A big Thank You to everyone for the many positive responses

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Well, I wasn't going to post this but what the heck, not playing since 1991 (final records showed) until last year. A comeback at this age is nearly impossible. I still have a long road to go, but I'll keep digging.

I want to Thank my Lil Brother, Nic du toit for giving me the inspiration, along with the courage and help to even attempt a comeback.

Also my good friend Bill Sutton for the track.
And yes, Bill Stroud, I used a BJS Bar, and I love it... Smile

It's not pretty but here it is. My first recordings since retiring in 1991:

Making Plans

Almost Persuaded, Nic du Toit & I

Girl In The Glass

I felt everyone could use a good laugh or two. It's good for the Soul. Very Happy

............. Don

Charles Campbell · From: Avon,Indiana, USA

Nice going Don, I really liked your version.....this is not an easy song to play Very Happy

......Charlie

Jeff Colson · From: Rockford Illinois, USA

Hey Don,
That's alright ! I think your well on your way after such a long layoff. Great to be back in the saddle again huh.

We'll look for more
Jeff
_________________
http://www.legendscountry.com/

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Don, I can only wish I could get up to the old level of playing after many years of layoff. You are doing great, showing great promise! The song sounded pretty to my ears.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

Keep at it ... you'll get there! Smile

Bo Borland · From: South Jersey -

Don, that was a very nice rendition... I see all the time you have been putting in is not wasted and it's keeping you off the streets too. Smile

Tell Helen hi for me ..

Bo

Bill Stroud · From: Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.

Don, you should have had that Bar a long time ago that's what got you back playing ha ha, done a good job, thanks for the compliments.
Bill

Nic du Toit · From: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa

Hey Zipper, after all the nice comments you'll just have to carry on. Well done, Brother.
Don and I have become great friends during the past year, or so, and to me he's one of the 'coolest' cats around. Him doing this number without letting on, has been such a pleasant surprise. Very Happy

Looking forward to our next Skype session.
Lil Nic.
_________________
1970 P/P Emmons D10 flatback 8x5, BJS Bar, J F picks, Peavey Session 500, Telonics pedal. Boss GX700 effects.
Skype : nidutoit

Danny Goble · From: Kentucky, USA

Hey Don, I don't know what you sounded like when you retired, but I think you done a wonderful job on this song. Keep up your playing I enjoyed listening to you play. (pro 111 custom). Danny Goble
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Danny E. Goble

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

My Sincere Apologies to each of you for being late on a response: Charles, Jeff, Bent, Georg, Bo, Bill, Danny, Richard and my Lil Brother Nic.

You folks are too nice. To sum it all up. I had no idea at all that it had been so long since I retired from playing. In my mind, it had been probably no more than five or six years at the most.

Well here is how things went for me. In my mind, I knew exactly how to play each and every move and lick that I'd learned throughout my playing career. And I'd have bet anyone I could sit right down to a pedal steel, and take off from where I left off without a hitch in my playing. And that's how it seemed to be. I could tell folks each and every lick, and how to go about getting them, and all the rest that went with it. Then after sitting down for the first time and actually thinking this is going to be a piece of cake, as if I'd never stopped playing for however long it had been. Note here: "When I'd retired, from that very day, I'd never touched my steel again. I never wanted to touch one again. My hayday had come and gone and it was like turning off a light switch." People would stop in and say to me, don't you even play for your own enjoyment anymore. The answer was, Nope and never going to again. I was purely Burnt Out. I wouldn't have taken any amount of money for the great times and memories, I'd had in music, but on the other hand, I'd not have gone back to music for any amount of money either. Now that's what you call really being burnt out of the music business. I never went out to hear others, I simply wasn't interested in any area of music any longer.

Did the shock of my life come to me when I dug out my picks for the first time since as it turned out to be 1991 was the last gig on record. Wow! How was that possible? How did I turn so old so fast! Embarassed

Well, after being told about the steel forum and then coming here and listening for a few years I felt the bug starting to bite to get back on steel for a little relaxation, knowing I was not compelled to have to, made it seem as if it could be a fun time, and possibly a bit relaxing.

You are all too kind. As I know I have one hell of a long road to hoe to ever get even close to where it's decent playing again. But that to me is now the challenge of a lifetime. I know there isn't enough years left but that's still ok. I'm pushing hard and have lots of health issues to overcome as well. But if desire is what it takes, then I'll eventually get there once again. Because there is one thing this old man now has, is the desire to make it back up that ladder. But this time, it's for my own enjoyment.

The message in this is: If you want to stay on top of things, then don't ever, ever quit playing or I'm willing to bet it would be the same with anyone. In his/her mind they would know each and every move and even visualize there own playing as if they'd never stopped. And when they finally decided to sit back down to one and prove it to themselves, they would get the shock of their lives. Wow! Did I ever!!!

My right leg is useless for the knee levers, and my left leg is only good for using the E's lowered and raised. So lots has had to change in the way I play. But it's fun, and also a real challenge.

And let me say this: My Lil Brother Nic, is one of the best there is. He tells it like it is, and when you ask him to evaluate something, and to speak his mind, he sure does. While at the same time, he's responsible for giving me the courage it takes to make the climb back. I think lots of People take him the wrong way in some things. But it's only because they don't truly know him.

Thanks Lil Brother, for being the Great Brother to me that you Truly Are..... You're the best.

My thanks to all once again, but remember you don't have to be so kind. I can stand the truth. Ask Nic and he'll tell you that's a fact. Very Happy

Edited to add: As great a player as Nic is, I'm very honored to have the oportunity to be on one of his recent recordings with him. The tune is an old David Huston tune "Almost Persuaded" Nic's playing is outstanding as usual, but I must say: "My part in the middle leaves a whole lot to be desired." So please don't hold that against my Lil Brother. As I said, he's the best Brother a person could ever have.

That will be the next one on the Tube real soon now.

The old man "has-been", but I'm not giving up anytime soon!!!! Wink

Yours truly
Don

Susan Alcorn · From: Baltimore, MD, USA

Don, You are absolutely definitely not a "has been". I really enjoyed listening to your video. Welcome back from retirement!

- Susan

Sherman Willden · From: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

The cigarette reminds me of when I smoked and put the lit cigarette in the keyhead behind one of the strings.
_________________
Sherman L. Willden
It is easy to play the steel guitar. Playing so that the audience finds it pleasing is the difficult act.

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Gosh Susan,

Thanks for your reply. I must say that I have really enoyed your recent tunes as well. "When Your House Is Not A Home" along with the others. Real nice playing! Thanks again, I've still got a long road to go but I'm giving it my best shot.

Sherman, I too use to tuck my cig underneath the tuning peg, as well as between my third and little finger. Not sure but I think I got that from watching Speedy West. Whatever worked. Smile

Thanks for the shout,,,,,, Don

Bill Moran · From: Virginia, USA

Sherman, I burned a Tele peghead once. Made me sick. Sad

I finally quit when they got to .75 a pack ! Embarassed

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Bill

Carl Kilmer · From: East Central, Illinois

Don, You're doing great. I think I used to know you years ago when I lived in N.J.
I went by the name of Lucky Kay and played 5-6 nights a week till I got burned out.
I quit playing in 1984 and never touched a steel again till 5 years ago. Then I had a
bad accident that destroyed my memory, and strength. I've spent the last 3 years
trying to learn from the very start again, and I'm slowly learning to play again. Very Happy

It's not easy at almost 72, but I won't give up. Nic has been a very big help to me.
Just keep picking, I can see your going to make a big comeback in a very short time.
Carl "Lucky" Kilmer
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aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Carl, did you play a Sho-Bud with a Day Setup? I'm trying to figure out where it might have been. I sat in on a Sho-Bud, who's name was Carl and played some Hal Rugg stuff at Rosies, but I'm not sure that was you? Don

Peter den Hartogh · From: Cape Town, South Africa

Don, those recordings are really amazing.
I would not have guessed that 20 years have passed.
Luckily things work differently now with the help of technology
and the internet, allowing you to catch up quickly.
Your hard work paid off!
Well done and I am looking forward to hear more tunes in the future.
_________________
1977 Sho~Bud D10 ProIII Custom; Sho~Bud SD10 The Professional ; ETS S10 5x5;
Fender 1000; 1993 Remington U12; 1978 Emmons S10 P/P; GeorgeB Weissenborn;
Fluger Cat-Can; Asher Electro Hawaiian; Gibson BR4; Fender FS52; Guyatone 8str;
Fender Resonator ; Epiphone Coronet 1937; Rickenbacher Ace; Rickenbacher NS;
Dynalap 8string; Harbor Lights 8string; Aiersi Tri-Cone; Fender Stringmaster

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Hi Peter, Thanks for your kind words, and glad you enjoyed listening.

I've still got a long way to go, but I'm working hard on attempting to get as much back as I can, in as short a time as possible.

Thanks again,

Don

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

For the ones saying they couldn't find these tunes, here they are.

I'll be trying my black D-10 Carter out for a few new tunes shortly. And, thanks to everyone for taking the time to both listen, and for all of the many responses on the forum and in email as well.

Remember, negative responses are always welcome too. It makes one try all that much harder. Since doing these, I do feel my playing has since, improved at least one more rung up the ladder from where it was when doing these first tunes.

Finding music to be fun again, means a whole lot to me now.

Thanks to everyone again, and for Bob's forum, for helping to make it all possible.

Don

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