Walking away from steel guitar...??

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

A few years ago after a two year never-ending bout with "the Evil One"..., had I had a fully functioning chain saw, I was quite litterally in a frame of mind to saw all of my guitars into two pieces .... forunately tho', this temporary spat of insanity was forced to deal with the fact I had no chain saw; AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY....a Forumite named Kenny Dail happened into my life. Thro' his caring and timely counsel and encouragement from a couple thousand miles away, I was once again able to attain some rational thinking.
BUT.....what factor(s)enables many highly motivated and successful steel guitarists to merely "WALK AWAY" from their playing for
8-10-15 years like we hear about here on the forum?
Just "burn-out"; "booze"; "drugs"; "second hand smoke"; "somebody else's girlfriend"; "fiancial hardship"; "illness"?
I might have had a stack of broken guitars but that burning desire, deep within me would have never allowed me stay away from the steel indefinitely. Steel guitar is such an engrained part of my "life" and "soul" I'm clearly addicted to it.
Have you ever walked away from playing and never looked back? Not writing a book; just curious. We've lost a lot of extremely talented steel guitarists throughout the years and it's so sad. Thank goodness some of them are returning once again.

Kenny Dail · From: Kinston, N.C. R.I.P.

Ray, I "walked away" from it all in the mid to late 50s. My reasons were economics. But, even tho I had sold/pawned everything I owned which included a, Custom Triple 8 Fender, Fender Pro Amp and a Bigsby vol/tone pedal, I was till "playing" every sond I heard on the radio with a steel guitar right along with the record. Even tho you may try to walk away, you never actually 'do it'. You continue to play every song along with the artist even tho it may be a mental involvment. I believe any musician regardless of his or her choice of instrument is always 'playing' even with no instruments.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

I didn't set up my steel at all from about 1991-1995.
After playing the ol' 5+ nights a week, 5 sets a night thing for 10 years ('81-'91), I decided to go back to college and get a job that would allow me to play steel as a hobby (after 10 years I decided I didn't like it as an "occupation").
I did however gig nearly every weekend during that time with my midi solo setup, doing the "one man band" thing.
I had a great agent! Kept me from flippin' burgers!

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

Ray:

I suppose, as you said, there are many reasons for a person "walking away" from the steel. I walked away in 1961 -- but, again as you and Kenny said, walking away does not mean I gave up on steel or on music -- or that I never looked back. Here's my story:

I was 27 years old when a good friend who played outstanding tenor sax found himself out of work and destitute. His wife was a great jazz vocalist; sang like Chris Conner with Stan Kenton. The two of them could not find a job for the price of one at any club in Louisville or Indianapolis. It was then that I could see "the hand writing on the wall" -- especially with regard to the welfare of my wife and daughter.

I had dropped out of high school to play music full time long before I would have graduated. I was able to get into college on probation in 1956 after completing a GED and college entrance tests. I sold my car (a late model caddy) to pay tuition and found a job playing six nights a week in a local dive in Louisville for $90 per week. I kept my instruments until I finished undergrad and grad school, at which time I made the final break.

I have missed playing music, but I found that I could be just as passionate about my new career. A few years later I worked for Fender in R&D for a couple of years, but have never gotten back into performing.

Yes, I have looked back many times, and often wondered where I would be now if I hadn't given up music. I believe now that, while I would have continued to enjoy playing steel, I quite likely would not have had the comfortable life that I experienced and would not now be considering complete retirement with a reasonable pension. It was a tough decision back in 1961; I've looked back many times, but I truly can't say I regret the decision I made.

Roy

Richard Plummer · From: nashville tennessee

Hi Ray:I havnt been playing for the past 12 months due to the lack of a steel to play on.I dont think I will ever walk away and not look back.After I had been out for about 6 months,I went to a church to visit.I felt the steel would have sounded so good with their band and literally almost found myself having withdrawl symptems or similar feelings lol.I guess once you get into steel playing it is in your blood for the rest of your life.

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

In the "world according to Chas", I believe that once you make a commitment to music, or any of the arts, for that matter, it's like making a 'pact with the devil'. You get to participate in the "magic", and in return, if you try to walk away, it burns you up.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

After 25 years of playing music from either full time or weekend gigs, I got up one morning in December 1970, looked at my schedule of holiday jobs and the toll that music was taking on my health while doing it 4-5 nights a week and then getting up in the morning to go to a day job, and said to myself.....ENOUGH! To say that I was completely and totally burned-out would have been an understatement.

Then and there, I hauled my gear up to the storage room over the garage, and didn't play again for 14 years, anywhere-anytime, and unlike others, I shut music completely out of my life, not even listening to it on the radio. I utilized the extra time that I now had, to return to school and obtain my college degree which helped me to become more successful on my day job than I had expected, and enabled me to become financially secure enough to retire at age 54.

I then decided to return to music, but without the stress of the past when it was my livelihood. That decision required new equipment, new learning, catching up on all the music I had missed for 14 years, and re-establishing myself in a field where no one remembered me. It was a challenge for about two years, but I found my way back and I can say that the past few years in music without the stress of having to do it for a living, have been the most enjoyable ones of my career.

I sometimes speculate about what I might have accomplished in music if I had dedicated my life to it rather than the day job, but I have no regrets and no doubt that I made the correct decisions....for me, my family and financially. www.genejones.com

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 29 October 2002 at 01:06 PM.]

RON PRESTON · From: Dodson, Louisiana, USA

I look at it like this...It is just like having to go to my AA meetings..If I don't go on a regular basis...I will relapse into another "Black-out" for about 30-45 days stright.
I'VE GOTTA PLAY, or I will GO NUTS!!!
I AM ADDICTED, GUYS & GALS, NO 2 WAYS ABOUT IT!!! I GOTTA PLAY.......

Russ Rickmann · From: Texas, USA

"Even tho you may try to walk away, you never actually 'do it'. You continue to play every song along with the artist even tho it may be a mental involvment. I believe any musician regardless of his or her choice of instrument is always 'playing' even with no instruments". Amen Kenny! Russ

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · From: Southaven, MS, USA

When Rock music came along, my ears went on STANDBY. I kept my combo going until the last year of med school. I had a good group, and used mostly interns, residents, or med. students. They were good readers and soloists as well. But the people were not receiving the music like they had. In Memphis, people were going to Hotel Peabody Skyway to dance to the big bands, but afterward would go to West Memphis and let their hair down with the rock groups there. I decided I wanted nights free as well as some fresh air. So I quit and lived on my boat for about 6 years. One day I had lunch with some old friends and one guy said if you'll play again, I'll give you a guitar! Mine was in storage. Anyway I got it out and began to practice with 5 fingers. Later I learned a friend of mine was teaching at the Univ. of Memphis who had come off the road with Stan Kenton; he was a fine composer and trumpet man; I re-entered the Univ. and rec. my M.S. in Jazz Comp. a year later. I have no regrets. HJ

Bob Blair · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I came to a crossroads in the early 80's where I chose to take a job in Vancouver that removed me from the Ontario bar circuit, and also put an end to some plans my brother and I had to make a record and do some touring. From then on, even though I did find time to play some music and to gig as well, particularly after I returned to Toronto in 87, my day jobs just got more and more demanding, more and more work related travel, and kids came along, and a divorce, and more kids, and........there's only so much of a person to go around.

Eventually I did kind of have a sabbatical from the steel - hardly played it from about 94 to 98. Burnout, a very stressful day job that in retrospect I see was harder on me than I realized at the time, and just being too worn out.....all those things played a part. I should add that I always had good acoustic guitars in my life, and never went for too long without at least picking up one of them.

In 99 I attended my first convention in St. Louis, and that and other factors (including this Forum) gave me a whole new interest in steel. I have a more demanding job now than ever, am working harder than ever, but my frame of mind is a lot better too. And I think I have more than made up for whatever chops I lost.

But I think Chas is right, music is kind of a "deal with the devil". It changes you, mostly for the better of course, but once you take it to a certain point you are just never the same. I don't regret getting out of the bars, because they can kill you literally and figuratively. I don't regret having chosen my day career - it allows me to go to St,. Louis, Dallas and stuff like that, and generally has provided me with an interesting life, even if at times I haven't liked everything about it. Still, there is always a part of me that feels like I'm only pretending to be Bob Blair the labour lawyer.

Frank Parish · From: Nashville,Tn. USA

I wish I had two lives to live, one to devote to music solely and one with the day job and the security that comes with it. I've played music since 1965 and knew when I was fourteen what I wanted most in life, a music career. Trouble is I got married at seventeen and had to face the real world and support a wife and soon kids too. I've always played and until the last eleven years I've played pretty much full time and for a while I made pretty decent money at it but I've never been able to really commit myself to music only and let it take me where it would. That's the chance a single man can take but not a responsible married one. I quit for only eighteen months when I first got married and realized I couldn't leave it out of my life. Since then I've changed instruments and am now playing steel only and wouldn't have it any other way. It would be nice to be able to only play music and see what happens but I've seen so many wind up with nothing and then it's too late to make it up.

Robert Thomas · From: Mehama, Oregon, USA

Hey guys, you love to play music on your steel? I started when I was 15 and had many interruptions, but continued on and raised 5 kids, have 14 grand kids and 1 great grand kid, and the same wife of 47 years and I swear she gets better every year. I had to make our living working a regular job and playing 2 and 3 nights a week on the side like many of you also.
Now I have been retired almost 7 years and have been playing steady 3 and 4 times a week entertaining the people in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. There are hundreds of people in your area who would welcome you with open arms and they love your kind of soulfull, kindly music to lift them up and help them through their days they have left. If you haven't considered it, please think about it. If you do try it you wont be sorry. also it sure is a good way to promote the fantastic sound of a well played pedal steel guitar.

Michael Holland · From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

The Steel Guitar Forum is what rekindled my interest in the steel guitar. I was really burned out and disappointed with the business when the Doug Stone gig fell apart in '95. Went though a bad stretch after losing the good paying gig and then the wife split and I couldn't find anyone that wanted a forty year old and forty pound overweight player, and I didn't really want to start over again at this point in my life. I sold all my instruments and gave up in disgust.

Well, that's my sad story. Things are much better now. I have a good day job and play guitar with a weekend band, and I'm once again playing steel for fun (and working on some new recordings and a new website). Thanks, Bobby, for providing this 'support group' for musicians of all ilk. The Forum has certainly made a difference for me and thanks to all the great folks I've 'met' through it.

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Fessenden SD10 - Mesa/Boogie amps

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

I gave up music for seventeen years. Just like above I went back and got my B.S. in accounting. Hated every minute of it. I took up steel at fourty, but if I had a wife and kid I would sell everything and never look back. I play with a Nashville quality group now thats in big demand. When that ends I'll probably finish. Its a double edged sword. One of my friends is 65 and still doing it every weekend. I admire him. It definitely leads you into the seedier sides of humanity.
When we are playing in front of three thousand people it is a real high. I still play because people tell me I'm good and they
enjoy my playing. I've always been a natural at music. I did give up for a year and a half stretch before I joined my current group. Steel ensnares your whole being sometimes. It takes alot of intensity to be good. Great stories.

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

I guess I've got to disagree with Chas. I think that if you find yourself doing something you came to out of love and devotion, but are doing it just to make a living (it;s just a job) then you owe it to your muse to quit. That's what I did for over 10 years. The second time around has been a whole lot better for me, in every possible way.

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www.tyack.com

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I'm not walking away from steel guitar. Brett Day, Emmons S-10

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

I'm the wife of a Steel guitarist. I think alot of you have a natural born talent if you can play a steel guitar, but I also think that natural talent requires that you feed that talent. My husband is one of the easiest people to get along with. He plays mostly on saturday nights in a western swing band. Lots of parts. It can be a challenge. He also flies real planes and radio control models. He gets frustrated sometimes when music clashes with his flying. About 10 years ago he decided not to play anymore. After about 2 months I was looking for pickin' jobs for him. He became a little grouchy. (A lot grouchy). I think playing helps get out the aggression and sometimes other troubles seem small. Whenever he says those awful words "I think I'm going to quit I get chills. He can't live without that steel guitar (6 of em). I wish I could play but I'm tone deaf. I encourage all of you to never give it up. Your a unique bunch of guys.

Judy

Ray Jenkins · From: Gold Canyon Az. U.S.A.

A true Texas Lady.Your a blessed man Roger.
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Wayne Cox · From: Chatham, Louisiana, USA * R.I.P.

I am kind of like the chain smoker who says,
"It's easy to quit smoking;I've done it lot's of times!".
~~W.C.~~

Bill Ford · From: Graniteville SC Aiken

All of this sounds like the "story of my life".I started with lessons at 15/16 on a 6 string flattop steel Ohau (sp),off and on for a few years.Got with a great bunch of guys,things were begining to cook,met this girl(sound familiar?)quit again,got married.1969 got back in for about 10 years,had chance to go on the road with a national act,that fell through.1979,was offered a deal at my day job I could'nt refuse,promotion with a pay raise that was more than I was making playing 3/4 nites.1999,I retired and a couple friends got me interested again,still had my D12 MSA and other stuff,sold it,got a session 400 and an S12 5+5.As it stands now I'm trying to relearn everything.

Fumblin "n" stumblin
Bill

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Bill Ford

RON PRESTON · From: Dodson, Louisiana, USA

Dear Mrs. Edgington,I must have my wife read your post...And yes, Mr. Edgington, You are quite lucky to have such a wonderful Texas Lady in your life.
God Bless you both...
And, Yes, Wayne, How right you are...I can quit smoking ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!!!
HA,HA.....(Good One, Buddy)

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

AAhh yes.. "Our Muse".

That's a plea for an off the wall commentary..

I have come to know her pretty well in the last 20-30 some years.

I've *never* made the statement to the effect that "I've paid my dues". I don't look at it that way. Anybody I ever heard say it about themselves, in my estimation, was full of crap.

The Muse is heartless. She merely *helps* people that contribute their lives, money, spirits, families, and other worldly possesions to * her*. That's it. Lord knows I've seen enough of them give their whole lives to her, and were stopped short too far from the real end of it to realise that it was a one way trip. Then she deserts them, and their stuff goes up for sale. Sometimes to pay for their funerals a painfully long time before they have them.

Nobody "owes" her anything.

I make money with her aid anytime I get a chance. I keep it. I want it. It's *mine*. She gets hers.

As well, I don't let her take me out on early morning jaunts after gigs on flights of fancy. I go home and get 3-8 hrs sleep and go do a full time day gig, or I make one. Always have. That is aftr I decided She wasn't worth starving to death for.

Some might think I owe her total devotion, and loving adoration for "all she's done for me".

In her highest form, I suppose she helps me fool people into thinking that the passages that I try to play come off flawlessly, the licks aren't the same worn out cliches I've old for years, that the cheap jewelry I wear is actually of the finest quality, helps hide the worn out undersides of my left sleeves, and possibly makes me look younger in the neon light of a beer joint.

I don't owe her a thing.

Nobody does. Many sell their own brands of guitars, strings, chords, playing methods, hats, picks, bars, etc, with no appearant ill effects.

Me, I prefer to chain down heavy equipment, and haul it to and from construction jobs. It seems to give me a sense of accomplishment, and keeps me healthy. Something I do each day scares me. That's how it should be. I'm surprised how little it hurts my "playing".

I don't think she thinks I owe her a lot either, because she's right there whenever I sit down. That tells me something. There's no begging on my part.

No Innocence on hers.....

"The Muse", Now there's a good topic..

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EJL63FLH
'78 Pro III Sho-Bud
'63FLH 90"Stroker
'80 Gold Wing
-Peavey: When it's *not* about "The Sound"-
"You can Smart Yourself Dumb.
Why Can't you Dumb yourself Smart?"-Me
"There are only so many ways to fry cat food."- Buster
"At my age, sometimes I run out of Adrenaline, but I've still got plenty of Gall.." -Me-

[This message was edited by Eric West on 30 October 2002 at 02:09 PM.]

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Very TOUCHING.....old Tired Eric!

Like a novel.......well stated......
ALmost poetic!!

YOU and Jody Carver have a lot in common...
Thanks for sharing your unique perspective.

R. L. Jones · From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

Ray ; I started playing about 17 yrs. old, L had areal passion for music, Ilearned to play real good. L could play guitar, steel ,maodolin, harmonlca . It was part of my life, I played all during the war,(ww2) when I came home it just left me. It was a long time before I got back into it.
Somehow I never missed it. Then one day I started promoting shows, got the fever, Bought a new box and ,rest of story.
R. L.

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