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Topic: Can We Talk.....confidentially of course? |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 21 Dec 2003 5:10 pm |
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Okay, we know which ones of you made it to the really BIG TIME. You had your glory and managed to be on the OPRY and/or cut a record with a big name star..........but
Speaking from the perspective of "STEEL PLAYER" only.......what was YOUR BIG MUSICAL DREAM? Did it happen?
WHAT was your greatest musical disappointment? What caused it to go that way?
What would you have done different?
Just curious....
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 Ray Montee-email: pi007flyer@msn.com
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Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
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Posted 21 Dec 2003 5:45 pm
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I spent over 18 years on the road playing all over this planet.I`ve seen many musicians broke and on the well fare,many broken dreams and a few who made it.Made it how?Playing on the road,away from their families for weeks and months for,what,$800 a week,$900 or a $1000 ?They have to put up with stupid ego centrics and get fired as soon as some kid who asks for less money walks though the door.NO thanks,It was a fun ride but I`m done with it,unless I can get my own band and my thing.I now make more money that I could have only dreamed about while playing on the road,and I`m in my bed every nite.I can still play on weekends and after couple days I`m ready for a break anyway.My highes point?Traveling.I traveled all over the world and got payed to do it,didn`t cost me a dime.My lowest point?Medora musica in ND,I was so frustrated working there for a 3 months every nite that I sold my whole equipment as soon as I got home.They can`t pay me enough to do that job again.
Damir
oops,I jumped the gun here,the question was not for the guys like me but a big ones,sorry.delete it if you want to[This message was edited by Damir Besic on 21 December 2003 at 05:47 PM.] |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Dec 2003 8:29 pm
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Ray.
You First.
Also include if you will, the worst memory of your childhood...
EJL |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 21 Dec 2003 8:58 pm
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Me...I've played the smallest dives to the biggest fairs, done a TV show that ran for a few months, played on the radio many times, and even done some session and road work. Guess I did everything I ever imagined except play on a big hit record, and play the Opry. To me, the Opry was always special, something magic, (like the biggest gig there is), and I probably would have "froze up" even if I had had the chance to play there. I guess I did alright, though. I've made some money playing, and saved a little as well. Actually, I worked real steady 'til about 5 or 6 years ago, and then...jobs disappeared, and I kinda lost interest...almost quit entirely. (Though I'm still be coaxed out occasionally.) I do enjoy the Forum, and though I know I can be a curmudgeon sometimes, I really hope my words help someone once in awhile.
My Mom and Dad are both long gone, and though they did see me play many times, I wish I could play for them just once more. Yeah, I s'pose that's my biggest regret. I'll never look out into the audience again, and see my two biggest fans.  [This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 21 December 2003 at 09:02 PM.] |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 21 Dec 2003 10:12 pm
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I think this band I play with called Hem is a high point for me so far. We are finishing up a new CD right now and its some of the best stuff I've ever recorded. I have gotten to play with some real jazz guys in a big band setting a few times and I would like to do more of that. Other than that any old gig can turn out to be a real joy for no particular reason.
My regret is I don't have the time to devote to working on personal musical projects because I'm too busy getting ready for the next gig that pays for the groceries.
I don't feel like I've missed anything because I'm not dead yet.
Bob |
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Perry Hansen
From:
Bismarck, N.D.
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Posted 22 Dec 2003 8:29 am
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| The second best time for me was 3 years in Hawaii with a band backing all of the Country show that came. Not only playing with such greats as Tex Ritter, Lefty Frizzell, The Tater, Furlin Huskey(sp), Joe and Rose Maphis, Merle Travis, Johnny Bod, Fiddlin Kate Warren, Faron Young. The main thrill was actually meeting these greats People. The Highlite of my life hasn't happened yet. Setting in with the Texas Playboys has always been my dream. I did have the great pleasure of meeting Herb Remington, I even have one of his steels, which I am very proud of. |
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Robert Jones
From:
Branson, Missouri
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Posted 23 Dec 2003 7:41 am
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I have been blessed with a few things. I have been coast to coast twice with a tour of "Always Patsy Cline". I never played for a name act though. I've never played on the Grand Ol' Opry either. I guess that is a dream of just about everyone. I did however work behind a few acts. Mickey Gilley, Jim Ed Brown, Joe Stampley, Johnny Lee, and Moe Bandy. I worked a few shows with Eddie Raven and Martin Del Ray. That was really fun. I got to share the stage with John Hughey, Hal Rugg, and Herby Wallace at the steel guitar show in Hot Springs, Ar. One more of my hightlights was being able to watch Paul Franklin work his magic in the studio on our lead singers demo songs. That is going to be treasured by me for a long while. Thanks again Paul. You were great. No I'm a no-name person, but I've had fun and my guitar has taken me places where I would never have been able to go. Yes I've been blessed. In my years playing I can only hope that I may have been a help to someone or may have said something to someone that may want them to push a little harder to try to be a better player. I know I sure have my times when it happened to me. God bless and Merry Christmas to all!!!
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Mullen Royal Percision D-10 Red Laquar Pearl inlay 8&8
www.dbcooperonline.com
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Dec 2003 12:14 pm
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| My three wishes; To play the opry, the royal haw hotel, and under the banyan tree at the Moana hotel. I guess the highlight of me career was subbing in the Cooley, Jess Willard, and other Calif bands in the 40s. |
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Dec 2003 12:15 pm
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| BTW I never got any of my three wishes. |
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Ken Williams
From:
Arkansas
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Posted 23 Dec 2003 12:34 pm
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The high points are that I got to play with several artist over the years. Always wanted to play the Opry at least once, it never happened. The low point is happening right now. It's the sad state of affairs in live music these days. When I was working steadily in the 70s and 80s, I always thought when I get older I'll just play at the VFW, American Legion, etc, have some fun and pick up a little extra cash. At that time there were about 4 of these type of gigs in town(pop. 26,000). They mostly drew an older crowd. Well, it ain't goin' to happen. There are no gigs around here, country or otherwise, period. When our generation is gone, there will be a whole generation that has never experienced dancing to live band, at least around here.
Ken
http://home.ipa.net/~kenwill
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Tom Hodgin
From:
greensboro, n.c. u.s.a.
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Posted 23 Dec 2003 4:46 pm
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| KEN, "MOVE"........Merry Christmas to all..tom ; |
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Ken Williams
From:
Arkansas
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Posted 23 Dec 2003 8:33 pm
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As far as music goes, I'd move in a heartbeat. But, other factors make that impossible at this time. Might be something to consider after I retire, which will be several years away.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Ken |
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Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Dec 2003 9:30 pm
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I have to say I did it early and let it be over with. At 19 got a call from Shreveport La. to play with Sammy Barnhart, and backing the mystery singer on the La. hayride.
Rubbing shorders with, Zeke Clements, Zeb Turner, Johnny and Jack and Kitty Wells, Hank Locklin. Shot Jackson was the staff guitar for the hayride,
I did steel guitar stomp and recieved two do it agains, to me that was thrilling, to hear thoses people enjoy what we were doing.
Left Country music after turning down a job to play with Red Sovine.
Then spent 6 years playing trombone with the 31st Div. band. Traveling from Miami up the east coast doing concerts.
World wide broadcast from RCA Plaza N. Y. Then we did concerts from Texas to Indiana.
Left all this and played in Churches from then until now. Spent 15 years in the 50 member Chruch Orch. in Lake City.
Since April 03 have started back playing PSG for seniors to dance by in Quitman Ga.
That is hitting the high spots.
ernie
PS did a cut on the album with Dixie Echoes in 1973, Southern Gospel.
Do I have regrets? I think I would leave again, something happened that caused me to decide as I did to leave, It scared me very bad. It happened on the stage. My hopes are it never happens to others.
[This message was edited by Ernest Cawby on 23 December 2003 at 09:34 PM.] [This message was edited by Ernest Cawby on 23 December 2003 at 09:48 PM.] |
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Joseph V. Sapp
From:
eastern shore, Md.
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Posted 24 Dec 2003 1:22 pm
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yep !!! the number one spot goes to the Grand ol opry, but running a real close number two spot would just to sit in with none other than "George Jones". The closest I came was being on the same show as Sonny Curtis. and after hearing that, I can see both are nothing more than Dreams. not just a fine picker, but a super person as well. God Bless.
Joe |
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Dale Bennett
From:
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2003 3:46 pm
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| That was a great question Ray. I really enjoyed the responses..HOPE ALL OF YOU HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY. db |
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