Feeling Comfortable Where You Play

Mark Edwards · From: Weatherford,Texas, USA

It has been my limited experience, when I have played in different bands, and having the feeling like I really don't belong or feel uncomfortable. I call these "watch wathcing gigs" where I find myself looking at my watch wishing this gig were over. Usually because one band member wanted a steel in the band and more than one band member did not, and basicly they just put up with the steel player. It wasn't personal, it's just that the steel itself was not wanted, due to their type of music, or it took away, from another band members playing time, Whatever.

It has taken those experiences, to finally find a band that not only appreciates the sound of the steel, and what the steel can bring to the table, but also, it makes the player feel more apt to give more to each gig. And the other band members are more than ready to give the steel it's shine, on the songs that are played and are not afraid, of going above and beyond, to play together and not individually.

Any related story's or comments/suggestions?

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Amen Mark.. most all of us have been there, done that and have the T shirt.. I have posted about similar thoughts several times over the past few years..

Its funny,, you would think it gets easier as you gain years and experience, but it just doesn't seem to.. There IS the right situtaion for each of us somewhere out there,, but sometimes it takes a pretty good while to find bob

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Yup, I see a lot of us northeastern guys chime in right away. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt also.

I've said this before, but I really think many people coming from outside a traditional country context like the idea of having a steel player more than the reality of it. It connotes all these "authentic" images on the part of roots-music people who so desperately want to be "authentic", but it requires a bit of a change in mindset to allow it to fit in. Whether or not one uses a 50s Bigsby/"tweed" tone, a 60s Bud or Emmons "blackface" tone, a more modern country steel tone, or a sacred-steel/blues tone, it's a very present and sustaining instrument that takes up some sonic space and stands out. The vocal quality that makes it so beautiful is the very thing that many singers and lead guitar players find competes with them, I think. Of course, there are exceptions.

For me, I find that I want more space in the music, to allow what I'm trying to do come out more clearly without forcing it. Yes, I could put the pedal to the metal, crank it up, and slide away. But I've played 6-string guitar in units ranging from folk to bluegrass to country to rockabilly to blues to jazz to surf-punk and hard rock. In the right context, that's fine, but that's not really what I'm about on the steel right now. Replicating what I do on guitar is of no interest, at the moment.

I'm lucky, because the singer that I started playing steel with is back, and we're putting our old unit back together. I think it's mostly a matter of persisting until one finds the right people.

Mike Ester · From: New Braunfels, Texas, USA

Joe Smith · From: Charlotte, NC, USA

I have been in that situation. It's not much fun. If I'm not having fun I will politely bow out.
Some time the chemistery just isn't there.

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

been there also, just quit one of those. no regrets cept that I stuck it out as long as I did. what a waste of my time, talent, and energy...oh well, onward and upward.

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

My last gig was a wreck. lead guitar would'nt shut up--ever---even had to practice noodling his scales in between songs, so the band members couldn't even talk to each other. No such thing as share a ride or some of the fills. Was a real noodlin' fool! I'm outa there.

My new gig is great. The lead guitar shares rides, fills, and kickoffs. I take care of him like he's gold---I make sure I lay out and give him plenty of action, and he does the same for me. We actually communicate and work well together.
I figured I'd be ok when this band emailed me to ask if I'd like to pick with them, beings their email address starts out "realcountry music@-----". They definately like the steel guitar in their sound! Guess I'm doing ok.

Steve England · From: Austin, TX

I started playing with a new band about a month ago. The band leader hired me, the guitar player didn't want me, and made it plain the first weekend, playing all over me, telling me I was out of tune every chance he got. Left the gig the second night vowing I would never work with them again. Got a call a day later saying they had fired the guitar player.

The new guy is a real joy to work with, shares rides, is always aware of what is going on. And the old guitar player took all his '70's rock standards with him. It's Texas Dance hall Country all the way now. Yippeee

Steve Spitz · From: New Orleans, LA, USA

I find that some bandmembers don`t have an understanding of the"ensemble" concept. Some learn, some never do, some don`t care. One act I play with , I`m having to teach the concept. I find those with a blues/rock background never really had to listen to the others, no eye contact, just blast away. Also the soloing is so non-melodic. They aren`t anti-steel, they just don`t understand how to direct traffic or take turns. It`s alot more work playing with these guys. Even though I cut my teeth and paid my rent with blues guitar at one point, it makes me feel like so many ( not all) blues/rock players are crude hacks. I guess it can apply to all genres

Joe Miraglia · From: Jamestown N.Y.

I play with the band. I'm not the band.People come to hear the band , not the steel guitar.What I do I do. I play for the people that come to see us. I'm not playing for other steel guitar players.Some players have come to hear me play,and I always like meeting them, but I have to play the songs that we play. (RAY MINICH--IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU IN ERIE. WISHED I HAD MORE TIME TO TALK TO YOU. WE NOW HAVE A NEW LEAD SINGER AND I NO LONGER HAVE THE CARTER) Some of the songs have little steel parts, I would like to play a steel solo for them but unfortunately most people don't care for one. It's all about what they hear on the radio, years ago they could hear THE STEEL GUITAR RAG every night on the radio (WCKY) out of Ohio . The band does play a mix of new and some older songs. I do play SLEEP WALK,and the keys player play LAST DATE. People still like those songs but I think not a lot of steel players do. That's why there are steel jams, that is where we can let it all hang out. I feel comfortable playing with the band I work for. Joe
www.willowcreekband.com

[This message was edited by Joe Miraglia on 06 June 2006 at 08:37 PM.]

Howard Tate · From: Leesville, Louisiana, USA, R.I.P.

Y'all got Tshirts? wow!

------------------
Howard

Ernest Cawby · From: Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

Never poated this before. I started a groupe playing at my house just for fun, and to let all the mucians play with us that wanted to share their talent and did not have a place to play. This worked out so well we had to find a bigger place to play.

We moved to the comunity center out side of town. This worked very well for several months. Then the lead guitar player started to play all the introes, all the fills and never stopped playing.
Durring the break one night I went to him and asked if he wanted me to quit playing?
he said why, I told him he was playing everything.
We started back after the break and he would not play fills or lead,
The next week he did not show up, I went to the other lead player and ASKED him if he wanted to take over the Monday nite gig, he did and I backed out and let them have the whole thing.
Some of you have called and asked about the monday nite thing we were doing, well this is why I stopped doing Monday nite but they are still going. Had 2 steels players come by there last Monday.
One of the ladies came by our house yesterday and said it is slowing down becouse of the attitudes of the mucians.
I know why, each one of them wants to be top dog.
I now have other things to do, may start up again at home soon, there are some here that still wants a place to play.
We have lots of pickers her in North Fl.
and I love to play with them.

ernie

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

It's really fun when you find a new band and you are able to fit in right away but it doesn't always happen that way. Sometimes it takes a little time for things to smooth out and sometimes they just don't get it. I've been with Billy Mata now over 11 years,only the guitarist is newer. We all understand how difficult it is to put together a band that likes the same music,can all get along,and can work with each other. Everyone in the band gets his time to shine and time to lay back a little.This has not come easy for us. We all live in different cities and some are 150 miles apart.

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

so hard to find good people. I wanna play in a trio...less people=less problems. wish I could do it alone by myself, then the only jerk I'd have to deal with would be myself. I'd probably get fed up with that too tho.

Bill Fuentes · From: Garland, Texas, USA

It's all about the steel (and fiddle), either up front or in the background. Yes, I have one of those rowdy Texas honky tonk roadhouse bands, and what was always missing was the STEEL. When I started playing it on few songs the guys came alive, that dang thing gives me goose bumps. Can't wait to see how much more I can steel in and not detract from my current duties. So if they don't want ya give me a call, the classics are calling and we're gonna answer.

[This message was edited by Bill Fuentes on 09 June 2006 at 10:10 AM.]

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