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Topic: True story from the gig! |
Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 6:52 am |
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As has been noted in countless other threads, you don't hear classic styles on country radio these days. You look elsewhere.
That being said, the band was all to happy to accept an invitation from our regional, country station to strut our stuff at a terrific festival. We were VERY well received.
Prior to sound check, "on-air personality" (country) comes over to chat and asks:
"So, what kind of instrument is that?"
- end of story -
h
_________________
Howard Parker
03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
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Don R Brown
From:
Rochester, New York, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 7:15 am
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Sadly, I'm not surprised.
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Many play better than I do. Nobody has more fun. |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 7:20 am
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I was pretty amused.
A quick witted band mate told him it was a "20 string cheese slicer".
Then, a quick lesson. 
h |
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Don R Brown
From:
Rochester, New York, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 7:25 am
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| Howard Parker wrote: |
A quick witted band mate told him it was a "20 string cheese slicer".
h |
Another favorite is "an Electric Table". 
_________________
Many play better than I do. Nobody has more fun. |
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Dustin Rhodes
From:
Owasso OK
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 7:33 am
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| I've known several people who ended up as radio dj's and the path to that career quite often has absolutely nothing to do with music at all. Some of the people I know would have been just as oblivious with a rock band or dj or orchestra. They don't know what they don't know and no one giving them jobs expects anything else. |
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Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 7:49 am
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It may be because modern country doesn't feature pedal steel much anymore... but I wonder if 30 years ago country music fans back then would have recognized your electric table instrument? Mine was often called a keyboard, synthesizer or slide guitar by the announcers back then!
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 7:49 am
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| Dustin Rhodes wrote: |
| I've known several people who ended up as radio dj's and the path to that career quite often has absolutely nothing to do with music at all. Some of the people I know would have been just as oblivious with a rock band or dj or orchestra. They don't know what they don't know and no one giving them jobs expects anything else. |
Indeed!
The role of commercial broadcasting is to sell advertising. It's always been thus!
I was shocked when the station hired us as "RFC" (radio friendly country) we are not.
That being said, the gig was great for us and great for the crowd.
"Fist City" was a hit!
h
_________________
Howard Parker
03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
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Greg Forsyth
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 10:07 am
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| What a great opportunity to spread the word about pedal steel guitars to someone in their position. Now they are a not quite so ignorant on air personality. Hopefully that person picks up an interest for the instrument. |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 1:21 pm
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Actual musicians are just as guilty as DJs or other peripherals. I am in the process of training the other members of our band to introduce my instrument by its proper name and not "lap slide" or some other perversion. This process has just entered its third year, but they're a great bunch!
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 1:56 pm
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| Dom Franco wrote: |
| It may be because modern country doesn't feature pedal steel much anymore... but I wonder if 30 years ago country music fans back then would have recognized your electric table instrument? |
30 years ago? Maybe not. But 50 years ago was a different story.
In my area (Baltimore/Annapolis), I can assure you it did!
I can remember going bar-hopping with our band leaders many times in search of jobs back in the '60s and early '70s. And usually, the club owners weren't interested in changing bands...until the bandleader told them..."This is my pedal steel player, right here!" Man alive, they'd get a big smile and ask..."When can you fellas start?" Doors opened up and we got to play in places other bands never could! Made me feel pretty good, too. 
Yes, those were the days...the golden age of country music and pedal steel guitar. |
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Pete Bailey
From:
Seattle, WA
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 2:20 pm
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Personally, I <b>love</b> it when somebody cares enough to ask about the weird instrument I'm playing (I play other weird instruments besides pedal steel  ). Whether it's a genuine question or just a friendly set-up from an MC, I'll take it every time.
I agree it's tempting to shoot back with a "smart" answer, but trust me, the folks who are out there listening were probably all wondering the same thing, and will absolutely appreciate a genuine & informative answer.
I always get followups after a show when I've been given a chance to talk on-stage about the odd thing I'm banging on. If you like to connect with your audience, there's no better way to make it happen. |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 12 Sep 2021 3:13 pm
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Even better when someone comes up and says "Great to hear a pedal steel - we don't get many". Appreciative and knowledgeable!
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Chris Templeton
From:
The Green Mountain State
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Terry Winter
From:
Saskatchewan, Canada
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Posted 14 Sep 2021 7:20 am
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| Once did some tracks on a CD for a local Musician. All were original country songs and the small studio was operated by a Rock musician who was very good in his own right. He admitted he had never been around or heard much of a steel guitar. Did about 5 tracks on the CD project. When I went back to here playback in the control room I and they were so pleased. Thee steel parts were so clear, clean and blended as is. When I got the finished project the engineer had all my sound either compressed or fuzzed somewhat and totally different than what I had hoped was going to come out. Oh well, life's like that. |
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K Maul
From:
Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL
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Posted 14 Sep 2021 9:27 am
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| Quote: |
I was shocked when the station hired us as "RFC" (radio friendly country)
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I never met a radio I didn’t like. Until I turned it on.
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KEVIN MAUL: Airline, Beard, Clinesmith, Danelectro, Evans, Fender, GFI, Gibson, Hilton, Ibanez, Justice, K+K, Live Strings, MOYO, National, Oahu, Peterson, Quilter, Rickenbacher, Sho~Bud, Supro, TC, Ultimate, VHT, Williams, X-otic, Yamaha, ZKing. |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 14 Sep 2021 9:47 am
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"I never met a radio I didn’t like. Until I turned it on."
THAT is funny!!! |
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K Maul
From:
Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL
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Posted 14 Sep 2021 5:14 pm
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I’ll be here all week. Try the veal….
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KEVIN MAUL: Airline, Beard, Clinesmith, Danelectro, Evans, Fender, GFI, Gibson, Hilton, Ibanez, Justice, K+K, Live Strings, MOYO, National, Oahu, Peterson, Quilter, Rickenbacher, Sho~Bud, Supro, TC, Ultimate, VHT, Williams, X-otic, Yamaha, ZKing. |
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Joe Krumel
From:
Hermitage, Tn.
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Posted 15 Sep 2021 5:37 am mystery instrument
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| years ago,had a family member ask about my "iron" guitar playing!!!!! |
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Mike Bacciarini
From:
Arizona
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Posted 17 Sep 2021 5:28 am
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Right at the very tail end of this clip, someone asks.... “ What is that called?â€
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WhYsDnvQHbI
_________________
MCI Arlington S-10 3+5, George L E-66, BJS & Emmons bars, Fender Stage Lead II 100W 1x12, Fender Satellite SFX, custom FX rack, 1983 Dobro 60D, Martin D16GT, Ibanez AS73, 1978 Rickenbacker 4000 custom. |
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Jeff Evans
From:
Cowtown and The Bill Cox Outfit
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Posted 17 Sep 2021 7:30 am Pedal Iron and the Armpit Guitar
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I've heard "metal steel", and my grandmother called it my "machine".
You know, "armpit guitar" feels fairly warm and intimate in contrast to these cold, industrial references. |
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Michael Sawyer
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2021 7:38 am
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| Ian Rae wrote: |
| Even better when someone comes up and says "Great to hear a pedal steel - we don't get many". Appreciative and knowledgeable! |
Yessir,and to me,when that happens,it's as rewarding as the modest pay i am getting.Makes it worth lugging my gear around. |
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Darrell Criswell
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2021 10:59 am
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| Chris Templeton wrote: |
| People might not know what a steel looks like, but most know the sound of it. That "twangy" sound. |
Isn't the twangy sound from the Telecaster. It seems the steel guitar has a crying sound, not a twangy one. |
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Darrell Criswell
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2021 11:00 am
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I like Joe Wright telling the story of the guy who said to him in an elevator.
"I love they way you play keyboards.' |
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Chris Templeton
From:
The Green Mountain State
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Posted 17 Sep 2021 11:19 am
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Yes, you are right, Darrell, it does refer to the tele most often.
...For the uninitiated listener, when I've described the pedal steel in the past, people have responded "oh, that twangy instrument", which also implies a musical genre.
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Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Sierra Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.com/album/the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8: |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 23 Sep 2021 11:23 am
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Years ago, I set my guitar up beside the stage steps, Which was close to the back door to the kitchen. I had let the guitar set a while to temperature adjust. Came back to check the tuning. 2 Little white haired ladies was looking at my guitar, They were in a argument. One said it was a cheese slicer, The other said no it was a noodle cutter, Look you could adjust the noodle width by shoving one of the pedals. I had to go hide I laughed so hard.
When our band went on stage I looked out in the crowd and there they sat. I would like to to what they thought when I was on stage playing the Cheese Slicer/Noodle Cutter. |
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