Pet Peeve

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Hello fellow steelers, my name is Charles Davidson. I live in Phenix City Alabama. My occupation is playing the steel guitar.My interest is steel guitar. My hobby is steel guitar. I consider myself a professional muscian.Been playing for 51 years. I work with a young singer 24 yrs old. His goal is to keep traditional country music alive. We turn alot of punk rockers on to Hank SR, Johnny Cash, Webb Pierce and on and on. To my surprise they love it! Our website is Joeyallcorn.com I have been logging on to the forum for several months. In the last few weeks I read several things I had to respond to. By the way, I hate politcal correctness. I speak my mind! Any rebuttel is welcome. The first thing that upset me was the attack on Bobbe Seymour. Bobbe Seymour is the steel guitar communitys' greated supporter. He is also one of the best pickers alive today. His style is definitely his own. He is an original. I have been dealing with Bobbe for years. He is a gentleman. When the band and I are playing in Nashville, we always make a point to visit him at his store. We are not big stars , rich or famous, just a hard working road band.He always treats us as if we were big stars and we appreciate that. Another pet peeve of mine is the sorry state this so called country music is in.Remember when you heard an artist on radio or TV. The first words that came out of their mouth you knew immediately who they were. They had talent, style and class. the so called artist of today you see on GAC(GREAT AMERICAN CRAP). Even with all the technology the million dollar studios have, the antares, pro tools, etc.These guys today can't even get close to the real artists of yesterday.The new crowd has no respect for their fans or themselves when they walk on the stage of the Ryman with their tank top shirts showing their hairy armpits to the world .You will never hear any real artist on FM radio, such as Robbie Folks, Wayne Hancock, or Del Watson who by the way is the best honky tonk singer living today.No doubt about it. In regard to the question as to your least favorite song, many of you said the steel guitar rag . I bet 98% of you,that was the first song you learned to play.When someone wants me to play it for the ten thousandsth time,I thank this person for asking, then I play it. Afterall,they paid to hear it.I wonder how many shows Floyd Cramer played and refused to play last Last Date.When you get to the point you don't want to please your fans, stay home and play what you want to.Here are a few examples of a pro and an ameteur.A pro is always on time and ready to perform.An ameteur is always late or has equipment problems.A pro will play his heart out for five people or five thousand. An ameteur will bitch and gripe if everything is not perfect.A pro always takes pride in his stage presence. An ametur shows up looking like a homeless person.A pro does not show up drunk or stoned. An amateur does show up drunk or stoned. A pro tries to please the fans that pay to see him. An amateur couldn't care less. Which one are you? Iam thankful to the forum for letting me express my views. Thank you. Charles Davidson

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Roger Kelly · From: Bristol,Tennessee

Charles you just said, better than I could have, what I have been thinking for a long time. Amen Brother.

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

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 17 July 2005 at 06:07 AM.]

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Haven't heard any beefs about Bobbe Seymour.
Particularly in the testing section.
Welcome!

Nick Reed · From: Russellville, KY USA

Charles,
I couldn't agree with you more. My band "Country Junction" is after the same goals as your band. You can visit our website at www.countryjunctionband.com
Nick

[This message was edited by Nick Reed on 17 July 2005 at 11:45 AM.]

Jerry Malvern · From: Menifee, California, USA

I agree wholeheartedly about the current state of country music. or the lack of it. I formed my own band called the Starlight Wranglers, been gigging about 3 months. We have been very well received at the places we play and have been asked back at every one! And thats because we do real country music. Check out the website www.starlightwranglers.com

Delvin Morgan · From: Lindstrom, Minnesota, USA

That's the kind of ranting and raving I like. Thank you Charles.

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Emmons S-10,Nashville-112,Peavey Pro-Fex II

Keith Cordell · From: San Diego

Attacks on Bobbe? Who? Show 'em to me, I'll unleash my acid wit on 'em!
Or not...

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GFI s10, Georgeboards 8 string, Peavey Delta Blues, Goodrich H10K VP, Boss Vwah, Line6 DL4 delay, Jacques Bat Fuzz, Dunlop Lap Dawg bar

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

Charles Davidson for PRESIDENT!! You said what I feel, so well!!

[This message was edited by James Morehead on 17 July 2005 at 01:30 PM.]

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Charles: Respectfully, this is, I thought, a "Steel Guitar Forum", not a "Country Music Steel Guitar Forum". As such, it should be open to all styles and tonal excursions.

While I agree with you regarding professionalism, the tone of your post seems to be negative towards those who aren't into the country...specifically your preferred kind of country...style. I've never heard, nor heard of "Robbie Folks, Wayne Hancock, or Del Watson", nor have I any desire to. I don't want to play "Steel Guitar Rag".

It's an instrument (actually a group of them) - not a style. Please don't diss those who don't care for the same things you do. You have no right to judge a person by their choice of stage clothing either. It's simply insulting and based on your own prejudices.

I respect your choices in music. I might not listen to them, but I won't insult them either. Neither will I be seen wearing cowboy boots or a bolo tie - does that make my music "invalid" in some way?

Jim

[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 17 July 2005 at 01:29 PM.]

L. A. Wunder · From: Lombard, Illinois, USA

I agree with your pet peeves, as they are my pet peeves as well. However...there are many "amateur" musicians who are every bit as serious and dedicated as the "pros." I've had very few playing opportunities and have never played for pay. I have always treated these "gigs" as seriously and respectfully as if I were making big bucks off of them. "Amateur" and "unprofessional" don't neccessarily mean the same thing. That said...Best wishes to you as you travel down the highway.

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

Charles,I did not know you are a mind reader. That writing was great and so true. I could have not said it any better myself.

Larry Robbins · From: Fort Edward, New York

Charles,
I think you and I are gonna be friends!
Thanks for your post.I show up on time,
clean and sober,Steelpolished,cowboy boots
shined.With a clean, pressed Western style shirt, cowboy hat, ready to play and do my best.....I also have hair that hangs down to almost my a&& ! Though its allways clean and tied back, and a couple of earrings in my left ear( which of course is the right ear,ha,ha) and I got to say that I allways get treated like a Pro because I respect the audience, the club owner and myself.Thanks for a great post.

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SHO~BUDS, Steelkings,
Fender guitars,
Hilton pedals, Preston
covers, and Taylor(Tut, that is)Resos.
"still alive and well"

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Charles,
I totally agree with your SGR / Last Date analogy.
I smile and play the song, then thank them for asking.

As for my friend Bobbe, if you don't attack him occasionally he forgets we love him.

George Brown · From: Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Charles,
Thanks for your post. I couldn't agree with you more. I count myself among the lucky. I play two nights a week at a little club about 40 miles from home. We have a good sized group of patrons, ranging in age from Pre-Teens, to at least 80. They all love Country music, and we play about 98%, with just a little older rock.
The entire band is dedicated to each other, and to the patrons, and we try to entertain them as best we can with every song. To me, that is what it is all about.
Thanks again
George...

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Charles-Good post. I think we all agree on a lot of what you say. Although, Jeff brought up a good point.

Steel guitar is not for just "country", although we all love it too, but it is for all kinds of Music.......al

.

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Al Carmichael · From: Sylvan Lake, Michigan, USA

With all due respect, there is no absolute "right" form of country music--only the styles we prefer to listen to and play. The country of 1940 was different than the music of '54 or '66 or '72, '80, '88 and so on. Music evolves and changes. Its influenced by other music, technology and the times we live in.

I like some of the real old stuff, some of the classic 50's and 60's stuff, some of the 70's 80's and 90's and, believe it or not, some of the current music too. I also play some rock, some rock and roll, some folk music, some jazz, some pop and some blues and r&b. This week, I played steel with a 22 year old writer who is anything but country.

I can certainly appreciate ones desire to play music from a certain period. I could be happy covering more than a few different decades and be quite happy. But music, like life, is a long and evolving process.

Good music is not about the pressed cowboy shirt, the hair style, the boots or how shiny your instrument may be. Its about the heart and we are all messengers of the emotions and feelings of all mankind. Heart is all that matters in the end. Play what you enjoy and you will evoke that. If what you do is amazing, people will get it--no matter whether you play rock, country rock, classic country, swing, jazz or alt/folk-country.

There was a recent concerto for orchestra and steel guitar that Gary Morse played in Nashville. I consider that progress for the instrument and exciting for the instrument. They didn't do any Dale Watson or Hank Williams, but it didn't suck.

In sympathy, I wish country music was in a different state myself, but it isn't. Still there are some amazing artists out there riding the fringe of country and Americana music that need pros to pull off what they do. If we could just be open to the human spirit that makes important music, we could align ourselves to the task of making that music a reality.

The new day dawns and, with it, new opportunities to make music that matters today. The old stuff was great, but some of the new stuff is as good. If I were you, I would embrace the present and bring your skill and quality to it, making it better than it would be without you.

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

I can pretty much agree with most of the things in this post.When I play, especially to a group that has paid there money to get in where I'm playing, if someone wants to hear SGR, then I'll play it. Very simple. The money they spend helps me get paid each night. To me it's just business. When I play for money, I consider it a business and I'm there to please as many people as possible. Of course, there's more to this than just playing. Playing is 50%. The other 50% is getting off stage during the breaks and working the crowd. Shaking hands and hugging necks. If a person doesn't feel welcome then they may not come back. I try to make it a point to see everybody I can before the nights over. After all if they were not there, then I wouldn't be!

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

"In sympathy, I wish country music was in a different state myself...."
Me too, and I'm in Texas.

But seriously, I wish I could have seen the Gary Morse Concerto. I heard about it, thought it was the greatest. I hope someday to hear Mike Perlowin live with a symphony, doing the entire range from Debussy to West Side Story; now he's got a Spanish symphonic album in the works, and even Rhapsody in Blue in the planning. What a show that would be.
I think there are many niches for steel still, even if I prefer the studio/ambient variety. But I imagine it's good country licks that have gotten the steel to where it is. But I don't think it was done by guys with holes in their jeans. IMHO.

Franklin · Posted 18 Jul 2005 5:53 am

Al,
Great post.

I believe Willie and Waylon introduced the ripped jeans / T-shirt as a way to rebel against the Nudie/Manuel/western look.

Depending on how you view it these new acts are following the traditions pioneered by some of Country's biggest legends.

Paul

Larry Robbins · From: Fort Edward, New York

[This message was edited by Larry Robbins on 18 July 2005 at 12:10 PM.]

Randy (Fuzzy) Whitener · From: Corsicana, Texas, USA

WOW, Paul all this time I've been thinking it was just the opposit. Silly me, I was under the impression Willie left Nashville and move to Austin area because the Nashville music machine would not give him the freedom to make his music his way (stifling his creativity) and he quit sucking the Nashville Tit and cut Redheaded Stranger at Autumn Sound in Garland Texas produced by Phil York. Once they seen there was money to be made they(music machine)because Willie was selling what they said could not be sold (ha ha)the machine got on the band wagon.
I find it hard to understand how you could compare Willie with the numerus posers and sellouts coming out of the music for money Nashville machine. Sometimes we have selective memory when it comes to remebering things that work good for our situations. Please understand this is not an attack on you, just like to get the story strait for the folks here on the forum.
Charles I agree if I buy a horse from you dont bring me a cow. (ha ha) Im affraid this is what is going to continue to happen as long as it is perpetuated by the Nashville music machine and those that would profit from it. Just my opinions. Also please excuse my spelling Im not using spell check.

Fuzzy

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

There's room for the entire spectrum of musical styles that will be found on pedal steel guitar today.

And while I share the respect for the remarkable individual sounds that the early country singers (and musicians) cultivated, there were very few of them not simply adding a twist to a previously sucessful artist (although I give up where Hank Snow found his inspirations, timing and all).

To be honest, I'm a little bored with the resurgence of "honky tonk" music. Whereas I am glad to see the younger set embracing the sounds of the '40s and '50, hey this should be their time to add to the collective melting pot of American music. There is evolving a "purest" snobery in trying to recreate Buck, JC, or Hank Senior that rivals that of the bluegrass crowd.... and I never could abide that "Holier than thou" attitude... it's just not why music was invented (by Jerry Byrd).

Bottom line, it's all fine with me, just got my own likes and dislikes, that's all.

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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
www.ameechapman.com

Franklin · Posted 18 Jul 2005 4:27 pm

Randy,

Whoa!!! My post was a comment on the dress ONLY, or so called appropriate dress of todays professional musicians. I DID NOT comment on the musical reasons for Willie leaving Nashville.

Willie and Waylon marketed themselves as "Outlaws" and "Rebels". The stereotype of a clean look, wearing sharply dressed uniforms, started back in the earliest days of the Opry. They chose choice to not wear the look of uniforms on stage, even though many promoters were complaining to their booking agents about their new ragged outlaw look. This approach to stage dress influenced many Country acts to do the same, which is commonplace today.

I personally prefer Willie's casual look best. I did then as I do now.

If you can compare bands that dress up in cowboy hats and western suits to the look of ET and Bob Wills? Well, that is exactly the way I can compare todays artists dress to Willie and Waylon. The connection is pretty obvious.

Paul

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