Hank Ray's "B" Bender Strat

HOWARD YEARWOOD WITH HIS TELECASTER WITH PARSONS WHITE STRING BENDER AT TROUTS IN BAKERSFIELD. (ABOVE)





Howard Yearwood with his string bender at world famous Trouts. Theresa Spanke looks on, getting ready to sing. (Above)




HOWARD YEARWOOD B bending my Strat.From what I read there are several benders : "One is the routed B Bender like the Nashville Tele has. Its mechanism is linked to the strap button near the neck. Pull down on the neck while wearing a strap and it stretches the string. Then you can also have the hipshot that is activated by the hip pushing a lever by the tail of the guitar. It mostly is a B string thing too. The third version is the palm bender that attaches to the bridge tailpeice and you use your palm to push it down thus stretching the string."





ROCKWELL AT THE BLACKBOARD/ HANK RAY AT BAKERSFIELD SOUND STUDIOS FOR BLT RECORD


The Parsons/White B-Bender is still the world's best B-Bender. The first B-Bender, built by Gene Parsons for Clarence White, changed the history of country rock and the Telecaster guitar. I have a Hip Shot that mounts to the tail piece of my Mexican Fender Stratocaster. Howard Yearwood mounted mine on my Strat this winter. I had not seen Howard in 25 years or so and he was playing lead guitar for Homer Joy ( Homer Joy is no relation to Homer Simpson, but did write "Streets of Bakersfield for Buck Owens).
It was at a show set up by Rockwell at the WORLD FAMOUS "BLACK BOARD STAGE" at Trouts
in Oildale, just North of the Bridge from Bakersfield, California. It was a great show
and Howard lit up the stage with his maple Tele with bending that would have made even Clarence smile (he didn't smile much). Homer sang and played rhythm (Theresa Spanke- sang back up and lead on a couple outstanding tunes) Howard did the B bendin'. After the show howard and I talked for dozens of minutes about his life and mine and the love we both had for the music of Clarence White. He invited me over to his home in the San Fernando Valley and he hooked me up with his old "Hip Shot" B bender. I have not seen one on a Strat before, but he adapted it and it works great------BOOYYYING...TWANGGGG! The first I used it was on the recording sessions at Bakersfield Sound Studio on BLT's next record. I can't wait to hear it. I will be recording a demo with it soon with the "Fried Burritos" (that do songs about the
original band).
About Howard Yearwood
SESSION GUITARIST AND RECORD PRODUCER * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **** Instruments played: GUITAR (acoustic, electric, high strung, Gretsch, various Telecasters w/B benders, baritone, 12 stg. acoustic and electric, Coral electric sitar)***** BASS (electric and upright)***** DOBRO***** WEISSENBORN***** LAP STEEL***** MANDOLIN***** BANJO***** UKE***** KEYS***** ********************************************************************** People with whom I've performed and recorded: DIANE MARIE AULT, JEFFREY MICHAELS, HOMER JOY, ALBERT LEE, ROBERT HEFT, JOHN FOGERTY, FREDDY FENDER JR., VINCE GILL, BYRON BERLINE, MICKEY JONES(Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers), ROSE MADDOX,THERESA SPANKE, CHARLIE RICH, KEVIN McKENDREE, LEROY MACK, LEE SKLAAR, JAYDEE MANESS, Al PERKINS, ED PONDER, GREG LEISZ, THE GOSHORN BROS., CANDY GIRARD, FRED NEWELL, TOMMY SPURLOCK, GARY MORSE, ERIC NILSEN, DOUG ALTMAN, RYS CLARK, BUDDY & JULIE MILLER, JIM LAUDERDALE, THE LOST CANYON RANGERS, MAYF NUTTER, JAMES INTVELD, SHARON CORT, MICHAEL CHAIN, TERRY HANSON, BILLY BLOCK, RONNIE COX, EDDIE DEAN, JOHN JORGENSEN, GEORGE HIGHFILL, GARY HILL, DAVE RAVEN, JEFF CONNORS, CHRISTINE CLARK, JACK DANIELS, PAUL MARSHALL, JIM CHRISTIE, JONATHAN YUDKIN, SPADY BRANNEN, BILLY PANDA, SAMANTHA ELIN, JO ANNE KURMAN, TRACY BARNES, LANIE MITCHELL, ERIC WHITE, JOHN AND NANCY STEVENSON, DEAN DOBBINS, JAN MICHAEL VINCENT, DAVID CARRIDINE, ERIN O'BRYAN, & (oh yeah) FRANK SINATRA ...................... opened for WILLIE NELSON, RICK NELSON, MEL TILLIS, BILL MONROE, LESTER FLATT, MARTY STUART, JIM AND JESSE, RALPH STANLEY, DEL McCOURY, DOC WATSON, THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN ........and too many So. Cal and Nashville artists to mention ****************************************************************** HOLLYWOOD STUFF ************************************************************************** FILM: "Letters from a Killer) (Patrick Swayze), Man on the Moon (Jim Carrey), The Theory of Everything (haven't been paid yet), Revamped (vampires, bikers, bar fight, I wrote the song)* TELEVISION: Beauty and the Geek (banjo @ hodown), The Home Show, Days of Our Lives, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (recurring role), FamilyMatters, Beverly Hillbillies video (promo for the film with Jim Varney and Jerry Scoggins)**************************************************************** COMMERCIALS: Dr. Pepper w/Charlie Rich and David Naughton, Continental Airlines, VanDeCamps ******************************************************************** VIDEO GAMES: Redneck Rampage (soundtrack)

Howard and I have been Clarence White fans since the late 1960s. We spend hours in the late 1970s talking about Clarence and his music and trading rare tapes. Howard used to teach me Clarence style bluegrass flat picking but I am fairly inept and was only able to pick up a little here and there. My brother Ted and I were giant fans of all thing Clarence and we still collect his stuff today. I used to live in Palmdale not far away from where the accident was, it still makes me sad. I did get tojam with Eric White fairly often when I lived in the Lancaster/ Palmdale area, usually at "Del Sur Gardens" and "The Buffalo Club".

Clarence White (FROM THE FENDER PLAYERS' CLUB)

"An extraordinary country flatpicker, Clarence White inspired the emerging country-rock scene in the late 1960s. Influenced by Bill Monroe and Doc Watson, White began his career playing bluegrass and country with his brother Roland in their bands the Country Boys and the Kentucky Colonels, before moving into session work in the mid ‘60s.







In 1966 he signed with Bakersfield International Records, where he and friend Gene Parsons formed Nashville West, and along the way, invented the Parsons/White String Bender, an amazing device attached to a guitar strap that allows guitarists to get a pedal-steel string bend from a Fender Telecaster.
Also influenced by British rock bands of that time, White found his talents in demand with the hitmaking folk-rock band the Byrds at the same time their personnel lineup was falling apart. He participated in the Byrds’ direction change into country music during Gram Parsons’ brief tenure with the band, and played on the groundbreaking album Sweetheart of the Rodeo in 1968 before joining the band full-time along with Gene Parsons (no relation).





White made five albums with the Byrds, all heavily country-influenced, until the band broke up in 1973. Following the breakup, he hooked up with his brother again along with other country-rock artists of the time for touring and recording. Tragically, at the very peak of the country-rock scene he had helped create, Clarence White was killed by a drunk driver while loading his car after a gig in California in July, 1973. "

HANK RAY AT THE FRESNO, FINEGOLD FESTIVAL

ORBS DANCING ON THE NIGHT AS HANK RAY AND THE FINEGOLD JUG BAND PLAYED ALL NIGHT AT THE FESTIVAL. THE NEXT FINEGOLD FESTIVAL IS IN NOVEMBER 2008 AND WE WILL PLAY UNTIL THE COWS COME HOME! COUNTRY BLUES. FOR FESTIVAL INFO CONTACT GARY PICKET.

BLT AND HANK RAY PLAY AT STARBUCKS MANY MORNINGS

The Star Bucks coffee shop, BLT and I have played their many morning before work for the "cup-a-Joe- before on the way to work crowd" we've got some interesting looks and comments over the last few weeks. Good musical experience.

THIS IS A BLOG FROM BLT'S SITE: (actually, the clock just struck twelve, and so now it's officially yesterday's) underground recording session at Bakersfield School of Music and Recording. The session featured me, Dr. BLT, and the Starbuckaroos. They joined me in the recording of several original new songs from my forthcoming CD, From Buck Owens Boulevard to Merle Haggard Drive.

Walter Stormont played tambourine on the song you're hearing here, Average White Guy. The newest member of the band, Hank Ray played some killer lead guitar and Jerry Rothberg played drums and sax. Reggie Langendorfer, seated in this photo, is the studio engineer. He also fills in on various instruments as needed.

We recorded 6 songs in a period of 3 hours, and that's with lots of wasted time that I subjected my band mates too with myriad diversions. They are all nearly complete, but need to be mixed down. In addition to Average White Guy, the songs include Kick-Ass Country; If You Wanna be the Next Buck Owens, From Buck Owens Boulevard to Merle Haggard Drive, Country Punk, and Singin' is a Man's way of Cryin'.

We turn now to the Starbuckaroos, formerly known as Dr. BLT and the Rolling Scones and before that, Dr. BLT and the Yellow Submarine Sandwiches. Boys, how would you describe your experience in the studio?"

I met BLT at the Green room. Next we played together at this benefit. "Dr. B.L.T. (Bruce L. Thiessen, Ph.D.), but you can call me Bruce or Dr. BLT. I'm a singer/songwriter who writes, records, and produces his own music in his own storytelling style, but he also brings in other artists as performers, vocalists, and co-writers who offer their own creative interpretation of his unique style. My music credentials include: recently placing a song on the top 30 at #21 at mp3000.net with a song that has become known as The Black Santa Song; getting national airplay; and having a cameo on an MTV-award-nominated music video by Cake for a song called Short Skirt/Long Jacket. In addition to being a singer/songwriter, I have a day job. I am a clinical/forensic psychologist, a university instructor. I was born and raised in Canada, but I am a dual citizen, a long-time resident of California, and a current resident of Bakersfield. For ten years, I've been write articles that integrate psychological principles and spiritual insights for Vocations and Prayer magazine. For nearly as long, I've been writing an advice column, writing interview/profile pieces, and doing CD reviews for the e-zine, Phantom Tollbooth: http://www.tollbooth.org I am the "Fan in Black," who wrote and released an entire CD featuring original songs about the life and music of Johnny Cash. If you've visited Russo's at the Marketplace recently, you'll also notice that I've released several other CDs, including Confessions of a Buckaholic, a Buck Owens tribute CD featuring original songs about the life and music of Buck Owens. I listen to, write, and record modern rock, alt rock, retro rock, classic rock, country, alt country and many more styles of music. I write and record a new song almost every day. What can I say? Music rocks! PS: "I am always looking for vocalist and other musician to perform, and record my many many songs. So if you live in the Bakersfield area and would like a chance to record one of my songs please contact me" THIS IS FROM BAKOTOPIA.COM

HANK RAY PLAYS GUITAR FOR BLT'S NEW RECORD

THIS IS A BLOG FROM BLT'S SITE: (actually, the clock just struck twelve, and so now it's officially yesterday's) underground recording session at Bakersfield School of Music and Recording. The session featured me, Dr. BLT, and the Starbuckaroos. They joined me in the recording of several original new songs from my forthcoming CD, From Buck Owens Boulevard to Merle Haggard Drive.

Walter Stormont played tambourine on the song you're hearing here, Average White Guy. The newest member of the band, Hank Ray played some killer lead guitar and Jerry Rothberg played drums and sax. Reggie Langendorfer, seated in this photo, is the studio engineer. He also fills in on various instruments as needed.

We recorded 6 songs in a period of 3 hours, and that's with lots of wasted time that I subjected my band mates too with myriad diversions. They are all nearly complete, but need to be mixed down. In addition to Average White Guy, the songs include Kick-Ass Country; If You Wanna be the Next Buck Owens, From Buck Owens Boulevard to Merle Haggard Drive, Country Punk, and Singin' is a Man's way of Cryin'.

We turn now to the Starbuckaroos, formerly known as Dr. BLT and the Rolling Scones and before that, Dr. BLT and the Yellow Submarine Sandwiches. Boys, how would you describe your experience in the studio?"

I met BLT at the Green room. Next we played together at this benefit. "Dr. B.L.T. (Bruce L. Thiessen, Ph.D.), but you can call me Bruce or Dr. BLT. I'm a singer/songwriter who writes, records, and produces his own music in his own storytelling style, but he also brings in other artists as performers, vocalists, and co-writers who offer their own creative interpretation of his unique style. My music credentials include: recently placing a song on the top 30 at #21 at mp3000.net with a song that has become known as The Black Santa Song; getting national airplay; and having a cameo on an MTV-award-nominated music video by Cake for a song called Short Skirt/Long Jacket. In addition to being a singer/songwiter, I have a day job. I am a clinical/forensic psychologist, a university instructor. I was born and raised in Canada, but I am a dual citizen, a long-time resident of California, and a current resident of Bakersfield. For ten years, I've been write articles that integrate psychological principles and spiritual insights for Vocations and Prayer magazine. For nearly as long, I've been writing an advice column, writing interview/profile pieces, and doing CD reviews for the e-zine, Phantom Tollbooth: http://www.tollbooth.org I am the "Fan in Black," who wrote and released an entire CD featuring original songs about the life and music of Johnny Cash. If you've visited Russo's at the Marketplace recently, you'll also notice that I've released several other CDs, including Confessions of a Buckaholic, a Buck Owens tribute CD featuring original songs about the life and music of Buck Owens. I listen to, write, and record modern rock, alt rock, retro rock, classic rock, country, alt country and many more styles of music. I write and record a new song almost every day. What can I say? Music rocks! PS: "I am always looking for vocaiist and other musician to perform, and record my many many songs. So if you live in the Bakersfield area and would like a chance to record one of my songs please contact me" THIS IS FROM BAKOTOPIA.COM

BLT AND HANK RAY PLAY BENEFIT CONCERT AT STARBUCKS

BLT'S BENEFIT AT STAR BUCKS with HANK RAY

I met BLT at the Green room. Next we played together at this benefit. "Dr. B.L.T. (Bruce L. Thiessen, Ph.D.), but you can call me Bruce or Dr. BLT. I'm a singer/songwriter who writes, records, and produces his own music in his own storytelling style, but he also brings in other artists as performers, vocalists, and co-writers who offer their own creative interpretation of his unique style. My music credentials include: recently placing a song on the top 30 at #21 at mp3000.net with a song that has become known as The Black Santa Song; getting national airplay; and having a cameo on an MTV-award-nominated music video by Cake for a song called Short Skirt/Long Jacket. In addition to being a singer/songwiter, I have a day job. I am a clinical/forensic psychologist, a university instructor. I was born and raised in Canada, but I am a dual citizen, a long-time resident of California, and a current resident of Bakersfield. For ten years, I've been write articles that integrate psychological principles and spiritual insights for Vocations and Prayer magazine. For nearly as long, I've been writing an advice column, writing interview/profile pieces, and doing CD reviews for the e-zine, Phantom Tollbooth: http://www.tollbooth.org I am the "Fan in Black," who wrote and released an entire CD featuring original songs about the life and music of Johnny Cash. If you've visited Russo's at the Marketplace recently, you'll also notice that I've released several other CDs, including Confessions of a Buckaholic, a Buck Owens tribute CD featuring original songs about the life and music of Buck Owens. I listen to, write, and record modern rock, alt rock, retro rock, classic rock, country, alt country and many more styles of music. I write and record a new song almost every day. What can I say? Music rocks! PS: "I am always looking for vocaiist and other musician to perform, and record my many many songs. So if you live in the Bakersfield area and would like a chance to record one of my songs please contact me"

SONG WRITERS' WORKSHOP

REVIEW OF SONG WRITING WORKSHOP
Category: Music

REVIEW OF SONG WRITING WORKSHOP

I went out to the Black Board tonight, and all this week for a free songwriting workshop.
SONG WRITERS' WORKSHOP
The workshop was put on by Tom Rockwell, business manager at Trout's Nightclub, and the proprietor of the Blackboard stage and basement where the workshop was held. Rockwell (as he is known by all) is always on the move making sure everything is going right, to him everybody is important and everything that is going on in the place is meaningful. I am but a rank amateur at music but I love writing songs as a hobby, for fun and I tell you my skills were modified 10 fold by this exiting 3 day workshop. Some of the finest country music song writers in the world came in and helped out, including Red Simpson.



Rockwell did an outstanding job and was there filming and or recording the class the whole time. We each took turns in the "hot seat" where we got real world stage experience in front of the class and interested on-lookers. I admit I had some bad stage freight, but everybody made me feel right at home and by the end of the third night I was fairly confident, lots of encouragement… unfortunately I was just too tired to perform my tunes. I did get some good performance early in the week though, so I came out of it feeling pretty good about my stage experience. I learned that song writing is a lot about writing and rewriting lyrics over and over until you get the product you desire and then working out the music with other musicians. Some of the Blackboard Playboys were there with high degree of musical expertise and were very helpful in this process.. This was like an inspirational work shop for song writing! A fun, and highly recommended, experience. That's-a-foe-show---


Watch the Trout's' Blackboard calendar for future free workshops

ySpace URL:

http://www.myspace.com/hankraycountryblues

HANK RAY'S Musical Journey In Bakersfield

Bakersfield guitar and vocal. Country Blues. Hank Ray only started this playing guitar again about a year ago to kill time at lunch break, hadn’t played for 20 years . He felt compelled to record a song for his younger brother’s funeral in July and did the other songs for fun. It was a last minute thing, the only recording facility willing to squeeze him in was “Electric Cowboy Records” of Bakersfield. Kelly White Vice President of Electric Cowboy Records was intrigued by Ray’s raw (sometimes down right crude) style and shinny chrome resonator guitar . Since it was for bereavement, and Kelly was generally curious, he made a slot for Ray and gave him the “bereavement fare”. Hank Ray was on A.M. 1560 on the 20th, 4 days after the recording session ,The Jaz Mckay show did a blues program at 2PM and they got down with some Hank! Jaz said "I love that Blues shit, it's friggin' great! This after playing "Bakersfield Blues" on Hanks demo record "Streets Of Heaven" on the Bakersfield Kookoonauts own Indy label "Rodent Sandwich Records" this is like home spun but gives it the underground country flavor. Recorded at: Electric Cowboy Studios in Bakersfield, Ca. (www.electriccowboystudios.com) The recording had only been made on July 16th (radio on the 20th) and was done as a live recording and took about 2 hours for all 5 songs (including set up, a quick mix of the tunes and 2 beers), I guess it shows in some of Ray’s fumbles and stuff, but Hank is coming to town dudes, traditional country blues is not dead here in Bakersfield!