter's post from a couple years ago and thought it would be OK to refer back to it.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... eff+newman

[Nic du Toit]

Thanks for posting this.
What I remember well from our time at the college, was the 'Family-style' lunches when the whole class sat around this one huge table next to the kitchen.....
I reckon Jeff wanted us to feel like we're part of a family.
It is at that table that Fran introduced me to the American tradition of having iced tea with your meal. The idea was alien to me, but I got used very quickly to the tea, and starting liking it. So, whenever I have iced tea here at home, my thoughts always go back to my days at the college, and all the guys I met there.
Regards,
Nic

[Don Sulesky]

I miss Jeff the most of those who have left us.
Not to slight any of the others who I sorly miss as well.
I miss him as a friend, teacher and a player who could take a song and melody and make it his own.
This is the most important thing I learned from him.
I liked the way he played "Sweet Memories" and the 1st time I heard him play "City of New Orleans".
I'm so glad I have all his seminars on tape to listen and refer to now and then.
I'll never forget him.
Don

[bob drawbaugh]

It doesn't seem like it has been 8 years Jeff was the best in my book.

[Buck Grantham R.I.P.]

I still miss Jeff a lot . He was a good friend and a great person. Love Buck and Mitzi Grantham.

[William Lawson]

With out a doubt the finest teacher that ever lived in my opinion. I will never forget him or his teachings as he imparted to me all the things I needed to be the player I am today.Bill Lawson

[John De Maille]

It's a funny thing, that, sometimes I still talk about Jeff like he's still with us. And, then I catch myself and remember sorrowfully, that, he's not. As was said before, he was the greatest pedal steel guitar teacher, hand down. Jeff was my mentor. He taught me so much and became a true friend. I miss talking to him and exchanging ideas. At Scotty's convention, after he died, I saw Fran and just broke down in tears. The both of us hugged and cried and consoled each other for a while. I really felt bad for her, she seemed kind of lost without him and rightfully so. I don't think he'll ever be forgotten in our world. He helped so many people with getting on the right track with playing the steel.

[steve takacs]

Yes, John, I do know what you mean. But when I revisit Jeff's teaching materials on videos, LPs, tab, etc, and material from his seminars, I realize he is still very close by. stevet

[Louie Hallford]

Jeff's death was the most shocking to me of anyone I ever knew, with the exception of close relatives.It was shocking to think I would never see or hear him again ,with his little smart aleck ways .
He could pull your leg so seriously that many people never knew they had been had. Example throwing my "off brand" picks(as hard as he could) across the room,against the wall, and then telling me I was never going to sound good until I got me some good picks.

He then "gave"me a new set of his "JF's. I am sure he knew I was going to pay for them. Yep,he was right again--- I did...and I still have them. What a teacher and a fun guy!!!!!