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Topic: and another thing that doesn't help Steel players |
Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 6:04 am |
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More often than not at shows, or on TV etc...Steel players are set up back line behind another player. Obstructed from view...
I recently did a small theater showcase with a fine local artist...Dobro, Steel and harmony vocals, I was set up behind the Bass player who half the time played an Upright. All of the photo's and video of the evening were absent the Steel/Dobro guy, me...yet the Dobro and Steel were prominent in each of the songs. My artist friend recognized this and promised at the next shows we would all be front line...
We just watched Rodney Atkins playing live on FOX, the Steel player was hidden behind another guitar player.
t
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 6:13 am
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I just saw Dan and his Franklin on Fox & Friends. I'm so glad he was up in the mix and he sounded great!  |
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Tom Kraemer
From:
Minnesota, USA
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 6:52 am Hidden steel player
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I never understood why the steel guy is always hidden from site. That's why I always cheer extra loudly when I hear the steel fills/solo. I say get those guys up front where they belong
Tom |
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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 7:07 am
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Steel players are speed bumps who take up too much real estate on stage so they put us in the back of the pasture.
_________________
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night. |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 7:13 am
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This is a 14 Piece Band I play in; and look where I get to be.....yeee haaaa.
_________________
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 7:45 am
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Yeah for Ricky !!! nice spot on stage ! 
How about put the Bass player behind the Steel player ..at least he ( or she ) stands ! Why do Bass players ( I am one by the way ) by default get front line ?
Through the years it was a normal "given" that Steel players go to the back and Guitars and Basses go to the front. And I ain't buyin' the space thing, a Bass player needs as much if not more side to side than anyone, I know this 1st hand playing a Fender JBass... Actually if they were back line they would have more freedom to move around and wouldn't hurt anyone with that dang long Bass neck ! At least the Steel players just sit there and don't move !
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Tom Kraemer
From:
Minnesota, USA
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 8:00 am
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Now that'swhat I'm talk'n about mr. davis
Excellent.
Tom |
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George McLellan
From:
Duluth, MN USA
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 8:43 am and anudder thing
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Ever notice that when the concert promoter has a un-informed/unfamilure video crew, you take your ride and he zooms in on the lead guitar. Yup, that's anudder thing where we get the back seat because they can't tell the difference in instruments.
Geo |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 9:02 am
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| i prefer the anonymous shadows. |
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Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 9:19 am
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I always thought bass and guitar players get front stage status because they are often singers.
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Justin Emmert
From:
Greensboro, NC
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 9:26 am
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I've only been playing a couple of months, but in my daydreaming, I already thought of this.
That is why I decided that the day I become competent enough on steel guitar to regularly gig with a band is the day I will either:
1. Buy myself a portable riser to set up on and a trailer to haul it with.
2. Add requirement to bands rider to include a riser for the Steel Player!!
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Bo Legg
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 9:30 am
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With good PSG players there is such an economy in motion even on the fastest of songs that most of the audience and a lot of camera men don’t realize the PSG is even being played.
And let’s be honest sitting behind the PSG with a constipated farcical expression like we’re on the commode doesn’t give any one further pause that we might actually be playing.
All the while the camera is focused on the guitar player because fingers are flying all over the strings up and down the neck and it appears that everything on his body has to move to play the simplest of phrases and of course he continues with his clown act even during the pedal steel solo and gets credit for your ride.
So why would you not expect the PSG to be at the back of the bus in visual entertainment value. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 9:40 am Another view..............
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Years ago when Speedy West and Lloyd Green were but youngish looking fellows, each appeared on a prominent national television show, each with a famous recording artist, they were placed right up in the front of this vast stage. No one else was in the picture.
On other television shows, you can hear everyone of the musicians in the group and see them as well. All too often the steel can be heard quite prominently but nowhere that you might look, could one find him.
The steel player almost from the beginning of time has always taken a second seat to the rest of the band. It's no wonder that a number of steel players suffer from inferiority complexes......and insecurity.........even tho' they're sitting at one of the most expensive instruments on the stage.
At least their choice in hats gives them an opportunity to stand out in the mix. |
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James Marlowe
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 10:55 am
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I'm with Chris
_________________
J.R. Marlowe
Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
Black '95 Zumsteel SD10, 4+5;Black Mullen RP SD10, 4+5
NRA Life member |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 11:27 am
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Y'all want to be noticed?
Do like Leon McAuliffe did. Be handsome and smooth in stage talk and demeanor, play standing up so you can move around and give visuals to the audience, and sing.
BTW, keyboardists are always backlined as well, but have two advantages over a steel player: They can move around more, and cameramen generally know what a piano or an organ sounds like. However, not to blame the cameraman. They have headsets and take direction from the honcho in the control room... the Director, who sees what every camera is doing and chooses ultimately what gets on screen.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 11:43 am
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| Guess I was lucky. Band I played with for many years set me right at the front of the stage. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 2:05 pm
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| Herb Steiner wrote: |
Y'all want to be noticed?
play standing up so you can move around and give visuals to the audience, and sing.
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Well I do sing, front and harmony, and although I am somewhat joking in this thread it is not a joke that in many scenario's the Steel guy is sent to the back line, maybe out of habit. In all honesty, my several decades of playing with many fine artists and bands I have been mostly stage right or left, not a bad place to be. But I have seen many scenario's and played many shows and gigs where the Steel guy was automatically placed the back, the Bass and Guitars were in the front and sometimes never sang one word but the Steel guy did , I did...
Now, if I could stand and play I would but I'm wondering how to work the dang knee levers while standing, perhaps right angle vertical extensions sticking out a foot from behind the Steel ?
Interesting concept !
Just thinking out loud...
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Ron Funk
From:
Ballwin, Missouri
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Posted 31 Jan 2014 2:39 pm
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I always liked playing on a riser - so that I'm at eye level with the guitar players.
Makes it easier for each player to see each other - and crowd to see the steel player. |
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Eddy Dunlap
From:
Nashville, Tn
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 1 Feb 2014 2:50 am
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Yes, Dan looks mighty fine here but he is set up behind the bass player !
I think that's the point though, more often than not in order to see the Steel it requires a special camera view to get face time. That is NOT the case with guitar players and bass players who automatically, it seems, get front line more probably because that's just the way it is and has been for decades. This is not new, we have heard , seen and read for years now that during a Steel fill or solo the camera is on the guitar player or the fiddle !
Of course this all just a thought for debate...
t
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Craig A Davidson
From:
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA
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Posted 1 Feb 2014 7:03 am Re: and anudder thing
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| George McLellan wrote: |
Ever notice that when the concert promoter has a un-informed/unfamilure video crew, you take your ride and he zooms in on the lead guitar. Yup, that's anudder thing where we get the back seat because they can't tell the difference in instruments.
Geo |
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I know what you mean George. When I was with a certain artist at Sandstone their accomplished camera guys always panned to the piano player when I took a steel ride. You would think they could tell the difference between the two instruments. Maybe all the yee-hawing confused them. |
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Steve Spitz
From:
New Orleans, LA, USA
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Posted 1 Feb 2014 1:36 pm Up front
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I'm not sure why, but I usually am asked to set up at the front of the stage. I'm far from good looking, I'm the oldest guy in the band quite often,not allways. I think people enjoy seeing the steel, it's not very common in this very musical town. People seem to dig it. I usually attract guitar nerds who are steel curious, and hang up front to check it out. I wish it was teenage babes instead...
Another reason is sight lines. Sometimes it's the only way I can see to cue and get cues from the others on the front line. Also, if someone is standing behind me, the crowd can see both players, not so if a seated player is behind a standing player.
Maybe it's because I'm older and old school, but I think it's important to look the part of a professional. Look like someone who expects to be payed for playing music. I think that might weigh in to an act wanting you up front. I really don't care where they put me, as long as I can see the other players so we can direct traffic. I'm just speculating as to why they usually put this old man up front. |
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Karen Sarkisian
From:
Boston, MA, USA
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Posted 1 Feb 2014 7:38 pm
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hahaha check out the pic of the band I played with the other night at Toby Keiths in Foxboro Mass. You can see the corner of my black Emmons on the far left. I'm not even in the pic ! The gig was fun but I gotta say Toby Keiths was pretty lame. They charged me over $2.00 for a very small cup of coffee. You'd think a musician owned club would be a little more generous with musicians who play there. 
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Emmons, Franklin, Mullen |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 2 Feb 2014 3:56 am
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here's a good shot of me at a recent showcase, you can see my Stage One and me playing Dobro and singing harmony really well !
OR NOT...
Love it !
even the drums got front line ! The guitar stands got better photo coverage !
In all fairness though, I work with this artist ( the guy with the EPI Acoustic) often, it's always a good time and this was really an oversight...
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Willis Vanderberg
From:
Petoskey Mi
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Posted 2 Feb 2014 7:49 am
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I played with a bass man who insisted he had to be positioned where he could see my hands. He said that way, he could anticipate the next chord buy watching my left hand..At the end of the night I informed him that I could play many chords without even moving my bar. He said I must be pulling his leg..go figure .
I usually sit at the left end of the group and pretty much in front. |
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