Bill Hankey
I agree with you that the price of gas effects Steel guitar players in all kinds of ways.
I think however those credit cards are just as big a problem.
While for a lot of us it is the only way we can buy a new pedal steel. Sometimes a $5000 pedal steel over a period of time becomes a $15000 debt on a credit card.
I use a business credit card for all my music expenses and pay for it out of the money I receive related to music.
For a while I could pay the card off each month and then it would take 2 months and pretty soon it was strictly a revolving thing and the very quickly because of the expenses and decline in opportunities to play it has became like the national debt a never ending monthly increase in debt and payment.
My music ventures have become a liability with the greatest loss arising from playing out especially mini tours.
You might say why don’t you get better at what you’re doing and you’ll get better jobs and more money?
Well 20 years ago I was making a living playing my Steel and I’m sure I have gotten better over this period of time but now I go in the hole week after week.
Others will say well you just have to look at it like a recreation expense like golf.
I don’t have to spend $10000 for equipment and spend between spend 10 to 20 hours a week to play golf and if I'm spending that much time and money for recreation I better be able to take it to the lake and fish of it with the whole family.
Sorry I’m starting to rant again.
Recalling Many Facets Of Learning To Play
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
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Brint Hannay
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- Location: Maryland, USA
Given the current topic drift, which seems inoffensive and similar to in-person conversation, I'll chime in on the current subject.
I heard some expert analyst on the radio say gas prices can be expected to reach $7.00 a gallon by 2012. It immediately occurred to me what a deleterious effect that would be likely to have on the chances of working musicians. It's a double whammy: For those musicians having to drive any appreciable distance, the cost of playing out would rise significantly, which in an ideal world would mean employers would have to increase the pay--which we all know they haven't for decades while the cost of living has steadily increased. And making it even more unlikely (if that's possible) is the fact that the financial squeeze from higher fuel cost would also mean even fewer paying customers will be inclined to go out to live music venues.
Gotta say, the future doesn't look too good.
I heard some expert analyst on the radio say gas prices can be expected to reach $7.00 a gallon by 2012. It immediately occurred to me what a deleterious effect that would be likely to have on the chances of working musicians. It's a double whammy: For those musicians having to drive any appreciable distance, the cost of playing out would rise significantly, which in an ideal world would mean employers would have to increase the pay--which we all know they haven't for decades while the cost of living has steadily increased. And making it even more unlikely (if that's possible) is the fact that the financial squeeze from higher fuel cost would also mean even fewer paying customers will be inclined to go out to live music venues.
Gotta say, the future doesn't look too good.
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Jody Sanders
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- Location: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Bill Hankey
- Posts: 7666
- Joined: 13 Apr 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Pittsfield, MA, USA
Fighting the rising costs of living expenses has become a major problem, and has caused banking institutions to proceed with foreclosures on properties. There are dozens of home owners here in Pittsfield facing the losses, through the rules of banking. Those who offer rentals are keeping with the trending of hardships. In this city, landlords/landladies have put the pressure on would be tenants by insisting that they receive first, last, and security. If the rental is $800 monthly, a prospective tenant will be asked to produce $2,400 before moving into the rental. A steel guitarist in local bands would be receiving not more than $100 for one booking. Parties will provide more revenue, if the bandleader is able to book the band. The big crusher occurs when it's time to refuel the pickup truck. Subtract $40.00 from an evening of play for pay, and that is more than enough to discourage those who are dedicated to fair play.
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Bill Hankey
- Posts: 7666
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- Location: Pittsfield, MA, USA
Recalling a lifetime, or the best years of a lifetime, persisting by holding a steel bar isn't uncommon. The 3/4" bar that is held in many peculiar ways, contributes solely to the truest of melodies, as performed by musicians possessing considerable artistic abilities. There is very little equality in this business of getting a tight grip on a style that will remain yours alone, throughout a long lifetime of music. Once developed, a style or musical expression, that is recognizable, through patterns of note selectivity, is the most rewarding part of the musical experience. Another model mode consisting of confrontments with nonmusicians, who suddenly become experts of how the instrument should be played, still has its rewards.
It teaches how inappeasable human nature can become, at inappropriate times.
It teaches how inappeasable human nature can become, at inappropriate times.
Last edited by Bill Hankey on 29 Apr 2008 12:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Bill Hankey
- Posts: 7666
- Joined: 13 Apr 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Bill Hankey
- Posts: 7666
- Joined: 13 Apr 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Pittsfield, MA, USA
Jody Sanders,
I appreciate accounts written by accomplished players, such as you. I've been thinking more about major steel guitar influences of late. Accordingly, without going throgh the labors of delving into every recorded account of steel guitar activity, TEXAS and CALIFORNIA were leaders in promoting the steel guitar. It appears that instrumentals were turned over to guitarist, Chet Atkins, at the OPRY, during a period of approximately 25 years. A panel of three steel guitarists, including Weldon Myrick and Hal Rugg, maintained a constant backing for singers at the Opry. I had a bird's eye view at the P.S.G.A. steel show in Armonk, N.Y. in November of 1992. There were noticeable differences in Texas based Herb Remington's style, and that of Tennessee based Hal Rugg.
The two Roys, (Wiggins and Ayers) led the "straight" steel players to the opry, at least in part. Pedals, knee levers, and additional strings changed the outlook during the fifties, as attendees crowded into the entertainment centers to hear the new sounds for the first time. The accreditations for the major mechanical changes, it would appear, were concentrated throughout the Southeastern part of U.S.A...
I appreciate accounts written by accomplished players, such as you. I've been thinking more about major steel guitar influences of late. Accordingly, without going throgh the labors of delving into every recorded account of steel guitar activity, TEXAS and CALIFORNIA were leaders in promoting the steel guitar. It appears that instrumentals were turned over to guitarist, Chet Atkins, at the OPRY, during a period of approximately 25 years. A panel of three steel guitarists, including Weldon Myrick and Hal Rugg, maintained a constant backing for singers at the Opry. I had a bird's eye view at the P.S.G.A. steel show in Armonk, N.Y. in November of 1992. There were noticeable differences in Texas based Herb Remington's style, and that of Tennessee based Hal Rugg.
The two Roys, (Wiggins and Ayers) led the "straight" steel players to the opry, at least in part. Pedals, knee levers, and additional strings changed the outlook during the fifties, as attendees crowded into the entertainment centers to hear the new sounds for the first time. The accreditations for the major mechanical changes, it would appear, were concentrated throughout the Southeastern part of U.S.A...