So how is Chicago for steel players?

Todd Pertll · Post by **Todd Pertll** » 20 Apr 2009 4:35 am

I am from Chicago originally and have always thought about moving back. Is steel a viable instrument in the city?

Is there work for steel players who don't necessarily want to play in top 40 cover bands?

thanks,

todd

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 20 Apr 2009 8:30 am

there is probley a dozen or so steel players here
i myself have play here for 30 years in top 40 or
classic country. i would get in touch with T.C. furlong he knows what's happen in chicago land area
as far as music seen. I.H.O i would stay in texas

p.w

www.countyoutlaws.com

Mark Ardito · Post by **Mark Ardito** » 21 Apr 2009 8:35 am

What Paul said...there are about a dozen of us around in Chicago. The club gigs are not good pay. My band does 3 or 4 hour shows of Honky Tonk/Rockabilly and we get between $300 - $400 for the entire night. Split that 4 ways in the band and all of a sudden it's not that great. Also...there aren't a lot of "country only" clubs in the city, so gigs aren't that plentiful. I do some session work, but that is REAL slow these days. I double up on Mandolin and that helps the gig/studio work. I choose not to play the top 40 country stuff so I don't even take those gigs. I'm sure if you played that stuff you might be able to play at some of the clubs in the suburbs.

Cheers!
Mark

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 21 Apr 2009 8:52 am

Mark Ardito wrote: we get between $300 - $400 for the entire night.

You'd better keep that under your hat or else all the steel players will be leaving here for Chicago!

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 21 Apr 2009 9:11 am

The most wonderful sight a Texan can see is the south end of a U-Haul heading north. I'll mention your post to several steel players I've met here in the last few months.

Todd Pertll · Post by **Todd Pertll** » 21 Apr 2009 3:38 pm

Shoot Herb, I was going to ask you for lessons before leaving town!

I don't think I could leave Texas just yet. I heard it just snowed up there this morning.

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 21 Apr 2009 5:58 pm

Shoot Herb, just the other week ago, The wife and I were talking about moving to Texas. I was hoping we'd be neighbors. My wife is from Pecos. Everything is sort of up in the air right now. I love Texas, there's a lot of good people.
Tommy

The Steel Guitar Forum

So how is Chicago for steel players?

So how is Chicago for steel players?

chicago steel players