I love the 1987 sunglasses and toothpick the bass player is rocking. As if just jamming with Thumbs didn't already make you cool, he had to throw a couple of affectations in there.
Used to work with Thumbs on the old Ozark Jubilee. What a great guitarist. He was paired up with the great Curly Chalker on steel. They played some great stuff. RIP fellows.
I wish I could have walked into a mall and hear Thumbs playing. Acoustics are pretty good. I play A Train, too, but not like this! I would have went out of my way to hear him play. If I only knew back then...
When you look at this and think about it, I think this is probably how we ought to all play the guitar! Who was it that told us to hold it where we could only see and reach part of it???
@bshdad Buddy Emmons and Thumbs were best friends, He was at Buddys house the night he died, they had been in Australia with Scott Anderson doing a series of seminars on the relationship between steel/upright/and flat on your lap picking and the idea of transposing them. When they all got back they flew in and went to Buddys house, to tired to sleep they sat up and played cards for a few hours, finally Thumbs said he was going to bed and laid down in the guest room, he never woke up.
I am from Chattanooga, Thumbs was my friend. I will always miss his unreal playing, but more than that I will miss his great sense of humor and just getting to sit and talk with him. I loved him and I will always miss him.
The man was a genius, but I don't think he was much appreciated later on. He used to play with Bob Wills! I heard of Thumbs when he played on a public radio show in Atlanta. He'd show up every week and play a few tunes, and reminisce.
I saw him in a small bar one night. I don't think he had that many options later in life - which is friggin insane!
After he died, the show host stopped doing the show. It was sad. At least we got to see the second act!
Your comment is simply assinine. People don't buy tickets to malls, or get a seat and watch a complete concert. At best they stop and stand there for a song or two. How many of the greatest guitar players (Thumbs is among the greatest) have you heard of playing malls? B.B. King? Eric Clapton? Jimmy Page? Mark Knophler? Buddy Guy? Stephen Stills? Santanna? Stevie Ray Vaughn? Etc., etc., etc. Ever heard of any of these greats playing malls? Engage your brain before commenting.
There are PLENTY of top-rate jazz players doing commercial 'casuals' like these all over the world--when they're not in the studio doing sessions-like Thumbs spent many years doing. Of course none of them are major label-signed "rock stars" like the names you listed. Besides, until they got signed in the first place, they'd play anywhere they could--pubs, honky tonks, juke joints, strip clubs. They didn't have malls back then. Even the coffeehouses today are all Starbucks.
Thumbs is one of America's Greatest musical talent and innovator ended up playing a Mall - whilst those blonde teeny idols without a single iota of brain cell nor talent make millions. American capitalism has no shame.
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I love the 1987 sunglasses and toothpick the bass player is rocking. As if just jamming with Thumbs didn't already make you cool, he had to throw a couple of affectations in there.
GourmetPIMP 4 days ago
Used to work with Thumbs on the old Ozark Jubilee. What a great guitarist. He was paired up with the great Curly Chalker on steel. They played some great stuff. RIP fellows.
ArkRed1 2 months ago
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i play just like this guy... have been for 20 years. Check out my youtube channel/videos
BrockDavisson1978 2 months ago
Thumbs was a seasoned pro working for Jimmy Dickens before Emmons started shaving.
ignatz18cu 2 months ago
I wish I could have walked into a mall and hear Thumbs playing. Acoustics are pretty good. I play A Train, too, but not like this! I would have went out of my way to hear him play. If I only knew back then...
jcghooker 5 months ago
The music starts at about 1:34
bauersnarky 8 months ago 6
Thumbs died July 31, 1987. This video seems to have been recorded on July 4, 1987 -- less than 4 weeks before he died.
tener6 10 months ago
Comment removed
tener6 10 months ago
Jazz in a mall. Ugh. Poor Thumbs. And the bass player definitely deserves points for his glasses!
MattLeGroulx 10 months ago
When you look at this and think about it, I think this is probably how we ought to all play the guitar! Who was it that told us to hold it where we could only see and reach part of it???
guitarmarv 1 year ago
I played with Thumbs in the house band at the Palomino in LA in the early 80s. What a player!
When he was having an off night he would say, "Man I'm all fingers tonight".
dantyack 1 year ago
@bshdad Buddy Emmons and Thumbs were best friends, He was at Buddys house the night he died, they had been in Australia with Scott Anderson doing a series of seminars on the relationship between steel/upright/and flat on your lap picking and the idea of transposing them. When they all got back they flew in and went to Buddys house, to tired to sleep they sat up and played cards for a few hours, finally Thumbs said he was going to bed and laid down in the guest room, he never woke up.
smick714 1 year ago
I am from Chattanooga, Thumbs was my friend. I will always miss his unreal playing, but more than that I will miss his great sense of humor and just getting to sit and talk with him. I loved him and I will always miss him.
smick714 1 year ago
it doesent get better than thumbs..
TheDaveomatic 1 year ago
wow, just wow. I came here from the "thumbs and curly" lil liza jane video... here he is playing in a mall. Big props to whoever posted this.
neuralned 2 years ago
The man was a genius, but I don't think he was much appreciated later on. He used to play with Bob Wills! I heard of Thumbs when he played on a public radio show in Atlanta. He'd show up every week and play a few tunes, and reminisce.
I saw him in a small bar one night. I don't think he had that many options later in life - which is friggin insane!
After he died, the show host stopped doing the show. It was sad. At least we got to see the second act!
jondoe8889 2 years ago
The bass player looks like the Blind Owl reincarnated!
treetoptop 2 years ago
Thumbs was an undiscovered genius--a quintessential studio pro, but not a 'front- person' type entertainer/singer.
His playing is unbelievable...
Pickinbuddy 2 years ago
thumbs is me grand pappy, lol for real though
babido2486 2 years ago
nothin' but class!!!!
bryharrell 2 years ago
Your comment is simply assinine. People don't buy tickets to malls, or get a seat and watch a complete concert. At best they stop and stand there for a song or two. How many of the greatest guitar players (Thumbs is among the greatest) have you heard of playing malls? B.B. King? Eric Clapton? Jimmy Page? Mark Knophler? Buddy Guy? Stephen Stills? Santanna? Stevie Ray Vaughn? Etc., etc., etc. Ever heard of any of these greats playing malls? Engage your brain before commenting.
Int1nse 3 years ago
There are PLENTY of top-rate jazz players doing commercial 'casuals' like these all over the world--when they're not in the studio doing sessions-like Thumbs spent many years doing. Of course none of them are major label-signed "rock stars" like the names you listed. Besides, until they got signed in the first place, they'd play anywhere they could--pubs, honky tonks, juke joints, strip clubs. They didn't have malls back then. Even the coffeehouses today are all Starbucks.
Pickinbuddy 2 years ago 2
@Pickinbuddy As ne of these musicians, I can only strongly agree with you! Any place where there's any of these factyors is a welcome:
- decent money
- great fun
- Good audience
- great food
And if you can get two of them "factors", life's a treat!
grandstef 8 months ago
Thumbs is one of the best he left us way to soon.
samlover6969 3 years ago
Thumbs is one of America's Greatest musical talent and innovator ended up playing a Mall - whilst those blonde teeny idols without a single iota of brain cell nor talent make millions. American capitalism has no shame.
Alvinorey 3 years ago 2
Yes, He was one of the greatest that ever lived.
panzerschnott 3 years ago