Hal Ketchum

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

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Larry Baker
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Hal Ketchum

Post by Larry Baker »

Hal passed away from complications with dementia. He was only 67. Prayers for the family. Rest In Peace Hal
Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P.
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Sonny Jenkins
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Post by Sonny Jenkins »

Sad news indeed!! I played some bass for Hal when he was here in New Braunfels still working in cabinet shop. In fact I still have a cassette tape somewhere that he gave me to learn some original songs he wrote. RIP my friend
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Lee Warren
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Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Post by Lee Warren »

Sad news indeed.
I played a number of dates that Hal was on in the ‘90’s.
He and his band were always very kind and gracious to us, the opening act.
R.I.P. Hal.
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K Maul
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Post by K Maul »

He was a quality writer, singer and performer. A very good friend of mine was in a band with him in his hometown of Greenwich NY and said he was great guy to work with. A class act all around.
KEVIN MAUL: Airline, Beard, Clinesmith, Danelectro, Evans, Fender, Gibson, Hilton, Ibanez, Justice, K+K, Live Strings, MOYO, National, Oahu, Peterson, Quilter, Rickenbacher, Sho~Bud, Supro, TC, Ultimate, VHT, Williams, Xotic, Yamaha, ZKing.
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Craig Stock
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Post by Craig Stock »

Good obit here on Savingcountrymusic.com

https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/coun ... m-has-died
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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Herb Steiner
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Post by Herb Steiner »

I used to run into Hal frequently at the Home Depot in Dripping Springs. He was a genuinely good human being. RIP Hal :(
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
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Chris Boyd
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Post by Chris Boyd »

Very sad news..Great singer/songwriter/carpenter..I will never forget a show he did at Mohigan Sun's Wolfden in '99..
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Pete Finney
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Post by Pete Finney »

I was around Hal quite a bit in the 90s when he was having big radio hits and touring a lot. He was always a great performer, and a great backstage hang; friendly, bright, and funny. I always thought he had great taste in other peoples songs, besides all the great ones he wrote himself.

So sad to lose someone to dementia at such a relatively early age. I'm sure it's been a very tough few years for his family, my heart goes out to them.

RIP Hal
Last edited by Pete Finney on 25 Nov 2020 7:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Joachim Kettner
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Post by Joachim Kettner »

I got aware of him of him when he covered "I saw the light in your eye". Very sad.
Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube.
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Bob Carlucci
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Post by Bob Carlucci »

Heard the news, and felt quite sad.. Went to Youtube and watched this for some catharsis-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D2LKCv ... rt_radio=1

I found it hard to believe that this extremely handsome, very talented energetic young man had left us, and with dementia to boot, at only 67.. My, how utterly fragile and short are the days we are allotted on this earth.. Rest in peace Hal, I enjoyed your music... bob
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......
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Doug Earnest
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Post by Doug Earnest »

He did the best version of "On the Wings of a Dove" that I ever heard. RIP
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Fred Treece
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Post by Fred Treece »

He was the best kind of singer-songwriter, doing both very well. And his songs were fun to play! His version of Five O’clock World has to be one of the best covers of any song ever.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy2GOg8GPCU
Working days are over, Mr. Ketchum. You did good. RIP
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