Cultivating NEW steel players............

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Just wondering out loud here if you can bear with me: Has anyone ever gathered together all of the local music stores in a given area for a co-sponsored gala steel guitar show? Instead of approaching the event like a typical in-house "STEEL JAM".......possibly promote it as an introductory program for those expressing a desire to learn more about the instrument.
Feature a local lap steeler doing Hawaiian music; a multi-neck, non-pedal player doing some light pop tunes; and, then a real hot-shot performing western swing and/or whatever doing lots of pedal demonstrations. Make it a short program lasting only a couple of hours.........
Door prizes might include "X" number of free music lessons (donated by the local steel club) or possibly that and a discounted price on a new/used steel at a store participating in the program. Make it a FUN event and not a "closed-door" event as it might otherwise be viewed by unfamiliar, non-musician types. The event could be followed by a neighborhood STREET DANCE!
Just an idle thought as this old man sits here in the shade on the front porch at the home, polishing walkers and canes for those less fortunate.
With a lifetime in general aviation, it became immediately obvious in those early days, that it was somewhat a "closed community". Even tho' an abundance of flight instructors were sitting around starving, they'd seldom reach out to the non-flyers, each of which was a potential student pilot. If you "didn't know"....you were excluded. If you asked legitimate quesitons, you sounded stupid and no one wanted that. Yet summer time AIR SHOWS always drew big crowds of the curious.
A fun-filled naborhood street dance could be the drawing power for an afternoon of steel guitar education event without anyone actually realizing it. They, of course, would be there to dance and have fun.

Ed Naylor · From: portsmouth.ohio usa, R.I.P.

Hate to burst your balloon, but ,I have been in this business many years and as a rule Music Stores don't do well with Steels. 99 % of people that work there have no idea what a Steel is. Since Steels are limited production items and are not a "Standard" instrument like a Piano it makes it difficult to sell.I won't take time here,but, there are ways to market Steels.Ed Naylor Steel Guitar Works.

Gordon Caffey · From: Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

I understand what Ed is saying, but IMHO there is so much more to buy than just the steel guitar. I just started playing a month ago and I have probably spent $400 on accessories since then. Between the volume pedal, strings, specialty CD's, instructional material, etc. there is a lot of merchandise a music store could sell to a player that already owns a steel guitar. I think the profit motive is there. It's just a matter of building the interest.

Gordon

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

There was a time, probably only 15 years ago, when steel products and information were as scarce as snow in Florida! Nowadays, though, with the internet and computers, there's literally tons of information and products within easy reach of the younger generation. This generation is computer savvy, and if they were even remotely interested, they wouldn't have any problem finding what they want.

I think it's more a matter of their tastes not being developed; tastes to appreciate more than just t,a,& b, tastes to appreciate mostly "inanimate" instrumentalists, tastes to appreciate music that isn't fundamentally just "amplified noise", and tastes to appreciate the harmonic convolutions that only pedal steel can produce.

Sadly, (or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint), pedal steel is an "acquired taste". It has never been an instrument popular with the younger set, and I don't see that changing...that is, unless we can come up with about another fifty Robert Randolphs!

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Robert Randolph is the only high profile steeler right now that is in a position to present the instrument to a new group of potential players. Whether or not you like what he does is not relevent.

I was surprised to see a documentary on the Sacred Steel Church on television Sunday night. Very nicely done. Lot's of steel playin' and church carrying on. Dancin',preachin', white folks looking out of place but trying their best to groove along and the black folks welcoming them. Don't ever remember seeing a documentary on the steel guitar from Nashville recently.

Right now RR and the Sacred players seem to have the spotlight and along with that comes whatever influence they are having on potential players.

I personally think that if you went to a big music store on a Saturday and set up a steel guitar demonstration and played the "E9 cryin'" thing, the kids and non players would not be so enthusiastic. If you played some rock and pop and especially some blues stuff, then a lot more interest might be there.

The young guns that I come into contact with are more into Derrick Trucks and the other slide guitar players, some of who are really into the sacred steel thing and are incorporating that style into their playing. Instead of just hearing Duane Allman licks, they are mixing up the licks from Sacred steel, Coltrane, Indian Sarod players and such. It really is interesting to hear.
David Lindley and Ry Cooder and Jerry Douglas and the like hold a bigger sway than do pedal players.

This is not at all a slight on the great PSG players. They just seem to exist in a pidgeon hole in Nashville playing only on country records. The greatest of these players and the greatest playing is found on classic recordings from the 50s and up that most young people have no interest in hearing. Next time you are in a music store just strike up a conversation with some young kid looking at guitars. Ask him to tell you the names of two famous pedal steel players. He might remotely know what the instrument is, but chances are he won't know any players,except Randolph.

Think how different things would be if Hendrix had just played one tune on Pedal Steel!!!

Jim Walker · From: Headland, AL

There it is in tan and black, just gota switch it around. Offer an "X" amount of flying lessons, and I'll be the first in line to buy a steel guitar.

------------------
97' American-Fender-Tele-Bender-Blaster-Caster
Line 6 Amps

Roland Buras · From: Kiln, MS, 45 miles east of New Orleans off I-10 USA

I recently set up a steel in a music store here in Gulfport Ms. It was not long i had a crowd gathered round me, Yep like someone said they could't name the Instrument much less a famous name. this was last year and roberts name was not mentioned either. However as i began too do some blues and a little squaling of Zepplin the attention and interest was there.. i had never thought about what the gentlmen said about a steel show at the local music store, Great Idea. I am young people motivated with a Daughter In a career Of Pop Music signed to Warner Brother and Dreamworks. I think i will give it a try. We recently had Joe Wright here in Gulfport Ms. He showed the Steel guitar in a way that all young people could really relate to. We just got to get them there..

Gulfort Ms

R J Buras
Excel SD12 8x5

Ed Naylor · From: portsmouth.ohio usa, R.I.P.

The only way Steel will come back is actual contact. Tonight I am doing a program at the local Library to present a brief history and Demo of Steel Guitars.At the end all attending will have a hands on experience of "Holding and Sliding the bar" , and "Pushing a Pedal"I have done this many times in the past and the attendees at least go home having seen a Steel.Ed Naylor Steel Guitar Works.

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

Ray,
If you want to do a Steel Workshop of some sort, I would be glad to work with you to make arrangements to do it locally at Artichoke Music, on SE Hawthorne, here in Portland.
They have an excellent showcase room in the back of the store.
You could wonder in there and check it out yourself and see if you like it as a place to do the show.

They have several showcase and workshop type of events there, as you can see by their event calender and web site: http://www.artichokemusic.com/events/

I'd think they would welcome a Pedal/Non-Pedal Steel Guitar Workshop with open arms.
It could possibly turn into an ongoing thing.

Shoot me an email if you want to go down there and talk to these folks.

I hope you agree that something like this is bigger and more important than any petty disagreements that we may have had in the past.

This might be just the kind of "Olive Branch" type of event that would bring together many Pacific Northwest Steelers that have drifted apart for whatever reason, while opening doors for potential new-bees.

I believe there are many players in our area that have concidered playing Lap or Pedal, who could use a Workshop like this to further their inspiration and answer the questions that currently prevent them from taking the next step.
Plus, it would be fun!
Pete B.

Burton Lee · From: Denton, Texas, USA

For what it's worth, I started playing steel without any contact to steel players. I'm 26.

I fell in love with classic country music through a friend who introduced me to George Jones and Ernest Tubb. It only took a few hours of listening to become obsessed with the sound of the steel, and then it took a moment of weakness to buy a Carter Starter at Musician's Friend. I returned the Starter (which is a fine choice for a beginner) to get a D-10 at the advice of my teacher, whose name I found on Carter's website.

I don't know what that means to the topic, really, except to say that the music that we love is the real ambassador of the instrument and exposing people to the music will lead them to the axe. The same is true for the Sacred Steel players, I'll bet.

Thanks for turning me on to steel, Mr. Emmons!

Burton Lee
Denton, TX
MCI D-10, Session 500

Bill C. Buntin · Posted 16 Jun 2004 8:53 am

Potential steel enthusiasts or players in rural TX where I live would love to learn to play but when they see the price tag they blow it off. Instead, they buy an entire beginner guitar rig from musician's friend for $200. Beginner steel guitar alone is gonna cost $500 used and $800 new, not counting the accessories. Most youngsters and their parents won't lay down that kind of cash these days. At least in the area where I live.

Recently I entered a music store in a fairly large town here in TX. They had 2 Carter Starters. I talked to the store owner. He said very little interest takes place once they see the price tag. Just for grins I sat down at one of the Carter Starters and it wasn't any where near in tune or playable.

They can't expect for them to sell if no one can tune them or demo them properly.

The idea might work if you targeted an area where people had some money. Don't do it just one weekend. Do it for several Saturdays' in a row. It might work.

Gary Watkins · From: Bristol, VA

Bill,
I agree with you 100% This is what I bought just to get started:

Used PSG = $525.00
Bar= $55.00
Used Volume Pedal = $100.00
tracks = $20.00
picks =$5.00
Used amp =$425.00
cords = $15.00
books =$20.00
Hilton sustain (used)= $100.00
music stand = $12.00
tuner = $29.00
strings = $12.00

TOTAL to get started = $1,318.00

Price to make me happy = PRICELESS!!!!

It took me over a year to save up for just this. Now, I've got to learn to play it!
I am glad that I decided to get into this. ALL of you guys on the forum have been great with answering my stupid questions. Most of the music stores around here in East Tennessee don't know anymore about a pedal steel guitar than I do. It is rather costly to get started, but I think it is well worth it in the long run. When I get fed-up trying to learn something on this PSG, all I have to do is pop in a Ray Price cd, and the fire is in full FLAMES again.

Garth Highsmith · Posted 16 Jun 2004 10:05 am

.

[This message was edited by Garth Highsmith on 12 January 2006 at 09:37 AM.]

Rick Alexander · From: Florida, USA, R.I.P.

I live in Hallandale FL 1 block from Guitar Center. When I go in there for regular guitar accessories, no problem. But when I'm looking for steel accessories they just look at me funny. Most of the kids that are working in there don't even know what a lap steel is. So I have taken it upon myself to educate them - more funny looks.
To "sell" steel guitar to the general populace, I guess it needs to have some kind of glamour associated with it. Steel players are usually seen hunched over their guitars and not singing. People generally notice singers.
So . . . I have my 'ol Fender on a stand and I stand up and sing - lots of funny looks. Some people even think I'm playing Pedal Steel because I'm using a volume pedal!!
But it seems to me that almost any guitarist can augment his rig with a lap on a stand and just start off by playing it in a few songs - that's how I got started on it about 20 years ago (when I paid $50 for a '47 Fender Champion and $75 for a '55 Dual Pro) Now I just got a
Stringmaster D8 and I'm really gonna tear it up! I love these things and hopefully that feeling rubs off on somebody every now and then . .
Overall it seems to me as though steel is making a "comeback" in the public eye - maybe all it needs is some young good-looking dude who sings great and jumps around and plays standing up or at least bounces around on his stool. Or maybe a crop of them - new wave steelers with an axe to grind.
So . . Steel Expos at music stores is a great idea - I might just suggest it to the management over there. I could use some more funny looks.

------------------

Ben Slaughter · From: Madera, California

Burton, I'm with you, in more ways than one. My first love is country music, and that's what lead me to PSG, after years of playing tele and bass. I am also 26.

------------------
Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

i tend to agree w: Donny that in this age of internet, computers (and this Forum) the Steel guitar is quite accessible -
2 years ago i started a french steel guitar web site - would you believe i get (approx)1900 hits a months !

most of the people that contact me are young players that have listened to Ben Harper, Keb Mo, and Dire Straits.
since most of these kids are limited in their budgets i often suggest that they get a lap steel for starters and move on up to a psg later -
some on the other hand want a psg from the git and i have even managed to help them get one.
i recently started a french steel Guit Fo' (kinda like this one) and we are 34 !
i happen to give guibox lessons to a few kids and i always wip out my EH100/or 150 and show them just what can be done w: a steel bar. (i call it the lazy guitar interlude - look Ma ! No Fingers !)
Like the rest of ya's when i get to play out, there's ALWAYS somebody wanting to know "what is that thang ?"
i'm always tickled to be able to run down to the incredulous what it is, what it is
and where it came from
now gettin' a proper steel education is another thang, but is'nt that what this forum's all about ?
let's keep wavin' our steel flag high

[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 16 June 2004 at 02:00 PM.]

Chris Lasher · From: Blacksburg, VA

The four most critical elements to me starting to play pedal steel were: 1) seeing and hearing the instrument on TV for one of the country music awards shows, 2) seeing and hearing the instrument played live at a concert for an artist whose songs I knew and liked, 3) finding information via Google and reading this forum, 4) the encouragement and reaching out of local players that I found via the SGF.

The fourth was the most important. As stated earlier, the pricetag was shocking and stifling. The enthusiasm with which I my interest in the instrument was received were able to fan the flames of interest to keep them from dying, and I gradually got attenuated to the idea of spending that much money on an instrument I wasn't even sure I would be able to play or enjoy playing. I have to thank Barney Miller for finding me a quality instrument at a price I could swallow and for taking me under his wing to get me started and pushing me to learn more.

Ed Naylor · From: portsmouth.ohio usa, R.I.P.

I just got back a few minutes ago from a program at the local Library. They were spotlighting HAWAII ,music and I took a couple lap Steels and the old GENE AUTRY guitar I got 65 years ago.Several kids got to hold the bar and strum,some while I"Thumbpicked". I ended playing a Jerry Byrd album and they blew away. Later this year I will do a "Pedal" program.One little 4 month old kid strummed for the first time. Ed

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Has anyone checked into the cost of a really "cool" skateboard? Rollerblades?
chrome wheels for the pickup? Knobby tires for the pickup? Off-road dirt bike? ATV 3 or 4 wheeler? Mountain Bike? Powered scooter/electric or gas?
How much money are some of these kids dumping into CD's? CD players? Walkmans?
Gangsta Pants? Tatooes? Metal in the body?
Look fellas....it was just a thought. I didn't expect anyone to agree with my point of view. Thanks to you who thought it might be worthy of some consideration.
THANK YOU to Pete Burak and the gentleman in Seattle. Pete, this has absolutely nothing to do with the past but I truly just don't have the TIME, as we're still trying to find our stuff from the big move of last month. I'm not a "promoter" but rather, I've always done well as an "idea" person.
I think your suggestion however, is well worth some more thought and TIME to devote to the project. Surely there must be some other steel players around here that might see some value in the idea. The old Hawaiian Steel Guitar Club was quite popular down at Sierra for several years. It drew a cross section of folks and steel enthusiasts to the once per month meetings. The location you mentioned is ideal, lots of foot traffic and young adults with "time" on their hands. Conveniently located and capable of handling the type of crowd we're talking about here.

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

A racing bycycle with all the accessories

A car

A motorcycle with all the accessories

A Stratocaster with Fender amp

A Telecaster with same

A Marshall "stack"

A full set of drums

A piano

A set of golf clubs and other accessories

Money spent on video games, unnecessary "style" clothes, tattoos, earrings, etc. etc.

CD's and CD players and accessories over several years.

Same for movies, or other intertainment

Etc

Etc

Etc

When there is a will, there IS a way. When the will is not there, the price is always too high. AND this syndrome is NOT limited to kids.

carl

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

I hope there is another Jam at the Spinning wheel this fall, but they got their lottery machines pulled, so I imagine it'll be ashes before too long..

I myself am working 6 10s, and playing every weekend and some fairs, and sundays, from now til doomsday probably, and don't have a lot of time.

I know any of us that play regularly are more than happy to show people what they know or just "what these things do". In my case it takes about 5 minutes and I've got time to pee and get back to the stage.

I've exposed untold dozens I'm sure.

I think we all do what we can.

EJL

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

Frankly, I think the main source of recruits is among regular guitar players. I followed a fairly normal progression of electric guitar to slide to lap steel to pedal steel. I had heard pedal steels all along and loved the sound, but the financial bite only seemed reasonable to me when I was contemplating buying a fifth, expensive solidbody and I realized that I didn't really play any better on the expensive ones than the cheap ones anyway. There are plenty of amateur musicians in America who have a Strat and a Tele and a Les Paul and several thousand bucks of accoutrements who ease into steel playing sideways. I am glad I had an already-programmed head for music when I started with this beast. I think the likelihood of a kid falling out of bed one morning wanting to be just like Robert Randolph, and Daddy buying him a pedal steel, is pretty slim.

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

There's a bit of a physiological edge to this too. Now some are gonna think this kinda funny (i.e. peculiar) while others know what I'm talking about... That is, the steel has a certain appeal to those for whom the effect can be felt. When Buddy or Jimmy Day hit a high "cryin' steel" note, and it sends shivers down your spine, I suspect you may be more likely to be attached to the instrument and want to pursue it. Just my observation.

[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 17 June 2004 at 09:11 AM.]

Dave Boothroyd · From: Staffordshire Moorlands

If anybody in the UK or passing through would like to do a demo of steel and/or pedal steel for our 130+ music students in Worcester (are you there Basil?)
I can arrange it easily.
The college will even pay (not much and not quickly, but if I shout at them often enough....)

------------------
Cheers!
Dave

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Not speaking on his behalf, but Moe Kabir is a fabulous, serious musician friend of mine. It's possible, he might be pursuaded to do so. He lives in your neck o'the woods.

Forum Index > Steel Players	Goto page 1, 2 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic