Steel on Letterman

Tommy Huff · Post by **Tommy Huff** » 25 Jul 2009 4:04 am

Anyone see David Lettermen friday night? Judy collins and a steel player backed by the Letterman Band..........what happened? I know they are all great musicians but...... IMO....OUCH!

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 25 Jul 2009 5:05 am

The guy's name was Sid. The guitar was an MSA. He was dressed well.

Terry Barnett · Post by **Terry Barnett** » 25 Jul 2009 5:33 am

How was the steel player? "He was dressed well"....

Not exactly a ringing endorsement. I wish I had tuned in.

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 25 Jul 2009 7:04 am

Mama told me if you can't say anything nice don't say anything, so I agree he was dressed well.
Too bad that one of my all time favorites was done this way.
Sid is Letterman's guitar man and I think the song would have been better served if he had stayed on guitar. and left the MSA for decoration. Oops, I hope that doesn't qualify as not nice.

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 25 Jul 2009 8:44 am

I saw it...and really wasn't impressed with his playing.....intonation was off in several spots, and it looked like he was playing with a flat pick...yep, I think he'd been better off just sticking to his guitar.........IMO......HAL

Bobby Snell · Post by **Bobby Snell** » 25 Jul 2009 9:17 am

Tough room.

I'm sure y'all would have done much better, being all comfortable doing TV work.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 25 Jul 2009 9:40 am

Well, I didnt see it but am glad that Letterman decided to show a steel on national TV. At least we are getting more exposure for our favorite guitar...al.

:)

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 25 Jul 2009 9:47 am

Amen Al.

Playing with a flatpick disqualifies you? That lets out Jimmy Clark and myself then.

$:\$

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 25 Jul 2009 10:01 am

I believe Boogie used a flatpick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUsJ79PR_sM

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 25 Jul 2009 10:02 am

i don't play on tv regularly and i could have done a better job...so could most forum members. sid is a great guitarist who has dabbled with the steel on letterman occassionally, but this was a big mistake. especially on a tune known for it's steel intro and ride. he knew it was bad and judy winced several times...i felt sorry for all of them.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 25 Jul 2009 10:15 am

I didn't get to see the show but it was Sid McGinnis from Pittsburgh.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 25 Jul 2009 10:23 am

Boogie used a flatpick and his fingers.

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 25 Jul 2009 10:35 am

i don't play on tv regularly and i could have done a better job

I do and have, but I ain't so confident as to make that statement. Maybe I could have, but then again maybe I would have messed up too. I know, I've see me do it before and will again I'm sure!

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 25 Jul 2009 10:39 am

that's ok scott, you'll gain more confidence over the years.

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 25 Jul 2009 10:46 am

I'll keep ya posted.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 25 Jul 2009 11:44 am

Alvino Rey played a lot with a flat pick, as he was switching between the guitar on a stand and his Gibson Console Grand D8, I saw him in personally doing this. He did pretty well with his style of playing...al.

George Plemons · Post by **George Plemons** » 25 Jul 2009 4:29 pm

You mean there are still people watching that show.

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 25 Jul 2009 6:55 pm

Sorry Joachim. That's what I meant.

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 26 Jul 2009 12:16 am

M.S.A

Loren Nelson · Post by **Loren Nelson** » 26 Jul 2009 12:26 am

Chris, your last entry tickled me. Thanks, now my day is complete! Goodnight all.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 26 Jul 2009 6:01 am

Boogie uses the same picking technique on steel that he does on guitar. Flatpick and fingers.

Plays huge Chalker grips besides those of his other heroes such as Emmons, Julian, Charleton, Day....that way, which he so eloquently demonstrated just last Sun 19th at our steel club picnic.

I watch the Letterman show, but have yet to see or hear Sid on steel. I'll be watching though.

So what was the song that Judy sang? Was it Someday Soon or something else?

Donna Sherrard Williams · Post by **Donna Sherrard Williams** » 20 Aug 2009 6:35 pm

Yep Boogie has always picked the steel with a straight pick. Here's another YouTube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9yIVJi6to8

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 20 Aug 2009 6:45 pm

Can't say anything bad about playing with a straight pick--ever hear Dick Meis play with his straight pick?

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 20 Aug 2009 8:06 pm

This is not the first time McGinnis embarassed himself on T.V. with his steel attempts. His intonation is aweful. He gets near the notes. He has no business playing like that with a national act. If I was Collins I would have been angry. They should have flown Emmons or Green in.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 20 Aug 2009 8:21 pm

they shoulda hired Bucky Baxter to play Steel on Judy's song. He did a great job working that tune with Susie Boggess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fM_jnS- ... re=related