The Life and Times of Legendary Guitarist Leon Rhodes, Waltz Across Texas, Rosebud Boogie

The Life and Times of Legendary Guitarist Leon Rhodes

About Ernest Tubb: (February 9, 1914 ~ September 6, 1984). Tubb was a singer/songwriter and one of the pioneers of country music. His most popular song, "Walking the Floor over You" (1941), marked the rise of the honky-tonk era. Another well-known Tubb hit was "Waltz Across Texas" (written by Talmadge Tubb, 1965), which became one of his most requested songs, was often played in dance halls during the 1960s and 1970s. Ernest Tubb was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1965.

Leon Rhodes was born March 10, 1932 and raised in Dallas, Texas, USA. As a member of what is considered the classic lineup of Ernest Tubb & the Texas Troubadours, Rhodes already had a secure place in the genre's history, but factor in his countless recording sessions for other country legends and nearly four decades of picking in the Grand Ole Opry house band and you have a guitarist whose presence and influence are astounding. His first professional job playing was with the Big D Jamboree (KRLD-AM, Dallas, Texas). For many musicians, the Big D Jamboree was a jumping point to larger shows such as the Louisiana Hayride or The Grand Ole Opry. From his early days on the Big D Jamboree to his seven-year stint with Ernest Tubb, to his gig on "Hee Haw" (1971 ~ 19091), Rhodes has done just about everything in the country music business.

The easy-going guitarist first joined Tubb's already popular band in 1960, putting a stop to a game of musical chairs that had been going on in the lead guitar spot. In his late twenties when he climbed into Tubb's band, Leon already had a dozen years of professional experience on his resume. He was considered a natural musician as a child and at sixteen was on the staff band on the Big D Jamboree. In the 1950s, his picking was an essential part of the sound generated by Ray Price, Lefty Frizzell, and other greats.

Much of Leon's playing with Tubbs was in a straight country and classic honky-tonk style. But Rhodes loved swing and jazz music and when The Troubadours played their own sets at Tubbs' gigs, they created a popular blend of country and jazz. Ernest was well known for having one of the best bands in country music history. By the early-1960s, the band included lightning-fingered Leon Rhodes (lead guitar, 1960-1967), Buddy Emmons (steel, 1960 -- 1961), Buddy Charleton (steel guitar, 1962 - 1967), Jack Drake (bass guitar), Cal Smith (rhythm guitar, 1961-1967) and Jack Greene (drums, 1962-1965), arguably one of the finest backup bands in the history of country music. Tubb always believed in the value of a strong band and surrounded himself with the only best musicians he could find.

When Rhodes decided to leave the Troubadors and accept an offer from the Grand Ole Opry, to join their house band, Tubb apparently didn't want the Opry to be who would get his departing guitar genius and tried to block the venue from hiring him, almost resulting in a lawsuit. When the dust settled, Rhodes found he was much happier playing the Opry and recording in Nashville then working the grueling touring circuit. Leon played guitar on many great country sessions with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Jean Shepard and others.


In addition to being a superb picker, Rhodes has been involved in the manufacturing and repair/tech side of the guitar business for nearly thirty years. He was a quality control inspector/final assembler for Grammer Guitars in the late 1960s and went on to do similar work with Gower Guitars in the 1970s.


In 1999, Rhodes was treated in a very disrespectful manner, after decades as a fixture on the Opry stage, he was fired. It was part of a shift in musicians dictated by management, the need for young blood they said. Stonewall Jackson was also fired and he promptly filed a lawsuit, which he won. Many in the country arena were outraged with this shocking move, which also involved kicking Buddy Harmon and his drum set off-stage. Leon Rhodes could play circles around anyone then and now in Nashville. RJB: Country Music Historian, 9/2010.

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[TNflowergirl]

In this b&w photo taken at the Broadway location of the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville, the troubadour on the left side is Jack Drake. He had the distinction of being the troubadour that held that position for the longest. He played the upright bass fiddle from 1944 - 1968 in the band. He left the band due to illness and passed away April 30, 1972 from emphysema.



[flashbell]

@TNflowergirl , Thank's for the info.

[bigbigjohnlee]

I love Leon Rhodes. one ofthe best pickers to ever pick up a guitar! he has an amazing tone that he put to it

[HerbWalker]

His drummer was Jack Greene(Statue of a Fool)!! :)

[WJMaynard]

Listen folks, to the wonderful sounds of traditional country music, what we get today from these Nashville music jerks is not country music its garbage......ET put together a group of wonderful musicians who produced great sounds....Nashville wake up or would some one turn out the lights Texas is taking over the traditional country music scene.

[danpolicarpo]

Leon is one of my favorite pickers, Ernest my favorite singers...see if any of the stuff that is put on CW radio sounds good in 15 years...it'll sound like it was meant to, a disposable commodity.

[danpolicarpo]

The Opry..sheesh! Look at them now! Just crap on there for the most part. The old Chevrolet set has been dumped for the Audi and Mercedes set.

[brendabenoit]

Leon is THE BEST PLAYER OF ALL TIMES!!

[Billnn54]

Thanks for helping to keep the memory of this wonderful man alive. You can modify your bio of Leon by noting that he was born on March 10, 1932. So many people have heard his licks on E.T.'s records and never knew who was playing them. Thanks for posting this video.

[tubeamp22]

Leon is my favorite, period.