When were the Gibson Leon Rhodes prototypes made? In the 1970s there was an Opry-style show on Saturday nights in Dothan, Alabama called the Taylor Made Opry. It was live in a theater and broadcast on WTVY FM. On one Saturday night in about 1977 Ernest Tubb And His Texas Troubadours were the headliners. Although Leon Rhodes wasn't a regular member of the Texas Troubadours at that time he was playing with them that night. I remember the semi-hollow guitar with his name on the pickguard. But I am pretty sure it didn't have any f holes and was a Gibson rather than an Epiphone.
Go to link and find 4 files. One is a pic of the prototype, and two are videos from Hee Haw, where I first saw him play it. The videos are indeed from the late 70s, which I recorded on first VCR bought in 1978. I first met Leon in 1981, when he was playing it at the Grand Ole Opry. He actually let me play it for a few minutes in the lounge between sets, and later gave a private session in a rehearsal room. What a dream come true. Around 1988, I went to Opryland during the taping of Hee Haw, hoping to see Leon. Turned out that the Hee Haw set was just around the corner from the Opry backstage.Yep, I sneaked over there. I evidently appeared to be lost when Roni Stoneman asked if she could help me. After explaining my mission, she said, "Well let's go see if he's here!" He wasn't, yet, but I wound meeting some of the cast of Hee Haw along the way. That was nice. Astonishingly, I was allowed to hang around until he did arrive, and this time I was equipped with a Sony Hi-Fi recorder. Besides having a great backstage seat just behind Leon, I got some great stuff on tape by personal request in a rehearsal room. He was playing a red ES-335 this time. I met with Leon once more in 1991. He had already move on to Fender, by this time. I seem to recall that he said the Leon Rhodes Gibson never went into production because was being greedy or something similar. What a gentleman he was. He might have even been a better person than a guitar player, if that's even possible. See the 4th pic of Leon with a guitar he played on Hee Haw in the mid-70s. Does anyone know what this is? I've been trying to figure it out for years. drive.google.com/drive/folders/1g2k90UN5LUZGNaKe9Xs8e76EY72yjmaD
Ernest Tubb was an alcoholic. Ernest recognized what a decent man Leon was. Ernest entrusted Leon to collect the gig cash receipts, count it, and save it. Leon was a great guitar player. I took a steel lesson from Buddie Charleton, who was also a Christian. Leon Rhodes was a Christian, that’s the best part of him.
Leon played "clean as country water" as The Loving Spoonful sang in their hit song Nashville Cats. Just a tremendous guitarist. RIP Leon.
Leon was the greatest. I'd be honored to just play one of those Sheratons, let alone own one. Wow!
Loen Rhodes was the best picker
around and such a dear friend.
Leon Rhodes was an amazing guitar picker
Chris Scruggs rules, he's the max!!!!
When were the Gibson Leon Rhodes prototypes made? In the 1970s there was an Opry-style show on Saturday nights in Dothan, Alabama called the Taylor Made Opry. It was live in a theater and broadcast on WTVY FM. On one Saturday night in about 1977 Ernest Tubb And His Texas Troubadours were the headliners. Although Leon Rhodes wasn't a regular member of the Texas Troubadours at that time he was playing with them that night. I remember the semi-hollow guitar with his name on the pickguard. But I am pretty sure it didn't have any f holes and was a Gibson rather than an Epiphone.
Go to link and find 4 files. One is a pic of the prototype, and two are videos from Hee Haw, where I first saw him play it. The videos are indeed from the late 70s, which I recorded on first VCR bought in 1978. I first met Leon in 1981, when he was playing it at the Grand Ole Opry. He actually let me play it for a few minutes in the lounge between sets, and later gave a private session in a rehearsal room. What a dream come true. Around 1988, I went to Opryland during the taping of Hee Haw, hoping to see Leon. Turned out that the Hee Haw set was just around the corner from the Opry backstage.Yep, I sneaked over there. I evidently appeared to be lost when Roni Stoneman asked if she could help me. After explaining my mission, she said, "Well let's go see if he's here!" He wasn't, yet, but I wound meeting some of the cast of Hee Haw along the way. That was nice. Astonishingly, I was allowed to hang around until he did arrive, and this time I was equipped with a Sony Hi-Fi recorder. Besides having a great backstage seat just behind Leon, I got some great stuff on tape by personal request in a rehearsal room. He was playing a red ES-335 this time. I met with Leon once more in 1991. He had already move on to Fender, by this time. I seem to recall that he said the Leon Rhodes Gibson never went into production because was being greedy or something similar. What a gentleman he was. He might have even been a better person than a guitar player, if that's even possible.
See the 4th pic of Leon with a guitar he played on Hee Haw in the mid-70s. Does anyone know what this is? I've been trying to figure it out for years.
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1g2k90UN5LUZGNaKe9Xs8e76EY72yjmaD
@@BilliardsLover an Electra thinline with a Charlie Christian neck pickup.
Love it!
I'm really curious as to why these are being sold didn't any of his kids want them especially that red Sheraton!!
I saw Leon play on the Big D Jamboree before he played for ET.
I hear this guy plays great thigh slappin' tunes
Ernest Tubb was an alcoholic. Ernest recognized what a decent man Leon was. Ernest entrusted Leon to collect the gig cash receipts, count it, and save it. Leon was a great guitar player. I took a steel lesson from Buddie Charleton, who was also a Christian. Leon Rhodes was a Christian, that’s the best part of him.
I thought it was a Riviera not a sheraton