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Topic: The Dark Side of Certain Pedal Steel Guitarists |
Barry Hyman
From:
upstate New York, USA
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Posted 9 May 2010 8:41 am |
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Just found this Guestbook entry on my website, from a Forumite named Jim Butler:
Email from Jim Butler: steeler64@yahoo.co
Comment:Man, your steel playing really sucks! You take an outstanding instrument and make it sound like it is chewing garbage and spitting chunks of crap out the blow hole. Better start playing banjo for a living and forget these folks blowing smoke up your whazzo about how good you are. Lastly, have you wondered why no one replied to your stupid post on the forum? Because the first time you made a complete ass of yourself. Happy Trails Pard!
Truly amazing how unpleasant some people can be, no? Has anybody heard Jim play? He must be pretty good...
_________________
I give music lessons on several different instruments in Cambridge, NY (between Bennington, VT and Albany, NY). But my true love is pedal steel. I've been obsessed with steel since 1972; don't know anything I'd rather talk about... www.barryhyman.com
Last edited by Barry Hyman on 9 May 2010 3:28 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Gary Newcomb
From:
AustinTexas, USA
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Posted 9 May 2010 8:50 am
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Wow, what is he? Like 12 years old?
The youngest forumite! He's a child.
_________________
Sierra Session U12, Milkman 1/2, Goodrich Omni, Divine Noise Cables, BJS, Solid cosmic gold, baby 👶🏻 |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 9 May 2010 8:50 am
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Barry, it could be a case of a hijacked email you know.
Do you have an idea as to whether Jim Butler would normally talk like this?
The email looks highly suspicious to me.
BTW I couldn't find a Jim Butler in the member list.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Barry Hyman
From:
upstate New York, USA
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Posted 9 May 2010 9:34 am
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He was definitely responding to something he read on the Forum, but I have no idea if he's a member.
There is some truth to what he says. I have acted like an ass several times on the Forum, and some of the unpleasantness has come from me (sorry, guys), and there are indeed some problems with my pedal steel playing. I guess this is a good lesson for me, to try to be nicer to people, and to try to play the pedal steel better. So maybe there's a silver lining in this dark cloud...
_________________
I give music lessons on several different instruments in Cambridge, NY (between Bennington, VT and Albany, NY). But my true love is pedal steel. I've been obsessed with steel since 1972; don't know anything I'd rather talk about... www.barryhyman.com |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 9 May 2010 9:42 am
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Barry, you are being too rough on yourself. You are taking this email as if it is coming from a sincere person who is bad mouthing you a bit. This is not so.
This email can only be classified as SPAM. This Butler fellow (if that's his name) is not even a member here.
Best case scenario is that some jerk has been cruising the web, latched on to you to serve you some of his poison, which at the moment you are taking seriously by saying you have "been an ass". We don;t need spam and abuse on this excellent forum and this crap should be investigated, the source found, exposed and shut down.
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BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 9 May 2010 10:16 am
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Barry, unfortunately that kind of thing is fairly common lately. I've had similar posts on my public pages, as well as nasty private messages. Most are along the lines of yours, focusing on insults and "taking me down a peg." Ignore them. They are not worth your time. This is no fault of the forum, which anyone can access for the most part. The dark side pertains more to the psyche of the people that write such nonsense.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com
Last edited by Chris LeDrew on 9 May 2010 10:19 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jamie Lennon
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 9 May 2010 10:18 am
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Barry maybe this jim is jealous of you!!!
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Mullen Guitars, Little Walter Amps, Benado Effects, D'Addario Strings
www.georgettejones.net |
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David Beckner
From:
Kentucky, USA
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Posted 9 May 2010 10:26 am
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I agree with Bent..I have experienced some of the hijacking myself..It definately deserves some investigation.
_________________
WILCOX SD10 (love the white mica)
WALKER SEAT
NASHVILLE 400
BEHRINGER RACK TUNER
CUSH CASE RACK
PEAVEY DELTA FEX
PARTS CASTER.Gospel and Classic Country Music
http://www.dbupholstery.yolasite.com |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 9 May 2010 10:50 am
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I can understand David's situation where someone else has been using his email, but this situation is a little different. If your pest is not a forum member, why waste time investigating? He hasn't hijacked your email. Just ignore. That's all you have to do. Why put stock in what a stranger on the internet says to you on a public page? If you put yourself out there like that, be prepared to receive all kinds of crazy stuff. I had this guy Robert Darteman(sp?) send me some nasty stuff on myspace recently. Same stuff as you received. I know the man is demented and a proven scammer here on the forum, so I laughed it off. The delete button is a lovely thing. 
If someone receives messages on SGF PM's and such, that IS a matter of investigation. But what happens off the forum has no bearing on the forum, even if the forum is mentioned. The title of this thread would be better if it was more general, such as "Abusive Comments on my Guestbook" or something like that. It's obvious the poster isn't able to post here, and I could probably guess within 2-3 people who it is. You've given him a platform to express himself and he's used it. Many people delete their guestbooks for this very reason. One of my bands had to do it because girls were posting things about the road and the s$%^ hit the fan at home. 
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Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 9 May 2010 11:06 am
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So other than that, what did he think about your tone, or tuning?
EJL |
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Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
From:
Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)
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Posted 9 May 2010 11:14 am
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This is an interesting thread as I just received a message from AT&T.net (my ISP) to the effect that I should watch for mail hijackers and report any sort of suspicious occurrence. Their warning mentioned examples just exactly along the lines of the scenario you're speaking of, Barry. But, is this really a mail hijacking, or just some malicious act on the part of someone who has nothing better to do than go about trying to bring discord to other people? I'm inclined to think it's just some prankster who should be ignored.
I'm so sorry to hear that you've had to receive such an email as that, but I have to agree with Chris that you should not take it to heart ... as he says, the Delete button is indeed a beautiful thing.
I, too, have had my share of trash coming my way through YouTube messages and such ... one individual left me a YouTube message to the effect that I should sexually molest myself with my steel bar and then maybe I'd know what it's for (of course, I have paraphrased what he said; his exact words can't be repeated here). I simply used the Delete button and gave it not another thought.
_________________
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks) |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 9 May 2010 11:39 am
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Barry, Could be I jumped the gun a bit by flying off the handle mentioning words like investigate and such. I guess I got thrown by the wording saying "forumite" and missing the fact that it was a guestbook entry and not a straight email from him to your email, but rather some immature person who visits web sites and spews his garbage. It looks like this is something we have to put up with when we place a feedback section on the site.
This is not a SGF issue. I agree with Chris and Jim and the delete button advice.
FWIW I have listened to your playing and you sound good to my ears. Put the sh!t disturber out of your mind.
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BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Allan Jirik
From:
Wichita Falls TX
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Posted 9 May 2010 1:19 pm
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| I agree with those above. Probably just a mutton-head cruising the web. He clicked on your tunes, listened for 30 seconds and decided to be an ass. People who get off on criticizing others are sorely lacking in self esteem and should be concentrating on that instead. Please don't take it to heart, Barry. |
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Barry Hyman
From:
upstate New York, USA
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Posted 9 May 2010 2:34 pm
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I certainly didn't mean to imply that anything is wrong with The Forum. I agree with Chris that what this message I got reflects is the dark side of an individual, not the Forum.
But not to worry, it's just some guy who doesn't like me (there are plenty of reasons to do that!) it's not some email hijacker or some other sinister creature. No "investigation" needed, no.
However this angry message inspired me in two ways. One it made me think of how similar we all are, we pedal steel guitarists, because we are all consumed with solving the same exquisitely difficult problem: How do you play this darn thing? I think all of us are in the same boat, in a way, because we are all facing the same challenges. Coordinating both hands and both feet and both knees and two ears and a brain is quite a task, no matter who you are. So the complexity of the job provokes us all in similar ways, and we all respond in our particular ways.
Also, it inspired me to go down to the studio and play the pedal steel. Had a fun afternoon...
_________________
I give music lessons on several different instruments in Cambridge, NY (between Bennington, VT and Albany, NY). But my true love is pedal steel. I've been obsessed with steel since 1972; don't know anything I'd rather talk about... www.barryhyman.com |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Alvin Blaine
From:
Picture Rocks, Arizona, USA
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Posted 10 May 2010 12:09 am
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| Jim Cohen wrote: |
| There's actually also no evidence from his post that he is a steel player himself, so yeah the title should probably be changed. |
His email address is "steeler64", maybe it's Jeff Hartings the center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but me guess would be a steel player.
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http://www.oldbluesound.com/about.htm
http://www.facebook.com/cowboytwang |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Barry Hyman
From:
upstate New York, USA
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Posted 10 May 2010 4:51 am
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I don't know about you guys, but I am constantly listening to my pedal steel playing, wondering, "Do I suck?" I played a lot from '72 to '84, then entered a long period where I couldn't get any work on psg, so I just played guitar and let the pedal steel languish. I only dusted it off maybe once a month until about three or four years ago when I joined a new band and started religiously practicing every day and trying to improve in a systematic way.
So up until the last couple of years, my pedal steel playing definitely sucked, and when I got this comment on my website yesterday it made me wonder if it still does. So I practiced all afternoon and recorded a new "traditional country" cut last night. It took me about twenty takes, I was nervous as hell, and never really got relaxed or in the groove, thinking about what the "Jim Butler" types would say, and then I sat there listening to it over and over, trying to decide if the intonation is off or if the tone is smooth enough. But then I figured, well, it's not perfect but it's about as good as I can do right now...
So here's some more "chewed garbage." Go to www.barryhyman.com, click on "Free Music," and then click on "Traditional Outlaw Country."
Meanwhile I'll keep practicing. I just ordered a Nashville 112 from Bobbe Seymour. (I've never owned a real pedal steel amp -- I've always played through a tube amp with ten inch speakers.) I'm looking forward to that twelve inch speaker...
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I give music lessons on several different instruments in Cambridge, NY (between Bennington, VT and Albany, NY). But my true love is pedal steel. I've been obsessed with steel since 1972; don't know anything I'd rather talk about... www.barryhyman.com |
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Ransom Beers
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Posted 10 May 2010 5:11 am
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| Well at least you guys are getting "Fan Mail" ,I ain't gittin' squat,course at that price I don't want squat!!! |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 10 May 2010 5:41 am
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Barry, you and I are in the same boat. I practiced and played from mid 70's to early 80's, then family commitments and other things took priority. Then around 2007 I picked up the pieces and made another try. So I can definitely understand where you're coming from.
On your way to "recovery" there are a few things you have to put out of your mind. One of them is: disregard garbage from people like this Jim Butler clown who told you that you suck. If you keep letting this crap get to you, you will be on a fast road to self-defeat.
Also you are going to find that it is a lot harder to un-learn bad habits than it is to learn good ones. That is something we just have to work on every day as part of our practice routine.
Sure, our tone leaves a lot to be desired.What can we expect? It's a small comfort to know that the Masters work on their tone daily, never will they be satisfied.
I listened to your newest tune and came to the conclusion that wow! do we ever sound a lot the same!
From that I have some suggestions for you:
Work diligently on your left hand intonation; that you make sure you center that bar right on the fret. Also, let the notes ring for their prescribed length of time; don't cut them off too early.
Really analyze your volume pedal usage. If you find that you have more than enough just to concentrate on your hands, set the Vp at a comfortable level and take your foot off it. This can be learned at some later date when you have more of an automatic thing going with your hands.
If you still want to use the VP right away, make sure you don't pump it. Just use it a wee bit at the end of a note that you want to sustain a bit more.
There is noting quite as painful as listening to bad VP usage.
Please read this as a few friendly hints from a struggling player like yourself. It was not said as criticism.
Good luck!
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Roual Ranes
From:
Atlanta, Texas, USA
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Posted 10 May 2010 5:55 am
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Had mister Butler made those comments to me, I would tell him that I knew he should not be one to judge because I was much worse than that.
Last edited by Roual Ranes on 10 May 2010 5:56 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 10 May 2010 5:55 am
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Someone, a steel player who is apparently to cheap to pay the membership fee here but who still browses the forum regularly, simply doesnt like Barry. I recall a couple "controversial" comments made by Barry, as he alluded to above, in the past. Obvioulsy this person was rubbed the wrong way by them , since he mentioned these incidents in his email, and saw Barry's "check out my tunes" posting as a chance fo to strike back.
welcome to the wussy world of the world wide wuss web where we take anonymous pot shots from behind our keyboards and slap fight like pre-teens over everythig from politics to tuning isssues
delete and move on |
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Ransom Beers
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Posted 10 May 2010 5:56 am
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"There is noting quite as painful as listening to bad VP usage."
"Guilty",thanks for the tips albeit they weren't directed at me exclusivly.I take anything posted on here as advice or tips very serious.This is the 3rd PSG I have owned & I want to be the best at it I can be,so anyone with any tips/advice they would like to share with me &/or anybody that needs help I'm sure myself & others will certainly appreciate it.Thanks to all of you!!!
I am working on the VP thing too. |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 10 May 2010 6:05 am
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| Barry Hyman wrote: |
| There is some truth to what he says. I have acted like an ass several times on the Forum, |
Message for Mr. Butler: he may act like an ass, but he's our ass...so butt out!
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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