Discussion: To Be A Pro or Not a Pro... That is the question

Wayne Baker · From: Altus Oklahoma

I think I can safely say were all friends here, so, I would like to know:

1. What was your reason for... or not becoming a pro steel player?
2. What do you do if not a pro steel player?
3. Are you satisfied with your decision?

I have had many opportunities to go on the road, but after 21 years in the Air Force, I feel that I owe my wife alot of time together. I am an A&P mechanic and I am very satisfied with my profession.

What about you?

V/r,

Wayne Baker

Ransom Beers · Posted 17 Feb 2012 4:16 am

My reason for not being a pro.,NO TALENT!!!!

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Along with "no talent" I also like to eat.

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

What is a pro?
I never tried to make my entire income playing steel -- too much road time for me and the absence of job security never appealed to me. I know more excellent players who couldn't make a good enough living to support a family than those who could.

I don't regret having a more reliable career and playing gigs on weekends until retirement. Now I can play whenever I want and can afford a new guitar once in a while.

Whether you have a day gig or not, aspire to PLAY LIKE A PRO.
_________________
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

Barry Blackwood · Posted 17 Feb 2012 7:03 am

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Way back in my youth, I had asperations of possibly playing professionally. Then I got next to some players who were much better than myself and they were hardly making a living at it so that settled it for me. Whoa!

David Beckner · From: Kentucky, USA

Years ago I had the good fortune of knowing Danny Gatton - probably one of the best guitar players ever. I ask him about how to get there(becoming pro) his response."Play the He** out of it and play your best, If it is meant to be it will happen."
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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

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

I had 17 years as a pro and they were happy years to me but not for my wife because I was away from home so much. I finally decided to get a day job in 1984 and play semi-pro. It was a good move for me as I have had a very well paid career since then, and can turn down the bad gigs because I can afford to.

While I can no longer tour (which I loved) I can do studio work to fit in with the day job, plus do the weekend gigs.

I have told this story before but it is something that concentrates the mind. I once met a top pro US steel player (of the very highest order) who had a copy of his latest CD in his car. I told him that I would like to buy a copy from him, and it was 12 dollars. He didn't have change for a $20 note, so I told him to keep it. He said "Great - I can eat today!" He was not joking either. I felt for him, but was surprised because a world class player on virtually any other instrument would probably be extremely wealthy.
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Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E,

Joachim Kettner · From: Germany

Wayne, I can't answer your questions 1-3.
You said that you're a mechanic, I wish I had a decent profession that I could fall back on to.
It's kind of hard for me to make a living, because my choices for a career, if I may say that, weren't important for me, because of my dream to become a musician. But I never followed that path very seriously.
So I'm stuck at my age, I'm 58 years old, with a hard, bad paying job and in consequence of this very often with no desire to play music anymore. Sory for my negativity, but that's my experince.
I think you need formal training and be very versatile to make a living from music, no matter what instrument you play.
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Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

I don't have a working girl friend.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

And you call yourself a musician!?!? Whoa!

Wayne Baker · From: Altus Oklahoma

Joachim, I spent alot of time in Frankfurt, and we lived in Kirchoven for three years. I miss brochen... Where do you live?

Wayne Baker

Wayne Baker · From: Altus Oklahoma

Wayne Baker · From: Altus Oklahoma

Henry Matthews · From: Texarkana, Ark USA

A pro is someone that makes their living at what ever they are called a pro for. Also a pro is someone that excels in something, be it shooting a gun or being a steel player. Also some of the pros that make their living aren't as good a pickets as some of us guys and gals that that just play for fun. I would not now or would I ever what to be a pro that makes my living at steel guitar. I would sure like to play like them.
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

I'd take issue with Henry's definition (" a pro is someone that excels in something, be it shooting a gun or being a steel player. "); all it means is that the 'pro' makes his living from it.

There's an implication that 'pro' equals 'excellence' (ie 'He plays like a pro..') but, strictly speaking, that's not a definition of the word.

That's me - I make my living from it. 'Excellent'? Far from it, but I've learned how to give the people that employ me what it is they seem to want, and to do it with an amenable attitude - the latter being more than half the battle, in my view.

I 'turned pro' in 1959 but, in reality, what I did was to decide to look for a position as a guitarist with a working band - I'd left Art College with no ambitions in that direction and trying to earn a living as a player seemed an interesting option.

There was no 'master plan' and no burning ambition to succeed, but I always loved making music - I still do! Here we are fifty-two years later and, so far, things have worked out. I didn't marry until I was sixty-one so there were no children to put through college, but life hasn't been without its challenges.

It's been a lot of fun, a lot of miles, and it's probably too late to consider a new career. You never know, though! Very Happy

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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Joachim Kettner · From: Germany

I live about 70 kilometers south of Frankfurt, Wayne. a fourty minute drive on the A5 (A= Autobahn). Yes I like brochen too. Btw their exact name is Broetchen, and their name comes from Brot (bread). The syllable -chen means small. My mother's name was Gretchen- a little Margret Smile

_________________
Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

...and I'm a 'radish grower'!

Smile

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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Joachim Kettner · From: Germany

Roger your surname is quite common over here.
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Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube.

Lynn Fargo · From: Fort Edward, NY

1. What was your reason for... or not becoming a pro steel player?
I formed this nasty habit called "eating."

2. What do you do if not a pro steel player?
Currently, I work in recreation therapy.

3. Are you satisfied with your decision?
Yes, I still get to eat anytime I want and play steel guitar whenever I have some energy left.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Lynn

Just a glance at my figure will confirm that, at the very least, I've certainly managed to eat during my fifty+ years as a 'pro'. Smile

Joachim: One day I want to trace my family tree - I must have German roots, I suppose, but I know nothing about them. I do like radishes!
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Mike Archer · From: church hill tn

Wayne I understand you wanting to be with your wife
after playing on the road for 20+ years
and now suffering through back problems that wont let me lift a feather pillow I gave up the so called pro life..... I to was an auto/small engine mechanic
as well so I did ok till I got sick
now I spend my time with my loving wife and
dont regret giving it up
I can still sit and play thats cool
I dont feel anyless a player then before
in some ways im better....
you can still be a pro and play at home or on the weekends bro have fun Mike Very Happy

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Mullen g2 d-10
Quilter 112
Tele/ fender deluxe

Bill Nevins · From: st.charles,Missouri, USA

I wonder about those guys that decided to not go pro and have been at home with that lovely woman for forty years now.I wonder if he would like to go pro now.
Just kidding all you ladys...

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I am not a pro because I have a house I like and a mortgage I don't.
I also had an example set by my father who, despite probably being in everybody's list of top 5 bluegrass bassists, stayed working at National Geographic as a cartographer (and the only one to have worked on all 9 editions of their Atlas), even staying on as a contractor after he retired.
The musicians I know who don't have day jobs but support themselves are always hustling. They work too hard.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Dave Hopping · From: Aurora, Colorado

I think to place it strictly in money terms mis-states the issue.To me,"pro" also has to do with a committment to learn and do the job right,and to conduct oneself on and off the bandstand in a manner that reflects well on musicians.

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