| Author |
Topic: It took a year, but now it's here! |
seldomfed
From:
Colorado
|
Posted 10 Aug 2004 4:17 pm |
|
Dear all,
To quote from another thread:
| Quote: |
| The steel is NOT a country instrument. It is a musical instrument capable of playing many styles, |
| Quote: |
It is the most underutilized/underexplored/pidgeonholed instrument on the planet and is played by the most excentric, musically inbred group of musicians.  |
Agree! But how to change this? I had one idea that may help, I hope. A local live radio show.
I've not been a steel player for a long time - perhaps 8-10 years. I've played guitar for 40+ years. But when I started steel I sort of snapped, I spend much more time with the steel than guitar now. And have a great desire to learn, and share the music that this instrument is capable of. Everytime I come back from Scotty's or an HSGA convention, I think "man, if the general public could hear this stuff they'd probably like it". But they likely won't hear variety, esp. on Clear Channel and their ilk. Steelradio.com is great, but not on the airwaves so you can hear it in your car.
To that end, and to address the comments quoted above that echo similar comments in threads past, I decided to try and get more steel on the radio in our town.
Last year our new public radio station began operation and requested show demos. It took a year for a slot to open but I finally got one!
I may be crazy to volunteer for this, but I'll be programming a 1.5 hr show every Thurs. morning from 6am to 7:30 Mountain on KRFC Ft. Collins www.krfcfm.org
The title is 'Steel Guitar Jam' , the focus is all kinds of music, from all over the world, as long as steel guitar is featured. The initial scope will be limited to lap, pedal and reso/acoustic. Genres will include, but not limited to: country, hawaiian, jazz, rock, gospel (aks SS), bluegrass, classical, and whatever else I can dig up! The mix of styles will be very diverse! This is one reason the station took a while to agree to this, it's not a show about a single genre of music, but about an instrument. Not normal. We'll see how well the listeners accept something this eclectic.
I've acquired a fairly large collection of diverse steel music on my own and will continue to purchase from the catalog here as well as elsewhere. I may ask for help getting some older out-of-print recordings, but those would go to the station's collection, not mine. If I get them for me - I'll pay the artists. I may have a suitcase full of CD's after Scotty's this year 
So look for it coming soon on krfcfm.org (streamed) or listen in on 88.9fm if you are in N. Colorado.
http://www.krfcfm.org/schedule/grid.php?view=graphics
Future show ideas include interviews with the steelers I know in the Colorado region like my friend and teacher Dick Meis, John Macey, Ronnie Miller, Chuck Lettes, Sally Van Meter, etc. , and others traveling thru if it's feasible. Plus perhaps some educational segments. But music first!! We have some good local groups that have steel, so all artists will be included.
I'll look to the experts here for ideas as I figure out what the heck I'm doing - but am looking forward to helping bring this music out to the public and do my small part to expand steel guitar, and learn more as I go.
The show will live as long as listeners give feedback - so check out the web stream starting 8-26 and do the user surveys on the stations web site, or email them. Honest feedback will help me make it a better show, but positive feedback never hurts! If I can keep this show for at least a year that will feel pretty good.
It's a little scary because I'm not an expert (yet), or a pro DJ, but I do have a passion to share this music. I've performed all kinds of music live for over 35 years and have an appreciation for all types of music. I'm 53 but consider myself open minded. I belong to the HSGA and attend Scotty's show when I can afford it. Perhaps I can influence a few young musicians to try this instrument.
The other part that's scary is there's no pay and I have to get up really damn early one day a week! What kind of gig is that?
Suggestions or comments to:
cbk@seldomfed.com
Thanks!
Chris Kennison www.book-em-danno.com www.seldomfed.com/rounder
Mullen SD-10, Carter D-10, Stringmaster D-8, Bakelite ricky |
|
|
 |
JB Arnold
From:
Longmont,Co,USA (deceased)
|
|
|
|
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
Posted 10 Aug 2004 6:35 pm
|
|
Chris,
That is fantastic ! I'll be tuning in.
------------------
Bob
intonation help
|
|
|
|
Dave Van Allen
From:
Souderton, PA , US , Earth
|
Posted 11 Aug 2004 4:57 am
|
|
Sic 'em Chris!!
I had the opportunity to do a similar themed hour show as a one-off on a local low power public station- I'd love to do it on a regular basis.
I wish you the best of luck and I will tune in to the stream! |
|
|
|
seldomfed
From:
Colorado
|
Posted 11 Aug 2004 6:58 am
|
|
Hey JB,
I know we've met at one of Dick's steel shows - but my memory is going south. Plus I only see you once a year Wonder if you know my brother Jeff Kennison - plays drums in Denver. Or Warren Kennison, plays banjo in Denver. I don't have Cage so will contact you sometime, some of my vinyl was stolen in college, thanks!
cheers,
chris[This message was edited by seldomfed on 11 August 2004 at 08:01 AM.] [This message was edited by seldomfed on 11 August 2004 at 08:16 AM.] |
|
|
|
Walter Stettner
From:
Vienna, Austria
|
Posted 11 Aug 2004 7:30 am
|
|
Hey Chris!
What a great idea! I wish you lots of luck and hope that you will get enough positive feedback to keep it going! I will definitely try to tune in through the net.
Kind Regards, Walter
www.lloydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf
------------------
|
|
|
|
Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 11 Aug 2004 8:37 am
|
|
| Hi Chris - Congratulations and I'm looking forward to your show as well. Reception for KRFC is spotty in Arvada, but maybe I'll have better luck in my vehicle, as I'll be on my way to work at 6:00 am on Thursdays. Our former bass player, Aaron Pope, used to host a roots music show on Saturdays at KRFC. Great station! Best of luck to you! |
|
|
|
