Kenny Feauto’s 1975 Sho-Bud Pro III custom
This is the story of Kenny Feauto (photo) and his 1975 Sho-Bud Pro III custom.
He had many steels through the years.
His son Paul contacted me about the Pro III Custom he had gotten after his dad passed away. I wasn’t aware of Kenny and his legacy at the time. Paul and I became friends right away after a great chat and I headed down to Fort Dodge soon after.
He had told me about how when his dad passed it was sold to someone. He figured it was gone but then word spread that it had been put up for sale at a music store in Iowa, 8th Note Music. He caught wind and raced there in time to buy it back before anyone else could. Including the original Sho-Bud seat.
I even found quite a buzz on social media of the alert.
"Kenny Feauto’s Steel is for sale!" all over the web.
Not wanting to let it get away again Paul held on to it for quite some years. Taking it out and setting it up from time to time when he missed his dad. Being a musician himself he really enjoyed having it around.
He had felt it was time to maybe let it go because it needed some work and attention. He told me all sorts of stories about his Dad and I soaked in as much as I could. I was astounded by the great things he told me about. I knew this was a special one and we talked it over. I had to tell everyone about him.
We shook hands and agreed that I would tell his dad’s story as part of the deal. He simply trusted me to follow through.
Inside the seat were some odds and ends but we didn’t think much of those at the time. Though we should’ve. Picks, tone bars, a tuner and more.
I had many steels in line, so months later I finally started in.
It was in decent shape. It needed a good cleaning and some parts here and there. Pedals were stiff and it had plenty of corrosion. It was dirty and oily from the years. I even had to gently take a chisel to the wood in the changer cavity at one point. The pickups were aged and coming apart. I sent them both off to Nick Fryer to be restored also.
Every individual, tiny little part was removed to be cleaned and polished. I had to make a new rod guide. The old one was drilled out and falling apart. This steel took me a couple months. I wanted it to be perfect but still exhibit the players' wear. You could see where he set his bars and picks.
Where he rested his arm on the C6th neck while playing on the E9 neck.
His hand writing of which leg went where in black magic marker was left untouched.
As I went along I was sending Paul before and after pictures.
Having some great chats as he told me more about his dad and mom.
Mom being the drummer for their band ”The Showmen”.
Kenny played for the greats over the years. Getting offers to go on tour and sign on but his success had already surpassed that.
So he continued what he loved.
Forming bands while raising a family and playing in bands with them.
When Paul saw the work I was doing and fulfilling my part of the deal he contacted his sister Sandy. He told her of what he and I had been up to.
They were both excited to see their dads steel being fixed up and before long Sandy called me up.
She wanted to buy something from me....
Her husband Dave had always wanted Kenny’s Tone bar and wanted to know if it was still in the seat. I told her I wouldn’t sell it to her… but she may certainly have it back. Dave had always wanted one of his bars and she would love to give it to him for his birthday. In no time we both figured that she wouldn’t be able to wait that long.
We continued to get along famously and decided on a reunion trip with the finished steel and to surprise Dave with the tone bar the next weekend.
Paul and Sandy decided that they would write the story of their father together.
She had been having a hard time ever since he passed because she missed her father greatly. The hopes were that telling his story would help bring her closure.
Steel players are very special people and they have such a positive influence. When they leave us it also leaves a large hole in many hearts. So they went right to work on it. His story was to be hand written by her and I decided that it will be forever kept in the case.
We decided on meeting the following Saturday.
My friend Mel jumped in the car with a camera bag in hand.
She wasn’t going to miss something like this.
We got up early and headed out. Paul and Dave set up in the living room the night before so we could have a jam.
Upon arrival we were met outside by Paul. Him and I brought the Sho-Bud in.
We went right to the living room where Sandy and Dave were. It was like we all knew each other for years.
Sandy read the story about the life of her father aloud as Dave and I set up the steel.
The first tear jerker of many that day.
Next we chatted and talked about the steel as everyone reminisced about the times of him playing this particular one.
Like most musicians he had many instruments through the years.
Dave sat right down and starting playing it. Being a great player himself it was a real treat to hear him and the steel together. All of us listened and chatted as he kept playing.
Then I nodded to Sandy when no one was looking hoping she could read my lips. “The bar is in the seat”
Her eyes got huge and she turned and kind of laughed and said, “Stop playing Dave and stand up!”
He looked at her.
Surprised at the request but stood up.
Then she motioned for me to open the seat.
So I looked at Dave and said,
“The real reason we're here today is to bring you something.”
I opened the seat, reached in, picked up and handed him the bar.
It was pretty hard for everyone to hold it together when we immediately saw how much it meant to him.
We all had a big round of embraces.
It was more important than anything to him.
The bar…
that Kenny held…
and made music with…
We talked about it and the size. Kenny had big hands and played with a large bar. It took quite some time for everyone to calm down afterwards.
Dave told us stories he remembered of Kenny playing that actual Sho-Bud.
Inside the seat were also his picks which meant a lot too. He was in Kenny’s band back in the day.
He had been following and listening to Kenny Feauto on the steps of clubs since he was too young to get into the bar.
Dave became a great guitar player and joined the ranks in Kennys band and eventually married his daughter Sandy.
Kenny was his musical hero, friend, band member and father in-law.
After a deep breath we all took up an instrument. Sandy on Vocals and acoustic guitar, Paul on Bass, Dave on steel and six string. Myself on steel and six string but I mostly sat back and enjoyed three musicians that were inspired by the great Mr. Feauto.
Dave continued to impress me with his steel playing. The three of them were not short of musical talent. I was stunned. Had a hard time playing because I was enjoying listening so much. Right off the bat they sounded great with no rehearsing.
This was all while Mel captured it.
Then we listened to some songs with Sandy singing and Kenny playing with the Band “Midwest Country".
Oh man could he tear it up on a fiddle!
His version of Orange Blossom Special is the best I’ve ever heard.
Sandy told me of how Kenny’s favorite song on the album was,
“Picture of me without you”.
A bittersweet memory that they are living today. As a whole we are making sure he and the music lives on.
We chatted and jammed and had a great afternoon. Mel and Sandy got all the pictures and the story compiled to be told. We packed up and said goodbyes. Tears, hugs and laughter were plentiful.
Upon leaving they thanked Mel and myself but we were the ones who were thankful. The opportunity to be welcomed in and be a small part of this great history was overwhelming.
What they had as a whole was something rare.
The entire family was soaked in musical history. Many versions of bands. Moms, dads, uncles, brothers, sisters and more. All great musicians and genuinely wonderful people. He created and inspired so many musicians.
The steel and seat came back home with me. The plans are to have it on display at the next Steel guitar convention in Iowa. For all to see, hear and learn of the great Kenny Feauto.
His legacy is worthy of the length of a book. We hope that each picture along with the story will fill more than a thousand words each.
Thank You
Kenny Feauto.
Not just a man or musician.
The definition of a Legend.
The Story Of Kenny Feauto
as told By Paul Feauto and Sandy (Feauto) Schmieder
A Suprise Turn of Events…
It came back with me from that ‘Family Reunion’ day,
for a final go-through and inspection.
I just knew from the beginning that this one was destined to go home to the Kenny family eventually though. It just wouldn’t be right in anyone else’s hands.
So home it went.
But this time it was to go to the care of Sandy.
She needed to enjoy the memory of her dad. Not just the steel but the seat where he sat and made music. I was happy to make plans and meet again—this time at Sandy and Daves's house.
We (Natalie—Violinist, Mel—Photographer, and I) headed out Saturday morning.
Dave and Sandy set up some amps and were ready for another jam upon arrival. This time we had Dave on steel again. Sandy on Guitar and singing away. Myself on bass and Natalie playing none other than Kenny’s fiddle.
It was amazing to hear two of his instruments being played once again.
We didn’t want to stop.
We eventually decided to nail a version of, Amarillo By Morning…
Goosebumps
Kenny’s steel and fiddle singing out loud was pure magic.
Then another family member popped in. Tyler…
Sandy and Daves’s son. The youngest of 4, who is a drummer. I didn’t feel the need to ask if he played an instrument. It felt like a safe bet to just ask which one he played! Also as expected, it felt like we already knew each other.
We just hung out and played tunes all afternoon.
From left to right: Dave, Natalie, Sandy, Justy, Mel, Tyler
It finally came time to head back so we all gathered around for a group photo.
Wish I could go back and do it all again. So relieving to know it’s back in the hands in which all the items belong. Being taken care of by the family to this day.
I’m sure we’ll be getting together again for some more fun times. We sounded better right off than most bands I'd been in!
Many thanks to all involved for another amazing experience and for letting me share the story of Kenny Feauto.
