Beware Of Band Leader

Al Miller · From: Waxahachie Texas

To All Who Might Cross Paths with This Guy?? He Is Johnny Lee's Band Leader and has it in for STEEL PLAYERS.. He has went though 11 players in as many months and I am #12 very Big Ego This Guy Has.. the worst I have ever seen.. got my pink slip last night By e-mail .. not even a call .. anyway Johnny is a great guy and lots of fun to pick with But CHAD PHILLIPS is a nightmare To ALL steel players ..
Just Beware...
Boo Miller

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Oh, no, Boo. I'm really sorry to hear this news. But thanks for warning the rest of us.

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

Al, Why don't someone give us his email address. I would like to send him a nice message. I would bet he is intimidated by the steel players and the steel guitar. Chances are he cannot play one. I wonder why Johnny Lee does not step in? Come on,11 steel players in as many months tells me there is a problem somewhere and I would be willing to bet it is not with all 11 steel players.

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

So, just what is this guy "Chad's" particular talent? And, if he's such a wickhead, why does Johnny put up with him?

(Inquiring minds would like to know!)

Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

glad i didn't take the gig thanks for the heads up

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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

Bob Hempker · From: Goodlettsville, TN.

Boo, I think you've hit on a thing that needs to be discussed. I don't know this bandleader, but I have run into this problem with several band leaders. I'll not mention names, but it seems like the steel player in the band,in some instances, is prone to be treated like a second-class citizen, especially by the bandleader. They don't bother to check out whether or not you can play, they just jump to the conclusion that you are lesser a musician then them, and therefore a lesser human being than them. Where I've experienced this problem, I've been a better musician than the band leader. I've always been hired for my ability,and not because I have my nose stuck up the bosses posterior orifice. A good, well-seasoned steel player, in many cases, is over-qualified for the gig he's hired for. They would rather have some person that's been playing for 6 months, who they can intimidate and tell when, what, and how to play. Many of them are not country music oriented at all, and head up a country band. They think Country Music is easy to play, but haven't got a clue of how the feeling is so important for these "simple" 3 and 4 chord songs.Many of them don't even "like" country music or steel guitar. It's really bad when you happen to show them that you know a few jazz type tunes they don't know or understand. Man, I hate it you had to deal with this type of person, but they are out there. I've had to deal with many of them. We tend to automatically conclude that the more proficient we get on our instruments, the better gigs we'll be offerred, and the more we'll be respected. That's usually not the case. More often, the opposite holds true.You're better off not having to deal with this guy anymore. Believe Me. Good Luck on your next endeavor.

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Al Miller · From: Waxahachie Texas

Guys !!
Chad Is the Guitar Player/band leader with illusions of grandeur and has only been playing guitar for two yrs.. granted he covers the parts on johnnys tunes but cannot stray from the recorded guitar parts he has memorized. he likes to put the steel player Behind Him while resting his amp on or near the pedal board and turning the volume to 12 .as for the question of why Johnny doesn't step in.. im not sure i have a call into him this morning to see what the Heck went on but he hasnt called back yet .. i am not even sure Johnny knows this At all .. as for the other 11 players i cant speak for them ,i do know of one other player i think his name is wc chapman who warned me about this guy in the begining but i took the gig anyway.. go figure.. Just try and stear clear of this clown he is a piece of work..
Now in the last e-mail i recieved from him he is saying insulting things about my girlfriend "LISA LAYNE" He actually Said that Johnny Paid her out of Guilt Because i forced her on the stage with us .. the story goes Johnny ask lisa to Join the Band And he would pay her but that stepped on chads toes because he got to sing less than normal and that didnt sit well with him so any way im the gig market none the less any body know of anything????
Boo

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Paul,
Contact info was posted on this Forum at http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum4/HTML/007049.html

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Been playing 2 years, can't improvise, negligable leadership abilities, mistreats players...
sounds like his talent is
BROWN NOSING. No more no less.

Wade Branch · From: Weatherford, Texas, USA

This is weird,but I was talking to a steel player a couple of days ago that was interested in filling in with us from time to time,and I will not mention his name,he may want to remain anonymous( he's a fellow forumite ),but he was telling me he played for Johnny Lee and that he had a band leader that played guitar that was a real jerk to him,I bet its the same guy.He knew he was about to get fired ,so he quit first.Why must people have such ego's and be so mean.And believe me I have played with some guys that were really good guys and I felt like I made a friend when the gig was over and I have played with guys that would even talk to me on our breaks between sets.Isnt just as easy to be nice as is to be ugly ?So Boo dont worry this guys has'nt got enough experience to carry your steel seat to the bus.Your in Texas you will be working before I get thru writing this message !!!!

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

All during my performing days I ran into those who thought that steel-guitar players were primadona's! I could never understand that because we are humble, understanding of the faults of others, and forgiving of the ignorance of others in the music business who don't have a clue!

The competance of the bandleader never became an issue during my career.

www.genejones.com

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

It sounds like this idiot needs to be looked square in the eye,smacked right in the face, and told to grow up. I have met his type before and usually they are BORDERLINE musicians with monstrous egos. He will go nowhere.... bob

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

This is a tough and touchy situation, and in fairness let's be aware the Forum is hearing only one side of it. I'm also one of the steel players Johnny Lee used last year.

Since this all occurred after my time, I'm not commenting on what went on between Boo and Chad, other than, again, we're only hearing Boo's side of it. When guys get fired, it's tough. If Boo got a raw deal, it's rough and I feel bad for him. But this rant doesn't sound to me like the Chad Phillips I know and have worked with, and I know Johnny Lee and the rest of the band as well.

I consider Chad to be a good friend of mine and this very public character assassination, and the "lynch mob" mentality y'all seem to be enjoying somehow doesn't sit right with me.

I do know that whenever I worked with Johnny Lee with Chad as band leader, he was never a tyrant, though he did have to keep things organized and band managers have to kick ass once in a while to get everyone's ducks in a row. He's never claimed to be a great guitarist, BTW. As band leader, he did the bidding of the boss. He's just the messenger. Of course, messengers usually get killed, right?

Boo is an excellent steel player with an enviable track record. I have no doubt he'll get a good job somewhere soon.

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 08 January 2005 at 12:20 PM.]

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

Bandleaders have excessive karma that accumulates, rightly earned or not, and eventually does them in. It never fails. It goes with the job.

Sidemen can only look bad if they do it to themselves. Especially if they play well.

EJL

[This message was edited by Eric West on 09 January 2005 at 03:12 AM.]

Klaus Caprani · From: Copenhagen, Denmark

Funny enough those allegations that some bandleaders would see steelplayers as some kind of inferiour musicians. I would never have thought that.
As a bassplayer I've met the same kind of behaviour towards especially drummers and (-Yes Bassplayers), which is utterly stupid. Anybody knows how important the pedal-steel is in countrymusic (or am I behind the developement, sitting here in Europe?) exactly as the drums or the bass in modern rock music

"They all look at the singing star, but their asses all move to the bass guitar"
'nuff said

By the way. I'm just curious to how a guy with two years of guitarplaying experience is able to be a bandleader? If he's good at the paper work and means well for his business, his first task should be to hire an experienced guitarplayer.
Just my two cents.

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Klaus Caprani

MCI RangeXpander S-10 3x4
www.klauscaprani.com

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Herb has an excellent point here, but it sounds like something is wrong when you go through that many steel players.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

A true story.

Many moons ago I worked with a star (his own self image) who recorded some demo's (with Jim Glaser's help), and then gave up his day job to chase a singing career full time.

At that point he decided he didn't need his band any longer, because he could sell himself just as well with only his guitar and didn't need no d--- band....they were just riding on his coat-tails and costing him money anyway!

.....I've often wondered whatever happened to that guy!

www.genejones.com

Jimmie Misenheimer · From: Bloomington, Indiana - U. S. A.

I'm not "piling on", and I have no intrest in a "lynching", but 11 or 12 steelmen - SOMETHING must be wrong... Jimmie

Danny Naccarato · From: Burleson, Texas

I have to chime in here with my 2 cents as I would be considered "2" of those so-called 11 steel players. First, let me clarify a couple of things for y'all. Chad has been the bandleader since Feb. of last year. Not quite a year. I was the steel player from 4/03 - 9/03, then came back on in early Nov 03 and left in Mar 04. There was only one other player during that time, and he was on board during the month & a half that I was gone. That makes "3" players from 4/03 - 4/04. After I left, they used a couple of temporary players for a while, of which Herb was one. They also did hire a couple of guys, but for one reason or another, didn't work out. Not nearly 11 players though. It is not a full time gig as there are not enough shows a month, so finding a "permanent/full time player" to commit is difficult.

I left the first time on my own, for my own reasons. It had absolutely nothing to do with the band or any personnel...PERIOD. I came back on with open arms. I left in Mar. of last year for my own reasons again, which were for personal and business reasons. I have been asked back more than once, and if my personal life were in a different situation I would have gone back. I also believe I made a post about that last spring.

I've known Chad for a number of years as he had his own band in the DFW area for a long time, and is a hell of a singer and entertainer. Many times I complimented him on his guitar playing, but he always blew it off and claimed he wasn't much of a player. He was and is always humble about his playing. As Al said, he covered the parts well, but I've heard him on numerous other times hold his own in other situations. He also has a big heart and for the most part is a big ole teddy bear. That's been my experience with him.

As a bandleader, he will run a tight ship and ask that all be accountable. He is given the responsibility by Johnny and has Johnny's support and confidence.

I will also say, Chad loves Steel Guitar. His father is a steeler, and Chad is very well versed in steel history, players, and tunes. He was my roadwife for most of my time there, and we had a blast. I picked on him constantly. Never, did he have an ugly thing to say about steel players in general.

I don't know AL, but I've heard he's a great player. I'm not privy to all that went on, so I can't comment on that. But, I will and did comment on Chad, Johnny, and my experience doing that show. I will also say, all the other guys in the band have been just as pleasant. Johnny is a trip and never a dull moment. He was fair to all of us during my time there. I had a lot of fun doing that gig, and would recommend it to ANYONE. The difficulty is that it requires a committment, but there may not be many shows during a month, then other months it may be real busy, so you have to have flexibility.

ESnow · From: Berryville AR USA

I was with Johnny from '94-'98, but with a entirely different band. The first 2 years I also had a club house gig so I could sub it out while we were on the road. After club gig was over it was hard to find enough work to fill in between Johnny's gigs so I finally had to take another gig and leave Johnny. John is a blast to work with but like Danny said there is just not enough work to keep a player workin', if there was I would proubly still be with Johnny. There for a couple of years Johnny and I would go bass fishin in my boat every Monday if we got back home on Sunday. I love Johnny to death and enjoyed every minute we spent together whether fishing or playin' shows. Johnny even had me play steel on one of his gospel albums, which had one single that made the top 20 in Gospel charts. Good luck to ever fills the spot. Another thing, even if Johnny doesn't do alot of shows he always wants a steel in his show. ESnow

John Cadeau · From: Surrey,B.C. Canada

I worked for a band leader like that for 3 and1/2 sets of a gig. It started while we were setting up, and continued. But not just at me at the whole band. Finally part way through the 4th set he leaned over to me in the middle of a song,and made some threats as far as employment went. I immediately stopped playing, got up started unplugging my gear, and tearing down. He said what the hell are you doing, my answer, "quitting before you have a chance to fire me". I know this may have been unfair to the rest of the guys, but I just couldn't take his crap anymore. The singer called me the next day and asked why I did what I did, and I explained it to him. I still have a good relationship with the singer, I haven't heard anything of that so called leader since. I'm still good friends with all the other guys in that band, and this happened way back in 1970.
John

Cal Sharp · From: the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN

I sat in at Gilley's w/JL on Bob Tuttle's guitar way back in the 70's before Johnny Lee was a star. We did "Silver Wings", among other songs. Seemed like a cool guy to me. There were some Texas hotties hanging around the stage who were ready to party. Probably before the band leader in question was old enough to know a C sharp from a flat tire. Does this count?

C#
www.calsharp.com

[This message was edited by Cal Sharp on 08 January 2005 at 11:32 PM.]

Matt Harelik · From: Amarillo, Texas, USA

I am Johnny Lee’s current piano player (and a steel “owner“), and I would like to add my two cents worth to this discussion. I recognize very few names in this discussion, and would surmise that most of you have no personal knowledge of the social dynamics involved in this particular instance. Not to say you haven’t had a similar experience, but I would withhold the character assassination of people you don’t know. I’m also not going to comment on anyone’s level of talent, because it’s my opinion that how they play and/or sing has absolutely nothing to do with this. And as is true with most situations of this nature, there’s more to the story than what you‘re getting here, but I would prefer not to address any more of the particulars than I‘m about to.. ...

The reason Boo Miller, steel player, is no longer with the Urban Cowboy Band is because of personality conflicts. It happens sometimes, and generally if the guy you’re having the most conflict with is the bandleader.....well, guess how that’s going to go. Chad Phillips, bandleader, did NOT, however, make a unilateral decision here. In fact, to my knowledge, Chad has NEVER made a unilateral decision regarding any of our players.

I have a personal and professional history with Chad Phillips that goes back many years....and I feel uniquely qualified to comment on his personality (If you doubt my claim...ask around the Dallas market): He’s opinionated, egotistical, and not always the master of tact. SO WHAT? So am I, and so are most of the people I know....especially the musicians! Now let me tell you what I know him NOT to be: A Liar, a Cheat, a Sourpuss, a Bully (maybe years ago, but not now), a Mean-Spirited person, or a Non-Player. And let’s get this straight: He’s played guitar all his life! This is his first FULL TIME LEAD GUITAR NO ACOUSTIC NO SINGING LEAD ON 50 SONGS A NIGHT gig.

There have been several steel players come and go, that’s true. But according to this dialog it appears as though they’re all being run off.....and that’s simply not the case. More often than not, the deciding factor has been our schedule. Most of the time this gig is too time consuming to do anything else, but when it’s slow and you don’t have anything to fall back on......!!! The only other time, that I’m aware of, that it’s gone down like this was W.C. Edgar (not Chapman). And if I remember right he posted a bunch of crap on here as well.

Lastly: Johnny Lee knows all about this....from both sides.

Thanks for listening - Matt Harelik matt@mattharelik.com

P.S. I‘ve always said: My time as a bandleader was the best paying babysitting job I ever had!
I’m probably inviting a few retorts with that...but that don’t bother ‘Ol Roadhog none.

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

Addendum: I haven't gone "on the road" much in the last few years, but my short travels with the Urban Cowboy Band... Matt Harelik, Rocky Caron, John Laird, and Chad Phillips... have been ones of friendship, fun and laughter. And yes, Johnny Lee is a trip and a half in a very positive way, if you don't mind a few four-letter words every now and then.

I'll also add this: Johnny Lee's gig and set list doesn't have a whole lot of steel guitar solos; there's lots of involvement of steel but the flashy solos are few compared to a Johnny Bush, Justin Trevino, Jake Hooker, or Ray Price gig. Regardless, I wouldn't have at all minded being on this band on a regular basis, except for the fact that I'm geographically living too far south of the center of the band's activities to make it convenient. My advice would be to listen to Danny and Matt before assigning someone you don't know to the firepits of Hell over something y'all really don't know the full story about.

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