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Topic: I met Randle Currie! |
Chris Lasher
From:
Blacksburg, VA
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Posted 22 Nov 2003 6:42 pm |
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I met Randle Currie!!!!!! After Brad Paisley's show at Cowboys in Kennesaw ended last night, I was a little bummed because I didn't get to meet up with Jim Hamilton, the pedal steeler for the houseband. I was really excited when Charlie Vaughn mentioned that he might be able to get me backstage to meet Randle. (Still very much appreciated, Charlie!) Disappointed, but still determined, as I was walking back to my car, I thought, "Wait a minute, unless Brad and his crew were dropped in by helicopter, there's gotta be a tour bus somewhere." So instead I walked all the way to the end of the building complex, wandered around the side, and headed down the dimly lit back alley.
Just as I was beginning to worry that I was running out of building, I got past the back of one of the stores, and tucked away behind it and a wire fence were two very large, plush-looking busses. "This has got to be it," I thought, excited. To my complete surprise, no fans were there, only what seemed to be the bus drivers shooting the breeze and a Cowboys staff member. I looked at the drivers for a few seconds and decided they didn't care if I was there or not, so then I went up to the Cowboys guy and asked "Hey, man, do you know if the guys are going to come out here?" He gave me a very unfriendly look and said, "No."
Not a second after he said that, I look back at the tour bus and see a guy in a black T-shirt walking beside the bus towards the door. It took me another second to register who it was. "RANDLE!" I shouted. Randle turned around and looked a little confused but came towards me. I introduced myself, shook his hand, and told him that I was a huge fan of his and that he's a huge inspiration, and one of the biggest reasons I'm learning to play pedal steel. He was really flattered. I told him I was just amazed at his playing and how smooth it was, and in true humility, he said "Aw, thanks, I really appreciate it, but it's nothing compared to Paul Franklin. That's a true master, there." I agreed with him that I thought Mr. Franklin's playing is absolutely fantastic, but reassured him that his own playing was also top-notch. He smiled and thanked me.
We talked a few minutes about his setup, this forum, pedal steel in general, and how he got into the instrument. One of the crew came and told him his presence was requested, so we wrapped it up. We shook hands again and he said, I believe, that he was in listed in the [musicians'(?)] union and to look him up if I was ever in the neighborhood. I'm not really sure what this means, but I thanked him sincerely and wished him a great next show.
I'm really, really glad I listened to that little inner voice that told me not to lose hope in meeting him, and that I had the luck in timing to have gotten to the bus at just the right time to meet him. My only regret is not bringing my copy of Mud on the Tires with me to have it signed by Randle, but it was so great to meet him that it's only enough to make me say, "Rats. Hopefully next time." I only hope that in some way I made Randle feel a little more appreciated. I can't say enough good things about him, especially after he took the time to chat with me after a long gig. I'm already in anticipation of seeing him again with Brad's outfit of loveable virtuostic goofballs next time they pass through here.
And if anyone on here is close to Randle, please give my biggest thanks to him, again!
Chris
Sidenote: We're going to have to decide on one way of spelling Randle's name and stick with it. I should have asked him what the right way to spell his name is  I got this spelling from the thank-yous from Brad in the liner notes of Mud on the Tires, which I'm willing to trust more than the song credits in the same liner notes that spelled his name as Randel Currie... which is pretty offensive to have your name in print mispelled about fifteen times. |
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Bob Lawrence
From:
Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted 22 Nov 2003 7:29 pm
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His dad (Keith) is a Forum member and spelled his name Randle in a email to me a few days ago. I can get excited meeting any steel player at any level.(we don't have alot of steel players in my area) When it's a pro it's icing on the cake. At times and I'm sure some of them think I'm a little crazy  It's all in fun!!
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John Lacey
From:
Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 22 Nov 2003 8:46 pm
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| I've known Randle for about 10 years and he's a peach of a guy. A class act and a very dedicated player. One of the first times in my life I've run into a player more steel nuts than me! |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 23 Nov 2003 7:20 am
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Chris,
Did you tell Randle how desperately loud it all was?
RR |
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2003 7:59 am
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My husband had a drink with Randle last night at Legends.
Randle can pick!
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Chris Lasher
From:
Blacksburg, VA
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Posted 23 Nov 2003 10:27 am
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Bob: Haha, I know what you mean. I have such admiration for all musicians, and like you said, especially the pros or retired pros, that I'm sure when I meet them and am bubbling forth, they think I'm probably a few tacos short of a fiesta. Hopefully Keith will spot this and relay it to Randle, saying, "You know that crazy kid you said you met in Atlanta? He posted about you. Wow, that kid's a loon!" Hey, you'll get no argument from me.
John: It must be a pleasure to have a friend like that! My friends for the most part do not even play instruments. Have you guys ever had any steel get-togethers?
Roger: No, actually I didn't tell him. I was pretty star-struck at the time and it didn't even cross my mind to tell him. Perhaps I should have.
Theresa: And you didn't join them!? Hehe. Yes, he's quite adept on those strings. |
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2003 3:09 pm
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Chris,
No, I just heard about it this morning! |
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Charlie Vaughn
From:
West Union, South Carolina
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Posted 24 Nov 2003 4:52 am
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Hi Chris,
[One of the crew came and told him his presence was requested, so we wrapped it up.]
I think you saw Tim Hamilton and didn't realize it. I talked with him yesterday and he was the guy who came out to the bus and got Randle, he remembered seeing you and Randle talking when he went out to get him. Anyway he told me to tell you Hello and come to see him at Cowboys sometime. He also said Randle picked his rear end off. That didn't surprise me.[This message was edited by Charlie Vaughn on 24 November 2003 at 04:55 AM.] |
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Keith Currie
From:
Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2003 7:02 am
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Hi all
Thanks for all the kind words about Randle, And yes I will pass it on to him, and the spelling is Randle though most get it wrong. thanks again
Keith |
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John Lacey
From:
Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2003 11:40 am
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"Have you guys ever had any steel get-togethers?" Chris, I met Randle at Wayne Link's Mid-Canada Steel Convention that is held every year in April in Winnipeg, Canada. I used to do the seminars there and Randle attended every one of them. After a while, I thought HE ought to be teaching them!
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Keith Currie
From:
Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2003 12:04 pm
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| Hey John send me an e-mail I want to chat with you but cant get them to go through to you. Keith |
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Chris Lasher
From:
Blacksburg, VA
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Posted 24 Nov 2003 7:33 pm
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Theresa: Well, goodness gracious, and your husband didn't have the courtesy to take you out with him!? I swear, if I had a girl who even knew who Randle Currie was, I'd take her everywhere! Haha, no no, I'm sure there's a reason, but still, sorry you weren't able to join them 
Charlie: NO! Argh, now I feel really foolish! Now I owe Tim the apology! Rats... I am thinking about going to see Sara Evans' show there at Cowboys, which I believe is the 12th of December. Would Tim be there then? By the way, I did get your email, thanks very much! I will reply, but as of right now, I've got to get my tail into bed—tomorrow's going to be a long day in the lab, 8-7. Thanks so much, again!
Keith: Thanks very much for passing it along! Really, I can't say enough about how much I appreciated getting to meet your son.
John: I think that's fantastic! I really am amazed at how much of a supportive community steel guitarists have developed. Seminars, jams, meetings... really fanstastic! As a complete newbie to the instrument, I definitely appreciate the community's availability, and I hope that you and the others here will keep it alive to help us attempt to get to the exemplary caliber of musicianship that so many here possess... Hmm, that reads kind of odd. I guess the short-'n'-narrow is "Thanks a bunch for bein' around!" |
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Eddie Lange
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 25 Nov 2003 5:31 pm
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| Theresa, I can vouch for that, I was sittin right there too. [This message was edited by Eddie Lange on 25 November 2003 at 05:32 PM.] |
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Bob Lawrence
From:
Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted 26 Nov 2003 3:32 am
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Chris: By the way, you don't have to be crazy to be a steel player it just helps.
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 26 Nov 2003 9:31 am
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Chris,
The one time I'm tired from working, I miss Randle, Eddie, Tommy, & a chance to catch up with friends!
Gregg had fun and I hear he played well too!
Theresa
Eddie, Thanks![This message was edited by Theresa Galbraith on 26 November 2003 at 09:33 AM.] |
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