I don't play steel in bands anymore

Bo Legg · Posted 23 Dec 2024 10:01 am

I would have to be on the same road with those folks who packed up, loaded up, unloaded, set up, tuned up, played for 4 & 1/2 hrs, packed up, loaded up and unloaded at home after driving on the same narrow dark Missouri road with no shoulder or side lines.
I'd be facing those New bright headlamps.
I'm pretty sure, to do all that and do it for the same money they got 40yrs ago, they would have to be drunk or crazy or both and which ever I don't want to be out there on the same road at night Smile

Ben Lawson · From: Brooksville Florida

Welcome to the money savers club Bo..... . Well,sort of! Now my truck gets a little rest,as my Emmons D10 & Peavey 1-12, and my almost 80 year old body. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bo Legg · Posted 23 Dec 2024 12:54 pm

hi Ben. I played for a long time with my light wight Stage One steel and the 1 12. Other wise I'd have stopped long ago!

W. C. Edgar · Posted 23 Dec 2024 2:17 pm

Good call Bo
After doing it that long you probably feel like you're in a 'time warp' playing the same old sad songs and fighting a drummer that can't keep time because he doesn't use a 'click' & drinks Red Bull on the gig and keeps speeding and the same bass player that can't figure a shuffle out.
So, if the Price song is three chords (1-4-5) and you start in the 1 and get to the first change that goes to the 4 he goes to the 5 then when the song goes to the 5 he goes to the 4 OMG how can they not hear that?
Kind of like 'Groundhog Day' lol
It really isn't the actual 'playing' that gets old, it's the loading up, getting to the gig, setting up, waiting to start, tearing down, waiting around to get paid and hope the hell they didn't give a check, driving home, & then taking at least two more hours to wind down to the point you can attempt to sleep.
And all that for less money than in the 80's.
I feel ya pal...
WC
_________________
First owner of Steelseat.com
1980 Sho-Bud Pro II & 1977 Sho-Bud Pro l
Lawrence 610 Pickups
1979 Peavey LTD
1980 Peavey Nashville 400
Goodrich L-120
Toured with Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Ty England & more

Dave Hopping · From: Aurora, Colorado

Yup. Fifty bucks a player was OK bar-band money back in'73 when the ladies and Jim Beam were conspiring to whack Hank Jr....

And it still is today. Oh Well

Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

As much as I hate all the BS that goes with travel, band chores, etc... and the fact that the pay scale is stuck in low gear, I'd still probably be interested in playing if country music was still alive and well. The changes to country music has left we no desire to play it Same for bluegrass. I find that people that completely despise the new country sound are often accepting of bluegrass being so distant from the music that Bill Monroe created. I play once, sometimes more, per month mainly to spend time with my friends. Occasionally, I'll do something in my home studio just for the fun of it. I'm satisfied with that.

I'm fortunate that my career choice has left me with the retirement freedom to pretty much do what I want to do.

RC

Ron Funk · From: Ballwin, Missouri

Bo Legg

You're getting us confused.....did you quit since this recent post?

Here's your post from "the Playing When Getting Old" string

Post Posted 23 Dec 24 1:14pm WILL be 87 in January. Still playing at Iceman's Bar & Grill
Stoutland MO. House gig no travel!

Bobby Martin · From: Virginia, USA

Here's my observation on still playing country/rock gigs in our '70s...when we got motivated to get a pedal steel 50 years ago, the bars and venues were packed with our same age crowd, everybody was single and the D.U.I. laws werent as severe as now. We were happy to make $25 bucks and didn't mind humping a double neck Sho-Bud and Fender Twin with JBLs in and out of gigs. Rarely had silver haired folks in the crowd, much less in the band! Fast forward to the present and none of us need the extra side-hustle cash. I thank God that I'm still able to play competent steel and guitar in bands with like minded folks for our fans who are ALL my age or older! Lighten your rig to a single neck E9 steel and smaller amp and have fun, maybe you'll inspire a rare youngster to take up the art of pedal steel playing." WE DON'T STOP PLAYING BECAUSE WE GROW OLD,WE GROW OLD BECAUSE WE STOP PLAYING"- George Bernard Shaw. Now get out and play some gigs and quit complaining. 'tis better to be seen than "viewed" y'all.
_________________
Retired my "Flying Pro III" playin' gigs with the "little bud" in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

Forum Index > Steel Players		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: