Does anyone feel this way???

Ricky Littleton · From: Steely-Eyed Missile Man from Cocoa Beach, Florida USA

I don’t know if this post is anything of itself other than just the ramblings of a wanna-be, but I’d like to share what my steel and playing is to me.

Over the years I’ve played with groups and so forth, but basically, I’ve found that to be an extension of my playing. The times when I’ve had a singer turn and smile and nod at something I did are those things I remember as moments that make it special.

Most of my time has been as a “bedroom” picker, and you know, that’s ok with me. In my room, I’m either the star or the pupil.

My wife knows it, and she’s my biggest fan. I can hit the worst clinker possible, but it’s Mozart to her. And you know, that’s good too.

But it’s those days that I come home that I NEED my guitar that I do my best work. Sometimes I swear me and the old black Emmons make a good team on those days. Sometimes things come out the amp that I never dreamed of and they make me feel better after “one of those days”.

I don’t know about other instruments, but there’s something about a steel and the player; even the wife hears it sometimes during my practices. The long slides and crying she hears and knows the day has beat me up. Then there’s the “Mooney day’s” when it’s bouncy and snappy, and then comes those “pedal stomping” days when I just want to vent and it’s me and Bob Seger bustin’ it up.

I love my playing and my guitar. Sometimes it’s the only thing that keeps me and my mind together.

I don’t know what I’m saying, but seemed I needed to say it.

Anyone else ever feel that way or should I get counseling?

Ricky…

------------------
Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd, Peterson VS-II Tuner
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah, PX4 Pandoras Box

Jeff Blackwell · From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

I think you expressed my feelings, too. My old Emmons LeGrande can be an escape and give me time to re-focus. Pee Wee Whitewing told me one time, "The steel guitar requires one to think." It's good to rest your mind from the daily worries and give yourself some time to enjoy what really matters to you. The steel guitar has given me countless hours of enjoyment.
Like you, I have a steel wife who is supportive even though I repeatedly hit those clunkers!
Thank God for WIVES OF STEEL!

------------------
Jeff Blackwell
Emmons D-10 LeGrande - Nashville 400
www.steelguitargear.com

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

Rick, join the musician’s club. I would guess that our greatest engagements have been performed in our basements or a front room setting.

There is no other place in the world but the privacy of my own home where I can really lose myself in my music and just follow my mood or let my hands lead me to where ever. I can get more mood and emotion from my guitars and chromatic harmonicas while playing at home than on any stage. My wife has asked me many times why I play so differently at home.

On a stage, country music is generally very structured. With Jazz and Blues however, one has a much greater freedom for personal expression.

------------------
(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

I call it playing from the heart. Playing what you feel. When you can pick 456 and press 1 & 2 down and you can feel the sustain run through you or when you hear an intro like LOOK AT US and chills come over you. It's a gift!

Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

Ricky,,
Some times I come home from work and go straight for my steel!

It's amazing how all the days problems can disapear in such a short time. Just noodling around can do wonders for my attitude! Before I know it, and with out thinking about it I find myself playing licks that I blew on the bandstand the week-end before!! It's amazing how good I sound in our music room!! lol...

At times like these, my wife just leaves me alone and lets me unwind, Bless her Heart!! Some times after she thinks I'm "Stable" again, she'll come out, pick up her Bass and start playing, Then ALL my troubles go away..

I thank my lucky stars, that thru out my entire life I've had music to help sooth the troubled times!
Larry

------------------
Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Bob Watson · From: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.

Ricky, I know exactly what you mean. IMHO, steel guitar and psg are great vehicles for self expression. Some days are diamonds, some days are coal. Carry on!

[This message was edited by Bob Watson on 09 April 2005 at 01:34 AM.]

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

ME TOO!!!..pithy answer....

Peter Dollard · Posted 9 Apr 2005 9:17 am

Oddly enough the thing I was looking for(at least to my ears) happened in a little garage where I was waiting for the rest of the band. I had new strings on and for about three minutes every thing sounded spectacular you know time freezes etc. I wasn't playing anything fancy it just struck me at that moment that finally I get some of what I have been wanting to hear. After the rehearsal started it was back to normal..yawn

Ken Thompson · From: Great Falls, Montana, USA

You expressed perfectly how I feel. If I could just bring some of that emotion to the stage. Occassionally I'll get it on the right song but typically you're thinking of the next song or something else on stage. In my basement, it's me and the music. I play any song I want that expresses the mood I am feeling at the time. I hate to exclude other musicians but I would bet that steel players are some of the most emotional players around. After all, that is what the steel does. There is no other instrument in the world, in my opinion, that conveys emotion like the steel. It is my voice and a window to my feelings.

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

When there are no other musicians around, it's just me in my closet studio.
And my wife in the other room.
Yesterday I finished a song--boy, that song was finished--and I said 'Come here it, because nobody will ever hear it again.' She did, and had the usual laughter that I want somebody to get out of my 'tunes.'

A guitar beats a psycho therapist anyday.
And an audience of one good woman can be plenty sometimes. And they usually don't have any requests for 'Whiskey River.'

JW Day · From: Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA

Ricky;after working 30 years of swing shift and pickin' the clubs on off dates,I just can't think of any better medicine than setting down in the privacy of my home and just pickin' for myself.Takes all of those presures out of the brain.

Chuck Cusimano · From: Weatherford, Texas, USA

My Telecaster and I have a lot of days like that, and now that I'm playing more, I don't let a day go by that I don't play it at home. I have found things that I would have never spent time looking for in the past.

Sorry, I know this forum is about steel guitar, but no one loves steel more than I do. Thanks for letting me be a part of it.

Keith Cordell · From: San Diego

I've been playing a telecaster and a few others for 24 years, but always felt somehow restrained a bit from fully expressing myself as a musician. It's like you know the words but nothing comes out of your mouth right... steel gave me the chance to find that voice, slowly but surely I am learning to say what's on my musical mind. I won't ever be David Lindley or Darick Campbell, and don't care one way or the other; just don't take away my lap steel guitar!!!

------------------
'62? Fender 400 Pedal Steel, Gibson Royaltone, Sierra S8, bakelite bars

Bob Hayes · From: Church Hill,Tenn,USA

Charlie,
I thought that I was the only one who's closet was his studio!~.The cloths absorb the sound good...but it's kind of cramped.
I was playing last night..and I thought that I was doing good..After years and Years of playing "Cover" stuff..top 40 country..and the" over the hill" clubs..where you get to play every oldie..and the only instrumental is //"The Rag"..I found that I was NOT playing right...or my style was not the same as the Status QUO!!! Now ..I'm so concious of what I think that I should be playing..that I'm not comfortable anymore..My Hands and fingers are not as limber as they used to be..I excercise them but...to no avail...But ..for a couple of minuits ...last night..in my closet...I did preety good ...my way....although the blocking is much to be desired...and the speed has almost grinded to a STOP> but I had some good harmonics......
I remeber a good Ricky Nelson song that Tom Brumbley had a large part in recording called "Garden Party" You Know You Can't Please Everyone..So youve' got to Please Yourself"
Grouchy

Forum Index > Steel Players		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: