The Chetboard

I haven't posted on here for a few years, so tonight just seemed like a good night to. I was just thinking about my buddy Paul. I miss him very much, it's like I'm just realizing it. I know he was special to every one who knew him and all of his friends miss him, but it's really being tough on me the last week or two. Sure wish I could talk to him again.

I know how you feel Robbie. I wasn't as close to Paul as you and Gayle and some others were but he and I were good friends and I sure miss him too. Take care buddy and I'll see you on down the road.

Robbie,
I remember meeting you at the first CAAS that I attended, and I remember you showing me the Gibson "Paul Yandell" CG with the thicker body. I think you had just purchased it. It was obvious that you were like a part of the Yandell family. I knew Paul like a lot of the guys do, through the Chetboard, emails, visits at CAAS, phone calls, etc. But he treated me like I was a longtime friend. He was looking at my Nashville Classic one year at CAAS and said, "I'll adjust that neck for you after lunch." And he did. That's just how Paul was. I keep thinking of things I wished I would have had time to ask him about. I miss him as well, but I know his family and those who were really close miss him even more. It sure won't be the same this year at CAAS without "Pickin' Paul" Yandell.

Bill B.

Hi Robbie, you know I feel the same way. Paul was the best friend I ever had, and that lasted for 34 years. As I walk around inside my home, I can picture him sitting in his usual places saying, "hey Gayle, did you ever play this?" - - showing me some lick of Chet's or Jerry's. And all the confidential "inside things" he told me, not to be repeated, and I never betrayed his trust. Even though we were so close, I still maintained a deep respect for him, and I'm sure he knew that. I get out his Gibson Country Gentleman from time to time and still play some on it, I think about all the places that guitar has been, all the T.V. shows, and the world-wide jobs with Chet, all the great nusic Paul played and recorded with that guitar. I get teary-eyed sometimes but I try to push on and think of all the wonderful memories I have of being best friends with Paul over those many years. You know Robbie, hardly anyone outside of Paul's immediate family was any closer to him than you and I were. As "hobby guitar players" we were about as close as one comes to being associated with true musical genius. Like you, I miss not being able to talk to Paul, but I feel he is still with us in spirit, and I can feel his presence in my life. I firmly believe we will speak with him again one day. We have a lot to be thankful for my friend! Take care of yourself and come to see me sometime! I'm having a Fender Super Champ XD customized with that Jensen 15" Special Design speaker - - we'll "drive it around the block" and see how we like it . . . .

Gayle Moseley

Gayle, I know you and Paul were very close; and Robbie also. I thought the world of Paul and I would have done anything in the world for him. When he got so bad, I felt helpless because there was nothing anyone could do to make him better. Paul had so many more things he wanted to do. He was a gold mine of ideas. They say that God only takes the best, but I know for sure he took the best when he took Paul. I am a far better guitar player than I would have been otherwise, because of Paul. Anything I wanted to do on guitar, he knew how to do it and could tell me in just a couple of words or a quick demo and it always stuck. He just had that way about him. He was just like a big brother to me and I miss him terribly, but I know he couldn't go on the way he was. I will never forget him and I am thankful for all of those good memories. Norm said something to me that made a lot of sense. I don't remember the exact wording but something to the effect that Paul seconded for the best, but he was second to none. God bless him.

I keep thinking over and over, I wish I could have met Paul in person. He was so "down home", so nice of him to autograph all the cd's and DVD I bought from him, and answered all my silly questions on the Chetboard or through email. Paul should have had an honorable mention at the Grammys during the In Memorium part of the show. The Chetboard doesn't quite seem the same without him, but I think his spirit is here amongst his friends and fans.

I know what you mean, I feel that too, Al

I generally avoid "me too" posts...

Richard knows how I felt about Paul and Paul and I often talked about meeting having breakfast with Gayle someday.

Sadly, that never came about...

Well fellows, Paul was always doing something for me. Whether it was him trying to teach me a new lick:I'm a slow learner: or telling me to try something , or just hanging out and telling stories, it was the time of my life. But probably the best thing he did was giving me the chance to meet a lot of different people. From members of Paul's family to the friends of his that have become very dear friends of mine, every single one is first class, and I'll always be thankful. I've come to find out that friends are one of the best things that come along in life. Y'all keep pickin and when you get a chance, throw a mean lick in there for Pickin Paul.

I was at a Books-A-Milion storetoday reading their guitar magazines while my wife was shopping elsewhere. They had an "In Memoriam" section for Paul in Vintage Guitar Magazine and it started out "Paul Yandell, fingerstyle guitar viruoso, session player, and side man to the Louvin Brothers, Kitty Wells, Jerry Reed, and Chet Atkins..." and continued on from there. It was a nice rembrance of Paul and was very well done. I spoke to Paul at a couple of C.A.A.S conventions, passed a couple of moments with him, and he was very nice to me.
Ray