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Topic: Who is the busiest steel guitarist of all? |
Gerald Menke
From:
Stormville NY, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 8:50 am |
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And I don't mean who plays the most notes per second. I've done maybe 100 shows this year, a huge pile of rehearsals, some demos, a few albums, and some soundtrack work. I am sure there are some of you out there who put me to shame. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the busiest of them all?
Look forward to your replies!
Gerald
Williams D-10
VHT and Diezel amps |
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Jim Eaton
From:
Santa Susana, Ca
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 9:17 am
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It's not me, but whom ever it is, is probably too busy to post.
JE:-)> |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 9:24 am
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I'm a very busy steel player, just not busy playing steel. For some reason I have to work for a living.
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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Jeff Lampert
From:
queens, new york city
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 10:35 am
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Gerald, glad to hear you're doing so great. How about posting a couple of clips from those albums you've worked on this year. I'd love to hear some of your work.  |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 10:38 am
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Eric West of Portland, OR, likely qualifies.
He currently plays with at least a dozen different local bands......makes it hard for the rest of us to find a group in need. He works hard at it and deserves to be busy and besides, it keeps him off the streets. Keep up the great work there Ole Eric. |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 11:28 am
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Well Ray I thank you for your kind words, and this year indeed is going to find a bunch of extra 1099s in the old mailbox, but it's coming to a screeching halt. I don't know how averages work, but another month of weekends is going to bring it down considerably.
Most of this year found me working weekends, and a couple five niters besides a month. Then most of the the "victim bands" started crumbling under the weight of low bidders and club cutbacks.
Add to that the ONE club that goes 7 nites is either going 3 nites a week or is going to bring wages down to 50$ a nite for off nites, which I will not work there for, and I think it'll go down even further.. Any of the clubs that pay less than $50@ have always found me "out". There's going to be a few more slots available around here for those in it for the "joy of playing". Joyfully So.
Oh well. My poverty induced Hillbilly Renaisance was bound to end sometime....
Did Renegade call you about this coming weekend? The got double booked last weekend without getting us paid so I canned the rest of my dates with them in favor of four weeks of solid bookings.
Maybe if I joined the union like the guys in......
We'll see what happens. If construction indeed picks up as they say I'll be loading trac hoes, and playing critter clubs. If not, maybe I'll have a slot machine handle in my hand.... Wonder if they still have nickel machines down there....
EJL |
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Gerald Menke
From:
Stormville NY, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 11:39 am
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Dear Glenn: 151 shows!!? Dang, and you are still working in the physics lab? Wow. I should also mention that my music schedule is on top of my day job. I'm always amazed when people talk about watching TV shows... No wonder I have these Samsonite-sized bags under my eyes. Jeff thanks for your kind words and interest, I will have to figure out how to do that one of these days, as soon as I get some CDs from those pesky band leaders. OK, who can top Mr. Suchan?
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 12:13 pm
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At the age of 56, I've had the busiest year I've ever had after 35 years as a full-time professional musician.
So far this year, I've done 186 gigs. This does not include teaching lessons. I'm shocked and incredibly grateful when I look at my day book.
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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 12:42 pm
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I've played 205 shows so far, but I don't seem to have very much in the bank to show for it! To keep this figure in proportion, about 40 of those were on guitar only.
I'm only sixty - once I grow up a bit, will the money get a little better?
RR
[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 06 November 2003 at 12:43 PM.] |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 1:09 pm
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When I was in the Dale Watson band....We played Over 300 dates a year....and I did that for 6 years.
Now I play somewhere under 300 dates a year..ha ...
Ricky |
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Dale Bessant
From:
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 1:54 pm
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Well I wish it was me but its not....  |
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Stephen Gregory
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 1:57 pm
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| Probably Paul Franklin. The session hours he logs alone are staggering. |
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Gerald Menke
From:
Stormville NY, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 2:15 pm
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Holy smoke Herb and Roger!! Amazing. Go get 'em. I played three sets in three different venues with three different artists in one night but what you guys have done is something!!
Who else?
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 2:41 pm
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| Sonny Garrish, no contest. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 3:27 pm
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| I usually sit around and eat chocolates all day....but when I'm not doing that, I teach 42 (seniors) students on steel and ukulele per week, play on average 4 gigs per week with my jazz trio (bass); on average 6 gigs per year with my dixieland crew, (banjo); average about 10 gigs per year with the big band, (r/guitar) {see GOOGLE: trocadero.ca} and play numerous Hawaiian gigs throughout the year on steel. I love chocolates! [This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 06 November 2003 at 03:27 PM.] [This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 06 November 2003 at 03:28 PM.] |
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Frank Parish
From:
Nashville,Tn. USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 3:39 pm
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| From 1975 until 1991 I never played less than 6 nights a week on the bandstand and from 1979 until I came to Nashville in 1982 I played Saturday morning brunches and Sunday pre-recorded Gospel radio sessions. There was other studio sessions as well. I played Drums until 82 and then switched to Steel from there on. Most of the playing in Nashville was in my own bars but I got out and played a lot of other clubs as well. I'd say 85% in my places and the rest elsewhere. Either way I was on the bandstand or some other kind of playing situation continuously through-out those years. I easily played over 400 gigs a year in all. It's been weekends since 1991 but every weekend. |
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Scott Henderson
From:
Camdenton, Missouri, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 8:39 pm
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Some one told me that speedy west officially holds the world's record for the most recording sessions. Doris Day, Dick Van Dyke show, and the list goes on so that would be my guess.
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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com
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Scott Henderson
From:
Camdenton, Missouri, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2003 8:43 pm
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oh me personally this saturday will be gig number 217 for the year 2003 three gigs in one day can make you weak but for the right $$$it can be done
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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com
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Pee Wee Rogers
From:
Lebanon, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Nov 2003 1:04 am
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I'm new to this and checking to see if it works.
Pee Wee Rogers |
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Joe Casey
From:
Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)
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Posted 7 Nov 2003 4:36 am
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| In my opinion and I wish not to offend anyone by omission. I think the busiest players are the ones who build the steels like Reece,Fessy,and Bud,Paul sr. and Gene who travel constantly setting up and playing while promoting their products.In order to continue operations these and others not mentioned work gazillions of hours and are true heroes of the Instrument.Would that qualify as being in the busiest category? |
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Steve Hinson
From:
Hendersonville Tn USA
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Posted 7 Nov 2003 4:38 am
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| Hey Pee Wee!Come on in! |
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Pee Wee Rogers
From:
Lebanon, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Nov 2003 6:49 am
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Thanks Steve!!!
I don't have much to offer with all the high-tech players, but maybe something will come to mind.
I don't know why I'm in this string at all;
because you know what I do...6 songs a week, when Taters' in town.
But I enjoy all the chit chat that goes on..
so I'll be watching, trying to learn all the new stuff... and not talking that much.
Thanks for the welcome though. |
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