The World's Most Popular Instrument

Billboard magazine ad, 10/14/1966.

The Guitar Sheik

Get a load of this fantastic 1955 photo borrowed from the pages of Jet magazine.  Bobby Walker, in full sheik regalia, strolls the streets of Philadelphia serenading the lucky citizens with his guitar.  Photo by Gaston DeVigne.

Mad Dog Coll

Slim Gaillard, 1954

From the Jet archives.

Limehouse Blues

I never get tired of guitarist Billy Mure's spectacular version of this old jazz standard.

It's Joe Maphis Time!

Joe Maphis - Under The Double Eagle (2:39)

Caravan With Thumbs

Thumbs Carllile - Caravan (2:03)

If you're going to listen to only one country jazz version of Caravan today, I nominate the Thumbs Carllile version, recorded for the LP Roger Miller Presents Thumbs Carlille. Yes, his name was misspelled on the LP, as it often was throughout his life. At the time of the album's release, he was playing guitar in Miller's band.

And I hope you didn't miss the Thumbs video clip posted here the other day.

Kayton Roberts & The Rock Island Line

This makes me happy. Check out talented steel guitarist Kayton Roberts (along with Rob McNurlin on guitar and Jeff Ware on bass) as he entertains the kids at a Kentucky elementary school with Rock Island Line. Roberts played (non-pedal) steel guitar for Hank Snow for about thirty years, starting in the mid 1960s.

Watch as he expertly mimics the sounds of cows, pigs, dogs, mosquitoes, crying babies and laughing ladies with his steel guitar. I don't know who's having more fun, Kayton or the kids.

Jed Clampett On The Doubleneck Guitar

Speaking of CBS (Country Broadcasting System) here's an insane clip I've been meaning to put up ever since my pal Jerry hipped me to it a day or so ago. That's some kind of stringbending style Jed's got on that doubleneck Danelectro! Someone sign him up for Deke Dickerson's Guitar Geek Festival!

Turn My Picture Upside Down (MP3)

Merle Travis - Turn My Picture Upside Down (2:28)

Here's one from the multi-talented Merle Travis, the pride of Rosewood, Kentucky, located in Muhlenberg County. Warren Oates grew up just about 15 miles down the road in Depoy.

Buddy Merrill and Neil Levang

Buddy Merrill and Neil Levang are the guys who brought the super-charged Fender guitar sound to the Lawrence Welk show. Among his many other accomplishments, Levang played guitar on Neal Hefti's "Batman Theme."

Ghost Riders In The Sky, Lawrence Welk Style

This 1961 Lawrence Welk Show clip might just comprise the coolest two minutes in the show's history. Guitarist Neil LeVang completely nails Ghost Riders In The Sky, along with considerable help and atmospherics from the entire LW Orchestra.

Munsters

Above: Slim Gaillard on guitar and a drummer I cannot identify, 1946. From the LIFE archives.

Learn To Play The Guitar The Chet Atkins Way!