Robert Randolph article in Hook

Al Moss · From: Kent,OH,USA

Nice, long article on R.R.
http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2006/04/13/coverrandolph.aspx

COVER- Pedal power: Can Robert Randolph 'steel' success?
The Hook - Charlottesville,VA,USA
... be thrilled about the exposure he's giving the instrument, but there are also those who want to see it represented by music more typical of its Americana roots ...

Roger Kelly · From: Bristol,Tennessee

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

lets set the record straight..the author called me and had me on the phone for probably an hour..He reads the Forum, Robert reads the forum.

I did say ,that to me , with this style of music , all the songs sound the same..but I did not say that I would not buy his records because of that.

That was clearly a misquote..I told the author there were many artists where the music sounded the same to me and I am at a point in my life that I do not buy much music anyway..a handfull of CD's each year.. ..if that...

I told the author I am a huge Eric Clapton fan too,but have not bought a Clapton Cd in years...

I told him that Roberts energy reminded me of both early Johnny Winter, who he never heard of and the the late Dwayne Allman...

To me, thats a huge compliment, as I really like both of those guys..

I told the author that I thought Robert was breaking new ground..but at the same time he should not be considered the first to step away from Country Music with the Pedal Steel.

That was the primary point I was making with the author. Period.

I told the author that I thought Roberts band was great,playing in a very funky groove..

I also told the author that I would certainly go out and see Robert play if he were in my area..

The author didn't know who Paul Franklin or David Lyndley were..but he did know who Dire Straits and Jackson Brown were.

Robert, if you are reading, the author makes it almost seem like I was dissing you..not the case...

He sure left a lot of stuff out...

to the author..I would have thought a few more positive remarks would have shown up...

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TPrior
TPrior Steel Guitar Homesite

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 15 April 2006 at 05:19 PM.]

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

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

Why is it constantly brought up that some (older steelers?) don't like what he's doing? Why bring up the fact that some Nashville musicians don't like him?

Who cares?

Is there some ninny that thinks those types of statements are important?

I'd be willing to give big betting odds that Janis Joplin hated Kitty Wells, and Jimi Hendrix hated Jimmy Capps.

So what?!

(Shucks, a lotta people don't like me either!)

PS: Robert...if you ever come to Glen Burnie, I'm an old dude, and I'll jam with 'ya. I can't jump around much, but I can still pick a little R&B.

Rick Collins · From: Claremont , CA USA

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

David Doggett · Posted 17 Apr 2006 8:03 am

First steel in rock'n'roll - Bill Haley's steeler (he's identified on the Forum somewhere, but I forget). Then there's Chuck Berry; then all those country rock steelers in the '60s and '70s. Steel is a minor part in rock, but it's a long history. First blues steeler - The Black Ace and many others in the '20s and '30s, L.C. "Good Rockin'" Robinson in the '60s, and a few other players here and there since, both black and white. Again, it’s a minor part, but a long history. Finally, the first electric guitars were steel guitars. So the electric guitar is really an offshoot of electric steel guitar.

And by the way, RR's "redneck" statement is antiracist. There's a huge difference. It's like the first blow in a fight being felonius assault, and the second blow being legal self-defense. Too bad the second blow is necessary in this case. For those who don't care for his characterization, what have you done to make it unnecessary? The bigoted scorn heaped on RR is a great shame to the Forum and the steel guitar community (it’s still happening in this and another thread today). Some things just never seem to change.

Tommy White · From: Nashville

Robert and whom ever,
I'm not familiar with the dudes in Nashville of which you mention in your article, if I understand the context of the blanket statement correctly.
I will tell you, the community of professional steel guitarists I know in Nashville continue to praise and admire your success, appreciate your contribution in reaching a vast audience with pedal steel guitar and wish you the very best.
All the best,
Tommy White

Frank Parish · From: Nashville,Tn. USA

Sorry but I don't see RR statement as racist at all. Sounds like you're fishing to me. I've went to see RR last year and would go again if he comes here. I can tell you it's a great show and he's a great showman breaking new ground and there's nothing wrong or racist about that. As much as he's been dissed here,how could you blame him for that statement?

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

I always look for the details to substantiate the remarks of high profile people make when they play race cards.

First of all, did the writer or Robert Randolph name anyone who expressed there PERSONAL hatred of him or did they give a list of all those many personal names that he was called??? No.

What you have here is the typical victim mentality thing. "Someone" says they don't like my music, so that means they don't like me.

"Someone" says they don't like the way I play the pedal steel guitar so that means they don't like me.

You can look back through all the threads about Robert Randolph that have been on this forum and you will read of my support for him and his furthering the pedal steel guitar.

I however, cannot support him in this statement that he made. Maybe there will be some more info about this come to light.

Mark Eaton · Posted 17 Apr 2006 9:58 am

Nearly every news story or interview situation that I have had first hand knowledge of, has had some of the information to be incorrect, misquoted, or shortened to "sound bite" status to be taken out of context, or in its brevity-not giving the whole story.

Hopefully my experiences are the exception-but I have had a number of situations in my life where I have thought after reading something in a newspaper, etc.: "Hey I was there that day and that's not what so-and-so said at all!"

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Mark

David Doggett · Posted 17 Apr 2006 11:06 am

Here are some details, Bill H. RRs playing has been called "garbage" here on the Forum, and over in the current Endorsements thread it is called "cacaphony." There are other choice comments, but I don't think we need to dig back and document them all. The fact is, no other steeler in history has been denounced the way RR has been. There are a number of white steelers who have recordings of some very experimental non-country stuff, yet I cannot recall one word of criticism about any of them. There is simply a gentleman's agreement that seems to inhibit nasty comments about other steelers' playing, except for RR. One would have to be blind not to draw the obvious conclusion. But I don't think it is all racism. Some of it is the same kind of resentment and envy directed at current successful white stars who don't play traditional country.

Thanks to admirable statements like Tommy White's above, it seems clear that RR's quote may be a little off the mark. Regretably, he may be confusing derogatory statements made here on the Forum from all over the country (and abroad) with Nashville pros, most of whom seem supportive of him. This is the tragedy - that a very small minority with a few poorly chosen words can create such a bad impression of all of us. I hope Robert and others reading will realize that the vast majority of steelers on the Forum and in Nashville completely support him playing the steel guitar any way his spirit moves him.

Jeff Colson · From: Rockford Illinois, USA

Almost makes you not want to give interviews or your opinion on anything anymore. Tony gave an honest opinion and only the parts that bring controversy get ink. A friend of mine locally started a website to oust a local politician the media came to do a television interview with him and long story short they made him look like a fool. He is a very intelligent person, but they only showed bits and pieces of him saying things after their commentary that made him look like an idiot. Seems like a trend !

David Doggett · Posted 17 Apr 2006 11:28 am

If it's a trend, it's a really, really old one. You just can't believe everything you read. In addition to Tony's misquotes, we don't know what RR really said. The only defense against bad press is to go out and create some good press - it's the old "market place of ideas."

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

I agree with most of what your saying Dave but couldnt let this slip by

"There are a number of white steelers who have recordings of some very experimental non-country stuff, yet I cannot recall one word of criticism about any of them."

-Jerry Garcia?

I admit as an outsider to this website when i first came here I found some comments about RR to be bordering on predjudice...racial predjudice, predjudice against that which is different or unknown...thats a shame.

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

DD. Your quotes mirror what I said. The remarks were made about his playing NOT about him. Randolph's remark was aimed at people---not their playing or their music.

He has never been personally attacked here. His music/playing have. His music/playing and his person are totally separate. Randolph is playing the race card and claiming that people hate HIM. What image does the phrase "redneck dudes from Nashville hate me" conjur up. If I was a steel player from Nashville I would be ticked off big time at what he said.
Tommy White was extremely gentlemanly in his post.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

If Tony is misquoted, perhaps Robert's quote is not exactly accurate either. Press accuracy is not 100% by any means, as most of us have learned the hard way. Sometimes honest errors occur, sometimes it's an honestly misinterpreted paraphrase, and sometimes the reporter/editor has an agenda that creeps in. I'm not saying that happened here, but I don't think we should overreact.

Of course, there has been considerable negative discussion relative to Robert's playing here. I suppose that happens whenever anybody breaks the mold others put on them. He would not be incorrect to say that there are some steel players out there that who have said they don't care for his playing. It wouldn't take much of a phrase twist to come up with the attributed quote, although it doesn't seem to me that such attitudes are restricted to Nashville.

But Robert - if you're reading, know that many steel players, including many traditional country players, support what you're doing 100%. I know I do - I'm not in Nashville, but I think you have more friends there than you realize.

PS - Tony, I'm sure you know that when you talk to reporters for a long time and give them a lot more than they can use, that invites invite cherry-picking of quotes that put across the theme-du-jour. Or course, you know they never want to quote anything remotely controversial, since it might improve their circulation. Hey, maybe they're thinking - "How can we spice up an article about the pedal steel guitar, an instrument that has all the sex appeal of a picnic table? Ahh... here's a nice juicy controversy."

David Doggett · Posted 17 Apr 2006 1:22 pm

Oh, yeah, I forgot about Jerry Garcia. I was thinking more of the nonpopular experimental stuff of some Forumites, that some country purists probably can't stand, but yet have never criticized. I think JG and RR prove you have to reach a certain level of popularity before the real cheap shots start flying. Yet even with JG, the objections seem to have been more about him being overated rather than musically flawed. Did anyone ever call his music "garbage" or "cacaphony?" I'll admit, some of the JG controversy came before I joined the Forum, and I haven't really paid much attention to it. It seems sort of a joke. The RR epithets seem much more bitter and unfunny.

Bill H., you're drawing a fine line that I don't know if I can locate. I don't know of any serious musicians that wouldn't take it completely personally if their music was called "garbage" and "cacaphony." These comments seem to be both ad hominem, as well as directed at the distinctly African-American style of RR. They are so insulting that it is hard for me to imagine that the writers have any kind feelings toward RR as a person.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Anyone who thinks that negative comments about RR here have not been at least in part racially motivated need a serious wakeup call.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Dave Dogett, your out of line. Robert Randolph's "Redneck" statement is blatantly racist and blankets a whole community of mostly white steel players in Nashville. You are embarrassing your self. If its true, it a reflection of his character. Nobody hates Robert, they just don't like the hype that goes along with him being considered the greatest steel guitar player alive (which he is not). Personally I'd still pay to see him if he would just wouldn't play into the left wing media hype about his status.
I've heard Randolph is a great guy. Robert, nobody hates you here. I think that you are incredible at what you do. Its just the hype thats getting people edgy.
"Randolph has succeeded where fifty years of other players have failed"? Thanks alot clown. I guess we can take down all the Hall Of Fame plaques at Scotty's convention now. Just another reporter who hates country music and the people that play it. Robert you've got to stop this kind of reporting.

[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 17 April 2006 at 04:07 PM.]

[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 17 April 2006 at 04:13 PM.]

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

There HAVE been blatant racial slurs of Robert Randolph, here on the Forum. Mostly by a guy who no longer posts, so I won't call his name. Out of the thousands of members of the Forum, I KNOW several who feel that RR got where he is because of his color---As if the REAL musical community had affirmative action.
This is obviously gonna be another long Robert Randolph thread, and I won't bore myself by reading it any further. Instead, I think I'll be listening to the greatest steel player ever---
BUDDY EMMONS.

[This message was edited by Stephen Gambrell on 17 April 2006 at 04:43 PM.]

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

DD. I completly understand.

This is an unfortunate thing this article. I hope that RR will recant his statement or at least put some good spin on it so that everyone can understand where he was coming from.

Edit. Musicians who have had their music called garbage?? Try Stravinsky or Coltrane or Bach or Satie--it is quite a long list. I have read plenty of reviews by critics trashing plays, movies, shows, concerts etc. They never trash the person, only the work of the person.

[This message was edited by Bill Hatcher on 17 April 2006 at 04:50 PM.]

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

"Personally I'd still pay to see him if he would just wouldn't play into the left wing media hype about his status."

-that is the funniest thing i have ever read on this forum. Damn those lefties and the media they control! Always plotting to hype certain steel players in an effort to ruin this great country and turn it commie!

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