C E [Charlie} Pfeffer mentioned my Dad B F [Pancho} Fondren in this video. I last saw my Dad alive in Stavanger, Norway in 1975. He had just come off the rig in the video. Later, I went to work for Mobil and traveled the world to places like west Africa, middle east, etc. That was Dad talking about working two years and never leaving it. Thanks so much for this video.
Dave Fondren that’s cool man. My dad worked offshore for over 30 years and it’s always cool to hear his stories of the days when “the men were made of iron and the Derricks were made of wood”. I’ve been in the production side in the Gulf of Mexico for 7 years myself and your dad was right, it gets in your blood and I don’t plan on leaving.
That's my Dad (Pancho) Fondren at 7:39 talking about it getting in your blood. Charlie Pfeffer is the one right after Dad. Two really fine men. I worked some in the field and after my Dad died I went by Pancho also. Miss you Dad. You too Charlie.
Thank you for the comment, Dave. Your father was spectacular and treated me and the crew beautifully. I felt he was a working man's poet. David Hoffman - filmmaker
Great insight. Been Roughneckin since I was 5. Cut my teeth on a cathead, threw more chain than baseballs, First car was a Ford diesel, Home is a shack next to a drillin rig. Thanksgiving and christmas dinner is in the doghouse between connections and a lot of time between bread. A vacation is when you are stacked waiting for the next well. Crude is my bread and butter, Steel is my bones and heavy mud runs through my veins. When I get cut, I just eat a little LCM and its all good. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts. David Hoffman filmmaker
I was a derrick man for several years in Oklahoma and Texas. It only takes a 5 to 10 second video clip to know that these are mentally strong and dependable men. Men who you yourself raise your standards when you are around them. weak minded men don't stay long.
My gosh! ALOT of memories. I roughnecked in Okla. for in '81-'82. My dad got me a job as a floor hand on the rig he was working on. We mainly drilled up north around Enid & Perry, Oklahoma. It was very dangerous & had great camaraderie as your life is in your partner's hands many times. But man what a miserable hard job. Gave me immense respect my dad & all oil men who do this job. It was a thankless, merciless, dirty, hot & freezing cold job. Couldn't stay out there, so went back to school.
Joe. Thank you for your comment. I remember my days with Mobil on those rigs across the world with great fondness. Terrific people. A terrific company. Doing amazing work. Wherever I went as a filmmaker the oilman treated me beautifully. David Hoffman-filmmaker
Thank you for sharing. Beautifully poetic in the way that you speak. You probably could've helped us write the song we wrote in honor of oilmen like you. Whalon Jennings sang the song for free-no charge to me, because he loved the story and that we wrote that song. Good luck to you. David Hoffman-filmmaker
I worked for a drilling company in the North Sea, Norway under Mobil, Mobil Exploration Norway Incorporated, MENI, from 1984 to 1987 when Statoil took over
its funny how I see all the new rigs and technology of today and still would rather look at these old kelly rigs when they were new, aint nothing like the old cantilever jacknife derrick of yesteryear the rigs were a bit more crude the roughnecks a little rougher and time keeps on movin along.
David Hoffman well we do frac not drilling but they have alot in common and what the men in the video say rings true it takes a certain kind of person long shifts, hard work, away from home most times on little sleep. it takes alot of guys working together as a team to get it done and everyone takes great pride in it! its true when they say it gets in your blood youll never want to leave it once your in if your the kinda person that can hang with it your hooked!! id like to be a roughneck one day
Beautiful, J. I'm very proud of the words in the song are you I told them to a friend of mine-that this is what the man felt-and she wrote that song. It's really a classic. And wonderful that Waylon Jennings agreed to sing it. His people came from the oil patch. David Hoffman-filmmaker
David Hoffman- thank you for the one of a kind video. I’ve worked as a truck driver in the Marcellus Shale for 8 years. I’ve been a Teamster on the Bluestone Gathering and the Atlantic Sunrise pipelines and I’m currently an owner/operator hauling water to Frac pads. I’m not saying we’re heroes because we’re not. Most of us just don’t mind giving an honest days work for an honest days pay. But we’re sure as hell not the boogeyman 95% of the media and at the time of this every single democrat candidate wants you to believe we are. HYPOCRITES ! And anyone working in the industry who votes democrat in 2020 is voting against yourself. THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND OR ADVOCATE. There’s a lot of thankless jobs endured in this industry to provide energy independence to our country and it benefits every citizen in nearly every aspect of their life and we don’t get the credit we deserve or deserve most of the bullshit slung our way. I’m pushing 50 and some of the best people I’ve ever met have been in the fossil fuel industry. A fat paycheck and limited opportunities will entice you into the field but the comradery and the fact that it either gets in your blood or doesn’t will keep you coming back. Sometimes it’s feels like your not just battling the elements , roads and equipment but your employer , your employers employer, the media and half the citizens in America while providing a service everyone uses and wouldn’t even begin to know how to live without. I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent but I’m passionate about providing for my family and I’ve had a few beers on my day off. I could go on but it would be preaching to the choir because I’d guess most of the people watching this already have a similar opinion. Also I’m a huge Waylon fan . We lost him way to soon and nobody did it like that outlaw sombitch lol. Mad love and respect for all my brothers and sisters out there in the fossil fuel industry. Especially y’all chasing work away from home but if it’s “in your blood” I know you’ll hang in there and get through missing your loved ones. If it were up to me there would be a holiday in our honor because this country wouldn’t enjoy the greatness and prosperity it does without us. KAG 2020
I love how this subtly draws attention to the close similarity between jobs like this and the dynamics of men in combat. The psychology is identical, if much less traumatic.
Thank you. Not to brag, but I love the song written for this film. I created the words from language I heard from oilman. Waylon Jennings liked it so much that he agreed to sing it for no fee. Also he had people in the oil patch that were relatives. David Hoffman-filmmaker
This vid reminds me of my childhood and adolescence in Louisiana and Texas oil patch country. I am proud of the men and women in this industry. They will help the USA achieve energy independence (from hostile sources) by 2020. (This prediction assumes Obama will be out of office by 1/20/13. It's almost incredible how much damage to the oil industry this man has done in 3.5 years.).
Never would have heard of David Hoffman if not for this video. Funny, 'cause later I realized that I already had a couple of his old bluegrass videos in my playlists!
David Hoffman Oh, they have friend! I have been working through the rest lately. I also liked your "Who's Afraid Of a Photographer?" bit on civil unrest in the UK. Great footage, very thought provoking.
Hardcore SOBs... Drilling on the North Slope with no hording...wow. Im From western Canada and i have to say that looked cold. These were real MEN ! The snowflakes on todays drilling rigs in their dunlop boots, hardhat liners, and insulated coveralls wouldnt last half a day out in those conditions.
It was a metaphor - you referred to Ez McWeederson's comment as "beautifully poetic" and as you replied so epically I referred to your comment as the "harmony" to his sweet poetry.
@waylonestar The job isn't as tough as it used to be. now with all the automated equipment. alot of the older rigs got stacked out right after obama got in. and when i see gas go up i smile. (job security) :)
@EzekielSwapp lolz re job security... if you see gas go up that's when you should be worrying. Seen an increase in hybrids and electric cars recently? :D Better start investing in solar technology too :) Good luck... make it quick while you can.
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Says a great deal you still reply to comments on older videos. I understand, I'm sure the rights to release are complicated. It's a beautifully written, played and sung piece. Its a wonderfully eclectic piece of Waylons discography, a real gem you've got. Should you ever decide to release it, I would, I bet others would too, pay the price of an album for it. Thanks for sharing what you have.
@@billred3820 Thank you Bill. It's not a rights issue. It's more of an issue that I don't focus on anything but RUclips which takes me 10 to 12 hours a day and is a real challenge. How to make a living when the algorithm is not paying attention to the work that I do. David Hoffman filmmaker
I worked in the oil and gas industry for over 30 years. Started out young, did not think about the dangers and would do it again. It was good to me..
C E [Charlie} Pfeffer mentioned my Dad B F [Pancho} Fondren in this video. I last saw my Dad alive in Stavanger, Norway in 1975. He had just come off the rig in the video. Later, I went to work for Mobil and traveled the world to places like west Africa, middle east, etc. That was Dad talking about working two years and never leaving it. Thanks so much for this video.
Dave Fondren that’s cool man. My dad worked offshore for over 30 years and it’s always cool to hear his stories of the days when “the men were made of iron and the Derricks were made of wood”. I’ve been in the production side in the Gulf of Mexico for 7 years myself and your dad was right, it gets in your blood and I don’t plan on leaving.
What an awesome video with great lyrics, sung by one of the greatest country singers to ever perform.
That's my Dad (Pancho) Fondren at 7:39 talking about it getting in your blood. Charlie Pfeffer is the one right after Dad. Two really fine men. I worked some in the field and after my Dad died I went by Pancho also. Miss you Dad. You too Charlie.
Thank you for the comment, Dave. Your father was spectacular and treated me and the crew beautifully. I felt he was a working man's poet.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
20+ years and still in it. I'm a lifer and proud of it.
Great insight. Been Roughneckin since I was 5. Cut my teeth on a cathead, threw more chain than baseballs, First car was a Ford diesel, Home is a shack next to a drillin rig. Thanksgiving and christmas dinner is in the doghouse between connections and a lot of time between bread. A vacation is when you are stacked waiting for the next well. Crude is my bread and butter, Steel is my bones and heavy mud runs through my veins. When I get cut, I just eat a little LCM and its all good. Thank you.
This is true rounghneckin..these are real men, real Americans!!
This reminds me of the George Jones song, 'Who's going to fill their shoes." It takes stress and experience to amass that kind of grit and character.
Thank you for your comment. Very kind.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Seeing history like this is beautiful, thank you
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
ONE HELL OF A SONG. WOULD MAKE AHELL OF AMOVIE . THESE PEOPLE ARE REAL LIFE HEROES
Thank you Bo. I love the song as well. And they are real life heroes.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Oil is so important n this is this as a result of the life there in the rig. Tough life tough man
Thanks for uploading this dave!
I was a derrick man for several years in Oklahoma and Texas. It only takes a 5 to 10 second video clip to know that these are mentally strong and dependable men. Men who you yourself raise your standards when you are around them. weak minded men don't stay long.
So true Joe.
David Hoffman filmmaker
My gosh! ALOT of memories. I roughnecked in Okla. for in '81-'82. My dad got me a job as a floor hand on the rig he was working on. We mainly drilled up north around Enid & Perry, Oklahoma. It was very dangerous & had great camaraderie as your life is in your partner's hands many times. But man what a miserable hard job. Gave me immense respect my dad & all oil men who do this job. It was a thankless, merciless, dirty, hot & freezing cold job. Couldn't stay out there, so went back to school.
Great Film! I remember watching this at the Mobil Canadian Texas Gas Plant in 1975 or 1976. I retired from Mobil Oil in 1996! Awesome Company!
Joe. Thank you for your comment. I remember my days with Mobil on those rigs across the world with great fondness. Terrific people. A terrific company. Doing amazing work. Wherever I went as a filmmaker the oilman treated me beautifully.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Thank you for sharing. Beautifully poetic in the way that you speak. You probably could've helped us write the song we wrote in honor of oilmen like you. Whalon Jennings sang the song for free-no charge to me, because he loved the story and that we wrote that song. Good luck to you.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
David Hoffman you sir are full of shit. You've never roughnecked
His name is not Whalen, it's Waylon
U need to learn how to spell
I worked for a drilling company in the North Sea, Norway under Mobil, Mobil Exploration Norway Incorporated, MENI, from 1984 to 1987 when Statoil took over
Third Generation Oilfield here and damn proud of it. Nothing I would rather do
its funny how I see all the new rigs and technology of today and still would rather look at these old kelly rigs when they were new, aint nothing like the old cantilever jacknife derrick of yesteryear the rigs were a bit more crude the roughnecks a little rougher and time keeps on movin along.
Just stumbled across this. Fabulous and fascinating. Thanks!
And thank you.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
Where are these men now? Today we get sad triggered and cry. Lord help my generation
Cody H amen
been on frac crew first week loveing the oilfield life
J Pugh what is it like. Does my movie accurately reflect your experience?
David Hoffman well we do frac not drilling but they have alot in common and what the men in the video say rings true it takes a certain kind of person long shifts, hard work, away from home most times on little sleep. it takes alot of guys working together as a team to get it done and everyone takes great pride in it! its true when they say it gets in your blood youll never want to leave it once your in if your the kinda person that can hang with it your hooked!! id like to be a roughneck one day
Beautiful, J. I'm very proud of the words in the song are you I told them to a friend of mine-that this is what the man felt-and she wrote that song. It's really a classic. And wonderful that Waylon Jennings agreed to sing it. His people came from the oil patch.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Now I understand, and thank you.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Awesome video...I am very proud of my hard working oilman!
Its imposible to dislike this video.
oilsand man right here for life!
Thank you 100th.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
This video is like the crude we seek... Sweet !! Thanks for the awesome video and letting me be the 100th to Like it !!
Great footage David!
David Hoffman- thank you for the one of a kind video. I’ve worked as a truck driver in the Marcellus Shale for 8 years. I’ve been a Teamster on the Bluestone Gathering and the Atlantic Sunrise pipelines and I’m currently an owner/operator hauling water to Frac pads. I’m not saying we’re heroes because we’re not. Most of us just don’t mind giving an honest days work for an honest days pay. But we’re sure as hell not the boogeyman 95% of the media and at the time of this every single democrat candidate wants you to believe we are. HYPOCRITES ! And anyone working in the industry who votes democrat in 2020 is voting against yourself. THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND OR ADVOCATE. There’s a lot of thankless jobs endured in this industry to provide energy independence to our country and it benefits every citizen in nearly every aspect of their life and we don’t get the credit we deserve or deserve most of the bullshit slung our way. I’m pushing 50 and some of the best people I’ve ever met have been in the fossil fuel industry. A fat paycheck and limited opportunities will entice you into the field but the comradery and the fact that it either gets in your blood or doesn’t will keep you coming back. Sometimes it’s feels like your not just battling the elements , roads and equipment but your employer , your employers employer, the media and half the citizens in America while providing a service everyone uses and wouldn’t even begin to know how to live without. I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent but I’m passionate about providing for my family and I’ve had a few beers on my day off. I could go on but it would be preaching to the choir because I’d guess most of the people watching this already have a similar opinion. Also I’m a huge Waylon fan . We lost him way to soon and nobody did it like that outlaw sombitch lol. Mad love and respect for all my brothers and sisters out there in the fossil fuel industry. Especially y’all chasing work away from home but if it’s “in your blood” I know you’ll hang in there and get through missing your loved ones. If it were up to me there would be a holiday in our honor because this country wouldn’t enjoy the greatness and prosperity it does without us. KAG 2020
I love how this subtly draws attention to the close similarity between jobs like this and the dynamics of men in combat. The psychology is identical, if much less traumatic.
Well done, man.
How did I miss this???!
Thanks for the upload. I love my job, this is why.
When you get older you start thinking how many are still producing,it's no place to work if you get homesick,
Another gem Mr. Hoffman!
Thank you. Not to brag, but I love the song written for this film. I created the words from language I heard from oilman. Waylon Jennings liked it so much that he agreed to sing it for no fee. Also he had people in the oil patch that were relatives.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker that is so impressive!!
David, you just put the harmonie's on Ez's poetry...what a story.
3:55 you get to see the directional driller
Hey, lets get this song by Waylon released on digital, or a cd, or a .45 please
that sure would be great, Brett.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Cool. Noone else could have sang this better. Great post.
This vid reminds me of my childhood and adolescence in Louisiana and Texas oil patch country.
I am proud of the men and women in this industry. They will help the USA achieve energy independence (from hostile sources) by 2020. (This prediction assumes Obama will be out of office by 1/20/13. It's almost incredible how much damage to the oil industry this man has done in 3.5 years.).
Sad that this people are so exposed to hard , tough life. Yes of course are so important.
Never would have heard of David Hoffman if not for this video. Funny, 'cause later I realized that I already had a couple of his old bluegrass videos in my playlists!
Thank you for noticing my films. I do hope they bring you some joy.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
David Hoffman Oh, they have friend! I have been working through the rest lately. I also liked your "Who's Afraid Of a Photographer?" bit on civil unrest in the UK. Great footage, very thought provoking.
Badass!
Harmonie's on Ez's poetry? I have no idea what you are referring to.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
Hard working folks. I admire that. Look ahead for retraining and transferable skills though. Just saying... it's a good idea.
I learned a lot ! is it still about the same Drilling for oil ?
does this song exsist anywhere other than this video? wanna download
ive seen plenty of those for sale. those ole aluminum ones with designs on em
plain talk and the sea
9:15 I need that hard hat, cant find one to save my life.
When I started, it was all wooden derricks and steel men. Nowadays it's all steel derricks...
Hardcore SOBs...
Drilling on the North Slope with no hording...wow. Im From western Canada and i have to say that looked cold.
These were real MEN ! The snowflakes on todays drilling rigs in their dunlop boots, hardhat liners, and insulated coveralls wouldnt last half a day out in those conditions.
I want this song 1:12
Thank you. I am very proud of it.
David Hoffman film maker
David Hoffman, how can I purchase this full film?
www.amazon.com/dp/B000FZEN12
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker thank you!
@OrthodoxAtheist When the price of gas took a dive a few years ago that is when everyone was loosing there jobs in the gas and oil fields.
When was this filmed?
You do this work for one week chances are your never gonna leave. Fftp
It was a metaphor - you referred to Ez McWeederson's comment as "beautifully poetic" and as you replied so epically I referred to your comment as the "harmony" to his sweet poetry.
@waylonestar The job isn't as tough as it used to be. now with all the automated equipment. alot of the older rigs got stacked out right after obama got in. and when i see gas go up i smile. (job security) :)
No.... thank you sir...lol
@EzekielSwapp lolz re job security... if you see gas go up that's when you should be worrying. Seen an increase in hybrids and electric cars recently? :D Better start investing in solar technology too :) Good luck... make it quick while you can.
Pin this comment
Awesome video, is there anyway to get this song in its entirety unedited for the video?
I am not offering the song at this time. But thank you for the compliment. I love the song as well.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Says a great deal you still reply to comments on older videos. I understand, I'm sure the rights to release are complicated. It's a beautifully written, played and sung piece. Its a wonderfully eclectic piece of Waylons discography, a real gem you've got. Should you ever decide to release it, I would, I bet others would too, pay the price of an album for it. Thanks for sharing what you have.
@@billred3820 Thank you Bill. It's not a rights issue. It's more of an issue that I don't focus on anything but RUclips which takes me 10 to 12 hours a day and is a real challenge. How to make a living when the algorithm is not paying attention to the work that I do.
David Hoffman filmmaker