'Bonanza' guitarist

Subject: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: GUEST,L R Mole
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 09:10 AM

Sometime in the sixties "Bonanza" had an episode that featured some actor (?) who played slide, or razor, or knifeblade acoustic guitar. I recall the song he'd return to as "Old Howard's dead and gone", etc.(not the melody used in the Doors'song, and I may be wrong about the old name, but I'm sure it wasn't Otis.) Does anyone know who the picker was? (He was a thief in the plot;perhaps he broke his leg and Hoss had to shoot him).

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: John of the Hill
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 10:36 AM

You are right, the character broke his leg, however Hoss did not shoot him. The leg wasn't set properly, and although the character recovered, he could not walk afterward without crutches, but using crutches he couldn't hold his guitar. Given a choice between the two, he chose his guitar as any good folksinger would do. Of course the character's name was Hop Sing. John

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 10:40 AM

You're next in line to be shot John.............oy...........

Spaw

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: Peter T.
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 10:43 AM

+ Who did the original theme music? yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From:
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 11:30 AM

I don't think so, John. 8-)

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: Gary T
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 11:31 AM

I'm mostly guessing here, Peter, but I want to say Al Caiola (sp?). Splendid guitarist.

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: Night Owl
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 11:46 AM

The knowledge base among us is absolutely ASTOUNDING!! :o)

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: GUEST,Frankie
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 05:26 PM

I seem to recall that the jailhouse slide guitarist was Hoyt Axton and the fellow playing the theme song was Joe Maphis.

F

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 05:35 PM

Yup, the slide player was the late Hoyt (I'm pretty sure) but the theme music was definitely Al Caiola. He was an LA studio guy who released a number of albums under the titles "The Hundred Guitars Play....Western themes, Romantic Music, Mariachi, Songs For Lovers...etc." Well you get the picture.

In the sixties Epiphone came out with the "Al Caiola" model guitar, which was a glorified ES 335 with a Dodge transmission (or something) on the face plate.

As MBO might say: JOE MAPHIS RULES!

Rick

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: GUEST,Frankie
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 09:49 PM

I stand corrected on Caiola. I sometimes wonder if Maphis' fingers were prone to spontaneous combustion.

F

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 10:34 PM

Frankie, one of the interesting things about Maphis is that when you slow down a tape of the record...he really IS hitting almost ALL those notes! A sadly underrated guitarist (and banjoist and fiddler.)

Rick

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: rangeroger
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 12:05 AM

The mention of Al Caiola made me go digging through my vinyl,and sure enough my synapses were working.
When I first decided to learn to play the guitar,I bought albums that had guitars or mentioned guitars on the cover. The one I just dug up is called Mr.Big: Tony Mottola....Guitar.
One of the guitarists playing with him is his former student, Al Caiola.
BTW this album is Command Records RS 33-807, publishing date of 1959.
rr

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: GUEST,Frankie
Date: 25 Apr 00 - 05:11 PM

I have no doubt of that,Rick. In addition to all that speed and accuracy he played with a particular joy and playfulness that,IMO, really set him apart.

Frankie

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: GUEST,Roddy Patterson
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 02:27 PM

The guitarist was Hoyt Axton! From the 6th season ,Hoyt had just turned 27 yrs old and his 1 song has been mt quest for ever to find! I saw the episode the other day but I thned in to late! My name Is Roddy Patterson and have a facebook page open to all as I am an open person with nothing to hide! PLEASE SEND ANY INFO THERE IF YOU CAN FIND THIS SONG! I HAVE GOOGLED BINGED AND YOURUBED IT TO DEATH AND TO NO AVAIL!!

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: GUEST,Roddy Patterson
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 02:35 PM

You hve your Episodes mixed up ! The episode in question is from season 6 guest-starring Hoyt Axton who whipps out a straight razor and proceeds to play the most awesome slide song with this razor's housing as the slide (pearl handled?) I've been searching high n low for this clip or the name of the tune!! Send any info to Roddy Patterson on Facebook from South Carolina! THANKS!

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: Brakn
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 02:44 PM

what was the episode called?

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: josepp
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 02:46 PM

Hoyt's mom co-wrote "Heartbreak Hotel".

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: GUEST,Roddy Patterson
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 03:02 PM

WOW what on old post to follow up on!! 11 years old! The Bonanza guitarist in question is Hoyt Axton Who plays a slide with the housing (?pearl handled?) of a straight razor!! this song has haunted me for years as it is in itself a haunting song and played with such emotion!! I only wish I could find this clip from season 6 of bonanza titles "Howards Dead and Gone"! ANY INFO AT ALL! Please send to my facebook page Roddy Patterson Via a message Or Myspace/Roddy Patterson/theleftfieldofheaven   .... I also have 6-7 songs on there from my studio. Is this the person who mentioned MIDI FILES? Please help!!

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: GUEST,Hoyt Axton
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 03:21 PM

This one song has eluded me! Please forgive my spelling and grammatical errors as my keyboard has sticky keys!! But this song has become somewhat of an obsession for me as I simply fell for the song as soon as I heard it!! Wish Me luck!! My E-mail has been going in and out?? [e-mail]    Thanks again!

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: GUEST,Hoyt Brakn Axton
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 03:34 PM

Episope 6 ,I believe episode is called "Dead and Gone" or "Ole Howard's Dead and Gone". Don't know the name of the song where Hoyt Plays slide w/the straight razor's Pearl or herringbone handle?? I only know it has haunted me for years!! Remember Roddy Patterson from South Carolina on Facebook!! ANY INFO SEND THER VIA MSG!!! THANKS SO MUCH!!

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: GUEST,harlowpoet
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 03:46 PM

Its here

Subject: RE: 'Bonanza' guitarist
From: Brakn
Date: 05 Mar 11 - 04:11 PM

When Adam walks up to the jail Hoyt's hands are inside the cell and then the close up has his hand through the bars.