Lynn Strauff

Musical topics not directly related to steel guitar

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Geff King
Posts: 51
Joined: 16 Jan 2000 1:01 am
Location: Greenbelt, MD USA
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Country: United States

Lynn Strauff

Post by Geff King »

Has anyone here ever heard of this steel player? I worked some shows with him (and his son, too) a few times back in the early 80's when I was back in Baltimore. Very low-key but competent player.

I saw his name mentioned on a Bear Family anthology not long ago, and from the description it has to be the same person.
Donny Hinson
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Joined: 16 Feb 1999 1:01 am
Location: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Country: United States

Post by Donny Hinson »

Yes, I knew Lynn! Your description is perfect. He was one of only 3 pedalsteel players in the area when I started playing in the '60s. (The others being Calvin Dietz, and Little Al Dekenberg(sp?)). I took Lynn's place with the Roane Bros. when he left them, and went on to play that gig for about 8 years.

Lynn was a fine, smooth player with a laid-back style that would blend perfectly with today's music. But, he had knowledge and ability that went far beyond his backup work. The first time I saw him in person, I thought..."Nice, but nothing special..." Then I introduced myself, told him I was a steelplayer, and asked him to play an instrumental for me. His version of Emmon's "Almost To Tulsa" 'bout knocked my hat in the creek!

Curry Coster, another great local player and FORUM member, has Lynn's guitar (an old Emmon's P/P), and it still sounds great. I know he wouldn't part with it, either!
Curry Coster
Posts: 126
Joined: 10 Apr 2000 12:01 am
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
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Post by Curry Coster »

Hi Geff and Donny-
Lyn and his wife and their two sons moved to
upstate New York somewhere about a year and a half ago. I've got his phone number some-
where but (shamefully) haven't called him.

When I was playing in a band with Lynn's son
Chris (great drummer)Lyn decided to sell his
'67 Emmons. Chris mentioned it at rehearsal
one night and I said "SOLD!". When I got it,
the guitar had 8 pedals and 2 levers. I took
it completely apart, re-drilled for 9 pedals
(different spacing)and added 3 more levers. Best sounding and best playing guitar I've ever had.
Hope I run into you sometime Geff.