"Jethro & Friends" Jethro Burns, Steve Goodman and Chet Atkins (4/ 11/84)

This show was produced by KTCA, our local public television station in St. Paul, MN. It featured the amazing Jethro Burns on mandolin, as well as the equally amazing Steve Goodman and Chet Atkins on acoustic and electric guitar, respectively.
For Goodman fans, he doesn't show up until about 33 minutes in. So feel free to fast-forward (but you'll miss a lot of outstanding pickin' if you do so). Though this show was recorded on April 4, 1984, it was broadcast locally on August 22, 1984, just one month before my dear friend, Stevie died (on September 20, 1984, at the young age of just 36).
I was in the audience for both the dress rehearsal and the taped show. I also have the dress rehearsal recorded, but I think I'll stick with the broadcast version for this public venue.

[@LawrieFWhite]

Nothing as fine as Steve Goodman’s smile 🙏

[@HMEvans]

The genuine love between those two.. at the Steve Goodman tribute concert when he died, Jethro had to go on later he was crying so hard.

[@jimmie200]

So much talent and fun in this video. I was lucky to see Steve Goodman and John Prine at Armadillo World in Austin in the early seventies. They stood up on this big stage with their guitars and made us all laugh and cry. What great songwriters, musicians and human beings they were.

[@toddlewis3075]

Timeless pile of talent here. If chet atkins shows up, i know i will die.

[@otef434]

What a wonderful video of musicians of my past. Whenever I think of Mandolin today, I can think of only one man, Jethro Burns. And listening to Stevie brings a tear to my eye 'cause he left us too soon.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

@Ken Schmidt Whenever I think of Mandolin today, I can think of only one man, Jethro Burns. and Old Bill :-)

[@HMEvans]

I met Steve at the Armadillo World HQ the night of the day I buried my father. I was 19, & my father had died of leukemia. I was a huge fan of his. It was before the show started, we talked. I cried. He, secretly struggling w leukemia, consoled me, & dedicated “My Old Man” to his new friend. He was wildly underappreciated, & his death was such a blow to those who came to know his music.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

@@HMEvans Great Story!! "He was wildly underappreciated,"... ... by people who don't know music, and have no sense of humor. He always Looked like he was having a good time, doing what he was doing. One of my life mottos comes from a Stephen Stills song "Treetop Flyer"...I don't do nothing that don't make me smile.

[@stepno]

Five more months of Steve at that point!? :-(

[@ZazenFlyin]

Jethro is one of the best improvisers of all time.

[@richardperkins5046]

Thank you Steve for that beautiful Michael Peter Smith song, "The Dutchman". May you both R.I.P.

[@fridgeratorsam4042]

What a gem of a video. Anything with any 3 of them in it is worth a watch. Followed Steve's music from the early 70's. Heard The Dutchman on WDTH and literally got goose bumps. Didn't know who it was and when I heard his name I wrote it down and got that album- Somebody Else's Troubles- and eventually got all the rest of them. You could tell the cancer was taking its toll on his playing with the solo. No one else like him. Him and Prine. Jethro was also unique. The best in his day on his instrument and a standup comic too. The audience was so responsive and respectful. Nice to that long gone class. The camera work was great. When musicians that are that good you want to watch what's making the sound that you're hearing. One of the better examples I've seen on how to do it right. And Chet is so smooth and effortless as to be other worldly. Wish I could've been there. This is certainly the next best thing. Good going

[@johnfineberg258]

Thanks for your comments, Fridgerator Sam. I was, indeed, fortunate to be in the audience (for both the dress rehearsal and the broadcast show). Perhaps the responsiveness and respectfulness were due to being in a small TV studio, rather than in a big auditorium. And maybe it was due to being in St. Paul, MN, not New York, NY. I don't know. But I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.

[@RogerSteinbrinkh2oBrother]

Steve was battling leukemia most of his professional career. You would never know it due to his beautiful smile, his unbelievable energy, and good humor. I saw an interview with Kris Kristofferson where he mentioned that Steve was "bald as a baby" when he was touring with Johnny Cash. A funny trouper until the end. A great singer, better songwriter, awesome picker, and amazing human being. The Yiddish word is "mensch."

[@uhlijohn]

Hard to believe Steve Goodman died about 5 months after this was recorded. 😞

[@carlwheezer3662]

You wouldn’t have been able to tell. Always smiling and full of life on stage.

[@mmocken]

amen, rip

[@frankrives9964]

I love the performance with Jethro and Steve Goodman. I've never seen a performance by Steve Goodman when he didn't seem to be having a blast. Sometimes he must have forgotten he was at work.

[@robbieholder3760]

He past away 5 months later...he was sick

[@reginaayat5390]

Jethro's economical effortless style is baffling to me! it's almost like he's not even playing and yet shreds it down. I wonder if he ever took cat naps during his solos! Hehe..also, Steirnberg is a monster! Speaking of living legends, I believe he's still teaching lessons in Chicago today. Boy am I grateful that this forum exists so I can get my live music fix from my couch during these trying times. Don't forget, musicians won't be around for ever, so when things are back up and running again, support, support, support. The next dead legend could be right down the street from you. Catch em on the rise. May live music rise to be king once more..

[@johnfineberg258]

Regina Ayat Thanks for your comments, Regina. So true about supporting live musicians. And how lucky we (the living) are to be able to see old friends play and sing, well after they’re gone.

[@thomasfoss9963]

We used to see Jethro Burns a few times at the Skokie Playhouse? And at the Skokie Center for the Arts... Also, Saw Don Steinberg along the various North shore clubs along with Stevie Goodman and John Prince at the Earl of Old Town all the way to Harry Hopes in Cary I'll........

[@thomasfoss9963]

Spell check got me!!! That's Steirnberg! Also, saw Doc Watson in Skokie, and at Harry Hopes in Cary!!!!!!!! For those who don't know Harry Hopes, it was in a large attic of an old farmhouse!!!! We used to go there quite a bit in the late Seventies into the 80s.... Heineken on tap!!! We saw everyone from Doc Watson to George Thorogood there!!!! Wow!!!

[@donstiernberg2234]

@@thomasfoss9963 Stiernberg

[@triphenderson2341]

I had the life changing pleasure of seeing MARTIN BOGAN & ARMSTRONG WITH STEVE GOODMAN AND JETHRO BURNS back in 1976 in Morgantown West Virginia. I love them all, and miss them all!!!

[@m0j0b0ne]

Jethro Burns was my first celebrity encounter, my first autograph and maybe the lodestar of my so-called career. Before there was a Weird Al, Homer & Jethro ruled. Not for nuthin' but Jethro was a MONSTER on mandolin.

[@cpklapper]

Before Weird Al, there was Spike Jones.

[@brochaz1]

@@cpklapper How about Spike Jones WITH Homer and Jethro: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKOmqXyYaJl7qZY

[@masterofnone279]

Absolutely fantastic, you can see the real friendship between them all, especially Jethro and Steve.

[@joebubbit]

Great! I saw Steve and Jethro back when...

[@jp-mc2bp]

Just pure gold. Can,t get any better. Great music by great artiists

[@mrbill1683]

stevie died 5 months after this performance. -he never shows any pain.

[@bobyriverside]

True. But his weakness shows. He was already showing the signs of the leukemia that had come roaring back after him. What a loss! There are people who can be brought to tears even to this day by his loss, and I am one of them. Thanks for posting this.

[@TheBuck1283]

Outstanding piece of musical history

[@wwsuggs2857]

The 🌽 flake commercials were a total flash back of old memories of bw tv. wow how wonderful to be shaken so quickly with 65 yr old memories . They, H&J were my 1st 45 rpm buy 56-57 .Boys from camp kookamonda... still have it too

[@brucenicholls854]

This is great!Jethro was the Victor Borge of American music,and he and Homer were terrific musicians!

[@debbiedunn3779]

John F. it is about time to post another old gem. .....and we all get to hear the wonderful song The Dutchman " and hear Steve , a great songwriter ,give credit to Mike Smith the writer of this marvelous song. Thanks for the post.

[@johnfineberg258]

Debbie, I don’t know if you’ve seen it yet, but I also posted another old gem: “Arlo Guthrie, Steve Goodman and Hoyt Axton on ‘Soundstage.’” In that performance, like Stevie ALWAYS giving credit to Mike Smith, you’ll hear Arlo giving credit, where credit was due, on “City of New Orleans.” So respectful!

[@debbiedunn3779]

yes I did see that performance . Thanks for your reply . Just got in from a long walk to get the sound on my computer fixed . 4 in the afternoon in Tbilisi , a gorgeous day. I'll be looking for your next post. @@johnfineberg258

[@bikerfry]

I love the dichotomy of Jethro with Steve.

[@surfcow]

Steve Goodman passed away from Leukemia just a few months after this was recorded.

[@robbieholder3760]

Yes in September

[@jimconnelly2851]

Jethro Burns was such a great comedian, musician, and bandleader. And the guys in the band weren't too bad either!

[@leslieberman5992]

Jethro Burns was not only the best mandolin player ever, he was the nicest man you'd ever meet. Sorry I never got to see Homer and Jethro live. They were pretty wonderful on TV though.

[@Johnny35130]

When Homer died, the only thing I saw about it was a 3 or 4 paragraph notice in the Anniston Star. I was a boy and my grandmother cut it out of the newspaper and saved it for me. She knew I was a fan.

[@carljautakis6844]

Thank you so much for posting this video, Steve Goodman was an incredible musician who with Jethro define music.

[@ramsfancasey]

Wow this is the best act ever

[@raydunn9435]

What a precious piece of old footage! Awesome musicians indeed!

[@joenania]

Incredible - JETHRO BURNS swings ! Django Reinhardt would have loved him !

[@wsmama]

I remember loving Jethro & Homer as a sprout watching Steve Allen & Dean Martin and other programs. The opening showing his smile and sparkle in his eyes as he watched his ol' tapes, was just so heartwarming. This whole program was just what I needed today. Thank you so much for posting!

[@keenosaabi4530]

thanks john for posting this. i loved it and it brought back some cool memories. i met steve at a house party in st.paul. i had gone to a prine concert at st cates and then to the party on grand av. steve was performing somewhere in the cites that night and the host of the party went to that show. steve and john both show up along with 25 of my closest friends. the music went on until daylight the conversations even longer. in 80 or 81 i took my mom to prairie home campanion, chet and jethro were on the bill. they came out and played autumn leaves, my mom's favorite song. we looked at each other with tears in our eyes, it was rare and special moment.....at the end of the show we were allowed backstagea nd met with garrison, chet and jethro;i managed to get a powdermilk bisquit t-shirt signed by all three. my mom on the other hand invited them all out to dinner, they declined graciously. later in life i worked with one of the doctors who cared for steve during his last days. life is so strange, but the music lives on. thank you, ken

[@rodneyharouff5739]

homer & jethro were just plain great!!

[@lafreeway]

Man, watching and listening to Jethro and Chet play Bye Bye Blackbird was pretty special.

[@routeflasher]

We both hit the same chord. Lucked out! I don't think so. What a band they must have in heaven!

[@Hollywoodhat]

Effortless. Amazing.

[@ray-jf4sh]

Great show from start to finish. Thank you

[@jessicabaron6348]

John, thanks so much for sharing your memory and this priceless video. I was lucky enough to take some hilarious guitar lessons from Jethro a few years before this evening, and just adored him. Who didn't? I later named my shih tzu after Homer. And in the early 80s I had fun gigging at Steve's club, and others. Those WERE the days, were't they? You really have done all of us who were on the folk scene at that time a favor by preserving this. I will share it. Good wishes...

[@SeeCSeesCC]

❤this is wonderful

[@pianopappy]

Thank you for sharing this, John. It's wonderful!

[@kylealexander8074]

Wow...

[@MaryWise-cn8mc]

I for one would love to the rehearsal also! Absolutely loved it all!!!

[@aapple3749]

what an incredible line-up! One for the ages!

[@Hungry_Hunter]

Absolutely wonderful musicians ...

[@Hollywoodhat]

Everyone on stage was AMAZING. Thanks so much for posting! A gift.

[@joebreton989]

This is Joe up here in Canada now that was music A We like that stuff thanks for putting it on

[@seanmellows1348]

Fantastic

[@johntrik]

A jewel of the History of American music uploaded in YouTuBE !!! ...THANKS! A world of men and master musicians gone forever !

[@Jamoof]

I've never heard Steve play "hot tub refugee" before- did it show up on any of his albums?? And I do believe him when he says he had just written it upstairs!

[@larryseel9005]

Thank you so much for posting this show. I remember watching it when it first aired in Chicago, and I've been trying for decades to remember the lyrics to "My Mama Was a Truck Drivin' Man." So great to see Jethro and Steve and Chet, and the mutual admiration all these great musicians had for each other.

[@scottlowden2011]

This is pure gold!

[@johnmitchelljr]

Thank you. Music is the food for the soul.

[@julieclifford7698]

Hot tub refugee - Steve Goodman🌸

[@HELICALBOB]

GREAT TO SEE OLD FOOTAGE OF OUR PAL STIERNBERG AND THE HEART-STOPPING STEVE GOODMAN...

[@johnfineberg258]

I never thought about it before, but I’m really resonating with the term “heart-stopping,” HELICALBOB!

[@seanparker4746]

Omg it's hard to think Steve was short for this world (no pun intended) thanks for posting!!!!!! ❤

[@rodneyharouff5739]

& this is great!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

What a great concert. I had just moved to the area but was too busy studying to listen to this. But the year before I had seen Steve in Telluride, which was heaven for a weekend. What great talents, and great camerawork throughout.

[@keithbird8910]

Just wonderful.

[@ZazenFlyin]

Jethro is one of the best improvisers I've heard across all genres.

[@clearfield2009]

9/20/1984 was the date we lost Steve Goodman

[@jp-mc2bp]

And we lost a good one

[@3wands1215]

wonderful !! thanks for uploading !!

[@tribefromthenorth]

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this! Jethro and Steve were great together!

[@daveb3119]

Great music. Thanks for posting

[@Rob30Scott]

Just wonderful!

[@chukcanuk]

What a find. Thanks for posting this.

[@rjwh67220]

It takes some serious stones to play mandolin on the same stage as Jethro Burns.

[@tonymarcus1827]

Don Stiernberg is the guy to do it!

[@jp-mc2bp]

just good music

[@erhantitiz3194]

The only Elvis-like AI song ever made.

[@adrienneturley7576]

J'adore!

[@LivePreserver]

Hi Mr. Fineberg - thank you so much for this upload; the show is awesome. As a big fan of Steve Goodman (and Jethro!), this was a real treat. Is there any chance you'd be willing to allow me to re-transfer this tape? I believe I can achieve a truly excellent result; please see videos on my channel for example of my transfers. If not, no worries! Thanks again for the great upload!

[@cpr-twincities6948]

Thanks your interest, and for asking. I don't feel comfortable in passing the recording on to anyone else. But, please feel free to post a link to this page.

[@hackbritton3233]

There was a time I would have tried to play along-know I'm just eating cornbread and milk.

[@jp-mc2bp]

that just maid my day had musterd greens too

[@robertgross6465]

40 minutes in, Hot Tub Refugee, I was there for the influence of the song. But not with him in the tub. Soap Creek Saloon Austin, Texas 3/84

[@kenlieck7756]

Hmmm, I never knew that the name "Soap Creek" was meant to be taken literally! I did my tubbin' back then at the Frog Pond on Airport and the one that was on Sixth Street with the cave rooms...

[@alexleech4490]

24:17 is when Chet Atkins comes on....

[@TonyWhite22351]

He’s on first at 12 min mark !

[@Hassehank]

Thanx for sharing. Excellent musicians. Who is the other mandolin player? just caught his first name: Don ...

[@Bluelightcheaphotel]

Stiernberg. Excellent mandolinist

[@sputnikginger]

Is Steve Goodman playing a Martin J40 - but that model normally has hexagon fret markers ???

[@jefflemmon1326]

Boy!! Thank you so much, just what I needed! Btw, who was on the 2nd mandolin?

[@JanJohanssonmusic]

Don Stiernberg

[@Eddie_Schantz]

Great video, thanks for posting. No one could play a mandolin better than Jethro Burns. What is the name of the tune they are playing at 29:30? I recognize the tune, just don't know the name of it, not for sure anyway.

[@johnfineberg258]

Sounds like "Bye, Bye, Blackbird" to me.

[@Eddie_Schantz]

@@johnfineberg258 I thought I heard parts of "Bye Bye Blackbird in there but wasn't sure if that was it or a configuration of several numbers. Thanks for the reply.

[@jp-mc2bp]

just good music