Bigger fish to fry than playing a Pedal Steel Guitar

Bo Legg · Posted 17 Sep 2007 2:03 pm

Children who are less fortunate have bigger fish to fry than playing a Pedal Steel Guitar and I should have just put on a fish fry.
Over the past 10yrs I dreamed I would retire and do all those wonderful things for others that I never had time to do before.
I bought a van and all the equipment I needed (including eight Steel guitars) to teach Pedal Steel Guitar in seminars with my son all over the State.

The service would be free for anyone who could not afford to pay and there would be no charge for seniors or disabled persons. In a lot of instances I would pay lodging and transportation.
I wanted to use the web site to continue the lessons over the internet and I paid to get the site going.
The person I paid to do the web site entered the wrong info and then stalled for months about problems getting the site going and after four months they skip out on me and I still do not have a web site..
My choice boleggs.com turned out to be a disaster because people would type in just bolegs or something similar in the browser and they would get this god awful porn site list.
My choice of instruments (the Pedal Steel Guitar) turned out to be a disaster also. It was pointed out to me by a lot of parents that I was building up false hopes for children who were unable physically to play the Steel or would never be able to afford one until the got out on their own and that the children were pressuring them to buy a Steel guitar that they would never be able to afford.
In a lot of instances a cheap Pedal Steel would cost more money than they had invested in their only family car.
These folks are good people and if I am sincere about helping I will have to find a much better way to do that.
Perhaps I should sell all this stuff including my own Steel and contribute the money to someone with a better idea or teach Standard Guitar of which I could buy ten for every one Steel Guitar.
Somehow my Pedal Steel just lost all its luster.

Jerry L Miller · From: Sublette, Kansas, USA

Bo dont sell you steel , sell the others and buy regular guitars for people to learn on, what you are doing is VERY good. be proud of what you are wanting to do, teach those people to play rythm to you playing steel....... Very Happy

dont stop and good luck and GOD bless you
jerry Very Happy

Bo Legg · Posted 17 Sep 2007 3:42 pm

Thanks for the encouragement Jerry. Maybe I was just looking for some sympathy.
Below is a picture of my son Stuart Legg who had head trauma from an auto accident. Stuart has seizures and spasticity in his legs and arms and short term memory problems making it impossible to physically play the Pedal Steel Guitar. Stuart has learned theory and studied Steel Guitar tabs and listened to E9 Pedal steel to the point he can listen to a steel song and tab it out using tabledit. The Tab is amazingly accurate using the correct pedals and knees and the strings that were used etc. He can play better steel in his mind than I can play physically. This is one of the reasons I had great hopes that people with limited mobility could learn play the steel.

Al Terhune · From: Newcastle, WA

I second Jerry's vote. We need people like, so don't let it discourage you. Take the facts and turn it into your dream, which is to help those who are less fortunate; buy inexpensive six-strings or $40 baritone ukuleles and spread your kindness. Hey, there are $90 lap steels -- that could be an option.

And that's incredible about your son's ability. He sounds like a Ricky Davis when it comes to being able to listen and tab. Tell him I think he's a Rock Star!
_________________
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Fred Bova · From: Connecticut, USA

Dont give up your dream, what about kicking down the starting steps a bit to Lap style accoustic guitar ?
Cheap, no amp needed, and most if not all of the great pedal Steel players started out without pedals. If you teach them A6th they are learning "A+B Pedals Down" it will still be valid if anyone wants to move to Pedal Steel.

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

Hey Bo, what a cool project you took on!! Don't YOU be discouraged and quit, that would send a wrong message to all those folks who look up to you, and you don't want that, now, do you? Wink

If they can't afford a Carter Starter, go lap-steel. If that's out of reach, go a cheap six string with a dobro capo. Or just rythme guitar, bass guitar, drums. If they can't afford that, work on vocals. Point is, they will see you teaching them music, and see your steel and hear it. The seeds of the future will be planted. Let them grow and eventually bloom. Teach them how to play music. It will grow from that. We need more like you who are willing to give. Hang tough, todays problems will be tomorrow's experience.

Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

What James said!! Very Happy

Larry
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Stuart Legg · Posted 17 Sep 2007 4:54 pm

Here’s a picture I have of Bo many years ago playing his 57 Jet Black Gretsch. I don’t believe he was ever that young. He used to play about all of Chet Atkins stuff but he doesn’t anymore, he says nobody wants you to play that way anymore. His dad taught a lot of non-pedal music.
He used to play gospel music with his Chet style behind his father the Reverend Bishop Dwight Moody who sang lead and played non-pedal steel and his mother playing rhythm guitar and singing harmony. Boy that was a gospel sound. He would be a very good non-pedal steel and guitar teacher. They make a nut that you can put on any guitar and make a lap steel out of it and I think it costs around $10. I’m sure he wants to do this but he wants to hear what other people think. He can’t stand to make the same mistake twice.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Before you throw in the towel, PLEASE, Please promise me you'll get a copy of Napoleon Hill's great book "THINK and GROW RICH".
You've made a lot of key steps...
This is nothing more than a temporary
obstacle........not the end of the word.
A friend of mine started a small Uke club and quickly ended up with more than 40 elderly participants.
I believe KEOKI...here on the Forum from up Antartica way....had a similar experience.
Maybe having one guitar and offering a local music store your services on weekends, might be another approach. Tie-in band in a box and you'll draw a crowd to be sure.
GOOD LUCK!

Stuart Legg · Posted 17 Sep 2007 5:21 pm

Ray Montee "Tie-in band in a box and you'll draw a crowd to be sure".
Great idea Ray I'm glad you mentioned that. Bo's a whiz on BIAB.

Bo Legg · Posted 17 Sep 2007 5:39 pm

Hey Al Terhune, Fred Bova, Larry Strawn, James Morehead and Ray Montee I've seen you guys on the forum a lot and you all handle yourself with class and I value your advice and thanks for your input. I think my problem is that this is probably the first thing I ever took seriously in my life other than my family and I don't know how to deal with it.

John Walden · From: Simi Valley, California, USA

Hey Bo, I know a little bit about the " ups & downs" of life bro, and all I can say is all your friends here, are of the same opinion.
" NEVER GIVE UP ". You'll figure out a way to make the most of your dreams. J.W.
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David Doggett · Posted 17 Sep 2007 6:43 pm

Bo, they have a saying around here, "No good deed goes unpunished." Sad

Somehow you have to take what you have learned the hard way and use it to keep on trying. I think low cost guitars with nut raisers might be just the ticket. If each kid could end up with one of those and some 6-string lap steel lesson materials, that would be fantastic. You can have them start learning on that. And you can show them what it sounds like with demonstrations on an electric lap steel and also on pedal steel. That will give them something to look forward to someday in the future. Just make sure they understand that playing 6-string lap steel is the first step, and can even end up being an end in itself.

Maybe some music stores or corporations can help get the equipment at good prices. Also, maybe some fund-raiser concerts can help raise the needed funds. Maybe some of the students could come to the concerts for inspiration.

Your idea is so great, and you seem to have so much initiative, there must be some way to make something work. I'm sure if you come up with a good plan you can raise some funds right here on the Forum.

Good luck, and keep us posted. Smile

Jennings Ward · From: Edgewater, Florida, R.I.P.

BO,,, AS A FAMEOUS PERSON ONCE SAID, " DAM THE TARPEDOS, FULL SPEED AHEAD "... AND IT WORKED..
YOU HAVE MY ADMIRATION FOR SUCH A BOLD GESTURE AND AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE... THANK YOU FOR BEING SO UNSELFISH... MAY I SAY "GODS SPEED " AND PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP... THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU.....
JENNINGS

Dave Thimot · From: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Bo,

I'm just starting out at the pedal steel myself and I've had to learn a lot on my own. I've been lucky to meet another steel player (Jim you're the man) who's been passing on tips and support. I learn more in a few hours with him than I learn in months of practicing to DVD's and chord charts on my own.

New steel players need people like you who are willing to share your vast knowledge and experience. I really hope you stick with it so I might get a chance to attend one of your workshops myself.

Stuart, I'm a big Chet Atkins fan myself and that is a great pic of Bo.
_________________
Dave

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

I was just thinking about what OAHU guitars did many years ago. Square neck guitar. Rent to own. Instructor came by once a week or so.

I love my old OAHU for what it is. A pretty nice way to play lap style. Porch pickin'.
No amp, volume pedal, tubes, speakers, pac a seats, $300 tuners...

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

I don't have any suggestions, I just want to applaud you for a noble effort.

Too many people only think about themselves. You are to be commended for trying to help others.
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Ernie Pollock · From: Mt Savage, Md USA

I have been offering steel guitar lessons, even tried lending steels for beginners for 20 years, I am afraid there is just not a whole lot of interest in the instrument, although, I am still offering to teach & get a few takers each year, but have never set the world on fire teaching steel guitar. Maybe its the cost of the instruments & the dedication that must be made by the students, most are from the world of computers & do it in five seconds, its just not like that on steel guitar. Hang in there, maybe you'll have some sucess with it, at least I hope you do.

Ernie Smile

Joe Rouse · From: San Antonio, Texas

Hey Bo,
You're doing a good thing Brother. Offering your teaching ability to others you should know that you are an inspiration doing what you are. Don't let Satan get in the plan cause he will have a good time destroying something good and worthwhile. The best way to look at this is to regroup and hit the road again. Good will always win over bad especially if you ask the Man Above for wisdom and judgement.
Did you hear that cracking sound? I think my new soap box is breaking down.
Hang in there Brother. You are an inspiration...Joe Rouse

Bo Legg · Posted 18 Sep 2007 8:20 am

Sometimes I get up in the mornings with a lot of vigor and “HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY” and then reality sets in discover I’m not MIGHTY MOUSE.
It seems that most of you folks here on the forum (without pounding yourself on the chest) have been saving the day in your own way long before this mighty mouse showed up. Sometimes the best plan is not to have a plan and do what you can when and where you can and this is my new plan.
Maybe I’m just an old man who played music in Honky Tonks all his life and is now trying to make it into heaven.
If all else fails I’ll Rat on all my musician friends and get into Heaven on the Witness Protection Program.

Drew Howard · From: 48854

Stuart,

Love your sig!

Drew

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

ray qualls · From: Baxter Springs, Kansas (deceased)

Bo, why don't you and Stuart take the weekend off of October 5-6-7 and come on over to our KSGA Show. We will have 42 steel players here that weekend and everything is free. We're only 15 miles west of Joplin, Mo. Its 4 lane all the way for you from Lebanon to here. I've found that if you make your mind up to do something, with sweat & perseverance you can accomplish a lot of good things. You don't have to have 50 or 100 students to teach. If you only get to teach one little boy, think of all the joy that you'll get out of that. Its a good thing what you're wanting to do and I'm proud to have you and Stuart as my neighbor. Ray
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J D Sauser · From: Wellington, Florida

While I commend your effort, I think it could have been a interesting approach to get a lap steel kit, build it with the kids and teach them to play that. Lap steels adapt to all sizes, can be cheap, sound good, need less expensive amplification and be plaid in modern music styles appealing to young kids too.

... J-D.

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

Great effort, guys. I'm amazed at Stuart's ability to tab without playing.

I you want to pursue the web site further you might try a local college or university. They should be willing and able to help get your service off the ground.

Best wishes.
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