Did I BREAK EVEN!

Rusty Hurse · From: Hendesonville, Tn

The question was posted on the forum about breaking even in the steel guitar business!Well I have to tell all of you I guess I am the Richest ONE OF THE BUNCH!BUT NOT IN MONEY!The steel guitar whether you know it or not has brought to me a number of life time friends, memories and an education that would never have been attainable.It also provided the trust that some of you had in me to take care of you and your families.Some things have been said that I was demeaning the OPRY and let me clear this up right now.There are alot of the OPRY singers and musicians that were PATIENTS OF MINE!Not only did I get to work with them on occasions as as steel guitarist I took care of them too and their families.Most of them knew me when I was just a young steel guitarist trying to make a living and to pay for an education.THE PLAYERS know too who I was when I was a kid hanging around trying to learn every everything about a steel guitar that I could.Yes I was around when alot of HISTORY of the steel guitar and amps and players were made. I was there gentlemen!Yes I have been with the OPRY people for a long time!THEY HAVE BEEN WITH ME TOO!Like Friday nites and Saturday nites when I worked the EMERGENCY ROOMS all over.There has been times I wish I had been there at the OPRY playing, but I had to save someones life so they could go to the OPRY again.I always tried to listen though when I was working those long hours,especially when I had to talk to families about one of their loved ones that they just lost suddenly.YES I HAVE BEEN TO THE OPRY on many occasions but it was not physical some times.When I became ill with diabetes and then a stroke on top of that and my medical ability was gone in an hour so to speak.The steel guitar was my therapy to get back to what I always loved playing.That steel guitar brought a kid from TEXAS TO NASHVILLE>and alot more places.I guess I owe the STEEL GUITAR more than it owes me and this is one debt that I will never be able to repay.So as Paul Harvey would say "NOW THE REST OF THE STORY"I have never asked for any recognition what so ever from anyone and never will. There are several doctors that play steel guitar.This maybe how they keep their sanity at times!!!However the steel guitar has taken me everywhere in life that I have wanted to go, and it is still taking me there.DID I BREAK EVEN? I think not I am still working on this DEBT and will be for the rest of my life.SO if your kid ask for a steel guitar!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU BETTER BUY THEM ONE!!!!Music is FUN! not like LIFE AND DEATH remember I HAVE BEEN THERE!That is not too much fun.Oh by the way I am not a golf pro either how that got on my profile may have been done by someone named LYNN, but that is all that I am going to say!

RON PRESTON · From: Dodson, Louisiana, USA

Dr. Hurse..a.k.a. "steelguitarist". Very well said. I am guilty sometimes of "Judging a book by it's cover" sometimes. Often, People THINK they know, OR, in their minds...JUSTIFY,and TWIST ONE WORD,to say what THEY think.(by reasons of insanity,I often wonder)The REST of the STORY

I just HAD to print this out, because I have never thought of it (steel guitar)that way. Bravo, Dr.Hurst,and may
God bless you(Looks like HE already HAS)

BobG · From: Holmdel, NJ

For what it's worth the "break even" thread
was primarily directed at the amateur player.
I think the vast majority of the players who visit the forum play simply because of their love for the instrument. Most don't expect to make a living at it but simply wish to attain a reasonable level of competence at it. Once they feel they've reached that level the natural progression
is to join a band and hopefully get out there and gig a little.
That in my opinion is the ultimate payoff for an amateur. To spend all those hours practicing over the years and eventually "put it out there" and sample the enjoyment that can only come from gigging live. All we want is a small sample of excitement that the pros' get to experience.
Another plus from playing live is you
actually get paid for doing it! Not much
but you still get paid.
I personally reached the point where
i've recouped my investment over the years
playing weekends. It's not a big deal ...
I "broke even" and that's cool!..
My father bought me my first steel when I was eighteen despite my mothers warnings that he was "wasting his money" that it would end up in the closet along with my other "whimsical expenses" .
It's simply nice to look back and know i've proven her wrong (at least once)

.

[This message was edited by BobG on 25 March 2002 at 10:14 AM.]

Louie Hallford · From: denison tx

Rusty,sorry that you were unable to make it to Dallas.

Saw both Lynn and Charlie and got a chance to get all the lowdown on you...most of which I promise I won't repeat.

Your Mt Pleasant buddy,louie.

PS. Was that where you were born and raised,or were just there for the Orange Blossom job?

[This message was edited by louie hallford on 25 March 2002 at 02:19 PM.]

Rusty Hurse · From: Hendesonville, Tn

I was born in Mt. Pleasant, Texas and while I lived there I kept changing the town sign to Mt. Misery. I am sure there are still warrants out on me there and the statue of limitations is not up on some of those early crimes either> LOL

Rusty Hurse · From: Hendesonville, Tn

Thanks everyone for the emails that you have sent me. I am sorry that I did not make it to Dallas as I had planned, but I was ill due to my diabetes in such a severe stage.Thanks for the pictures on the forum and the ones that were sent to me personal.Glad everyone had a LARGE TEXAS TIME.Lynn called and gave me the report from there. I hope to see everyone when I get moved back to Nashville.SO LOOK OUT GUYS DOC IS GOING TO BE BACK IN TOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Rusty Hurse · From: Hendesonville, Tn

Please close this topic.

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