BERT RIVERA – STEEL GUITAR
Born July 1, l936 in Austin, Texas, graduated Travis High School-class of 1955,attended University of Texas two years l960-l961. Married Shirley in l957, two daughters Sharon Miller, husband Greg, Brenda Carlson, husband Marc and five grandchildren Sean, Hayden, Anthony, Lisa and Erin.
In l993, Bert and Shirley built their “Dream Home” on a small ranch in Burnet, Texas.
Bert begin playing professionally at age fifteen in local clubs with schoolmate, Ray Campi, (now an internationally known rock–a-billy artist). In l958 Bert joined The Bill Prather orchestra where he was the vocalist and played bass.
Bert joined Hank Thompson in l961 as featured steel guitarist with the Brazos Valley Boys. The Brazos Valley Boys was the number one country band from l962 through 1969 with Variety and Cash Box magazine. During his tenure with Hank, Bert traveled worldwide, including appearances in Las Vegas and network television, The Johnny Carson Show, The Joey Bishop Show, The Jimmy Dean Show, The Mike Douglas Show and Hee-Haw.
Tired of the road, Bert returned to Austin in l971 and joined Wink Tyler’s Band (currently owner of an Austin recording studio).
In l973 Bert formed his own group, The Nightriders, which soon became one of Austin’s most popular top-40 cover bands. The group continued playing the Austin scene until l984. Notable Nightriders alumni include Ron Huckaby and Bennie McArthur of George Strait’s Ace in the Hole Band, Lonnie Atkinson formerly with Tanya Tucker and Rick Trevino,and Jim Mc Cord whose Elvis impression was a favorite.
Since l984 Bert worked primarily as a free-lance steel guitarist with many local groups, including a year long stint with Don Walser’s Pure Texas Band (Austin Chronicle Award’s Best Country Band in l993).
In l995 Bert joined the Chad Hudson Band until August l997 when he left to devote his time to The Ramblers, a four piece group that features traditional country, western swing, big band and jazz.
The Ramblers began with Ben Watson of Burnet on bass, Dodd Meredith from Georgetown on Drums, Lonnie Atkinson of Dripping Springs on guitar and Bert on steel. Other great musicians with the group are Jerry Lightsey and Kim Cochran of Austin on bass, and Ray Tesmer of Round Rock on guitar.
In l998 The Texas Steel Guitar Association inducted Bert into the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. Bert is presently on the Board of the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. The Association has their Convention every March in Dallas. Bert also performs at each convention.
On May 19 2001, Bert was inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame during the Association's annual western Swing festival in San Marcos, Texas.
Recording credits include all of Hank Thompson’s recordings between l961 and l971, as well as local artist’s Don Walser, Pure Texas Band, Bubba Cox,
The Kyle Sisters, Jack of Hearts, Bennie McArthur, Jess Demaine and many others.
Bert released his first solo album, a steel guitar instrumental project featuring an eclectic compilation of musical styles in 2003.
 |
|
Bert's Own Story
Although I came from a musical background on both sides of my family, my first up-close exposure to the steel guitar was in l947. A classmate in grade school brought a six-string electric lap steel to school and played before the class. From then on, I was hooked on the steel guitar. I don't really remember whether the boy played well or not, nevertheless I was captivated by the sound of the instrument.
I began making guitars out of old cigar boxes with rubber bands for strings, and my mother's lipstick cases for a bar. My grand-parents then bought me a Stella standard guitar to which I added the high nut and played like a steel.
My first electric was a six-string Magnatone lap steel, with which I got four free lessons from the music store. The next up-grade was a double-neck 8-string Fender (non-pedal) and then a triple-neck Fender Stringmaster.
When pedals came into vogue, my first pedal guitar was a Wright Custom 3-neck with five pedals. This guitar was made by Chuck Wright in California and later became the Sierra.
After joining Hank Thimpson's band in l961 I began an association with the Marlen Guitar Company in North Carolina. I played a series of Marlens until about l966 when I got an M.S.A. This was a fine guitar, but I could never get comfortable with it (personal thing). I then tried a Sho-Bud which sounded great but, it was the model that changed all 8-pedals from one neck to the other by means of a lever. Needless to say, this did not work out.
My first Emmons, a D-10 push-pull in rosewood, was very graciously brought to me personally by Ron Lashley, in Newport-News, Virginia during one of Hank's dates there. I played this guitar until I left Hank Thompson's band in l971.
Shortly after leaving the road I traded my Emmons back to the factory for a new model. I played that Emmons for thirty-one years and I still have it. Both my Emmons guitars were great sounding instruments however in about l999, I began to think about getting a new guitar with the all-pull technology. After playing many of the newer guitars I decided on the Zum Steel made by Bruce Zumsteg in Harrisonville.Mo.
After an eight-month waiting period my new Zum Steel was delivered in January of 2002. The wait was well worth it. This, in my opinion was the finest instrument I had ever played. My guitar is a D-l0 with 8-pedals and 5 knee levers in a teal mica finish, and it is a joy every time I sit down to play it.
|
|
