When did you join for first band?

Joe Yednasty · From: CA

I have been playing steel guitar for five months now and am progressing at a pretty good pace. I was just wondering where I have to be if I planned on getting in a country band and where all you veteran players were at when you got in your first band.

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"Eskimo" Joe Yednasty
70s Emmons Pedal Steel (3X4)

JERRY THURMOND · From: sullivan mo u.s.a.

Take a job with any band that will have you, you will learn alot more an faster with a band, after you get the hang of it you can always find a job with a better band, but you will always be gratefull for what you learn from your 1st band. Jerry

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Well Joe this is a pretty wide open question..

My first Band..I joined when I was about 13, playing my Gibson Melody Maker..we played all the Ventures tunes back then..early 60's..

Fast forward to playing Steel..around 1970 or so..

I owned a Sho-Bud Maverick for about 3 months then ran out and bought a D10 Sho-Bud..told a local Country Band that I knew how to play ( well I didn't ) they hired me and fired me in the same night !

Fast forward another 6 months to a year..after regular daily woodsheding I did sit in with a band and they hired me and I was with them for about 5 years.I learned millions ( well hundreds) of Standard Country Tunes and played 3 nights a week.This was with my still good friend Fred Roos in Norwalk Ct.

I also got hired back to sit in with the first band that fired me many many times throughout my tenure in Ct.Those guys were great, Jack Dwan and Kenny Erickson, both now deceased, gave me one hell of a Roots of Country Music education..I will never forget those guys.

For me , doing triple duty on Steel, vocals and Telecaster was always a plus..I'm certain it was a big factor in the beginning for me, and I guess it still is although I play Steel 100% with the band I am with now.I do play with another group doing triple duty now and then as well..playing more of a generic line up of Oldies, Country, R+R and some Blues.

Don't rush..go to some weekly open jams, ask some players if you can sit in..learn some old tunes..new tunes..etc...juts get comfortable with the dang Instrument and playing out with it..it will happen..you will get an invite..

invite some players to jam with you in your garage as well..

Don't be afraid to tell folks that you don't know a song..better to sit one out than fake it and destroy it...

good luck

t

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 10 July 2004 at 03:25 PM.]

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 10 July 2004 at 03:26 PM.]

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 10 July 2004 at 03:30 PM.]

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 10 July 2004 at 03:32 PM.]

Marc Friedland · From: Fort Collins, CO

Here's my story of the 1st time playing psg with a band.
As a matter of fact the band had no idea that a steel player (and I use the term loosely), would be playing with them that night. It was about ten years ago, I had owned my first psg for about two weeks. I hadn't had any lessons yet and didn't even know the names of the strings, let alone be able to play anything on it that resembled good music. But I did have musical experience on other instruments and was pretty brave, and thought it would be fun and a good learning experience. So I went to the local country saloon (Culver City Cowboy - for those that know it) set up my gear completely off the stage and to the side. When the band came in, I asked them if I can play along with them tonight. Little did they know. I played only loud enough for me to hear it and for them and the audience to hear some kind of stringed instrument sound. At least I hope it wasn't too much louder than that, knowing me it might have been. There were even times when they would look over to me to do a solo or intro to a song. I did my best and I'm still here to talk about it. Since that point I've done many many gigs and some recording sessions with numerous bands. I hope I've gotten better. At least I know the names of the strings now! -- Marc
ps -- I started playing pedal steel regularly with a band after playing for about 6 months. I probably got the job because of doubling on other instruments as well.

Bill Bosler · From: Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, USA

Join the band. You'll be surprised what you really can do when you put a little pressure on yourself. Willie's first rule of being a good sideman: Play the right chord at the right time and the rest will take care of itself.

Larry Hamilton · From: Amarillo,Tx

I was playing guitar for Jerry Duncan and the Pushnotes in Ada,Ok in the early 70's when I got my first PSG. A home made guitar by Jim Rose from Wilburton. I practiced for hours a day for about a month. Learned or thought I learned a couple tunes and took it to the job. It really sucked. Out of tune with the band and myself it was horrible! But Jerry said to bring it back next week. I did and I started getting a little better or at least in tune. then I got a D-11 ZB from Zane himself. Then an MSA now an Emmons. If Jerry had not told me to bring it back next week chances are I would have not gotten more serious about the beloved steel guitar, and had not had so much fun over the years whether in a band or just in the bedroom playing for myself.
Just my little story

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Keep pickin', Larry

Bill Llewellyn · From: San Jose, CA

First band? In high school. I was 15. We called ourselves "Prizm." I played organ and rhythm guitar. Oh, did you mean on steel? On steel I haven't had a first band yet.

Jack Francis · From: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA

Bill I don't know you, but have seen your post on the forum for quite some time....How come your not giggin with a band??
Curious minds want to know.
(It's probably none of my biz...but you brought it up.)

Reggie Duncan · From: Mississippi

At 15, played bass for a gospel group, "The Pathfinders". Dad was the steeler and my brother the drummer. My first steel gig was at 16, with "The Gloryland Quartet". After one week, we cut an album! I was in heaven.
I borrowed Dad's Sho-Bud Pro 1. After 6 months or so, Dad needed his guitar back. The group bought me an Emmons GS 10.

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

I joined a band the same day I got my first steel, and luckily they put up with my fumblings. You have to swallow some pride along with a few clams but absolutely play live whenever you can. There is so much about groove and taste that can only be learned "under the gun". I was also fortunate in that my second band played mostly original, tasteful music. My playing really took a quantum leap when I had to come up with everything from scratch. I'd also suggest trying to play in as many different genres as possible. You'll be surprised what you learn and where you can fit in. Might just open some doors as well!

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Glyn Bone · From: Halifax.Nova Scotia. Canada * R.I.P.

I began " playing" steel in 1980 @ 50 yrs young..had an old Fender S10..sposed to have had 6 pedals but only had 3 when I got it, I `jerry-rigged the E and F levers..only had it a month when a friend ( bass player in a local group) asked me to join in at a golf club dance they were doing...I can still remember the first song we did with me on steel...John Denvers Take me home Country Road...all I did was slide gently into the chords ( incl. minors ! ) and did that through the rest of the set...a guy came up after our first set and told me that hearing the steel sent shivers down his spine, he really enjoyed it and so did others...I sold that unit and brought an Emmons S10 loafer which I played for about 5 years until my marriage went pearshaped and ugly...gave up playing anything until last year when I re-married to a lovely Scottish/Canadian lady who encouraged me to get back into the music again..now I am living in Canada and looking forward to getting a new S12 Ext.E9th....but now way will I EVER forget that very first gig and the incredible buzz that I got.
Now at almost 64 I am looking forward to re-achieving that feeling again but to do much better next time

Just goes to show ya..ya never too old nor too inexperienced.

Glyndwr

Glyn Bone · From: Halifax.Nova Scotia. Canada * R.I.P.

My apologies..I started in 1990 @ 50 Yrs.
( just having another senior moment there
Glyndwr

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I joined my first band when I was a drummer, about the 5th or 6th grade (that would have made me about 35 years old - hee, hee). Steel guitar, in 1971 when I first started playing steel. My brother bought me a National triple 8 at a local music store for $75.00. I wasn't allowed to play my drums when we practiced (too loud for Mom), so I would play an acoustic guitar like a Dobro and my brother liked what he heard.

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Carter D10 9p/10k, NV400

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

I started my first band on the monday morning the day after THE Ed Sullivan show in the early 60's. My first band on steel was just a few years later.

Bill Llewellyn · From: San Jose, CA

Jack (from a few posts back),

Thanks for asking. I think I'm not steeling in a band because it's both a time and opportunity thing. As a friend of mine told me a couple years ago, I have too many hobbies. I do take steel pretty seriously, but it is relegated to what free time I have outside of family and my techno nerd job (enjuneer) in Silicon Valley (read: lottsa hours, more than enough stress) and a few other things. I'd LOVE to gig on steel in a band, but then I've been in a few bands over the years and I know how much time they can take. I already play piano/synth at my church (in rotation with other players, so I play about 1/3 of the time). I'm trying to get them enthused about including me on steel, but so far the response, though positive, stems more from the novelty of the idea than a real desire on the part of the music director. I'll keep trying. In the coming months I may actually get to gig with a buddy's acoustic band, SDC, for whom I am actually doing remote session work for an upcoming CD (gads, imagine that!). A demo of me steeling for them is on my demo page.

In the meantime, I'll keep hacking away in my little home studio/practice room. Maybe it'll happen!!

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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?

[This message was edited by Bill Llewellyn on 11 July 2004 at 05:20 PM.]

Rick McDuffie · From: Benson, North Carolina, USA

I was 11- 1966... with a Stella plywood guitar.

I played steel with a band for about 3 months in 1980, then moved away and sold the steel. I was pretty much just a pedal masher, but they didn't mind.

I got my first real steel gig just 1 and 1/2 years ago when the country band I was playing with gave me a chance to take a second stab at beginner-ism. I did better this time.

Any band that would have me now would take me for my guitar playing/singing and consider any steel expertise to be a fringe benefit

Rick

Jack Francis · From: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA

Bill
It's to bad your so busy with that "work thing", your playing is excellent.
Great job on Teach your children, someday I hope to make it to one of your Bay Area jams.
I'd love to hear b0b in person again also.
(That damn "work thing problem" ya know.)

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

First time I played out with a band was at the Star Restaurant in Bradford, Pa. about 1970. I was 16. Didn't have chicken wire but should have.

Jim Eibner · From: West Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA

Got my first gig on steel about 6 mos after I picked up a PSG. I hung out at a place that had a band on Sun night with a steel player that used to let me get up for a song to see if i could grab the right bunch of strings more than half the time ( It was Ollie Stedman - great player - great guy). One night a guy came up and asked if i wanted to play in his band. Sure, why not. I had a pretty good idea of when to hit the AB pedals and when to move up 2 frets. Hey, they had a house gig at Club Paradise in Pawtucket - they didn't have a bass player, but the 2nd guitar player turned his tone control full off. I really sucked, but nobody else seemed to notice. By the time I got done with them and moved on to a band with a bass player, I was significantly better. Best training I could have gotten. Good luck to you.

Tommy Roten · From: Trondheim, Norway

I was hired as a steelplayer before I knew what a steel was, but it gave me inspiration to practise. I did my first gig after a month, and I was barely 15. But I have to say, I'm a little more confident now than I was then.
www.tommy-steel.com

Winnie Winston · From: Tawa, Wellington, NZ * R.I.P.

I played in my first band when I got into old-time music and bluegrass in 1955 at age 14.
Had my first real bluegrass band (New York Ramblers) in 1963. I played banjo.
Got my steel in May 1971 and by June I was playing with a band.
Got my first REAL honkytonk gig in 1972 and played with several bands in the NJ/Philly area until 1976 when staying out late and inhaling second-hand smoke became too much of a drag.
Played with other folks and did recordings about 10 times a year.
Moved to NZ in 1995 where there isn't much country stuff, and found a Cajun band that I play with off and on.
With my hearing getting worse, I'm not playing as much as I used to, but am working on a CD of waltzes with a few friends. Not sure what will come of it.

JW

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

I have to add, I also bought Winnie's great book the same day I got my first steel and joined my first band, and it was beyond immeasurably helpful in getting me started in the right direction. Thanks again, Winnie!

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

Hey Toni, I was playing bass in a rock band that did a lot of Ventures songs.
I played steel at mostly round and square dances in Columbus, Ohio for a year or so. I was about 15, so couldn't play in bars. I think my first real steel gig was at Frontier Ranch in Ohio with Dean Whitehouse. It was a fun gig as we were often the back up band for single acts. Connie Smith was a local on the show and was later discovered there.

In 1966 I went to San Antonio in the Air Force and started playing steel 5-6 nights a week. The very first Texas steeler I ran into was Denny Mathis. I wanted to burn my Fender 1000 and go back to playing bass.

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