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Topic: Has anyone do a singles act w/only steel |
Wayne Franco
From:
silverdale, WA. USA
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Posted 3 Aug 2003 9:38 am |
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| SORRY bout the spelling on the intro. do=done.... What is your experience and any tips to help make it successful. Thanks! [This message was edited by W Franco on 03 August 2003 at 10:41 AM.] |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 3 Aug 2003 9:54 am
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| Susan Alcorn |
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JB Arnold
From:
Longmont,Co,USA (deceased)
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Aug 2003 9:39 pm
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Back in about 1940 I did a couple of times in restaurants. Playing dinner music. Most of the old standards, show tunes, pop standards of the day, etc.
A also played lots of clubs , where there was dancing, with Me and a Bass player. Plenty of jobs for duos, and more money too....al 
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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
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Brian Wetzstein
From:
Billings, MT, USA
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Posted 3 Aug 2003 10:19 pm
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| I back up a singer sometimes. But its always two of us up there so I guess it does not count! |
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Jackie Anderson
From:
Scarborough, ME
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 9:01 am
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| b0b's thread should be read by anyone looking at this one! Pardon the persistent topic drift, but since b0b himself ended with a duo act, I'd like to mention doing countless (for various reasons) Saturday night bar gigs with a singer/acoustic guitar/harmonica player and my steel, with everything (including his D-45) going through a Twin Reverb. Besides the Twin's reverb, I used an MXR Phase 90 a lot. Boy, did we sound big on something like "The Wreck of the Edmund B. Fitzgerald!" However, one of the most satisfying engagements we ever played was at a school for the blind. Those folks could really hear, and they were a wonderfully appreciative audience. They were just fascinated with the steel, and had a great time exploring it all over (by touch, of course) to see what could be producing those sounds. There are many great sounding musical instruments, but few with the "wow" factor that a steel can produce, in any listener. [This message was edited by Jack Anderson on 04 August 2003 at 10:03 AM.] |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 1:07 pm
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Rod King - a British player - did a solo act for years. He played clubs and cabaret dates and was, by all accounts, a good player and entertainer.
Although I was in the UK until only six years ago, our paths never crossed, but he did record at least once - the Hollies did a song called 'Jennifer Eccles' (I wonder if that one made it over here to the US?), and Rod played the solo. It was fairly novel back then - this was about '66, and before PSG had really invaded the pop charts as it did shortly afterwards... |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 4 Aug 2003 3:36 pm
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| Yes, the solo in "Jennifer Eccles" was one of hte few times that we heard pedal steel guitar on the top 40 radio in the late 60's. I loved it and always wondered who played it. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 6:14 am
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| ...and do you remember that cool modulation into the solo? |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 6:48 am
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| Buzz Evans |
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fraser
From:
seattle wa
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 11:45 am
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I play solo - no singing. All original compositions.
The challenges have been:
1. Having enough original compositions to make it through a gig.
2. Trying to avoid complicated compositions that would be difficult to play solo.
3. Understanding all the different ways melody and chords can be mixed to create a complete song.
4. Coming up with approriate solos for each tune while avoiding just playing a single note solo the whole way through - it's difficult to pull off a single note solo for me.
The compositions are a mix of
1. Melodies that alternate with chords
2. Chord melodies on that stick to either 3-note chords or 4-note chords for the length of the tune.
3. 2 note grips all the way through.
4. A little bit of finger pickering in places.
The influences range from guitar jazz, new age, Ornette Colemen, 20th century classical music, 50's R&B, blues, heavy metal power chords, fender rhoades (sp?) sound and disco chording but not Western Swing or C&W.
Wish I had time to record them but barely enough time to keep in gigging shape on them.
Thanks
Fraser |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 1:50 pm
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I play a lot of solo gigs but I use BIAB to back me up.
Erv |
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Wayne Cox
From:
Chatham, Louisiana, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 2:16 pm
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The "group" I currently play with came up with a unique solution to a dilemma. The dilemma was that bookings for the band had dropped off considerably,in recent months. Some of the guys have demanding day jobs anyway so the boss said,"OK,if the people want a cheaper band we will give them one."
He started booking based on the price people were willing to pay. Example: $1200 full band,$800 4 piece band, $400 trio,etc. I play with the full band,the quartet,& the trio. No singles yet. ~~W.C.~~ |
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Joseph V. Sapp
From:
eastern shore, Md.
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 2:19 pm
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I've done the solo thing for quite some time. Major drawback is the equipment to haul around. My Steel, Nashville 400, Fender blackface twin, Effects rack, PA system, boom stands, and a endless amount of cables. Set up time is usually an hour, but when done, sounds fantastic. I also use a DR-5 for some of my background as well as a fairly large selection of Tracks on CD's. When you miss a Pull or hit a bad note,,,,ya cant blame it on anyone else by yourself. I (try) and sing as well, and those who have heard my material think its fantastic. either that or their just being kind, but working out the individual steel parts is abit of a work-out to say the least. it thats the direction you want to take,,,by all means , do it. The satisfaction cant be better. God Bless
Joe
Derby SD-10 4X5 Nashville 400 Fender blackface twin, Lexicon MPX 100 Profex ll |
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Wayne Franco
From:
silverdale, WA. USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2003 2:30 pm
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| I have BIAB also. I am finding it very difficult to keep the practice up and still learn new stuff. I just purchased a little Peavey PA that is self contained and weights about 50lbs, has wheels and is easy to set up. I need to just start gigging more regular to keep in shape until I can do the songs in my sleep. I think it will really be interesting to see what people will be asking for. A good mix of songs is just going to take a while. Hopefully the steel will be unique enough and I can play what ever I want. I really feel exposed playing alone but I seem to be getting more confident. Especially right after doing a gig. You know...that is exactly what those guys are doing in the music rooms at the steel shows. Al Brisco, Billy Phelps and last year at the Texas show there were 2 or 3 other rooms with psg players doing it as well. |
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Joseph V. Sapp
From:
eastern shore, Md.
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Posted 6 Aug 2003 2:55 pm
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OOPP'S forgot to mention but I usually try and get in 2 or 3 hours a night of good solid practice. then an additional hour of programing. and for the finished product, I"ve booked many nursing homes, and rehab centers (Free of charge). The people love it, and it gives me the opportunity to fine tune my material. sort of a win, win situation. I really look forward to those smiling face's and open hearts. and in a way, sort of a pay back for the many blessings that my family and I are blessed with. Give it a try....ya just might get hooked.
Joe
Derby SD-10 4X5 Nashville 400 Fender Blackface twin, Profex ll, Lexicon MPX 100 |
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Wayne Franco
From:
silverdale, WA. USA
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Posted 7 Aug 2003 1:21 pm
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| Playing some free gigs to get the material together is a great idea. And what better place than nursing homes, etc. I am sure they would love it and it certainly is a worthy cause. Thanks for the idea! |
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Bob Mainwaring
From:
Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada
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Posted 7 Aug 2003 3:23 pm
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Like Roger Rettig says, Rodney King was quite the entertainer back in the mid sixties. We used to see him at the MSG Manchester Sports Guild club along with many up and coming bands or solo acts.It would be intersting to know what ever happened to him?
He played a steel that was built in Liverpool that my damn memory won't allow to remember his name.
Bob.
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 14 Aug 2003 12:21 pm
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It WAS Rod, even 'though Gordon was doing most of the studio stuff back then.
RR |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 15 Aug 2003 12:37 am
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I'm gettin' old Rog. the memory only extends to tunes and keys etc. People, Places and things just elude me a little.
BTW a 60th birthday bash is organised for Sunday Nov 30th in the village hall Knowle.
ALL are welcome.12.30 p.m - 11.00 p.m.
There'll be at least 15 steel players there, MOST of them singles acts.
Baz
www.waikiki-islanders.com [This message was edited by basilh on 15 August 2003 at 01:38 AM.] |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 15 Aug 2003 5:47 am
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Hi, Basil
Did you ever work with Sandy Kelly?
RR
(PS: I'm getting old, too - now, when they ask me to change key on the steel, I forget which way to move my chair.....) |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 15 Aug 2003 5:09 pm
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Yes.....I just typed out a long diatribe about my years in Ireland and being partially retired now. The computer went "Bananas" and lost it all..... it's getting late and I'm just in from a "Gig" tired.... so I'll continue later
Baz |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 16 Aug 2003 4:07 am
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Rog.... I have just got Rod Kings address and 'phone #
Any of his friends who haave lost touch, can get the details from me...BUT.. to preserve his privacy, I won't post the details here.
Baz |
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