Was pedal steel your 1st ?

Rick Tyson · From: Ohio

Years ago my primary instrument on stage was lead guitar (6 string) as I was into southern rock at the time. During the Urban Cowboy craze in the early 70s, I slowly converted to pedal steel & never looked back

How many others have converted from guitar or ??

Old steelers never die,,,they just decompose!

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Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

I did too, with a brief detour on mandolin along the way.

Only I didn't play southern rock, I played mostly blues.

Craig Allen · From: BEREA, KENTUCKY, USA

My mothers first choice was the piano, but I convinced her that drums were kool. That was back in the 60's.
I learned guitar while in the Navy. A guitar was about the only instrument you could bring on a submarine.

After the service I studied violin at Hart, but played guitar in the clubs.
I learned bass out of self defense.

While I was fronting my own band, I hired a steel player. (Harry Guffe, and Ray Gantik.)
Through them I got the "bug" and have been playing ever since.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I was interested in guitar when I was little, but since I have cerebral palsy in my left hand, I realized I couldn't handle guitar. Then I moved on to keyboards, playing by ear with one hand. I also had an interest in the mandolin, but found out it was just like the guitar. So, then I thought about pedal steel, since my favorite kind of music is country music. The pedal steel is my favorite instrument of all time. So, now I have my very first pedal steel- an Emmons S-10 student model made in 1974. Brett Day, Emmons S-10

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

I started on drums, went to straight guitar (rock and folk) then tried fiddle (no way, Jose!) and even the old b@nj0! I switched to steel while still in my teens, and still do a lot of b@nj0 and straight guitar licks on the steel. Steel was the only one that came "naturally" to me. Had I taken up steel first...I'd probably be pretty decent, by now!

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 09 July 2001 at 07:07 PM.]

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Never was interested in playing any other instrument but the steel guitar. My younger brother; in the early 80's; just graduated from music school in Waco(MCC)with guitar being his instrument of choice; and I wanted to play music with my younger brother; so I took up the steel guitar because it was what and the sound I wanted to make.
Ricky

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

My first instrument was a doubleneck 6 string Oahu lap steel. But, I left that for guitar/lead guitar and bass. I came back to steel and a pedal steel in 1969 and it remains my primary (almost exclusively) instrument.

RickRichtmyer · From: Beautiful Adamstown, MD

I actually started on accordion when I was a kid, but never really developed any serious interest and quit it by the time I was 11. At 13 I told my parents I wanted to take up guitar and they said "No way. You'll do it for six months and quit." That was 45 years ago. I majored in classical guitar in college but by the time I was a senior I'd decided that I wanted to learn how to play pedal steel. When my wife asked me what I wanted as a graduation present, I said that I wanted a Sho~Bud D-10. She bought it for me in July '73 and I've been attempting to become a steel player ever since.

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Rick Richtmyer
Good News

David Pennybaker · From: Conroe, TX USA

Piano and a little banjo. Tried the guitar, but couldn't get anywhere with it.

Still best at the piano, though.

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The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons

Dave Frye · From: Atwater, CA

I started on a stand up bass(old acoustic)when I was 10 years. I suddenly realized there had to be somethin easier on my fingers and started on lap steel. What a reliefe!!! Been playin steel ever since!!!!
Still lovein it!!!! Ole Dave Frye

B.Jenkins · From: Parkersburg, WV...U.S.A

I played piano in church and for a Gospel trio ,also bass guitar, then went to the steel guitar, I'm sure g;lad I did, but I still play piano at our church tho....

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[This message was edited by B.Jenkins on 10 July 2001 at 08:06 AM.]

Joerg Hennig · From: Bavaria, Germany

Started on accordion when I was about 10. (Part of the family tradition since my grandpa used to build them.) Became infatuated with rock´n´roll and had to get a guitar at 12. Got my first electric guitar at 14. Stayed with that for the next 20 years and flirted briefly with bass, drums and piano, none of which I ever learned to master. Some years ago I started to fool around with a lap steel but treated it mostly as a horizontal slide guitar, tuned to open D,E,G or A. Even though I had been listening to and liked the pedal steel guitar for at least a decade, it wasn´t until two years ago that I finally decided to pick it up myself. And I never looked back. Finally found "my" instrument. Strangely, it didn´t take me long at all to become accustomed to it, after a while it was almost as if I´d never been doing anything else. (on the contrary, on the piano I just never managed to feel familiar with the keys, so after a year or so I gave up in frustration). The only regret I have is that I didn´t discover it some years earlier; I know I still have a lot of time ahead of me to get good at it, but oh, how the overall music scene is changing.
There are less bands than there used to be (and they are getting smaller because club owners aren´t willing to pay a lot anymore), less places to play, less PEOPLE coming to gigs... I´ve read on several threads that in the U.S things are getting worse also, but over here country music is really on a downward slope. My first band as a steel player, where I really felt "at home", is in the process of breaking up and I just wonder where I´m gonna go now. OK, I admit, this is getting a bit far from the actual topic...
Best regards, Joe H.

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

Trombone in grammar school, I was allowed to march in the parade if I promised not to blow into the mouthpiece, they needed bodies. Piano at 8 yrs, mom was the church organist. Took up guitar at 14, did wonders for my social life. Piano again, followed by patchpoint synthesizers in '72, Buchla and Serge. Bought an Emmons S-10 and then a Super Pro at the end of the '70s and I've been captured ever since.

[This message was edited by chas smith on 10 July 2001 at 12:03 PM.]

Michael Holland · From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

I started on trombone and was a horn major in school. Could there be a better 'other' instrument for a steel player to play? There are no other 'slide' instruments! Except maybe for the penny whistle and the musical saw. I play guitars and keys too, but the details are too boring.

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Emmons Push Pull S10 | Peavey Session 400 | '52 Fender Lap Steel | Goodrich L120 & Matchbox

Kevin Mincke · From: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA

Accordian

Bill Fulbright · From: Atlanta, GA

I started on piano when at 6,
ukelele at 8,
baritone uke at 9,
guitar at 10,
stand up bass at 11,
harmonica at 12,
organ at 13,
deep interest in guitar at 14 (1965),
then rock and blues guitar.
Started writing songs at 18,
Entered music school at 21 to 24, Composition/Theory Major: guitar was primary instrument/piano secondary.
Classical guitar at 21 - 24,
Jazz guitar at 23,
Professional performance: part time 18 and on full time - Dallas 1981 - 1990 (Vocal, Keys, Guitar, both Single and Band Leader)
Pedal Steel Guitar at age 50.
* WHEW!!! *
Taking a little break right now!!

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Bill Fulbright
1998 Sierra U12 7x5; Gibson ES-165; Peavey 50-410, Line 6 POD 2.0
ICQ# 2251620; Bill Fulbright's Music Website

Frank Parish · From: Nashville,Tn. USA

It was harmonica as a kid. Old tunes like She'll Be Comin Around the Mountain, The Old Rugged Cross, stuff my dad taught me. Started the drums at 13 and found a real knack for them and always wanted to play in the Carson band. Played professionally from the age of 14 to the present. Got a bass gig by accident when a guy broke his arm for about six weeks once. Had an old upright piano around the house I learned chords on and taught the band the ones they didn't know. After 18 years on the drums I played with a country band one night and first played with a steel guitar player out of Louisville named Danny Williams and got hooked. Moved to Nashville in 1981 and took up the pedal steel seriously and hardly ever played the drums unless we couldn't find a drummer and still don't want to play them anymore. Even after 20 years I still play the drums better than the pedal steel.

[This message was edited by Frank Parish on 10 July 2001 at 03:39 PM.]

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

I started with a square neck acoustic lap steel when I was 10. When I was 12, I started learning bass. My dad bought a new Fender bass in 54 that is still in the family. I really enjoy bass, and later fooled around with guitar but never stayed with it much. For the last 35 years it's been just steel and I still can't seem to get enough of it.

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

I started out on a square neck lap steel at age 10. At 12 I started learning learing bass. My dad bought a new Fender P bass in 53 which is still in the family. I really enjoy bass. Learned G,C and sometimes D on guitar along the way but it has just been PSG the last 35 years. I can't get enough of it.

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

OOPS. Sorry about the double post.

Bob Mainwaring · From: Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

1.Harmonica (6yrs old) Dad taught me how to suck and blow the "The Runaway Train" out of his sick bed - I was wowed with the song.......still am!.

2.Cornet (8 years old) Dad played an Eb Bass in a "Brass Band" so I thought this was a start - music on sheets of paper soon had me baffled - and still does!! I quit early on because of my inability to retain the dots.

3.Bass Trombone (13 years old) Just loved those sliding notes, plus it had an interesting handle to thrust forward to enable those low notes......paper music too, so that went.

4.Plectrum Banjo (13 years old)"Skiffle Music" Lonnie Donnegan etc. A couple of chords memorised then I started getting paid in northern English Pubs and Clubs, so that made way for money to be earned.
Being big, I always looked older than my buddies who were always older than me so that allowed me to enable me to stay without being asked how old I was.

5.Guitar (13 years old). I found that if I tuned it to a banjo and let the 5th & 6th strings "drone" I was overnight a guitar player too! plus it got more interest from the girls with this!!

6. Banjo 5 string (28 years old) Just loved that Scruggs stuff but nearly gave up because of the picks keep falling off- could never keep them on and very nearly quit.A good friend of mine was a folk singer/Banjo frailer and kept bugging me to keep with it....for my own sake - I`m glad I did as it gave me a start to keeping the picks on for the steel.

7.I sat in with a few friends with the banjo who practiced in a garage - one of the guys was saving up to by another steel. He ended up selling me his Fender 400 which I sold after not too long because of its string breakage.Even after I made a mod` to stop or cut down the breakage, the sounds that I was hearing was 10 string E9th
This happened around 1975 so that would have put me at 32 years old then.
A number of steels came through my hands but I always had a soft spot for the Z.Bs. and still try to play them each week.

I came to the conclusion over the years - that there are no bad steel guitars - some are just better than others ... and long may they reign!!!!!!!

Bob Mainwaring. Z.Bs. and other weird things.

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

I was a drummer for many of my younger years. At 17 years of age, I changed to steel ('cuz Mom wouldn't let practice with the band at the house). I would play an acoustic guitar with a knife handle while the rest of the band practiced. My Brother bought me a National 3 neck from a local music store for $75.00 and the rest is history.

Sage · From: Boulder, Colorado

My folks got me into piano lessons when I was 6 (I didn't like it). Took on drums at 7 and stayed with it a few years. Concentrated on voice thru junior high and high school, where I also took up classical guitar for a while, and then folk style acoustic. I heard the sound of the steel in much of the 70's music on the radio (in Boulder CO) at the time and loved it, just didn't know what the heck it was until my first year of college. It took a couple more years to get my first lapsteel, and only 6 months after that I had an old D 10 Rus-ler. Since then I have avoided playing anything that doesn't require a bar.

Bob Hayes · From: Church Hill,Tenn,USA

Started with some of my friends on harmonic (Marine Band) around 9 0r 10. Was in chorus in elementary school and into Junior High School. When I was 14 I saw some guys playing guitars and singing. I was intrigued.But didn't understand the concept. A couple of years passed and I got into some friends that all started playing guitar. One of them played Chet Atkins style. Another played left handed. As I was learning the basic chords..I found that I had a natural talent for hearing chords and antisipating chord changes..and rhythems or beats. My oldest friends and I also had a natural feeal for vocal hamonies. When the Everyly Brothers came out ,we were singing all of thier songs. We formed a band with 4 guitar players!! My musical talents helped me get the girls..cause I sure couldn't on my lloks.
I think I was in my mid teens..maybe 16 or 17. when I saw my first steel guitar..and believe it or not..the player was Smilely Roberts. He was in a band playing at a school in Hindsdale,Mass.. Wow!!It was great.
Time went on and I joined the Air Force and started playing guitar for enjoyment ,or around the barracks and then got invited to play in GI bands.Country, Rock, Jazz, Big band. So I had to learn to play those FAT bar chords...which was a struggle with my tint little hansd and fingers. Started playing lead..became preety good..but never good enough ( IN MY MIND) TO compete with some of the pickers I've known. Getting to meet Roy Nichols,Ralph Moony,Hag, Tom Brumbley,Buck Owens etc in Vegas when I was stationed there in the early 60's..was realy an influence. After Vietnam..I was stationed in the Wash. DC area for6 years.I started playing lead with a number of bands(while doing my military job days and late nights. I played at many of the civilian clubs and Military Clubs throught the WASH DC area with a lot of the legends that have been mentioned on this forum. I had an auto accident (when I was playing lead for Jimmy Case) and was down for about 6 months. When I was ready to play again..Jimmy informed me that John Roddenbach was playing lead,but he neded a bass player..So I learnd bass. Earlier.I had played with steeler Jim Whitted, who was a SGT Maj in the Army. Jim was a protege of Tom Brumbly (in a band together in Germany) and the Great Don West. Jim was influential in getting me to play steel..Also Clyde Bloodsworth, a C6th man called Pancake Norris, One of the Cambel Brthers (I can't remeber if it was Chuck).
And the fantastick(my Hero)Buddy Charlton. I was honored to be one of his first students along with the also great dobro player Mike Aldrich. There are other pickers that helped or influences me ,but my feeble mind won't let me bring up the data!!But I've been (trying) steelin' scincelate '73. Someday I just may get it.I play now realy for the enjoyment......Bob The Grouchyvet..I also have to mention that I'm long winded!!!!

Ray Jenkins · From: Gold Canyon Az. U.S.A.

Does the Bass count?Or was it designed just to get dirty looks from the rest of the band?

Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

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