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Topic: Steel documentary |
Christian Hoepfner
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2006 8:03 am |
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Hi there,
I'm a San Antonio,TX based film /video producer, steel fan and new forumite. I play six string (tele with G and B string bender, Gretsch archtop) and I've been dreaming about learning to play pedal steel for years now. But with two children the time just never seemed right to go out and drop a fairly large chunk of cash on a selfish indulgence. But I finally made up my mind and decided to buy one anyway (I'm thinking I'll buy a Carter Starter).
On a different note, I would like to make a documentary about pedal steel. The goal is to make it appeal to both enthusiasts and the general public. This idea springs more from a love for the instrument rather than an actual idea for a documentary. Therfore, I'm still looking for the right angle, the thread, the narrative glue that pulls it all together. I was wondering if you guys would like to share your insight or opinions and give some input as far as stories that you feel should be told.
Any comments are much appreciated. |
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Doug Childress
From:
Orange, Texas
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Posted 17 Apr 2006 8:45 am
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| I believe any documentary on the Pedal Steel guitar must begin at the beginning. The origin of the instrument through subsequent evolution and development. The reasons for the changes in design. The innovators who brought about the changes. The musicians who influenced the acceptance of the PSG. The use of the instrument in today's music and the future as seen by player's, artists, and producers. |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 17 Apr 2006 9:36 am
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For a possible comparable theme/structure/storyboard/arrangement, you might want to check out the episode of (I think it was) American Experience on PBS that chronicled the life of Mr. Carter of the Carter family. They went way back to the roots of the music in the hills of Kentucky, Tennessee, etc.
"Will the circle be unbroken" has an awesome history... |
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Larry Jamieson
From:
Walton, NY USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2006 12:18 pm
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| You might want to consult with Bobee Seymour. He is writing a book of steel guitar history and has been around for much of it... Other good sources, Bud Carter of Carter Steel Guitars, Shot Jackson's son, Buddy Emmons, Reece Anderson, John Hughey, and I am sure there are many others. I would be very interested in seeing your finished product. It would make a good PBS Special. Larry Jamieson, Walton, NY |
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Mark Edwards
From:
Weatherford,Texas, USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2006 12:37 pm
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| Christian - For info close to home you might contact Dick Price (he's around the San Antonio area), excellent steel player and has been around a long time. Up in the Fort Worth, Tx area there is Gary Carpenter/Corky Owens not only are these two gentleman great steel players with about 60 years experience between them, they also build (Rains) steel guitars. Also in the DFW metroplex there is the folks at GFI in Arlingtion, Tx. And those that have already been mentioned the folks at Carter Steel Guitar, or MSA Steel Guitar in the Dallas area. |
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Buck Dilly
From:
Branchville, NJ, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 18 Apr 2006 8:42 am
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| I hope you are ambitious. This is a great project that needs doing. I don't have any advice, only encouragement. Go for it. |
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Mike Ester
From:
New Braunfels, Texas, USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2006 9:10 am
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| Greetings from New Braunfels. This is quite a laudable ambition that you have. |
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Mike Kowalik
From:
San Antonio,Texas
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Posted 18 Apr 2006 9:12 am
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| Christian....Mark is referring to Rick Price...... |
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David Wren
From:
Placerville, California, USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2006 9:50 am
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I would only suggest it be complete, from Jerry Bryd to Paul Franklin, from Sneaky Pete to Buddy Emmons, from Lloyd Green to Robert Randolph, ect.
It would be good to have interviews with leading manufactuers to highlight technical improvements over the years as well, and recording producers, to note the changes in use of the steel guitar.
------------------
Dave Wren
'96 Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 18 Apr 2006 10:03 am
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| Moving to "Pedal Steel" |
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John Ummel
From:
Arlington, WA.
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Christian Hoepfner
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 19 Apr 2006 8:01 am
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Thanks much to all for your comments and encouragement. Also thanks to John for bringing Rand's project to my attention. He's already in post production, so I'm loooking forward to seeing his work when it is released. Until then I will just keep working on it. I'm pretty sure it will not be the same film and there's always room for another one 
Christian |
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A. J. Schobert
From:
Cincinnati, Ohio,
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Posted 19 Apr 2006 8:25 am
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| Christian if your documentary should air post the date on the forum ok? DIY has hand made music on how guitars are made, or you can go the discovery channel route and have a reality show American Steel Guitar, Hey Ray is the show you are talking about called "will the circle be unbroken"? |
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Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
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Posted 19 Apr 2006 2:09 pm
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| Here's an idea. Put it out on DVD with extra features. Such as: Being able to watch the full prformances of the music with all the talking heads edited out. Nothing against the talking heads as they would have to be some of our favorite folks. It's just that I get frustrated with music documentarys because so much of the music gets cut short. |
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Ron Kirby
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 21 Apr 2006 2:53 am
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Christian,, maybe you should bring to note,, how a Hank Williams song ("Your Cheatin Heart") may not have charted !If it had not been for Don Helms, kicking it off with steel,,getting everyones attention, then the words to song followed !! same thing in the break, and in the ending!! Interesting !!
Same thing goes for todays music, the producers know this,, thats why Franklin stays busy !! [This message was edited by Ron Kirby on 21 April 2006 at 04:08 AM.] |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 21 Apr 2006 6:29 am
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| This is the third such documentary in the works that I've heard about - and I've been mulling over one myself for at least five years. It's certainly a subject that's way overdue for a serious, well produced film. Funding and distribution are always the sticking points. |
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Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
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Posted 21 Apr 2006 7:28 am
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| I think you should concentrate on two things mainly, the music and the fun. Make about 50% of it shots of the greats playing their steels along with other players on other instruments, maybe 35% interviews with players and others telling interesting and funny stories (people love to laugh). I'd try to interview real famous people who have worked with steel players and love the instrument like Stevie Wonder and Dolly Parton. And the other 15% of the story on the evolution and machanics and such. Don't bore the general public with details that only steel players would care about and understand. My 2 cents. Don |
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Nathan Hernandez
From:
Riverside, California, USA
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Posted 21 Apr 2006 8:44 am
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| You might want to talk to Blackie Tayler. And please dont limit it to just Pedal Steel, there is still quite a non-pedal steel establishment out there with players. like Tommy Morrel and Jeremy Wakefield. nIt would be a shame to exclude them because they play non-pedal. |
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