The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm so very sorry to hear about Chris's passing. He was so young and full of life. He was always very nice. I wish I could have known him better. Rest in Peace, Chris

So very sorry to hear about Charlie's passing. I wish I could have met him! I loved many of his songs! Rest in Peace, Charlie!

I am so very sorry to hear about Buddy's passing! He was one of my very favorite pedal steel players! I am so sorry I never got the privilege to meet him. I sent him cards over the past few years and I hope he enjoyed them. He was truly a great inspiration to me! May he rest in Peace knowing he had ...

I'm so sorry to hear this, Don will be greatly missed!!! And so young too!! Rest in Peace, Don.

I play doghouse in Rockabilly, country and jazz bands! I have two a beautiful 1954 Kay and a beautiful custom made purple & black King. I love them both!!! I play several other instruments too. I love all of them!!!

John is the best! John is an excellent musician, extremely knowledgable and dedicated instructor and all-around great guy. You'll find no better teacher in the world than Professor Twang! He is the best!

I did read that, Bobby, and I applaud and respect you for that.

bOb - I would be very careful in the future on whom you accuse of "ripping off". The oldest adage in the music bisiness is "If You Can't Come Up With Somethng New, Rip Somebody Off!" Virtually EVERYBODY in the music business has done this at one time or another, even Bach and Moz...

Nick Reynolds, one of the founding members of the seminal and groundbreaking folk group The Kingston Trio passed away October 1st. I've loved the Kingstons since I was very small, my mother was in college in the early 1960s and was very into the folk scene which was all the rage. It's my opinion tha...

Does anyone out there know anything about Paul "Spike" Featherstone? Spike played pedal harp with Tex Williams in the 1940s and 1950s, I believe he played guitar, too. I am learning pedal harp and I was pleased to find out that this instrument was used in Western Swing music. I think Spade...

I know John Stewart came and performed regularly at McCabe's, at least once or twice a year and always drew a good crowd. I know I saw him in '05 but I don't know the particular performance that's available on CD.

John Stewart was an excellent songwriter and performer and a very thoughtful, intelligent, witty and sincere man. His contribution to music both via his years with the Kingston Trio, who have always been shamefully neglected and underrated, and his years as a solo is very great. Many of his songs ha...

Thank you very much, Kevin, for a very uplifting and encouraging not to mention unselfish and generous post. It would be a much better world if there were more people with your kindness in it. Many of those in the steel guitar community would do well to take a big lesson from your kindness. Have a g...

Another one of the great country music pioneers is gone. I loved Porter's 1960s television show. Even though I think Dolly P is great his original singing sweetheart Pretty Miss Norma Jean will always be the first lady of his show. Porter even remarked that the ratings on the show were higher when N...

Gary, Aikido is a little bit more complex than that. Aikido is known as the "gentleman's" martial art in that it is a mostly defensive art that uses the force of an agressor against himself (or herself). Although there are certainly exceptions most who practice Aikido are not interested in...

I study Kendo, Iaido, Aikido and used to study Kyudo but only have time for the aforementioned three. I'd like to hear from other steel guitarists that study the same or other traditional Japanese martial arts.

The Kingston Trio had what is most likely the first recorded version of "Jackson", and a very good version at that, and it was included on their "Sunnyside" album released I believe in the Spring of 1963.

Neil Flanz is a peerless player, outstanding teacher and all around great guy. He's simply the best! A living legend indeed!

Good for Stonewall. The Opry has become a laughing stock and a mere shell of what it once was. I think it has been poorly managed. Classic country and the surviving pioneering stars have been sadly shuffled to the background, as they have been in the country music world in general. Even if Stonewall...

No, there isn't anything boring about seeing a top steeler perform, but again steel shows would most likely be more effective if they weren't strictly spectator events. The steel guitar community needs to have a more nurturing and developing attitude. It could well be likely that the dearth of young...

My biggest disappointment in the steel shows is they tend to be mostly spectator events. There is little opportunity if any for less experienced players to play or to learn. The seminars that Doug Jernigan and others put on are excellent but they are expensive. I would hope that the various steel gu...

My father worked for the Union Pacific for many years starting in 1951 when they still had steam engines and first class passenger trains. I've been a railroad buff my whole life and I'm happy to see that railroads are not only still around in the 21st century but thriving. I wish we had a passenger...

I'll be there, Mike. I'm really looking forward to attending the Doug Jernigan seminar. I think this year's show will be great.

While I've always loved both Brenda Lee & Christmas, "Rockin'around the Christmas Tree" has been so grossly over-played that hearing it again is enough to turn anyone into a Scrooge!

When the original copyright laws were set up in the United States around the time of the Constitution, etc., the length of time specified was only 14 years or thereabouts and it has been extended several times since. The idea at the time seemed to be that this limit would stimulate creativity and ma...