What do you do for a living?

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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Lee Baucum
Posts: 10326
Joined: 11 Apr 1999 12:01 am
Location: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Post by Lee Baucum »

Shame on all of you "weekend warriors"! According to some, you have "screwed up the industry" for the full-time working musicians.

Click Here

The original topic drift towards the "weekend warriors" starts on page 2.

By the way, I'm a banker, but I've enjoyed playing music since the 1960's. No plans to give it up, either!

Lee, from South Texas
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Les Anderson
Posts: 1683
Joined: 19 Oct 2004 12:01 am
Location: The Great White North

Post by Les Anderson »

Retired now but, was a high pressure pipe welder by trade in N. Canada doing pipelines and natural gas plants. I got tired of laying in the mud and snow and ended up in the technical side of the welding and became a welding engineer. I spent the last twelve years of my career with Mobil Oil (as a construction consultant) in Northern Canada before it amalgamated with Exxon.

Spent four years living off playing music when I was in my early twenties; however, it was a tough way to live so decided to join the real world and enrolled in a trade school.
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Chuck Huffman
Posts: 321
Joined: 12 Mar 2009 3:41 pm
Location: Sonora, California, Now Living in Siloam Springs, Ar. USA

Post by Chuck Huffman »

I'm retired now but for the last fifteen years I was in Law Enforcement. I was a L.E. instructor, F.T.O., S.R.O. and bike officer. I served with municiple departments and finished my career as a Deputy Sheriff here in California due to an injury I had to medical retire. I've been able to work with a lot of great folks over the years.
I forgot to list what I did prior to L.E. After School I worked for a water company, then onto International Paper Company ( print Press Operator) I also grew up pouring concrete with my father and owned a concrete buisness. I put myself through school to get out of construction.
I'm getting ready to go back and do something I can't stand not having a job.

I'm not a weekend player, I just play to the walls and I love it :lol:
Last edited by Chuck Huffman on 30 May 2009 9:12 pm, edited 2 times in total.
ZumSteel SD-10 5-8, GFI Ultra SD-10 3+4, Goodrich V/P, Boss DD3, FenderFM, Vegas 400. Learning to play for my Savior, Jesus......
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Les Anderson
Posts: 1683
Joined: 19 Oct 2004 12:01 am
Location: The Great White North

Post by Les Anderson »

Chuck Huffman wrote: I'm not a weekend player, I just play to the walls and I love it :lol:
(Hello Walls, How Are You Today) :D
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chris ivey
Posts: 12703
Joined: 8 Nov 1998 1:01 am
Location: california (deceased)

Post by chris ivey »

i used to be a steel player. then i got leukemia...then i got throat cancer....now i'm a steel player again!

does playgirl feature 61 yr old steel players? i could use some extra income to fix my teeth!
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James Cann
Posts: 1651
Joined: 27 Sep 2004 12:01 am
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Post by James Cann »

Good luck to you!

My first paying job was in a metal shop, where I met the foreman and noticed a funny feeling of his hand when we shook. In showing me around, he asked me if I knew anything about metal.

"I had metal shop in junior high," I replied.

Well, that's good," he said, showing me his hand with its three fingertips missing, "but remember: you'll never know more than the metal."

And with that, again, good luck in your career.
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chris ivey
Posts: 12703
Joined: 8 Nov 1998 1:01 am
Location: california (deceased)

Post by chris ivey »

career...?? you call this a career..??

we don't need no stinking badges...!!




see what playing steel does for you.....


youngsters beware!!
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John Drury
Posts: 2026
Joined: 23 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: Gallatin, Tn USA

Post by John Drury »

Austin,

First I would like to 2nd what Mikey D. said.

Second:

I was a field service rep for a cardiac monitor mfg., caught in a downsizing, sold motorcycles for two years after that, back when people were still buying stuff.

I used to work at the old "Steel Guitar World" in Goodlettsville for Bobbe Seymour, did some guitar and amp repair in my garage shop after that.

I am presently between fortunes.

Never played professionally, have no desire to start. Play strictly for my own entertainment, and that of my wifes and my two dogs, none of them have a problem with the occaisonal clinker.

All digits are still intact!
John Drury
NTSGA #3

"Practice cures most tone issues" ~ John Suhr
Mike Dudash
Posts: 67
Joined: 12 May 2009 6:36 pm
Location: Bridgeport, Ohio

Post by Mike Dudash »

Hate to admit it (since the site was down due to a T1 issue) but I work for a very large telecom company Hint old Ma Bell.
Mike Dudash
Posts: 67
Joined: 12 May 2009 6:36 pm
Location: Bridgeport, Ohio

Post by Mike Dudash »

BTW, Bob please don't hold it against me.
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Les Green
Posts: 555
Joined: 5 Apr 1999 12:01 am
Location: Jefferson City, MO, R.I.P.

Post by Les Green »

Spent 3 years in the Army Air Defense Command, 2 years in a shoe factory, 2 years in a charcoal briquette plant then 39 1/2 years in the printing industry where I was lucky enough to get schooling in several robotics systems. Retired now. Been playing steel from the beginning.
Les Green
73 MSA D10 8&4, 74 MSA S10 3&5, Legrande II 8&9, Fender Squier 6 string, Genesis III, Peavey 1000
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Mickey Adams
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Joined: 26 Jan 2004 1:01 am
Location: Bandera Texas
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Aviator

Post by Mickey Adams »

Image[/img]
I am a 13000 hour professional pilot. I manage a fleet of aircraft for a private businessman in Dallas. I currently fly the Citation CJ3, L39 Albatros, King Air GTI 90/200,Piper Meridian, and soon the new Lancair Evolution Turboprop. I hold ratings for all Single and Multi Engine piston, and 19 turboprop aircraft. I am an instructor pilot for 22 different types of Jet Aircraft and hold 9 type specific ratings, When I grow up I would like to add PSG Instructor ratings to my license!!!!
Last edited by Mickey Adams on 31 May 2009 7:51 am, edited 3 times in total.
ARTIST RELATIONS: MSA GUITARS
2017 MSA LEGEND XL D10, S10, Studio Pro S12 EXE9
Mullen G2, Rittenberry S10, Infinity D10, Zumsteel 8+9
Anderson, Buscarino, Fender, Roman Guitars, Sarno Octal, Revelation Preamps, BJS BARS, Lots of Blackface Fenders!
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chas smith
Posts: 5043
Joined: 28 Feb 2001 1:01 am
Location: Encino, CA, USA

Post by chas smith »

I make a living as professional welder and machinist although I had a nice run of about 15 years as a studio musician playing on film scores, where I played on about 70 of them.

As a welder, I've done everything from I-beams to military aircraft. Spent a few decades in the film business, union on the lots and in particular motion-controlled camera systems. Spent years working on commercials where "normal days" are 18hrs (thank you methamphetamine)until my darling confronted me with, "can't have a relationship with an addict, It goes or I go." It went, along with my ability to keep up with the hours.

Now I build art for artists. I like who I work for, I like the work, I have no complaints.

I'm 61, and Laura's father once asked her what my retirement plan was. Death, most likely.
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John P. Phillips
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Joined: 20 Oct 2000 12:01 am
Location: Folkston, Ga. U.S.A., R.I.P.
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Post by John P. Phillips »

Wow, saw this thread just this evening. Got so engrossed that I read all 7 pages. Austin you really hit the nail on the head this time.
Kind of embarrasing to put my pittace beside all the accomplishments of my forum co-horts.
Had a bunch of careers in my life just never distinguished myself in any of them. The best opportunities were raising my 3 boys and now doing the same with my first grandboy. I guess next would be my DJ career, (one of the most enjoyable) and my time as a wanna-be 6-string teacher for beginners, also a part-time Fender amp and guitar tech. a roadie and recording engineer for a local big band type orchestra in my home town of Greenville, S.C.
Other than that, I have been mostly a member of the "unseen" labor force. Mostly unglamorouse, but mildly rewarding.
Oh, last but by all means not least, my temporary foree into a nursing home ministry. Not really a career as such (didn't make money doing it, but spent a lot). But altogether, a VERY rewarding and humbling experiance. I can't forget my experience as a motel clerk & manager for Howard Johnson, Travelodge and Golden Eagle !
My hat goes off to all you forum members and your accomplishments from this "Ole' S.E. Georgia redneck !
Last edited by John P. Phillips on 31 May 2009 5:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Just remember,
You don�t stop playing cause you get older,
You get older cause you stop playing ! http://www.myspace.com/johnpphillips
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Chuck Huffman
Posts: 321
Joined: 12 Mar 2009 3:41 pm
Location: Sonora, California, Now Living in Siloam Springs, Ar. USA

Post by Chuck Huffman »

Kind of embarrasing to put my pittace beside all the accomplishments of my forum co-horts.
Had a bunch of careers in my life just never distinguished myself in any of them. The best opportunities were raising my 3 boys and now doing the same with my first grandboy.

John, you have accomplished more than you give yourself credit. Being a father and grandfather alone is great. I say this from my heart, That's what God put us here to do. My four children and on the way grandchild is my best achievement.
ZumSteel SD-10 5-8, GFI Ultra SD-10 3+4, Goodrich V/P, Boss DD3, FenderFM, Vegas 400. Learning to play for my Savior, Jesus......
Jack Francis
Posts: 1892
Joined: 16 May 2001 12:01 am
Location: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA
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Post by Jack Francis »

Matt...I thought you were just a pretty face!! :?

I'm an artist doing t-shirt designs for street rod events and for other folks in the hot rod and biker
industries.

I also play lead guitar for the Weezul Brothers Band
and steel for my walls. :\

www.jackfrancist-shirts.com
DESERT ROSE D-10 8/5...Joe Naylor "SteelSeat"...
Gallien-Krueger MB200 amplifier through an Alessis MicroVerb w/15'Peavey cab.
TELES & STRATS...
FENDER TWIN & SEYMOUR DUNCAN 50W tube amps...1-12" 2-12" & 4-12" cabs and a FENDER MUSTANG-3
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Tom Quinn
Posts: 2753
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm

Post by Tom Quinn »

My current work is for The Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs in California. We work to get people sober.
I need an Emmons!
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Jon Light
Posts: 13745
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Saugerties, NY
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Post by Jon Light »

I printed every one of THESE PRINTS and the works of about a dozen other artists. Not the posters. The serigraphs.
Jack Strayhorn
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Joined: 20 Oct 1999 12:01 am
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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Post by Jack Strayhorn »

Architectural draftsman.
Steel builder.
Steel company manager.
Bowling center manager.
Family entertainment park manager.
Currently a licensed funeral director, and find it the most gratifying work I've had.
Gary Anderson
Posts: 93
Joined: 12 Sep 2004 12:01 am
Location: Fort Mohave, Arizona, USA

Post by Gary Anderson »

20 years 3 months US Air Force
20 years Letter Carrier U S Postal Service
3 years Security Officer Laughin NV Casino
Now full time steel guitar student
Jack Francis
Posts: 1892
Joined: 16 May 2001 12:01 am
Location: Queen Creek, Arizona, USA
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Post by Jack Francis »

Nice work Jon. 8)
I ran Screenprint companies back in the day so I can appreciate your work.
Serigraphs, the process is screenprinting...(no,it's not called silk screening) :\
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Jack Dougherty
Posts: 1040
Joined: 10 Dec 2003 1:01 am
Location: Spring Hill, Florida, USA

Post by Jack Dougherty »

Retired pilot...Still at it though.
Now just trying to stay alive long enough to enjoy it all. :lol:

Play the occasional gig, but mostly a closet picker now. :D
There is no such thing as too many steels!!
Emmons P/P 8/7 Strings....whatever I have.....Picks..mixed...Bars...one of four..but I like the Bullet Bar
Walker Stereo Steel Amp

TC M1 XL
Peavey Vegas Fox Mod
Various sundries and toys..
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Bob Knetzger
Posts: 337
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Kirkland, WA USA

Post by Bob Knetzger »

I'm an Industrial Designer by education and a toy inventor/designer by trade...and have played pedal steel for 39 years.

The only other toy designer/steeler I've heard of is Winnie Winston...

Oh wait,... on second thought, Sneaky Pete spent a lot of time working with toys animating all those Gumby shows...
Last edited by Bob Knetzger on 1 Jun 2009 8:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Bent Romnes
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Joined: 28 Feb 2007 2:35 pm
Location: London,Ontario, Canada
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Post by Bent Romnes »

I ran a front end loader in a gravel pit most of my life. After 30+ years of that I retired at age 56.
Now, at 62, I am trying to build a pedal steel guitar or 2.

My main "hobby" though, are my 3 lovely grand kids.

Image
Cute, huh?
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steve takacs
Posts: 5499
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

Post by steve takacs »

I'm proud to be a professionsl slacker now. I retired from teaching in August of 2008. Hope to start a part time, antique carpet business in the fall. We lived in Pakistan for five years and still have contacts there. I just old hand-made love carpets as an art form, particularly tribal carpets, from Afghanistan, Iran, and what used to be the southern part of the USSR. steve t
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