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Our Loss Is Heavens Gain

I first met Mr. Don Helms a few years back when we were both performing on a steel show. He and Ms. Hazel were in the booth right next to me and we soon struck up a conversation. Over the next couple of days we became good friends, and we have stayed in touch ever since. But now it's August 11, 2008 and I'm sad to say I lost one of my good friends today, one of the finest gentlemen I've ever known, Mr. Don Helms. As I sit here with tears in my eyes I think back to the last time I saw him.

I have been working on a new country project for awhile now and I had recently cut the song " The Death Of Hank Williams". During a listen back in the studio, the song just seemed to be missing something. So after discussing the missing part, my producer and I agreed it needed that haunting Hank signature sound and we knew just the man that could add it. I called and asked Mr. Don if he would be interested in recording some steel on my new cut of an old song. He said ,"you know of all the songs I've done with Hank and about Hank, I've never played that one". I always wanted too but just never have, yes, I'd be glad to, he said. With that, we set a date and time. Knowing that Mr. Don wasn't getting around as well as he had and with all the amazing new technology, my producer , Michael Radford, my engineer, Wayne Marsh and I decided to take the studio to Mr. Don. It was on May 19th, 2008 and we arrived around 1:30pm. Mr. Don and Ms. Hazel greeted us at the door and were both happy to see us. We brought our equipment in and set it up in the dining room of Mr. Don's and Ms. Hazel's home. The three of us chit chatted while the guys set everything up. Mr. Don said "Well Tresa, I've got a brand new steel in there, I've never played much, do you want me to play that one today or do you want me to play Ole' Red?" I quickly answered, "Ole' Red, Mr. Don". He said," I kinda thought you might want that one," and smiled a big smile.

Mr. Don played with all his heart and soul that day and with that same magical sound he gave Hank Williams many years ago. He played the song through a few times and said , Well, how's that? "Sounds great Mr. Don, that's a wrap, I said ! But instead of taking off his picks, he just sat there sharing a few more licks on the steel for us and reminiscing about some of the great songs he had recorded in the past. He just seemed to get lost in the music. It was fasinating. Sensing that he was tiring, I said, "You did a beautiful job Mr. Don, What do I owe you? He smiled real big and puckered up his lips and said "Just This". I said, "Well you've got that for sure Mr. Don, as I bent down with gratitude and gave him a BIG kiss . He said "that's all you owe me", I said, "but you don't have to do that Mr Don, I intended to pay you." He was short and sweet! "I know I don't have to do that, I've earned the right to do what ever I want, and I want to do this, I'm proud to be able to do it." Then he chuckled under his breath and repeated to Ms. Hazel… "Hazel, Tresa asked me what she owed me and I told her this" and he puckered up again. Ms. Hazel just smiled with admiration as I gave him another big hug. "Mr. Don, thank you so much for the beautiful touch that only you could add to my song. I'm so honored that you played on this for me. He said, I'm glad to do it honey, and I want to come out to the Long Hollow Jamboree and hear you and sit in with you when I get through going to all these doctors. Excited I said, " Oh I'd love that and be honored Mr. Don… I'm gonna hold you to it".

He and Ms. Hazel smiled, wishing us well and with big hugs added "come back anytime" as we left. Little did I know that, that was the last time I'd get to see my friend Mr. Don. I did get to talk with him and Ms. Hazel after that, but sharing the music with him that day will remain with me forever, I know he thoroughly enjoyed it. Mr. John Wise, a mutual friend said that as far as he knew, I was the last person that Mr. Don recorded with and that makes it even more special to me. It's always hard for me to understand why our friends and loved ones are taken away. In this case, I guess our good Lord needed a steel player and the Drifting Cowboys couldn't wait any longer. I bet Ole' Hank and the boys sure was glad to see him!!

Yes, as I said Mr. Don was a good friend of mine and was one of the finest men I've known . He had a true God given talent and shared it with the world! He was a friend to all and was loved by all that knew him!! Especially Ms. Hazel. He will be missed !!

Thanks Mr. Don for everything …I'm sealing this with a kiss!!

With love always,

Tresa Street