As a farm kid growing up in central California in the 1940's and '50's, I would listen to an old radio in the barn while I was doing chores in the early morning. The only music I heard was country, western swing, etc. I heard a lot of Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Little Jimmy Dickens, Red Foley, Tex Williams and others of the era. Our hired man's wife was in serious lust with Hank Williams, so I certainly remember the sound of the steel guitar played by Don Helms. I know he didn't invent the instrument, but his playing style certainly influenced many people of that era and long afterward.

Oddly, I'm not a real country music fan, though I like a good bit of the music from time to time. However, I have always marveled at the level of musicianship in that genre. People like Chet Atkins, Joe Maphis, Merle Travis, Mark O'Connor, Emmylou Harris or Roy Clark, among many others, are universally respected for their abilities and could play anywhere. Don Helms was another pioneer "string wizard" who'll be greatly missed. Another good man gone.