WHO do steel players blame for a band's success?

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Some steel players blame club managers, hotel enter-tainment managers, record producers, and vocalist stars, etc., for the demise of steel guitars in country bands; and low pay scales.

Is it at all possible that the demise of steel guitars in country bands is directly related to the abilities/inabilities of the steel players themselves and, the "ATTITUDES" of some steel players.

Some bands are making it with no problem and are having fun and getting paid too.

It doesn't seem to be the fickle crowds, the venue or the songs.

What about "The TIME JUMPERS"? Who could they blame for their success?

Ellis Miller · From: Cortez, Colorado, USA

This is one of the best thread starters I have seen in a while. Thanks for raising the thoughtful perspective.

For the record, I am a guitar player who happens to love PSG and who has had the pleasure and benefit of working with and learning from some stellar PSG players.

I share many of the preferences and opinions that arise on the forum bemoaning the decline of the more traditional Country music styles. I also recognize that change is a constant and it is doubtful that the geography of universe is going to change sufficiently to accommodate my becoming the center of it. Therefore, I do not expect the music business to be anything other than what it is.

As I have stated before, it is my opinion that the PSG is the most versatile and dynamic instrument on the planet. The limitations and/or possibilities of the instrument are almost exclusively contingent on the player. Unfortunately, the instrument has become stereotyped and is still perceived as a novelty instrument in some circles. No one or nothing will change those stereotypes and perceptions other than the PSG players themselves.

Blaming someone or something else for our miseries seems to be a default position in human nature. Each individual has the ability to abdicate that position and take responsibility for their own progress through the great scheme of things. The place of the steel guitar as an instrument was, is and will be what the players make it.
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Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

I get payed very well for playing 'Steel guitar' so i dont blame anybody. Very Happy

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Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

I don't really understand the question. Blame usually has a negative connotation; I don't often hear folks blaming success on anything. All that aside . . .

. . . I'll turn it around . . .
To what do we attribute success?
(these are tendencies I've seen in the most successful musicians I've worked with)
1. Be upbeat
2. Be flexible (no 'I won't play that song' for whatever reason)
3. Do a good job
4. Be a team player
5. Always be on time and ready to go

The Time Jumpers are not successful because they are playing traditional music. They are successful IN SPITE of it. I've talked to a lot of Nashvillians (I'm a native myself although I don't live there now) who have checked them out (sometimes on my recommendation) and were blown away. Many were not big country music fans -- either the contemporary or traditional flavors. Most people appreciate excellence. THAT's what the TJ's can blame (still a strange word to me) for their success.
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Jerome Hawkes · From: Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA

i dont know that i fully understand the question either but -

as far as the music industry
i would blame the shift that has happened over the last 40 years away from the melody and more toward the BEAT and bassline. have you noticed how HEAVY they are mixing the drums and bass in todays music - if there is a steel, its wayyyy back there in the mix. i just bought a classic CD that was "re-mix-mastered" - i couldnt believe how hot they had the bass and drums now compared to the original 1967 release, the steel was now a minor part - ruined the whole balance of the CD - certainly some hot Nashville mastering top-gun probably did the re-mix/re-master.

as far as gigging:
i remember reading Woody Guthrie's autobiography, how he HATED jukeboxes and considered them the death of live music in public gathering spots. at least in my area, the club owners, and people who book entertainment have decided DJ's and Karaoke machines are favorable to live bands. if they do have live bands, they expect them to play for $300 a night - let me say that dragging all that gear around and playing for 3 hours for 1/4th or 1/5th split of $300 is not going to pull many musicians out of the living room.
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Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

You need to define success. I doubt any of the Time Jumpers would quit their regular jobs for the TJ gig. They make excellent music, but not popular with the top 40 FM radio, bubble gum, CMT videos, line dancing, crowd........ and they are the ones spending the money.

If their goal is just to play some good and different music, then they have hit a home run. I sense that this is more of a "just want to do it, because it's fun" thing for most of them.

John Steele (deceased) · From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

I see a real polarization taking place on the live music scene right now, especially club work.
The top tier musicians are still busy. They don't work the clubs much anymore because they're a pain in the neck and there's no money there. Most of them around here tour, and work the festival, casino and fair circuit. The cream has risen... and vice versa. I've heard some of the worst bands ever in the clubs in the last year or two, but as long as all their buddies come to support them, the club doesn't care... and as long as their buddies treat them like celebrities they don't mind making $35 a night.
Attitude certainly plays a role in staying busy regardless of your level of ability. But, I don't think the unique situation with the Time Jumpers is really a fair example to look at in order to determine "success".
What is success ? Making lots of money ? If that's the case, I don't think the Time Jumpers are very successful at all. Is success being happy ? If so, the Time Jumpers (and the hacks in the bar for that matter) are all successful.
Just being busy isn't my definition of success... but everyone's different.
And, just for the record, I don't see alot of examples of people "blaming" anyone for anything... although I concede that it makes an excellent straw man to knock down.
- John

Bobby Hearn · From: Henrietta, Tx

I dont go see country bands unless they have a steel. Drums, bass, and guitar is not country to me. Unless you throw in an accordion and play some cajunto rock n roll!

Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

I know it's been discussed before, but I just watched the Time Jumpers live at the Station Inn on RFD. They were good at everything they did. The country songs were really to my liking. John Hughey did his usual super job. Dawn Sears is a great singer. It's nice when you get to see pros in action. Jeanie Sealy was there and they did her song "Leaving And Saying Goodbye". I used to go watch Dawn and Kenny with the Del Reeves show at the Nashville Palace breakfast show when I worked in Nashville in the 90's.

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