Joe Maphis and Merle Travis play Main Street Breakdown

[Ray Bohlken]

The discussion in another post about who played on the Bonanza TV theme and Joe Maphis got me to looking around Youtube for some of his songs. I found this video of he and Merle Travis playing Main Street Breakdown which I hadn't seen before. I enjoyed it and I hope y'all do too.
Ray

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je-TjSBFriA

[RandeDager]

Ray, they both seem to be able to smile and look relaxed during the whole thing. It blows my mind that Merle would choose not to use more than just his index finger and his thumb. For what he did, I guess that was enough but can you imagine trying to play "Cascade", "Requerdos...", etc., without using the others?

[Bob key]

That was great Ray,thanks for posting it,Back in the 6o's I was lucky enough to play guitar several times with Joe, we were the house band and he and rosie would be the guest stars for that night, as I was the closest thing to a lead guitar player in our band at that time,part of Joe;s act and Im sure he did this with many other guitar players,well he would let me stap the double neck on as he was a big man he would stand behind me reach around and play mosltly harmony to what I played. Ill never forget we did the cannonball rag as I was and still am a great Merle Travis Fan.I remember him telling me theyll never be another Merle Travis,I just thought what a great guy Joe was and I dont have to tell you what a great instrumentalist he was,could play anything with strings.I didnt mean to be long winded but I love those memories.

Thanks Bob

[Ray Bohlken]

Rande, I've tried to play songs like Merle did with one finger and his thumbpick to see if I could get that sound and I can never get it. I have to use two or three fingers or it feels very awkward. Even when I was learning, I used two fingers and gradually worked in the third on songs. I'm not sure I could ever play Cascade or Requerdos at all, but I absolutely couldn't do it with one finger.

Bob,it's so great that you got to play with Joe Maphis. I've always admired his style and I gather he was a great guy to be around. I like hearing stories from people who were there when these folks were playing and I hope you can share some more good times like that one.

Take care,
Ray

[rhirvine]

Thanks a million! I really really enjoyed that clip. I loved both Merle Travis and Joe Maphis back in the old days when my father would call me in from whatever to watch them play.

Rich Irvine

[RandeDager]

My folks really weren't in favor of me putting in so much time practicing and they sure weren't going to call me in
to watch anyone performing and get me even more excited! I had to catch whatever I could on my own and then
sneak around to practice in order to improve. Some of you don't know how good you had it. I've even seen posts
here where guys weren't even interested and had to be coaxed by their father or an uncle. I was passionate about it
and had to fight resistance all the way.

[Mike Nye]

Those guys were REAL SHOWMEN ! ! !

I wonder if we'll see that level of showmenship & musicianship ever again ? ? ?

[Bob key]

well I was just thinking about the good old days of country music and some of the people I was fortunate to be on stage with,as Im sure many of the old timers like myself did,because they didnt carry a band with them they oftin used the house band ,I remember how excited I be when I herd who was coming that week,I remember reading that Chet in his early years played on Elton Britt and rosale Allen records so when they came to town I was glad to see them and play with them.Its realy something how people forget these people,Ill ask people that I think would remember Elton and his great hit Star spangled banner waving somewhere,but thyll just say who,or Merle Travis nine out of ten will say you mean Randy Travis I find that kinda sad,Well I think I was born in the best years and lucky to have these memories.as Im sure others have maybe this will get some of you old guys to tell us your stories.



hope I didnt bore youall Bob picture is a young Bob Key playing behind Elton Britt