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Topic: Winnie Winston for Hall of Fame |
Dean Edwards
From:
Naples,FL & Natrona Hts, PA
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Posted 15 Mar 2009 8:57 am |
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I've thought for a long time that Winnie Winston should be nominated for the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.
It so happens that the criteria for induction do not fit very well for Winnie's contribution to the steel guitar.
He only wrote the most read book for the steel guitar, which has sold well over 35,000 copies,and is known or has been used by just about every steel guitar player!!!
If you agree that he should be inducted into the Hall, chime in here, and if possible add anything that would help to answer any of the seven questions
that are required for induction.
Dean |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 15 Mar 2009 9:55 am
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As we discussed earlier, Dean, I agree wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, I know just about as much about Winnie as you mention in your post. I know he was an art / design professor in Philly and that he took up alternative / holistic healing shortly before moving to New Zealand. He also built 'The Steel', a 14 string keyless guitar that he played on his 'Steel Wool' album and probably others. He was primarily a folkie and did some session work in the folk music genre. That doesn't help much, but I suspect there are others who can contribute some meat to his nomination questionnaire.
I also know that http://www.julianwinston.com is still up. If you haven't checked out the info there, please do. There is a bunch of good stuff. If there's anything I can do to help don't hesitate to ask.
C'mon guys -- what do you know about Winnie's steel career?
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 15 Mar 2009 4:16 pm
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| I think he was a member of the SGHOF Board that reviewed nominations and decided on who was chosen for the annual HOF awards in St. Louis. |
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Dean Edwards
From:
Naples,FL & Natrona Hts, PA
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Posted 15 Mar 2009 5:34 pm
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Joie, I believe that's right, and when I brought this up back at that time, I was told that he wasn't eligible for that reason.
I think now is the time we do what is right.
Dean |
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Dean Edwards
From:
Naples,FL & Natrona Hts, PA
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Posted 17 Mar 2009 1:14 pm
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I'm really surprised that there hasn't been more response to this post.
Maybe I'm mistaken in thinking that steelers would believe that Winnie belongs in the Hall.
If there is no significant response , I'll back off.
Dean |
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Dale Lee
From:
Down Yonder
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Posted 17 Mar 2009 3:58 pm Banjo content
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A little bit off topic, but I first heard Winnie Winston about 1965 at the famous fiddler's convention at Union Grove, NC. He was the featured banjo player in the New York City Ramblers. I believe they went under the name "Winnie Winston and the New York City Ramblers" They tore it up and, I think, won first place.
It was an unprecedented thing. They were from up north and could play like heck. The guitar player went under the name of "Toad". I believe his real name was Jody Stecher. |
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Frank Freniere
From:
The First Coast
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Posted 17 Mar 2009 4:23 pm
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Dean -
I completely agree: he belongs in the SGHOF. Winnie's book was my introduction/seduction into the pedal steel guitar. Can you say "seminal work?"
Check out his playing on Steve Goodman's "Roving Cowboy:" he's right there. |
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Ned McIntosh
From:
New South Wales, Australia
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Posted 17 Mar 2009 9:14 pm
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Dean,
I agree wholeheartedly that recognition of Winnie's contribution to furthering the cause of our chosen instrument is indeed long ovedue.
Winnie's book was inspirational for so many of us who got hooked on the pedal steel in the 70s. For those of us floundering in the dark waters of ingnorance it shone forth like a lighthouse, giving us direction and guidance as we began our journey. How far we went on the journey was entirely down to us, but Winnie was the inspiration. We saw the magic words "Pedal Steel Guitar" on the book in the music shop and something inside us suddenly clicked into place and has been there ever since. Without that book, a lot of us wouldn't be here today.
I don't know what the "seven questions" for nomination to SGHOF are, but surely the steel guitar community can find it in its collective heart to honour this fine player and gentleman for his long-standing contribution to popularising the instrument.
What better way than by nominating Winnie for SGHOF?
_________________
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being. |
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Ray McCarthy
From:
New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 2:12 am
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Nobody ever mentions Bill Keith, the co-author of the book. Who is he, is he still with us, and if so, what is he doing now?
Derby SD-10/Tru-Tone, NV-112 |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 4:17 am
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... and if authorship of the PSG 'Bible' is the main criterion, should they be jointly inducted?
Of course, Winnie did considerably more than that, including doing design and product reviews for many years for the PSGA, serving on the ISGHOF board, performing at steel shows, releasing at least 3 LPs/CDs (that I'm aware of) and teaching students (myself included). So, in my mind, at least, that would probably qualify him independently of Bill K. for induction into the SGHOF.
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 9:50 am
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| I'd be all for his induction. I got my first ShoBud Maverick and Winnie's book the same day, and had a gig that weekend. If it hadn't been for his book, it would have taken me infinitely longer to get going. |
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John Drury
From:
Gallatin, Tn USA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 10:15 am
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| Dean Edwards wrote: |
I'm really surprised that there hasn't been more response to this post.
Maybe I'm mistaken in thinking that steelers would believe that Winnie belongs in the Hall.
If there is no significant response , I'll back off.
Dean |
Dean,
No, I don't believe you are mistaken, I think your idea is dead center.
I can't think of any single person that has jump started more pedal steel players than Winnie Winston.
I am amazed that you haven't gotten more of a response to this.
BTW, if I am not mistaken, Jeff Newman was inducted while on the board and probably Scotty as well.
At any rate Winnie is way ovedue and should have been inducted while he was still around. He was a great guy, a fine player, freind to all and had a wonderful sense of humor! I never met him but we e-mailed back and forth, he always took time for the average player like myself, I really miss the Dude!
Not sure who took this photo, I hope they don't mind me using it here. I laugh every time I look at it!
_________________
John Drury
NTSGA #3
"Practice cures most tone issues" ~ John Suhr |
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Dean Edwards
From:
Naples,FL & Natrona Hts, PA
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 11:52 am
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I'm bumping this to the top to make sure it doesn't go unnoticed.
Dean |
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John Fabian
From:
Mesquite, Texas USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 1:14 pm
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To get someone inducted into the SGHOF, you need to do your homework and DOCUMENT the reasons why.
A nominee or inductee doesn't need have impressive accomplishments or contributions in all seven categories.
The nomination documentation is always easier when the nominee is alive and can assist you. This, unfortunately, is not the case with Winnie.
You can look at Bud Carter's original 2004 nomination here:
http://www.steelguitar.com/bcsghofnom.html
It may give you some ideas on how to relate Winnie's accomplishments in your nomination letter. Be aware of the fact that most of the SGHOF Board members know Winnie well. You might contact them for more info regarding Winnie and his contributions. (Do not contact them to lobby for anyone.) |
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Dale Lee
From:
Down Yonder
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Posted 18 Mar 2009 3:48 pm More Banjo Content
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Bill Kieth was/is a very famous banjo player contemporaneous with Winston. He was a Bluegrass Boy and was famous for playing a melodic style,different from the normal banjo rolls.
I believe he was instrumental(!) in getting Winnie started in pedal steel. |
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Gary Cosden
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 19 Mar 2009 6:29 am
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| This issue is a little emotional for me. I met Winnie when I was a youngish punk of a six string player that had played PSG for about a year or so. He invited me to his home to play a few times, installed a knee lever on my Emmons, and gave me an autographed copy of his book when it came out. We had several good phone conversations as well. He was just a really nice and helpful guy whose ideas and influence sparked a great deal in myself for which I am thankful so if it were up to me it would be a done deal! |
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Gary Cosden
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 19 Mar 2009 6:30 am
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| This issue is a little emotional for me. I met Winnie when I was a youngish punk of a six string player that had played PSG for about a year or so. He invited me to his home to play a few times, installed a knee lever on my Emmons, and gave me an autographed copy of his book when it came out. We had several good phone conversations as well. He was just a really nice and helpful guy whose ideas and influence sparked a great deal in myself for which I am thankful so if it were up to me it would be a done deal! |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 20 Mar 2009 8:25 pm
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I also learned from Winnie's book.
I don't know what the requirements for the HOR are, but surely writing one of the definitive books, that helped so many players get started, is grounds for inclusion.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 20 Mar 2009 11:44 pm
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| Jim Cohen wrote: |
| Mike Perlowin wrote: |
| I don't know what the requirements for the HOR are... |
Mike, what's the 'HOR'? The 'Hall of Resonators'?  |
Man, I really must start wearing my glasses when I post. 
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Fooch Fischetti
From:
Woodstock, NY US
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Posted 23 Mar 2009 8:59 am
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For Ray McCarthy, Bill Keith is living in Woodstock, NY and when he's not off at a banjo workshop, concert or camp, we play together in a bluegrass band every Thursday night in Woodstock. He hasn't been playing steel for a while, concentrating on playing banjo, which he is truly a master of.
I think the book that he and Winnie wrote was very important. In the early 1970's (when I started playing steel), there were very few resources to get info on the instrument, and even now continues to inspire and instruct new players.
I agree that Winnie would be a deserving inductee to the HOF.
Fooch Fischetti |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 23 Mar 2009 9:46 am Yes vote...
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| Cosidering the years I spent studying that book, whilst only owning a six string Supro, the uncountable hours of study it gave me, the insight into music theory as applied to the steel, the rudimentary and necessary material readably presented , and the ENCOURAGEMENT Winnie provided on every page, I submit that to not nominate him would be just wrong. And a big thank you to Bill Keith wherever you are... |
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Randy Beavers
From:
Lebanon,TN 37090
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Posted 23 Mar 2009 12:24 pm
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If my vote counted if would be for Winnie. I'm confident he will be eventually.
I can't think of a single person that didn't like and respect him. |
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Henry Nagle
From:
Santa Rosa, California
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Posted 23 Mar 2009 12:58 pm
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I wish I'd had an opportunity to meet him in person. There's so much personality in his writing that I feel as if I knew him although, really, we only interacted in a handful of emails.
Just the same, I feel confident in saying that he was a great guy with an excellent mind and I'm sure that he deserves any sentimental rewards we can think of to throw at him. I bet he would appreciate it. |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 23 Mar 2009 5:00 pm
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After thinking further on this I have to say that Winnie's book gave me hope. Hope that not only I'd learn to play the darned thing but also hope that I would ever get one. In the '70s money was tight, so tight that the purty MSA I bought, I had to take back. Not Winnie's book though. I spent many a night studying that thing hoping for the day when I could afford a big gun.
One day it happened.
The reason I didn't dispair immediately upon sitting down the E9th was that I figured out that the six string "A" tuning I'd learned on was what the E9th is with the A&B pedals down. Gave me the opportunity to at least crawl...
Yes, that book means a lot to me. |
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