Who are the Top 5 Players today?

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

I recently read another thread in which someone mentioned that
Gary Carter is certainly in the top 5 players today. I know this is very subjective, but who do you think are the top 5 players today? I would certainly include Paul Franklin and Tommy White, but there are so many other amazing players out there... Who is on your top five list?

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

I could never whittle it down to a Top-5.

Even back in "the day", there were just too many killer players to do that (e.g.Emmons, Charleton, Day, Mooney, Chalker, Green, Hughey, JD, Jim Murphy, Jernigan..................)

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

no way to mention just 5 without feeling bad about the other 50 that deserve the spots!

Bernie Gonyea · From: Sherman Tx. 75092 ,U.S.A. (deceased)

I agree with many of you about picking out five steel players whom you think are the greatest; There are so manyout-standing steelers in the business.I, for one could not pick out any five players whom I thought could fill that category. Possibly we could pick out five whom we know are making the most income from being the' Most in Demand as in the studio back up men in Nashville or other places . Or steelrs whom are spot-lighted by working with really big stars. Attending great " Steel Guitar Jamborees" such as many of us had the privelege of seeing & hearing in Dallas in early March; Made all of us realize how many fine & super pickers there are in our country & other locations in the world. I say Congratulations to every steel guitar artist whom participates at these jamborees; they all deserve a big " HATS OFF " don't you agree. You all are my favorites. Bernie Gonyea
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2007 Zum S-10; 1967 Sho-Bud [ D-10 ]; 85 S-10 Sierra; 1953 Multi-Kord [ 6 String- 4 pedals ] A Sho-Bro six String Resonator Guitar; Nashville 112 Amp; hilton Vol. Pedal

Gary Guzzardo · From: Florida, USA

Just 5 ??? I can think of 50 or better ..

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

I would think that the top five would be able to play both necks, different styles and have speed as well. I will say Doug Jernigan has to be one of the very best of all time. I also love to hear a Texas player in Steve Palousek. Steve plays things I do not hear other players play. Top five players? It would be just a matter of opinion.

Justin Griffith · From: Taylor, Texas, USA

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

The only question of this sort that would not be totally subjective and fodder for all sorts of "how could you not include Steely McSteelsteel!?" would be "list top 5 current session pros", as measured by volume of work.

Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

I agree with Chris and the others. With such a broad term as "Top 5 Players, there's no way to be fair to all involved. By "top" does it mean the ones who are the best players, the most popular, the busiest, the most innovative, the best at backing a singer, the best at playing instrumentals, etc...? By "most popular" do we mean most popular session player, most popular concert player, or most popular steel show player? We all know that with every instrument, or singer, or most any profession, the most popular is not always the best, but is often perceived to be the best. Kind of chicken and egg thing.

There's so many great players out there doing so many different styles, different kinds of gigs, and so full of talent. I think that's why the true pros have so much respect for one another, because they are all different. Sometimes I get bored with hearing the same people play the same licks over and over, and then I walk into a club somewhere and there's a local band playing and a player that blows me away with their playing.

I respect the pro guys that play sessions most every day for hours and must really be pros to keep their playing fresh and not get bored and burned out. But, I also respect the guys that work a non-music job all week and rush home on Friday to load their gear and get to a show on time and are excited to play a new lick they learned during the week.... not motivated by the token $$ he'll make, but by the opportunity to play the music he loves and hang out with his buddies. These guys are often very good players too.

I won't mention names because we will not agree on the top 5, and number 6 will obviously be a great player too, but maybe have his/her feelings hurt because he wasn't mentioned. I'd say all the players are top players and most all do something I like.

RC

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

My top five would be in no particular order for the top three.

1. Paul Franklin, Tommy White, an Mike Johnson.
2. Way too many to list.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

Thanks for all your comments and responses. Mike Johnson is certainly another in my personal favorite top five. It is probably too difficult to narrow down the list and pick just five. I also come across amazing players from time to time that I was not even previously aware of...

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

I've checked here a bunch of times and still haven't seen my name. Probably some clerical error.
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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

Maybe they have us at top five from bottom of the list Richard.
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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Marco Schouten · From: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Lloyd Green will always be on my 1st spot.
but when looking at who is recording a lot, than Russ Pahl and Paul Franklin will be high on the list...I think.
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JCH SD-10 with BL XR-16 pickup, Sho-Bud Volume Pedal, Evidence Audio Lyric HG cables, Quilter Steelaire combo

John Swain · From: Winchester, Va

I'll play! Doug Jernigan, Paul Franklin, Tommy White, Mike Johnson, and Buck Reid. IMHO

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Most well known: Robert Randolph
Best resume: Greg Leisz
Best Jazz player: Dave Easily
Most Innovative: Susan Alcorn
Best Looking: Will Van Horn
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Bob

Joe Goldmark · From: San Francisco, CA 94131

On my Vinylbeat.com site, I listed who I thought were the 50 best steelers with pictures and links, and a bubbling under of another 50 great ones. Very subjective of course.

http://www.vinylbeat.com/album-19-50GreatestSteelGuitarists.html

Joe

Rich Upright · From: Florida, USA

Tommy
Doug
Joe
Paul
JayDee
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A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.

W. Van Horn · From: Houston, texas

Finally, some recognition for my god-given talents! Cool

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

Some of my favorites who have not been mentioned would be Steve Hinson, Gary Carter, Milo Deering, Junior Knight, Bruce Bouton, Jim Loessberg, Dean Holman, Terry Bethel, Randy Beavers, Rick Price, Mike Headrick, and the list goes on and on and on.............................. Pick the top 5, no way!!
Jerry
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Bob Ritter · From: pacfic, wa

Joe, Jay Dee, Tommy, Paul, Doug,

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

just to make things easier, we could start with the top 5 under 200 pounds. at least then you guys would list lloyd green.

Olli Haavisto · From: Jarvenpaa,Finland

I heard myself say to somebody after Buck Reid's set at the Dallas show that he could well be the best living steel player. Of course it's impossible and meaningless to put musicians in any who's the best order but after that set that is what came out of my mouth.....
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Olli Haavisto
Finland

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