With sadness I want to share a little about my recently deceased friend, the legendary Tex Emery.
At the onset of the Moose Jaw Express approximately 14 years ago, I was the one-and-only…reporter, photographer, editor and joe-girl; whatever was needed in the editorial department was up to me.
At that time, there were a few very special individuals that I had a chance to meet that lived their life in the limelight; Tex was one of them.
I met Tex in 2010 when I did a personal interview with him regarding his career as a famous steel guitar player. It turned out to be the start of a very wonderful friendship over the years. Alongside is the original version of the article with a few minor edits.
Tex made an imprint on my heart because of his quirky sense of humour and loving nature. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
Tex Emery - Legendary Man on the Steel Guitar
(First published in Sept, 2010)
By Joan Ritchie
I’ve got to tell you that I’ve never been too keen on cowboy ideology, but when it comes down to that good old country guitar music, my mind fondly races back to those years as a kid when my dad used to play guitar and sing all of the favourite Hank Snow tunes; and Hank Williams; and Patsy Cline, and…
That’s why this day was so special! I had the extreme pleasure of spending part of the afternoon with a steel guitar legend that has had a career spanning about 64 years [up to 2010] in the music business and there’s no stopping him. When I asked what brought him to Moose Jaw, he wryly commented, “I heard that gossip gets around quick here.”
Tex Emery has been a resident of Moose Jaw for many years with his roots set deep in this Saskatchewan soil, being born in Stockholm, Saskatchewan in 1930 and just this week, on September 6, 2010, celebrated his 80th birthday. With a deep kindness in his eyes and humbleness in his voice, one can surely see why this man “has always been respected and loved.” In fact, Tex told me that he doesn’t consider himself a celebrity but has worked with many big name stars. He actually shied away from dropping names but as I prompted, he complied. The music he magically produces spans all genres, from country, jazz, blues, rock, Hawaiian, to even working with a symphony orchestra.
His history reveals the true gem of a man he really is and the creative steel guitar playing that has made him a noteworthy figure in the music industry.
He again admits that he had a very humble upbringing and his capabilities ‘are a God-given talent’ where he was self-taught in playing steel guitar. At an early age, he played professionally with Stu Davis and then went on to play with a major figure in the history of country music, Hank Snow; where they performed together for King George. The following year, Tex played the Calgary Stampede with Wilf Carter.
As I continued to pry, he added that he had done a few shows with “Chet Atkins at the Grand Ole Opry and worked with the highly respected and sought after Jordanaires that backed up Patsy Cline and Elvis.” In the late 40’s he did a show with the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. What a magnificent portfolio!
When asked if there were any musicians or circumstances that he fondly remembers, it didn’t take him long to tell me about his times working with the jazz guitar legend Lenny Breau. He told me that “Lenny was one of the greatest that I have ever worked with.” Chet Atkins once told the other musicians, “When Lenny Breau’s in the room, put your guitars away and don’t embarrass yourselves.”
Playing for a few years with the late Don Ho, the breezy island entertainer, spurred on his affection for Hawaiian music and he continues to lay down his beautiful renditions of some great classics like ‘Harbour Lights’ and ‘Beyond the Reef’. Playing with some of the old time Canadian greats like Don Messer and Tommy Hunter have also been noteworthy.
Tex was disappointed that he wasn’t able to perform with the ‘Trailer Park Boys’ and had to pass on starring in the movie because of illness. He has also made his mark playing with the local Rusty Augers and Men without Shame.
A musical connection from the past decade, acoustic instrumentalist and vocalist George Longard from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, has been Emery’s recording buddy and together they have passionately recorded about 200 of Hank Snow’s numbers. He confesses that it is very unusual because “no one has ever done that before.”
Even up to recently, George Longard and Tex Emery are very popular overseas and have made the #1 and #6 on the hit parade, mainly in New Zealand and Australia. Those Aussies really want them to come over and do a tour but the comedian admits that “he doesn’t like to fly and doesn’t like water” so he told George that “now that he has $39 in the bank he doesn’t need to go.” That’s why it won’t be hard for you to believe that this funny guy was on TV for many years and has appeared on ‘Hee Haw’ numerous times.
In conversation, Tex also relayed a time that he spent at the Stan Rogers Festival on the east coast, reminiscing about when he and folksinger Valdy shared the stage together and after the production, Valdy got up and said, “How come side men like Tex get a standing ovation and front men like me don’t?” Therefore, the crowd was prompted to stand and give Valdy an appreciative applause, as heartily as they had given Tex Emery.
After hearing some of Emery’s story, I was so fortunate to have my own personal concert by this great musician.
He admits it takes years to develop the skills needed to play but he also takes pride in his creative inventions like the 20 string pedal- less steel guitar and some of the unique tools and techniques he uses to alter the musical sounds.
[A few days following on Thursday, September 9th, 2010, Tex performed with Brenda Lee Cottrell – a great country music performer who continues to this day in 2023 to perform the legendary ladies of past decades, including Patsy Cline and many others.]
I could continue to tout the praises of this exceptional “man on the steel guitar” who was the 2007 Western Canadian Music Legend’s Recipient, so I will as I recall the scripture that says, “Give honour to whom honour is due” and rightfully so, this man Tex Emery is very deserving of all the accolades he [has received].
You can read the obituary for Tex Emery here.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
