The great Merle Travis performs "Cannonball Rag" and "Who's Sorry Now" on 70s TV. From the DVD "Sixteen Tons." More info at stefan-grossma...
Пікірлер: 566
@karenredner97566 жыл бұрын
Merle Travis is my uncle. He was married to my Aunt Mary, my father's sister. Merle's oldest daughter Patty is my cousin and was a Queen in the Kentucky Derby parade in the late 1950. Sadly they have both passed. Cannonball Rag was played in our home many times by my brother Wayne. When I was very young we all lived in Cincinnati and my parents did a radio show with Merle.
@rajahie5 жыл бұрын
thanks for your comments Karen. I didn"t know Merle had a daughter. Patty must have been very special. I only knew of Thom and not all the details / I met Thom several times when he lived in Phoenix a few years back. I am working on Cannonball Rag but it is not as easy and Merle said it was.. Would appreciate any other comments on Merle and your family. Thanks again.
@clintwhatley79815 жыл бұрын
Merle. A Legend.
@interstategar4 жыл бұрын
Can you share some pics of what you just mentioned? Do you an Instagram account?
@clawawhile14 жыл бұрын
wow! Im a guitarist in the UK and Merle,Chet and Jerry are my heroes, and Im messaging Merles niece. I am honoured, bless you for posting and God bless youre amazing uncle xxx
@bertpar684 жыл бұрын
Karen, Cannonball Rag will forever be my song. My parents took me to see Merle at Bean Blossom Indiana, either 1980 or 81, he did 2 shows, and took audience requests, during the 1st show, I requested Cannonball Rag, during the 2nd show, he saw me in the audience, and said "I'm going to play Cannonball Rag for my little buddy Bobby". I will never forget that. He made my day. He was the best!
@davidsprague7747 Жыл бұрын
I've been listening to Merle Travis my whole life and I'm 71 years old now
@Brian-zp1df5 ай бұрын
66 new to him though
@ChingoMandinguez8 ай бұрын
I can't listen to Merle without a tear coming to my eye. What a genuine human being.
@AndreS-of4gp7 ай бұрын
Can only agree
@tarrahhern997510 ай бұрын
He was a great guy and a good friend of my Dad, they played way back when together thank you
@jacktoddy97832 жыл бұрын
Merle Travis - how you changed music for the better - thank you.
@Ken7711410 жыл бұрын
At my age (73+)I have heard and seen some of the finest singers, bands, writers, and all around masters of the guitar. Have owned about 4 or 5 Martins going back to a '67 D-28 all Rosewood, and the last a '73 or so D-45 that was a dream! BUT....when I hear people like Merle Travis and that genre pick and play, my old heart just crys and calls out in total honor and love! Thank you ALL for being there, still, on tape, for us who cries every time we hear perfection played from the heart. Ken Skeen
@Ken771149 жыл бұрын
I bet Heaven sounds much more beautiful now! Ken Skeen
@ThePduncan7426 жыл бұрын
Touch'e
@ThePduncan7426 жыл бұрын
Good for you Fuzzy. I've been playing nearly 50 years and at 58 will never forget teaching my buddy at 35 his 1st chord. Before he died 8 yrs back he'd gotten much better than I'll ever be and did so in half the time as I.. Never to old to learn guitar if you "most importantly" love the shit out of good music!!
@OSN-News6 жыл бұрын
I am 28 and have the exact feeling. Just learned to thumbpick!
@tomslaughter95445 жыл бұрын
hey, old top. Tom here, 40, guitar picker for 30 years. Nice comment. Made the video even better. Good on ya'.
@larryhuff28113 жыл бұрын
Until reading these comments I had no idea that this guy is Merle Travis's son! Legendary! Love, love, love this!
@harrisdupree33235 жыл бұрын
How friggin cool to have Merle Travis as your old man.
@christophermay49986 жыл бұрын
This video is timeless......don't see this kind of stuff anymore.....I could watch this all day......👍👍
@berryj.greene70903 ай бұрын
Yessir!
@hang-sangitch11 ай бұрын
Paul Rudd's talents never cease to amaze. Time traveller, mimic and ace guitarist 🎉
@allan20983 жыл бұрын
This guy inspired Chet Atkins. A greater accolade I cannot imagine,
@mattsmusicacademy51892 жыл бұрын
For sure…however he was no Chet.
@Arycke2 жыл бұрын
That's a good thing. They're distinctly different.
@Arycke2 жыл бұрын
Both great, just different.
@tomproctor.archive Жыл бұрын
...and Doc Watson said he tried for 10 years to figure out how to play Deep River Blues and never did get the sound right: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r9GCit2QuLS-ZH0.html
@michaelhogan6770 Жыл бұрын
And Steve Howe from Yes
@geojaco98753 жыл бұрын
I've been playing guitar for 45+ years. My two biggest regrets are: 1) Not taking personal lessons from the great Pat Martino when I had the chance, and 2) Not learning how to play like this when I first started. This just warms my guitar-pickin' heart so much ... Love it.
@j.p.77082 жыл бұрын
I remember seeing an ad in Toronto for lessons with Ed Bickert ….. I’m still crying over missing that opportunity🤦♂️🇨🇦🎸
@42lookc4 ай бұрын
This has got to the the epitome of total musicianship! What effortless playing! My goodness...
@harlanclayton1761 Жыл бұрын
I just finished the book "SIXTEEN TONS...THE MERLE TRAVIS STORY" and hands down the best book I've ever read ... and enjoyed ... about how "IT" all began. Wow...is all I got left partner .... Amazing story about an amazing individual... Hats off to you Thom...God Bless..👊♥️💪
@aljustal655411 ай бұрын
The author of that book, Deke Dickerson, is an awesome guitarist with a wide-ranging musical career and back catalog of his own, as well.
@HowardFoster-ih5rw6 ай бұрын
The man ! Never got the recognition he deserved. But old Tennessee Ernie Ford was sure proud to have known him. I love his style of picking. ,And he was a GREAT song writer.
@tomproctor.archive Жыл бұрын
This is just great on so many levels. Merle Travis was such a charming soul.
@BBQFanNo13 жыл бұрын
Another gem in country music we lost too young like many others before 70 years old. It doesn't seem like Merve Travis, Stringbean, Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, Elvis Presley and Others have all been gone since before 1984. It's like they have all been still alive living into the 1990's and Early 2000's.
@hendrix0is0lord14 жыл бұрын
im 15 and cant get enough of all this amazing guitar work i mean merle Travis and chet are the greatest and then tommy Emmanuel took it to a whole new level its just awesome
@ryansanders92733 жыл бұрын
Hope u made some beautiful music friend
@michaelhogan67703 жыл бұрын
Google Steve Howe and see where S took MT's picking style
@aldenunion3 жыл бұрын
@@ryansanders9273 I been trying to heighten my thumb method via Tommy E tutorials...He sure is great as well..
@ryansanders92733 жыл бұрын
@@aldenunion if ur 15 and this the tradition of guitar playing you’re getting into, I’m sure you’ll be a monster player lolol. Just keep practicing n life will go good :)
@aldenunion3 жыл бұрын
@@ryansanders9273 I can add 35 to that and I've been playing with my thumbs my whole life,just not by the patterns.
@OptimisticMansion-yl1wq2 ай бұрын
To this day there has not been a better guitar player than Merle Travis. I have no idea how he could play like that even when he was a kid. His style is so advanced and sophisticated. Nobody could have taught him to play the way he did because he was the first to do it. He must have been some sort of a genius.
@glovesoffofficial13822 ай бұрын
Do you also play Guitar? What amazing family history !! Loved this
@OptimisticMansion-yl1wq2 ай бұрын
@@glovesoffofficial1382 Yes I’m a guitar player. I’ve seen pretty much every guitarist you can imagine. Merle Travis was in a different league than everyone else. I never saw him make a mistake.
@vellak63505 жыл бұрын
How can anyone give this a thumbs down? This guy is amazing!
@abnerstowe14 жыл бұрын
Tom and Merle sound great together. True showmanship too...what an act!
@michael-dy8tz7 ай бұрын
Do you know the name of the girl here in video?
@Tboyhoot7778 ай бұрын
I lived across the street from merle in the 60s on hinderson lake in Nashville ... Used to run with mike, his stepson. Really miss those days!! I moved then he moved from Nashville. He wasn't playing any that I know of. Really nice man, with so much more to be told!
@GaryMay-xm6vd2 ай бұрын
Johnny Cash lived on Caudel Lane, lake front on Henderson Lake, Henderson Tennessee ........
@BAND-MAID-USA2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely insane how they did 1st song.... The talent is unreal
@johnr8820 Жыл бұрын
This is an incredible display of artistry and entertainment…the best part is they are just having fun but they are also inspiring many guitar players and maybe even some to pick one up….pure class.
@berryj.greene70903 ай бұрын
Correct sir! On every level. Put in some effort (sew) and see what you can get back. (Reap)
@jayheinz46243 жыл бұрын
I met Thom about 20 years back and saw him in concert because I had got free tickets.. I had not heard of him or Merle at the time, but became huge fan of both afterwards and started learning style! Thank you Thom for sharing your dads ingenious wonderful guitar style!👍🤙👈🙏🐦
@pwea114 жыл бұрын
Thom Bresh and Merle Travis are so wonderful here .... I'm so glad that this can be shared with others so we can see a little piece of time of the best guitarist in the world ! The greatest, Merle Travis . ( well... , Thom can " thumb " it great too tho ) ... thanks for the posting .
@davidziegler902310 ай бұрын
No more words to say what I feel when I watch this performance ! 👍👏 GREAT !
@FrancescoAlcozer5 жыл бұрын
MERLE TRAVIS is a true phenomenon with his guitar. Congratulations and greetings from Italy. CANNONBALL (Duane Eddy)
@Luke-lv1zy2 жыл бұрын
Im Hooked on the old shows. What's viewed as entertainment sure has changed.
@UKGeezer6 жыл бұрын
Merle was my very first influence when I first picked up the guitar at the age of four, over forty years ago. I admired him so very much and still do. Had many fun (but frustrating) years trying to learn some of his licks and tunes I had to keep rewinding the tape deck back so many times, I wore the damn thing out.
@nicksonthevet8 жыл бұрын
One of the most beautiful piece, I have ever seen
@4sixLostSouls10 жыл бұрын
It is evident that Thom Bresh and his dad Merle have practiced together quite a good bit. Thom was a lot younger then but so was Merle Travis. It is Great to see them together.
@ericarmstrong19 жыл бұрын
I had no idea the younger guy was his son. Wow, you are so right, it's great to see a father and son share so much talent and love of music.
@0Imtheslime05 жыл бұрын
Merle never taught Thom anyting. They rarely practiced together and Merle would just watch Thom and say "aha, very good"
@tokziikk56105 жыл бұрын
0Imtheslime0 thom has been at my work the past few days. Never knew who he was until today. So decided to do some research.
@richwiz25 жыл бұрын
Who says Thom Bresh is Merle’s son, besides you? I think not.
@tokziikk56105 жыл бұрын
richwiz2 merle is thoms father
@chrisround9418 ай бұрын
Absolutely bloody fantastic.
@Brian-zp1df5 ай бұрын
Right right bloody well right
@berryj.greene70903 ай бұрын
Yup! You got it!
@kvylone19 жыл бұрын
But these people are great musicians See how carefully listen to me every tone comes out of the guitar This is amazing
@arniemax16 жыл бұрын
sometimes practice jus' ain't enough... gotta have somethin' innate...Beautiful!
@someoneonyoutube19934 жыл бұрын
Travis Picking aint a joke. This is awesome playing.
@Flipson4563 жыл бұрын
I play the guitar. I really do enjoy that style.
@GordiansKnotHere8 ай бұрын
That Gibson Super 400 is just gorgeous!
@djruden9 жыл бұрын
I knew I liked this Merle Travis guy but wow, the more I see the more he blows me away.
@itsallaroundyou70853 жыл бұрын
I'm more impressed with the other guy. They just spit roasted that box.
@leroycason11952 ай бұрын
My dad said he worked at the Crosley Company, in Cincinnati before the war, and Merle worked there, and would sometimes play guitar at lunchtime.
@MrGalagomusic11 күн бұрын
Fantastique !! 😃
@jazz1bro11 жыл бұрын
Excellent musicians!
@MRFUSON-uj9bs8 жыл бұрын
This brings back memories of my friend and I. I'd play the boogie woogie blues on the top 3 strings and he would reach over and under and play the lead on the bottom strings ! awesome time we had as teens.
@shhhsilentknight6 жыл бұрын
Similar memories for me also
@ThePduncan7426 жыл бұрын
Brother you talking my lingo now with the top string boogie beat..would love to hear some of your music if you do anything on youtube..
@carpediemus10 жыл бұрын
First video I have seen of Thom playing with his Dad. It is terrific.
@fleadoggreen90624 жыл бұрын
They are related?
@jamisf9143 жыл бұрын
Thom is his son
@carpediem48873 жыл бұрын
Cool username
@carpediemus3 жыл бұрын
@@carpediem4887 wtf
@xrigtrk20 сағат бұрын
That is some good stuff.
@pfwed3443 Жыл бұрын
The parents of the leader of a country-rock band I played in for awhile were from Morgantown Ky. Around '81 or so they had us go down there to play their 50th wedding anniversary and another gig at the high school while we were there. On break this old country looking guy with a gleam in his eye came up to Marty our guitar player and asked if he could play his Strat. Marty said sure and this guy proceeded to absolutely shred it in a Travis style. Turns out he lived down the street from Merle and grew up picking w/ him and others in the neighborhood every Sat night on one front porch or another. Just goes to show for every one that does what it takes to get to the limelight there's usually 3 or 4 more back home just as fine.
@goodtimefolkrock25 күн бұрын
He was a complete showman......I saw SRV and Jimmie do a similar trick on a double neck guitar once at a Thunderbirds SRV show....a trick learned from Merle no doubt
@erniegwright9 жыл бұрын
WOW.......Just Pure Talent........what a gift
@cahg38713 жыл бұрын
Merle Travis was a one man band.He and Chet Atkins were the go to finger pickers back in the day.That young man playing with Merle is his son Thom Bresh.He is still playing and telling stories about his remarkable life.
@jc65946 жыл бұрын
Today Commemorates Merle Travis' 100th Birthday
@randomtakesinlife88508 жыл бұрын
i didnt knew him but now i see why they call it travis picking ......lov him
@Guitarguy23410 жыл бұрын
This is FANTASTIC!!
@artheriford7 ай бұрын
Merle was one of a kind. That picking style is so well
@TTexas211 жыл бұрын
Really great video of one of my favorite musicians and Thom, his son is outstanding also. Thanks for posting
@kenhutley9714 жыл бұрын
Wow.... that was ridiculous.... and fabulous! Thank you so much! True genius!
@drsteviejasengnsangma87392 жыл бұрын
Finest combination of two Greatest guitarist.. original G2 Thanks for sharing..
@hazratalli35828 жыл бұрын
great father and son ,beautiful indeed,
@pietropacini10477 жыл бұрын
They aren't realted to each other, but astonishing performance anyway.
@carlroyer39957 жыл бұрын
Actually, Merle is Thom's biological father...
@pietropacini10477 жыл бұрын
Good to know! I haven't found anything so far.
@amazingme14086 жыл бұрын
thats not his dad
@desireelastname39036 жыл бұрын
Seems to me, the other guy is Barney Kessel.
@SeanHuddleston10 жыл бұрын
They make playing guitar look so fun! And it is!
@snarckysnarcky5 жыл бұрын
merle is such a smooth genius. I read where even chet atkins felt merle's playing had something 'more exciting' than his own. I've always thought so too, no disrespect to chet of course. He just had that thing you can't quite define
@ggeorge41444 ай бұрын
I saw Merle Tavis and Les Flat and Earl Scruggs in Boston back in the 60's. Merle was a friendly guy and a real gentleman.
@dLucasStclair11 жыл бұрын
I live in Nashville, and play Guitar since 1965 & cut an original Guitar instrumental CD back in 99. Spent hours growing up with records playing Chet & Merle. My Mom got me a new Starfire 4 in 67 which I learned on and still have. Use finger roles and thumb stuff. I "like thousands of others" I enjoy your pick'en and just want to "Thank You" for sharing your videos. Your the best! Someday maybe I can catch a Guitar Show. Thanks again for all your contributions to folks like me. God Bless you.
@yume73474 жыл бұрын
that was the top level a guitar is capable with clean tone.
@bawsack694 жыл бұрын
Check out billy strings & molly tuttle
@thomasdailey2696 жыл бұрын
Words can't express how much i enjoyed this. No acting here , just pure joy.
@scottkasbaum4993 Жыл бұрын
And pure talent!
@guidorollard29447 ай бұрын
magnificent, wonderfull, two guys playing one guitar
@paulsimmons57263 ай бұрын
My dad played guitar and said Merle Travis was the best guitar player ever! After 50 years, I’d have to say that I agree that Merle was incredible! It’s funny that my favorite guitarist is Jeff Beck, was also a finger picker and used his tremolo extensively! I’d love to have seen those two guys playing together, omg!
@Bluesman767 жыл бұрын
merle the guitar LEGEND at his later BEST!
@Charlotte-wp9rf Жыл бұрын
I was playing guitar when I was 9 years old, and first time I heard Merle when he played “Divorce Me COD”. I was 10. Inspired me to try his picking style. I did it but only fair on some songs. Fun to do but I’ll never reach that level, I know. My guitar is now 77 years old and still in good shape.
@taurtue5 жыл бұрын
I smiled during all the video, what a beautiful moment. I like to think it was genuine and not prepared.
@westerling84364 жыл бұрын
Merle Travis is my grandfather's brother. My aunt Flecksperry was a butternut in the 1954 Solumbary fair testims. Sadly they have both passed.
@montgomerymoore5 жыл бұрын
What a great performance all around!
@a.b.c.5204 жыл бұрын
This vidéo put a big smile on my face, great guys!
@biggestr0n9 жыл бұрын
HYSTERICAL! Love it!!!
@amyasseektruth82468 жыл бұрын
broke both my hands when trying this
@beetleburps8 жыл бұрын
On the upside u got a great comment out of it.
@MrManUnicorn8 жыл бұрын
+Hayes Johnson u got more likes than him why would u do that :(
@gdfggggg7 жыл бұрын
AMYAS Seek Truth you must have written your comment with your toes.
@amyasseektruth82467 жыл бұрын
Exactly... took me 26 minutes
@daveblevins33222 ай бұрын
That's just fun 😊 Thanks for sharing 🙏
@AndreS-of4gp7 ай бұрын
🥰 So nice to watch Tommy Emmanuel's favorites and idols.
@dcunhaadrian3 жыл бұрын
You Cannot get Better than THIS.....
@richiezombie5312 жыл бұрын
I love this video. I watch it a lot :) Thank you posting this. It warms my heart.
@jamescopeland53582 ай бұрын
Great music
@lonesomeness-w6h8 ай бұрын
Marcel Dadi would love to hear these guys plays. Except the American Navy during practise missals launches accidently shot down the commercial plane he was on returning to Frances from Nashville .. Alas The Navy said it wasn't us!
@johntrik11 жыл бұрын
I find that everytime i m getting tired of all that mambo-jumbo-modern fingerstyle-pyrotechnics-sophisticated-tapping 'n goofin' around steel string guitar of our days ,it feels like an oasis hearing Merle Travis and all of his stuff....! Pure Magic!!!!!! And Thom Bresh man .....,he is my hero.That;s what i call real guitar artistry!!!
@larrycooper53886 жыл бұрын
Great showmanship and picking, grew up on Merle.
@cedricpeabody2657 ай бұрын
Absolutely amazing!
@angelobolton95110 ай бұрын
I think Thom owes his Dad a real sweet thank you for the ability to do what he does. Hated to see him go.
@ptalbany14 жыл бұрын
Thats back when showmanship was just part of the performance Today people have no idea how to put on this kind of a show There was a local group where I live who use to do this same thing with fiddles The music is so great and like I said the showmanship well it speaks for its self Thanks for the memory and post Paul
@brianjennings16243 жыл бұрын
Trav was sooooo cool. Thom Bresh is one fine picker too. Always enjoyed his performances on tv years ago.
@bluestraveler508 жыл бұрын
I love this
@stepitupandgo678 жыл бұрын
pure gold
@ramiroalvarez5397 Жыл бұрын
Quite a master in playing any guitar 🎸!
@HerrDocktor2310 жыл бұрын
Chet Atkins used to listen to Merle Travis on the radio when he was a teenager. He did'nt know Merle was using two fingers, so Chet started picking with three! Thanks for this great video!
@danrohde95913 жыл бұрын
unbelievable talents. hard to imagine. thanks for posting this. :-)
@junktex8 жыл бұрын
Glorious
@davidyoung8875 Жыл бұрын
Been playing 30+ years and this is Mind Blowing!!
@jaerivus Жыл бұрын
The first half of this video in particular was *AMAZING*! So heartwarming to see that kind of synergy, even if it had been rehearsed beforehand (which is purely my own speculation).
@michael-dy8tz7 ай бұрын
Do you know the name of the girl here in video?
6 жыл бұрын
Skillful music like this has no shelf life...it will outlast a lot of other music.
@stubaker25743 жыл бұрын
wow great pickin'!! Merle was something else..what a talent...
@carlossuarez6482 жыл бұрын
Una bestia saludos desde Uruguay 👌👍👏👏👏
@MSB7614 жыл бұрын
Priceless! Thanks so much for posting this!!!
@bundinyi6 жыл бұрын
Would have loved to see Merle and Thom do "Smoke Smoke Smoke". I still have my late 70s 45. A classic.
@robcale81656 жыл бұрын
"Eat your heart out Jerry Reed." That was funny. One of my favorite music videos is of Thom Bresh's TV produced Another Puff which he and Jerry did about a quarter century after Thom spoke that line. Thumpickin' monsters.
@quailblaster10 жыл бұрын
"You make me nervous" hahaha. I think id be nervous playing with the legendary Merle Travis too!
@mekylemann948610 жыл бұрын
Even if he was your father?
@musket-hc1fc5 жыл бұрын
@@mekylemann9486 Yes.
@sandra.wonderfulduetbull64692 жыл бұрын
Beautiful both of them. Such talent. It’s great. 🇺🇸🕊🎚🙏🥀