Billy Tams

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

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Randy Blackwell
Posts: 96
Joined: 6 Feb 2006 1:01 am
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Billy Tams

Post by Randy Blackwell »

Very sad to say goodbye to another good friend and great player. Billy passed away near noon today. Our condolences to His wife Chris and family.
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Richard Sinkler
Posts: 17778
Joined: 15 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Post by Richard Sinkler »

Sad news.
Carter D10 8p/7k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup, Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112, Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open G slide and regular G tuning guitar) .

Playing for 55 years and still counting.
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Craig Stock
Posts: 3908
Joined: 24 Nov 1999 1:01 am
Location: Westfield, NJ USA

Post by Craig Stock »

RIP Billy, always liked reading his posts, my best to his family and friends!
Regards, Craig

I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.

Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days
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David Higginbotham
Posts: 3735
Joined: 27 Mar 2003 1:01 am
Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

Post by David Higginbotham »

Really sad news, Randy. I last spoke with Billy 3 or 4 months ago and sent him an effects unit he wanted to try. Such a nice guy! We’ll all miss his ever positive presence here on the forum.
Dave :cry:
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Marty Broussard
Posts: 2505
Joined: 18 Oct 2002 12:01 am
Location: Broussard, Louisiana, USA

Post by Marty Broussard »

Wish I had met him in person. Always enjoyed talking with him. Rest in peace.
RETIRED
Former steel guitarist for Tracy Byrd & The Byrd Dawgs, Mark Chesnut & The New South Band, Mark Nesler & Texas Tradition, Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun, Belton Richard & The Musical Aces

"Technique is really the elimination of the unnecessary..it is a constant effort to avoid any personal impediment or obstacle to achieve the smooth flow of energy and intent" Yehudi Menuhin
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Daymon LaPoint
Posts: 425
Joined: 7 Jul 2013 9:34 pm
Location: Jasper, Texas

Post by Daymon LaPoint »

Chris called me yesterday afternoon to let me know. Billy was a tremendous friend to many of us. I'll miss him and our visits somewhere between Jasper Texas and Baton Rouge. Normally a Fausto's would be the place of choice. Billy never met stranger and always had a positive word to go along with his sense of humor. Wonderful steel player goes without saying. Keeping Mrs. Chris in prayers and she walks this path.
Steel Learnin' and Still Missing Jimmy Day!

Stopped keeping track. '66 Emmons Bolt-On, Sho-Bud LDG12, Sho-Bud Fingertip, Sho-Bud Permanent, Sho-Bud Professional, Sho-Bud Pro 1, Sho-Bud Blue Darlin' #4, Blue Darlin #5, Blue Darlin' #6, Rus-Ler D-10, Fender '59 Bassman, Fender Twin Reverb and Rick Johnson Cabinets. Multiple Evans, 300 Hybrid, Evans SE-100, Evans FET500, WEBB 6-14-E. Previous and Proud owner of James Blonde, Brownie, and Rosalee.
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Daniel J. Cormier
Posts: 4582
Joined: 30 Jan 2002 1:01 am
Location: Lake Charles, LA, USA

Broken hearted.

Post by Daniel J. Cormier »

Wife and I had lunch with him at Crawfish Town in Henderson about 3 weeks ago. Could tell he had lost weight, but said he was feeling better than he had in a long time. So this came as a shock to me. Will miss him dearly. Prayers going up to the family
Daniel J. Cormier
Rittenberry with Tone to the bone,profex or tubefex and what ever amp, hilton pedal, BJS bars. Email at kajunsteelman@yahoo.com.
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Tiny Olson
Posts: 1037
Joined: 4 Jan 2002 1:01 am
Location: Mohawk River Valley, Upstate NY

Post by Tiny Olson »

I'm saddened to hear about Billy's passing. I met him a few times back in the day when I was out grinding the road and we were doing a show in the Baton Rouge area. A super good guy..!!

My prayers and deepest sympathies go out for his family and friends.
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Danny Harrell
Posts: 626
Joined: 24 May 2004 12:01 am
Location: Livingston, Louisiana, USA

Post by Danny Harrell »

Billy and I have been friends for many years. We talked pretty frequently. Prayers for the family, he will be missed.
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Joe Rogers
Posts: 757
Joined: 16 Oct 1999 12:01 am
Location: Lake Charles, LA USA

Post by Joe Rogers »

So sorry to hear the news. I've talked to Billy a dozen times on the phone but never met him in person. Thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends 🙏

Joe Rogers
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Tommy Shown
Posts: 2670
Joined: 9 Oct 2008 4:10 pm
Location: Denham Springs, La.

Post by Tommy Shown »

Billy was great friend and mentor to many of us . Me included. The big brother you could always go toto whenever you needed someone to talk to. Regardless if it were steelguitar related or not.
It has not been easy for because, I have tried to sit behind my steel and I feel like I have lost intonterest in playing
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Cartwright Thompson
Posts: 2700
Joined: 31 Dec 1998 1:01 am
Location: Maine

Post by Cartwright Thompson »

I never met Billy Tam in person but we conversed a bit. Really great guy, I’m sorry that he is gone, I’ll miss him.
Billy has left us so I guess that makes me the last remaining steel guitar playing retired neon tube bender.
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