young steeler ready to pick!!

[Chris Castle]

hey everyone. my name is chris castle. im 15 (soon to be 16) and i can pick the heck out of a steel guitar. I love to cry the steel and i love to speed pick. i went to doug jernigans school of steel guitar where we did the 3 day course in 2 days plus extra. just ask doug how i pick.
does anybody know of any shows that i can play at? if i can find a good show to play at, it is no problem to drive to tennessee , west virginia, or virginia (will come to illinois or indiana if possible). but i live in eastern ky. i just need some good exposure. i have high goals and expectations for myself. i sing lead and harmony also. i play bass, upright bass, mandolin, drums, guitar, dobro, steel, and about anything else i try.
but if anybody can find me a good show anywhere , just let me know. i would greatly appreciate it!! thanks.
home phone: 1-606-789-3221
cell 1-606-793-2197

[Jody Sanders]

Hi Cris. You should try to get on Scotty's Talent Search at the ISGC show in ST . Louis next year. Keep on pickin' , Jody.

[Chris Castle]

hey thanks jody. i just met scotty at the lexington show. he's a nice fellow and a magnificent steel player.

[Steve Hitsman]

Stoney handles the line-up for the ISGC talent search. He's da man if you want to get on.

[Bill Simmons]

Hey Chris...great to hear about a young person playing the steel and other instruments. Do you have a demo of your steel guitar playing? It can be of you sitting at home with a cassette tape playing a range of steel styles -- slow-fast; intrumentals-background playing etc. The quality of the demo tape is not as important as hearing your playing.

[Jim Cohen]

Chris, I just love it that you're so psyched about playing steel guitar. That's what it takes, man! You go!!!!

[Bill Moore]

Chris, you will do fine, don't get discouraged. In a couple of years, you will probably have bands fighting over having you as a member. Lots of the younger groups would love to have a steel player near their age. Most of "us" are too old for them! Good luck!

[Herb Steiner]

Chris
You're gonna need just a WEE BIT more self confidence :), but I'm sure you'll get there one day!! Just don't be afraid to toot your own horn!!

Seriously, a young man with the talents you have should face no problem getting a significant job in a few years. Finish school, then head to Nashville and your career will start in high gear, I'm sure. Good luck to you.

[Stephen Gregory]

Chris, upload some clips ASAP. That could really "jumpstart" your career. Gives us a sample of the different styles that you do!!

[Chris Castle]

hey everbody thanks for the replies.
i am trying to get a cd made and am currently looking for a place to make it. im not sure how to upload clips on the computer but i will try to find out.
i am at a point where i can copy anybody's style. i can play with the cd and make it to where you cant tell if its the cd or me.
i have a varying way of picking. i love to cry the steel and bring it out with a smooth touch, but i also love to pick the heck out of it and speed pick.
but i will try to get some clips downloaded soon. thanks again and email or call me anytime.
--chris

[Chris Castle]

hey guys, good news. im playing at the nicholasville, ky steel show in march. (this is al vanderpool's show) if any of you guys can make it i would love to meet you. i am on the list for scotty's/stoney's talent search, so i should know something about that i a few weeks or so.
i hope to have some clips on here within the next week or so.

[Joey Ace]

Chris,
It's great to see enthusiastic youngsters carrying on the PSG tradition.

But please, keep your posts in the correct area of the Forum. Your post about looking for work is fine here.

The gig announcement should be in "Events".

A post introducing yourself would belong in "Steel Players".

Posting in the correct areas not only helps keep the Forum organized, but will do a better job of promoting yourself.

Good luck!

[Steve Hitsman]

I'm worried now, Chris. I'm on the list for next year's talent search. Hope I don't have to follow you!

[Chris Castle]

Hey everyone. Thanks for the responses!! i appreciate all the help everyone has given me!
i've made a few phone calls and should know something soon. ill keep everyone posted.
If you can think of anything else just let me know!
thanks again.... hope to see you soon!!

--chris

[Hal Higgins]

Hey Chris.......I can remember a young "Scott Sanders" I met at a Hinson Family concert many years ago. He was nervous....and a little shy. He was 16 years old back then....but could really really play. Now he does session work most of the time and he's a very sought after player. Hang in there man......and remember a man's gift and talent will always make room for him. HAL

[Chris Castle]

hey thanks hal. he sounds a lot like me. im not too shy as a musician or any thing. i meet no strangers. i will walk right up a greet you with a firm hand shake. but i am very serious about my music. i like it to be perfect but i like to have fun with it.
thanks again hal.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
= -chris

[Bill Dobkins]

Chris, Rumor has it, you are playing at the IL
Show in April I'll be seeing you there. We'll have a glass of milk together.

[Chris Castle]

yep it's true bill. i am playing on the saturday at around 10am. i'll make a post on the forum about the shows i'm booked for. (2 for sure)
hope to see ya there.... since your bringing the milk, i'll have to bring some cookies!!
ha ha ha

-chris

[Rene Brosseau]

It is so good to hear that there are still some young people playing steel. In our area there is a huge age gap in not just steel players but musicians period. They are all 40 yrs old +. I found the best luck with exposure & showing that you were proffessional is having a website. My nephew created mine with audio clips & pictures, a biography & history of past work. Anyone you meet in person, on the phone or online, you just give them the site. They already know the type of person you are in just a few simple minutes. Anyway good luck...Rene

[Chris Castle]

Wow. That is almost unbelievable Rene. Its remarkable at how music has changed in today's society.(especially country) It seems like most of the youth today is more interested in rap and stuff like that. personally i dont care about that kind of music.
But im working on a website right now and i will make a post on the forum with details about it as soon as it is up!!
thanks,, god bless and HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

--chris castle

[Bill Dobkins]

Chris,Butcher Hollow chocolate chip.
Do you prefer regular or buttermilk.

[Chris Castle]

ha ha!!! regular will be fine!! ha ha ha!!
thanks bill. hope you have a happy new year!!

-chris

[Chris Castle]

hey everybody, HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!!!!!
i saw my website today and it is almost completed. the designer and myself will be adding the final touches to it in the next few days. i will make a post on the forum with more details as soon as it is up and running.
thanks everybody!!
--chris castle

[chris ivey]

hey chris dude! i'm about 60 this year...i'm hoping some of your enthusiasm and confidence will rub off and kick me in the a$$ to get some inspiration going for myself this year!

[Chris Castle]

hey chris. i cant honestly say where i get my enthusiasm from... but i know music is literally my life. i had a big change in my life a few years ago. my music wasn't really important to me for a while. but after the passing of my little sister i grew so close to my music i cant even compare it to anything else. i play everyday. i can honestly say music is the only thing thats helped me go from day to day back then and even now. when im sad, i just play for hours on end. my expression is in my music like nobody else. my heart and soul pour out and show my passion in my music.i am the same way when i write my songs and when i sing. i wouldnt have it any other way.
thats just me. straight out.
Happy New Year!!
----chris-----