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Topic: Playing the steel for gold and glory?? |
Jack Therrell
From:
Conroe, Texas, USA
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Posted 7 Jul 2005 10:41 am |
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| Bobbe on recent e-mail was talking about walking down the street with 2 famous steel players. He remarked no one recognized them. Got me to thinking. Is that why most of us got interested in the steel? Did we think about how we would get rich or be famous? My interest has always been that for some reason I like to hear a well-played steel better than any other instrument I have heard.Maybe it is like Herb Remington told me one time it is like a disease. My wife doesn't have it. My friends don't have it. I so often feel stupid after I have developed what I think is a terrific lick and want my wife to share it I get " sounds o.k., but I am busy". See this disease has me writing to fellow steelers hoping I am not completely insane. Jack |
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Robert Thomas
From:
Mehama, Oregon, USA
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Posted 7 Jul 2005 11:22 am
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You are one of the special!
I fell in love with the sound of the steel guitar over 60 years ago and my love for the steel is just has strong now as then, but I think a whole lot more, because I can make beautiful music for others to enjoy also. What a blessing to be able to play such a wonderful instrument. There is just something about the sound, for those understand, that is almost too hard to describe, it is almost like you have to be born with the desire for such a sound. |
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Billy Gilbert
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 7 Jul 2005 1:53 pm
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Sometimes my wife will say, "That really sounds good." But usually she just gets up and leaves the room. Sometimes she closes the door when she leaves.  |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 7 Jul 2005 2:23 pm
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| Since it has been said: "learn to play steel guitar--earn dozens of dollars" I fear that after around three years of active gigging, I'm closing in on that quota. So with the gold thing covered, I guess it's time to work on the glory thing. |
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Ron Sodos
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 7 Jul 2005 2:36 pm
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Well I hate to be so bold but you guys are married to the wrong ladies.....sorry guys
My wife of 31 years who died 1 1/2 years ago always loved my steel playing. She was my biggest fan and supporter. Whenever i was able to play something prettier than i had played it before i always got a compliment.
Ron Sodos............... |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 7 Jul 2005 3:25 pm
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I am fortunate to have married a gal who loves the steel and music. In fact I was playing steel on stage in a small country Church during a revival service 45 years ago and noticed a sweet country gal in the congregation. She was introduced to me after the service and she carried my guitar legs and pedalbar to the car for me as it was a homemade Multichord type guitar which had no case. She has been singing with me just about everywhere I have ever played since that time. She is still my best fan.
Jerry[This message was edited by Jerry Roller on 07 July 2005 at 04:26 PM.] |
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Paul King
From:
Gainesville, Texas, USA
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Posted 7 Jul 2005 3:52 pm
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| I got this disease in the mid 70's and it still has a good grip on me. As far as my wife goes, she does not sing and does not play and has no interest in music. She told me one day this week the music I was playing was sleepy. All things considered I will go ahead and keep her since we have been married for nearly 12 years. I met her at a church down by Houston, Texas while I was playing in a band and doing some traveling. It was the best thing that ever happened to her. I do not have to tell you what she would say to that last comment. |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Jul 2005 5:26 pm
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Well,,
I quess I'm in it for the Glory, or at least some one enjoying what I'm playing, that's good enough for me..[sure aint no money playing around here]
Wife??? Well she's the bass player in the band, sometimes that's good, sometimes not so good, but she is my BIGGEST fan!! Along with my dog Buckshot.. Even at that they both sometimes "choose" to stay out of our rehearsal studio untill I get some what "close" to what I'm working on.. LOL...
Thank the Lord for Steel Guitars, Good wives, and understanding Dogs....
Larry
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Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"
[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 07 July 2005 at 06:34 PM.] [This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 07 July 2005 at 06:36 PM.] |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 7 Jul 2005 5:39 pm
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I've gotten used to people in my household coming down while practicing, and loudly closing all the doors between me and them. We need to understand that probably a majority of music listeners associate steel guitar in a kneejerk fashion with music they love to viscerally hate and audibly gripe about. I'm used to it, I just go about my business, that's the way it is (especially up North here). I take pride in steel playing, and the rest of the world can suck lemons if they don't like it. "Pop a Top, again ...". 
I do this for me, and guess what - there are plenty of people out there that love it too, even up here. Glory? Humbug, I don't need it. I'm not trying to be the "Flavor of the Month". I'll be happy if I'm a solid, middle-of-the-road steel player.
On the Gold aspect, I'll have to say it's a lot easier for me to get gigs playing steel, guitar, and banjo than just guitar, which I did for 30 years before I ever touched a pedal steel. But that's not why I do this. |
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Jack Therrell
From:
Conroe, Texas, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2005 6:17 am
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| well it is good to know that my disease is not so rare that no one else has it. You guys with appreciative wives are to be congratulated. My wife sings and plays the accordion (ugh) so I can't say she has no ear for music. Just no ear for the steel. thx for sharing your thoughts. Jack |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 8 Jul 2005 8:17 am
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| Does Jimmy Day's version of "Wild Side of Life" send shivers down your spine? Does Buddy's version of "Cold Cold Heart" (from the Ray Price Box Set) make you want to sit down to the cheese slicer and try to do that too? (After you say WOW! several times.) When you hear a great PF steel break do you imagine the fretboard with your fingers on the strings? Does the 1/2 A pedal on "Together Again" drive ya nuts?. Does Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" make you stop everything your doing so you can hear the subtle steel tones in the background? If you can say yes to any of these then you have the disease. There is no cure, so you must learn to deal with it. The pain and suffering can only be reduced by practise at the fretboard. The medical community long ago gave up on this malady. [This message was edited by Ray Minich on 08 July 2005 at 09:27 AM.] |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2005 8:22 am
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My wife typically hammers on the walls when I am upstairs practicing ... she yells out,
"Close the door,and turn it down!!.. You're scaring my cats"!!...
also, when I play something submitted by a forumite, and am listing to it, she comes in and says.. "He's way better than you!"..
She sings with me in my church and has a fair voice, but I still consider her tone AND time impaired, bless her soul...
She claps on one and three!!! ... bob |
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