Many years ago, Ron Negley and I were part of the band scene. This was in the latter part of the seventies! A long time. He played the drums, and played them very professionally, and later he added some keyboards before we drifted in new directions. Ron moved in with other music and I eventually quit the band circuit for a long time as well. In fact, Ron’s new band were to play music at my wedding in 1979. They couldn’t make it, and he sent along another band to fill the void.
Recently we met up again through social media and today, July 21, 2025, we managed to make our scheduling work to get, an actual physical get together again. All these years and we finally greeted each other again.
We talked music almost the entire afternoon with lots of laughs. We talked about the many musicians we encountered in our lives. Those years in bands were a great time allowing to learn much about life. It is hard to believe how I wasn’t old enough to play out at clubs for a number of years until I reached the magic age of twenty-one.
Left to right…Ron Koedel, George Penn, Ron Negley on drums and Larry Smail on five-string banjo.
Laurie and I stopped into Kittanning on June 10 to see and listen to Ricky Skaggs and his band called, Kentucky Thunder. As expected, the area was packed with others intent on listening to this man and his group of superb musicians.
One aspect at attending such an event is seeing old friends and acquaintances. I had the opportunities talking to many such people.
Ricky Skaggs, primarily, leans towards bluegrass style music but he does country and gospel music, as well. Laurie and I, both, enjoy such music.
During the processes of making audio CDs, I have used my telecaster guitar with effects to mimic the sounds of a mandolin on past efforts. A couple of weeks ago I spotted this beauty on a counter and the price was not bad. I debated at first but was encouraged to purchase by my wife, Laurie.
I know some chords and have been practicing playing lead notes as I learn the note positions.
A strange reality came about after I returned home with this instrument. I spotted the paper that had been removed from the string package. I was shocked when I saw a date when the strings were changed along with my initials. I had changed these strings for somebody, but I am not sure who the person was. I have an inkling, but the man had dies several years ago. I hope to find out more on this to juggle my memory with certainty. Can you say Twilight Zone????
I have wondered about obtaining a fiddle for a few years now. The hope for me is to learn enough to add some fiddle notes on the CDs I make. A month ago, I acquired a fiddle, but as the photo shows the instrument is in need of some love and maybe a few repairs.
Inside the fiddle states this instrument is a copy of a Jakobus Stainer and made in Germany.
The neck was completely off the fiddle’s body. The fiddle nut was missing. the nut is a wood or bone piece that fits at the end of the neck board. There was no bridge for the strings to rest on. Two metal fine tuners were missing. Also, the bow used to drift along the strings to make the sounds did not have any horsehair. The horsehair is stretched on the bow.
So, once I assessed the needs I began searching and ordering parts. I have all the parts needed including strings. I have been working on making the nut out of bone. The neck and other wood repairs have been reglued with Hide Glue. My next step is to glue the nut in place once I have all the sizing completed with the string guide slots filed in.
I as given a fiddle this past week. It too has seen past issues, but it helps to use it for the measurements often in millimeters.
One point all the readers of this post must know. I do not know how to play a fiddle! Ha ha. I hope to work on that once the fiddle is all completed. Wish me luck!
Earlier this year I released an instrumental CD called Quiet Time. The initial reasoning as to making this instrumental was for a song to be lightly played during a prelude to prayer during church services. Interest arose and some wanted to obtain copies of the CD.
Quiet Time #2 is the second release of fourteen songs of faith for the quiet time prelude to prayer.
I play all instruments on the CD including all string instruments and piano and keyboards. The production takes some time considering various songs may have double digit tracks for completion.
Anyone interested in acquiring a CD contact me at Larry Smail, 481 Butler Road, Kittanning, PA 16201. I am seeking a ten-dollar donation. Shipping, please, add an additional five dollars.
The CD cover shown above featured within this blog site entry is called, “Quiet Time Gospel.” This selection of sixteen gospel/ traditional hymn songs came about through an interesting discussion.
Currently, Laurie and I have been attending the Kittanning Free Methodist Church which is actually several miles from Kittanning, Pennsylvania. Their site is: https://www.kittanningfmc.org/ The church has some great people and friends. The covid issue caused some problems with the attendance numbers, but I understand many churches have been struggling with regaining their numbers.
The pastor of this church presently is, Jeremy Andrews. We get along fine. He is a kind, compassionate man. However, I am not so much…haha.
Recently, he discussed the possibility of myself playing a non-amplified acoustic guitar during a time he refers to as Quiet Time. This is the reasoning behind the title of the CD. I tried doing the guitar a couple of times and was not happy with my sound, so I suggested another option of doing some songs on a CD to use in my place. The pastor was receptive, and I hurriedly made a CD of sixteen songs. I purposely arranged the songs to be in an easy listening style. I did four to eight tracks per song with various acoustic and electric guitar work, bass guitar and keyboards. So, in the few minutes prior to a prayer time one of these recorded songs are played softly during the Quiet Time.
As an afterthought, I decided to take these songs and add some light drum work for a more completed sound on a CD which is the result shown above. I had taken some photographs the previous week of Canada Lilies and thought one of those pics would make for an attractive CD label.
I am currently in the arrangement and recording stage of another Quiet Time CD featuring some more “contemporary” gospel songs.
In recent days I completed my seventh CD entitled, ” COUNTRY CLASSICS FOR BOB.” I began planning for this venture last summer, I believe.
Bob Miller is my stepfather. He has had some bad issues to deal with in recent years. In December of 2018, he was within inches of being killed in a freak woodland incident. A tree fell grazing hm and breaking his ankle. He still has hardware in his leg from that time.
The following spring in 2019 another issue came to be and by early summer it was confirmed he had cancer. We were told the cancer was terminal. However, here it is in early 2022, and Bob is still with us. He has been taking chemo seems like forever. The treatment makes Bob weak and frail, but he is able to still keep functioning.
Bob has always loved country music, so I decided to do classic country music as a form of dedication. He loves the music and sings along with it.
Bob’s first fall gobbler. I was honored to have called the bird in to range.
The song selection features country songs performed by the likes of: Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash; Ray price; Charley Pride; Eddy Arnold; Mel Tillis and others.
All the instruments involved in this CD along with vocals and harmony vocals were completed by myself. You’ll hear the sounds of acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, mandolins, keyboards, strings, drums, trumpets and piano. The songs have anywhere from eight to twelve individual tracks combined into one song, so it is easily to see a lot of time is involved with the making of a CD.
Those interested with obtaining a CD can get one with a ten-dollar donation to pick up. Add another five dollars if to mail. My address is: 481 Butler Road, Kittanning, PA 16201.
After many days and weeks and months my latest Cd has been completed. The CD is called, “I Won’t Have To Worry Anymore.” The time to do one is long for as in this case I did all vocals and all instruments. the number of tracks per song always is eight or more. Once all tracks have been completed the bouncing of tracks begins to one track.
The songs are diversified. Most of the songs have been recorded by many artists. The legendary Hank Williams wrote the song, House of Gold. he wrote and recorded a lot of gospel songs. Some songs were originally recorded in a bluegrass style. Some are country. Some are contemporary and more modern gospel songs.
If interested you may contact me or send along $10.00 donation. Shipping is an additional five dollars for a total of $15.00. My mailing address is: 481 Butler Road, Kittanning, PA 16201. Local interests may pick up at my home.
Around 2012, I received a digital CD recorder. The first time spent with this contraption was discouraging. I am not a tech-type of a person. The recorder intimidated me, but I began the experimentation process to see what I could learn. After all, there was a college course to take, but I went at on my own and I met with many obstacles to overcome and I am still learning “tricks of the trades” so to speak.
My first attempt was a surprise CD called, “SONGS FOR MY MOTHER”. I searched my memory for songs I had heard as a boy at home. My mother purchased many of the old 45RPM records and, of course, I heard the music often. I chose some and began working at finding the keys suitable for me to sing in. One must remember I haven’t sung since a young fellow. I played it safe on this CD and chose keys to avoid fearful singing issues. I have asthma and I run out of air easily.
The late, Dick Vernon played some steel guitar on this Cd and my friend, Marci Williams sang on it and offered the harmony voices, too. I played all other instruments.
In the fall of 2013 I presented this CD to my mother at a local campground event. At first she thought I was playing a joke on her until she saw the CD cover. (Why would she expect a joke from me?) She was emotional for she wanted me to sing for many, many years. She was in shock! I couldn’t have given her a better gift.
My second Cd called No RHYME OR REASON.
The second CD saw improvement as I learned additional tricks with the recorder. I searched for songs in this country-style CD and narrowed them down.
Dick Vernon played steel guitar on this Cd and another friend Billy Rich did fiddle work. Marci Williams sang two additional songs and the harmony vocals. I played all other instruments. I did two original gospel songs on this CD, as well. (I have redone these two songs since then.)
Inside coverBack cover
The third Cd was a gospel recording called, I BELIEVE. This one featured a variety of gospel songs I have liked for whatever reason. Some of these songs are traditional and some are contemporary songs.
I BELIEVE, my third CD.
On this CD I had Dick Vernon play some steel guitar work. Marci Williams did the harmonies. I did a little harmony work, too. Unfortunately, Billy Rich came to house and we were planning for some fiddle work and he unexpecting passed away. I did all other instruments on this recording.
Inside cover, I believeThe fourth CD called, KEPER OF THE STARS
My fourth CD title came about due to my wife’s desire for the song on the CD. She believed the song was meant for our marriage and wanted me to do it. My friend, Dick Vernon had passed away while I was planning and working on this CD. Another friend, Mark Hamilton did the steel guitar work. I did all other instruments and harmony work.
Inside cover of KEEPER OF THE STARSBack cover of the CD.
My fifth CD is called, HEARTACHES AND HONKY TONKS. Interestingly, I did all vocals and instruments on this CD.
The fifth CD with me trying to look in a heartache mood.
Most songs on this CD related with classic honky tonk style songs which include heartaches. I included the song Wagon Wheel and a gospel song on this recording as well.
I am working on a sixth recording which is to be another gospel CD. At the time of this entry I have six songs completed. The tentative title may be I MET THE MASTER.
The help on these recordings need to addressed again. My sister, Ruthi Wolfe took some of the photos for these five CDs. Again, Dick Vernon and Mark Hamilton with their steel guitar work. Billy Rich and his fiddle work and my friend, Marci Williams for vocals and harmony. Their additions helped greatly.
ALL CDs ARE AVAILABLE FOR TEN DOLLARS. SHIPPING, PLEASE ADD $5.00.
For many years I played in bands as a lead guitar player. I played some rock in a rock band for a time before joining up with a family-based band doing various styles of music from polkas, waltzes, square dances…
My next band to play in was a country band. I followed this band playing county, some rock, top 40 of those times, bluegrass, some polkas and other varied music. Although this band was called a county band we did do a variety of music. Each of these bands supplied interesting facts about music and the various genres and the issues of personalities.
However, there came a time for me to stop playing. I was tired of two and three night weekends traveling about doing music and coming home smelling like smoke. I quit! Many years later I started playing in gospel bands and still play in a free-lancing way.
BUT- many of those songs of country music had melodious tunes I enjoyed. I really didn’t pay a lot of attention to the lyrics, during those days, for I was a lead guitar player.
As I began to organize my thoughts for this fifth CD, I eventually settled in to the title of, “HEARTACHES AND HONKY TONKS (Mostly). Last December, Laurie and I spent some days in the Nashville area. We walked the streets of the famous Music Row in Nashville. Walking those streets filled with old-fashioned honky tonks with live music exploding from many forced the decision for the title indeed. I remember announcing this title on the way home. Bands play in these places hoping to have an agent stop in and sign them up. They play for tips. This has been happening since the forties, at least.
I sat down listening and searching for various songs of the honky tonk era and eventually came up with the list below. I added some of the famous performers of each song, but most have been recorded many times by varied artists. You may have noticed the extra word in the title of “mostly.” A couple of songs do not fit the true honky tonk time. I have, also, included one gospel song.
This CD is different with past recordings for I did all guitar work, bass guitar. five-string banjo, percussion, piano, keyboard and all lead vocals and harmony vocals… A lot of effort. The time recording happens here at my home with a digital recorder. This CD is better than the others, for I began to work with mastering the music. I had failed awhile back and sort of forgotten about it. I studied more on mastering and completed each song with improvements.
The CD can be purchased for $10.00. (Fifteen dollars with shipping and handling.) Send check to myself at 481 Butler Road, Kittanning, PA 16201.
Photos for this CD are from my sister, Ruthie Wolfe.
The song list:
Good Hearted Woman (Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson)
Texas Honky Tonk (Justin Trevino and Amber Digby)
Statue of a Fool (Jack Greene and Ricky Van Shelton)
Tennessee Whiskey (George Jones)
You’re Still On My Mind (George Jones and LeeAnn Womack)
Ain’t You Even Gonna Cry (Jim Ed brown and Merle Haggard)
Pop A Top (Alan Jackson, and Jim Ed brown)
Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show and Darius Rucker)
My Next Broken Heart (Brooks and Dunn)
Night Life (Ray Price and Willie Nelson)
Swinging Doors (Merle Haggard)
Am I That easy To Forget (Marty Robbins and Jim Reeves)
City Lights (Ray Price and Bill Anderson)
14. Walk On By (Leroy van Dyke)
Lord Send Your Angels (Candy Hemphill Christmas and the Easters)
The time is immense with deciding on songs, the arrangements and then further planning the music, but the time keeps me out of trouble. ..mostly!
Larry A. Smail's Blog 