Guitarist/Songwriter Steve Wariner talks about playing at his close friends' funerals.

This video was shot in October of 2004 in Nashville, TN. In this clip, Steve Wariner talks about playing at the funerals of Chet Atkins, Dottie West, and Roger Miller.
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[@edsyphan3425]

Always a big fan of Steve's. Thouught he was very under appreciated

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

You’re correct Ed … Steve has never got the recognition he deserves… best, Joe

[@nikkienikkie4310]

He seems like such a genuinely kind person.

[@eddieloftis2414]

My friend asked me to sing How Great Thou Art at his funeral several years before he passed away.I jokingly said “Man you’ll still be around long after I’m gone!!!!” Knowing he was already in bad health but I told him I would. A few years later he passed away and his son called and said to me “You know what you have to do don’t you?” I did sing at his funeral and it was so so very difficult to hold it together but I’m so honored that he asked and I was able to do it for him. Great story Joe n Steve TCB FOREVER

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for sharing Eddie…Joe

[@joeJoe-pb3su]

Steve is a great guy. God bless him. He is a great artist and a great humble man.

[@joannebryant6217]

Details shared that could never be read/heard anywhere else. Thanks for preserving these incredible stories, Joe.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for watching Jo…. Joe

[@robertmartin4821]

One thing that comes through clearly. Chet being an incredible guitar player and music industry executive, he hung out with and was friends with very classy people.

[@buffer0179]

Always have had so much respect for Steve, what a humble person, not too mention a fantastic guitarist and singer..

[@ernestoborrego5102]

Good interview, not often do we get to see musicians share their feelings about passing friends…

[@sooz9433]

What a sweet, memorable video. I loved Chet Atkins, Dottie West and Roger Miller. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for Steve to do. I remember trying to sing at more than one funeral service for Family members and failing miserably. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video Joe. 🎼🖤

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Sooz….Joe

[@collinreesejones5525]

Steve Wariner is one of the most genuine people ever...

[@SeanVedell]

What has always amazed me about players like Steve is the total lack of ego. Tons of confidence to be sure, but no apparent ego. Steve, Vince, Tommy Emmanuel (where was he for Chet’s funeral?) all know how to make room to let the other players on the stage shine. This series of interviews are wonderful for capturing the artist in a relaxed conversation. Don’t stop doing what you’re doing, Joe. It works. ❤️🎶🇨🇦

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Sean…Joe

[@timmylawlor6821]

what a very nice man steve wariner

[@robertryan2542]

Oh Joe my wife and l laughed so much when Steve spoke of Waylon wailin'. God bless all those men for the joy they shared. Imagine poor Elvis would've been 87 yesterday. I hope you have a lovely day. From Ireland 🇮🇪

[@mikefannon6994]

Every year on January 8 I count the number of years since 1935 and imagine what Elvis would be like.

[@fcontitwo]

I love it , Waylon was ‘wailing ‘ ✨🎺🎼🙏🏼✝️✨✌🏼🎈

[@calsurflance5598]

This speaks to what a close knit family the Nashville music community is. Very personal stories. Thanks Joe. Hope you and everyone at the MHOF have a great New Year.🎸🎼

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again Cal..Joe

[@russell3380]

I loved them all but Roger Miller was on my turntable all the time back then, I was a kid and he was singing to me, lol. Thank you again for what you do.

[@eddiecarter9831]

That was a beautiful interview! As a pastor and musician, I've had the honor to do a lot of funerals for families I have been close with. On more than one occasion, I've lost it during a service. I sang at my grandma's funeral and preached my aunt's, and those were very hard. But it is such a great honor to be a part of celebrating someone's life, especially when you feel confident about their eternity.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for sharing Eddie… best, Joe

[@sondraharris53]

I love this! I love Steve Wariner! He’s so talented and has such a tender heart. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@frankiebutler2894]

Joe, you never fail to bring wonderful moments to us; always make me feel good.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

That makes my day Frankie… thanks… Joe

[@markwilkins4616]

Great interview Joe. Always enjoy what you do & what you've done for the Musicians Hall of Fame. I've known Steve Wariner since 1984,...he is a class act & one the nicest & most genuine human beings God has put on this earth. Thanks for putting this on you tube. Funerals are hard to get thru especially for singers/musicians. Thanks again..( would be honored to meet you someday Joe!)

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Mark….Joe

[@TM-yn4iu]

A sincere piece, words reflecting the sincerity - If you look at what Steve has written it is so clear he feels and hears a third beat in a world of two....heartbeats.

[@efhs1970]

Joe! What a great interview! I can see clearly why Steve is so well liked! Thanks for sharing!💫

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you Larry… Joe

[@blueticecho5690]

Cool story Joe.. a few years back I was at a funeral of one of our air crew guys and one of our guys was going to sing Grace and with tears in eyes he just hammer the poor song and after he finish the old priest turn to us and said.. Good job and don't worry old John not going to smell those flowers either..Oh man the place just roared.. thanks Joe..

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Blue…Joe

[@ivannovotny4552]

Thank you Joe and Steve for sharing this touching and heartfelt real treasure video. You guys captured it all so very well....

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thank you Ivan…. Joe

[@philcory5043]

I performed at a friends funeral. That really is hard to do. Great video as always Joe. Congrats on your Gibson The Scene video too. 😎

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Phil…Joe

[@luckyone8793]

Thanks Joe for sharing this memory of some of the greats that have passed. I can see why you & Steve are such good friends..both such kind men!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again for watching Lucky….Joe

[@Joe.Doucette]

Touching video, Joe.

[@sodbuster4411]

Thanks Joe. That's tremendous. Steve Wariner is the nicest musical artist I ever met. I can understand his emotions for these icons.

[@sapelesteve]

That was a very touching and heart warming video Joe! Thanks and I hope that you had a very Happy New Year!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks again Steve… Joe

[@chuckhall1015]

That right there is the reason Steve is so well loved...

[@bradwalters7511]

Joe I had the pleasure to take my family to the musicians Hall of Fame recently. And I've got to tell you that is one of the most fantastic collections of memorabilia, stories, and history I believe I'll ever see in my life. I look forward to going back and spending more time there's just so much information there you can't take it all in one visit.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Brad….. (first off… my youngest son is named Brad too) thank you so much for visiting the museum and the extremely kind comments. We are building new exhibit cases now to hold items we’ve not had space to show so hopefully we will have more to see when you guys come back. Sorry I missed seeing you. I rarely get there until after lunch. Thanks again for watching our videos too. Best, Joe

[@PatrickRosenbalm]

He's a really nice guy. I'm not a bit surprised that at what he said. He has a big heart along with big talent. I had the privilege of meeting Steve once in the 90s doing a video shoot for a band that opened for him. I ended up watching him perform from the sound booth after videoing the previous band. Later my wife was in line to get his autograph on a photo and I joined her. When we got to Steve, he asked her what her name was, and she just looked at him like a deer in headlights. I told him Marie. He looked up at me and recognized me being the other man at the sound booth (outdoor event) and ask me how they sounded. I really didn't expect that, and we ended up having a brief conversation. Marie just stood there. I've dealt with some famous people in my music career, and I always enjoy dealing with people like Steve. Laid back and down to earth. Performers with pleasant attitudes like his seem to be getter rarer all the time. Thanks so much for posting this Joe!!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks for sharing your memories Patrick…Joe

[@joebersik9846]

great interview!! wonderful stories!

[@danrudloff]

Steve Warner is a great performer and a better person.

[@baneverything5580]

Thanks Joe. These are important videos.

[@WildwoodSon]

I remember seeing Steve for the first time playing as an accompanist to Chet at a concert in grad school (Knoxville) circa 1982, and could see the mutual admiration between the two. My recollection is that Steve was featured playing and singing the Billy Swan song, I Can Help, but that was 40 years ago and my memory may be scrambled.

[@maryfoerster2912]

Steve has a big heart! Great big heart!

[@mrDCunningham]

I love that guy and his son is incredible too. Another wonderful clip from the vault Joe. Very cool. Thank you again sir 👍🏻😎

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi David… yes both of Steve’s boys are extremely talented. Ryan worked for me in my Cool Springs guitar shop for years. Thanks fir for watching…Joe

[@lbshore]

Beautiful story about Chet's guitar. Love these interviews.

[@tpiorkowski]

Great video and story, thanks for sharing,

[@jpsmusicandmore5457]

Great video and Steve is the best ever

[@jeanniebell9493]

Love Steve so much !

[@thewenik6876]

Such a nice story on Chet Atkins passing and playing at his funeral.

[@jimideez9829]

Outstanding Joe...Thanx.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Jimi….Joe

[@c.blakerockhart1128]

Thanks Joe. Hope you have a GREAT and VERY BLESSED YEAR. 🇺🇸😎

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Thanks Blake…Joe

[@pekkapohjola2727]

Thanks. I hope you got more gems like this. Sorry about my finglish :)

[@walterbriggs272]

I still can’t imagine Chet as being gone. I know he was human, but like so many of my heroes, Chet was supposed to live forever

[@JohnLeePedimore]

I knew this fellow existed but I have to admit I don't really know anything about him. Now I know a little more. That's the beauty of the internet. Another musician that got his start with Dottie West in the early 70s was Harry Stinson. He currently plays drums for Marty Stuart and has for a couple decades now. Harry also does a lot of studio recording and back up singing. If you made a list of the people he hasn't worked with in Nashville it would be shorter than the people he has worked with. Great interview Joe. Looks like you've also got a 30 minute backstage video of Steve from a couple years ago. I'll have to watch that too.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Yes John.. I did a updated interview with Steve the Fall of 2019 just before his induction ceremony and concert into the MHOF… Best, Joe

[@rogerturner5504]

Sweet man.

[@2packs4sure]

I don't know how in the world those guys do those funeral performances.... I remember not even being able even being able to WATCH Vince Gill and Patty Loveless at George Jones's service,,, that was rough rough rough..

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

I agree 2pack… Joe

[@poobum9857]

Im going to meet you one day Mr Chambers ince this COVID thing goes away .. you and fam stay well and hope 2022 good for you'll !

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Ok Poo… look forward to meeting you… Joe

[@googoo-gjoob]

thanks for the tears...........

[@allanrussack2844]

I think musos must all be softies! Love em all

[@Ed_Stuckey]

Just sittin' and talkin' and then 7:45 it just flows out so naturally. That's my idea of talent - or a gift from God. Not sure which. Listening to him share these rememberances makes it easy to see why everyone says he's a really nice guy.

[@tomw9875]

Thanks Joe.

[@syn707]

💙

[@patrickostrom2762]

It's a shame that Steve gets over looked and Great humanity with great talents! Mr.Nashville! Hope he was given one of Chet's guitar's! He deserves it!

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Hi Patrick… so true and yes Steve was given one of Chet’s guitars after Chet passed but way before Chet passed away he gave Steve a really cool White Falcon Gretsch too. Thanks..Joe

[@WmRob]

Met this gentleman @ 2000 in Louisville when the IBMA Fan Fest was held at the Galt House. I was eating breakfast in the east tower, a buffet, and he was ahead of me in line. Honestly, I had no idea who he was until I saw his pass in his jacket pocket. Still, it was breakfast and I left him alone. I sat down at a big table for eight and he sat across from me. We ate quietly until some lady popped up and insisted on interrupting his meal for an autograph and photo. Then chatted at him (not with him) as he politely listened, his meal getting cold. Finally, exasperated with her bugging him, I said “Eat up, Steve, we’ve got that panel at 9.” Thankfully he caught on and the oblivious lady got the hint. After she left, he grinned and said “Thanks, I think I owe you one.” Later in the day, he saw me in the expo area and pulled me aside to thank me and introduced me to Tom T. Hall as the guy who knows “when to help a fella out”. I still have the photo of the three of us. Nicest folks ever.

[@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum]

Great story Rob….Joe

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

I always thought everyone knows one verse of Our National Anthem and five verses of Amazing Grace. lol

[@jacktolmachoff7547]

Ya Joe !!