Don Helms

Born on a small farm in New Brockton, Alabama on February 28, 1927, Donald Hugh Helms was influenced by the prominent steel guitar style of "Take It Away, Leon" McAuliffe with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. At 15, Don bought a Silvertone lapsteel and amp. By age 17, he found himself playing behind a young local radio personality named Hank Williams. Together they performed in small clubs and schoolhouses until Don went into the service in 1945. By the time Don was discharged in 1947, Hank was already signed on with Acuff-Rose publishing company and MGM records and was on his way to Shreveport's "Louisiana Hayride". Don was not ready to leave Alabama for Louisiana, but once Hank tore the roof off the Grand Ole Opry with "Lovesick Blues" in 1949, Hank convinced Don to join him in Nashville and the two helped make country music history.

Helms started his days with Hank playing a Fender eight-string doubleneck steel guitar. In 1950, he did a little horse-trading and ended up with the Gibson Console Grande (also an 8-string double neck) found on so many great hits of the 1950's.

The strength and confidence of his picking along with the sound-saturation through his 1949 Fender Pro amp caused many radio and jukebox speakers to resonate what became known as that distinctive Helms sound. Hank's major hits of Cold, Cold Heart, Why Don't You Love Me, Your Cheatin' Heart, I Can't Help It (if I'm still in love with you) and a host of others are full of the rich, clearly identifiable sounds of Don's steel.

Patsy Cline's original recording of "Walking After Midnight", Ernest Tubb's "Letters Have No Arms", Loretta Lynn's "Success" and Stonewall Jackson's "Waterloo" are other recordings highlighting Don's unique stylings. Since his Hank Williams days, Don has been in numerous bands with stars such as Ray Price, Ferlin Husky, Wilburn Brothers, Cal Smith and Hank Williams, Jr. In 1977, he joined the re-established Drifting Cowboys Band. Since October 1989, he has been playing behind Hank's daughter Jett Williams.

Don used a 10-string double neck Derby pedal steel, but his sound and touch were still unmistakable. He still took out his Gibson Console Grande for special occasions. In preparation for a 1997 TV show, Alan Jackson asked to borrow Don's Gibson for a special segment on Hank's music. After Alan returned the guitar with a small gratuity, Don quipped, "I think I'll retire and book my steel on the road".  

Of course, retirement was never on Don's agenda. Despite a 1997 accident with his lawnmower that left him with 1/4" less of his picking pointer finger, Don still played on the road. With a warm personality and wonderful sense of humor, Don was a walking history book on the evolution of the "Golden Era of Country Music".  

He has received a number of special recognitions and was inducted in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1984. Don passed away August 11, 2008.  His wife Hazel continues to live near Nashville, as they have since the days of Hank Williams.