Who started you on playing steel!

Bob Simons · Post by **Bob Simons** » 26 Sep 2009 4:47 am

The first record I ever paid for with my own money was "Your Cheatin' Heart" - Hank Williams. Don Helms' intro haunted me since the age of 5. I had to know how to make that sound!

In the 70's I came across an unknown, start-up, pedal steel builder in his first year of business near Kansas City, who built me his first ever 12 string- Bruce Zumsteg! (Boy did I get lucky!)

Dick Sexton · Post by **Dick Sexton** » 26 Sep 2009 6:08 am

Marshall Dozier(TX), he sat in on steel with our band in 1970 something. First time up close to a steel and a great player. Bill Cunningham(GA), he was there when I was in the earliest stages of learning. Great player and Marine Brother. Bob Stone(NC), my first mentor and the person I still look up as my first instructor. A great player and nicest fellow you could ever know. Always held an open invitation for me at his house for a meal of "Fatback". Another Marine Brother. Thanks, my friends!

Mike Ester · Post by **Mike Ester** » 26 Sep 2009 6:35 am

I always heard pedal steel as a kid, and saw it on TV. But I never really thought about playing one until I saw Don Woodbury playing in New Braunfels. That night inspired me to give it a try.

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 26 Sep 2009 6:53 am

My good friend and mentor Wilburn Stewart. Taught me back in 1977. I was in the town of Livingston, La. at the courthouse one evening at the Sheriff's office. I was given the opportunity to do a ride along with a friend of mine's dad, was a deputy. While I was waiting for him to come pick me up. I noticed a gentleman working the radio, he had one arm.His right arm for picking. Anyway, he began to tell me that he could play the steel guitar. I had my doubts at first.But after I heard him. I was amazed how well and proficient he was in playing. So a couple of years later I told him that I was going to get at steel guitar and would he teach me some stuff on it? He told me he would,teach me. Wilburn is true gentleman and a man of his word. I appreciate him taking the time and showing on how to play this wonerful instrument that so many of us play. Either as a hobby or as a living, playing professionally, touring with the big names. Wilburn has never forgotten where he came from, nor has he ever been too busy to help someone learn the tricks of the trade of this instrument that we call the steel guitar.

Jack Ritter · Post by **Jack Ritter** » 26 Sep 2009 8:05 am

"Take it away, Leon"!----influenced me when I was in the 5th grade---about 1946. My folks got me a 6 string with the nut to raise the strings and away I went. I think I about drove them crazy trying to learn the Steel Guitar Rag. I have a personally autographed little 45 of "Faded Love" Leon gave me in my music room on the wall in a frame that has never been played. It says" To Jack Ritter, Good luck on your steel playing-----Leon McAuliff". I have always cherished this, and he was a very nice guy.

Shorty Smith · Post by **Shorty Smith** » 26 Sep 2009 8:09 am

I played lead guitar for many years. Had a steel guitar picker named Tom Roughton. I watched his picking for a couple years and knew I wanted to learn to play the steel guitar. I begin to have trouble with my left shoulder, holding the guitar, the strap, made my shoulder go to sleep. I talked to my friend, Doyle Grisham who was playing steel for the Glasar Brothers and he said, why not play steel, took him up on that idea, bought an Emmon p/p in 73, practiced for a

few years and been playing steel till this day, same 73 steel and it plays wonderful today and I love it, Shorty

Morgan Scoggins · Post by **Morgan Scoggins** » 26 Sep 2009 9:01 am

As a kid, I grew up in Birmingham,Al and was often draged around by my family to various "honkey tonks".
I got addicted to country music and especially the opening high octave intro played by Don Helms on"Your Cheatin' Heart". I got a Stella guitar about 1956 or 57. After years of playing regular 6 string, I switched to Steel a few years ago to be able to play those " honkey tonk sounds".

Nicholas Martin · Post by **Nicholas Martin** » 26 Sep 2009 9:56 am

As a child my father liked to listen to Patsy Cline in the car. I guess I noticed PSG ever since then, even though I didn't hear much country music growing up. In my mid 20s I got into Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Bros. and the rest is history.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 26 Sep 2009 10:52 am

Pete Drake and Buddy Emmons first piqued my interest in steel, but the guys responsible for getting me started are:

Lucky Oceans: sold me my first PSG [Sho-bud S-10 3+3]

Greg Lasser: showed me how to approach steel, both musically and mechanically. He is a great teacher/mentor/player.

Perry Keeter · Post by **Perry Keeter** » 26 Sep 2009 11:50 am

I first developed the desire to learn the steel in 1975 when I heard Jay Dee Maness' steel break on the Ray Stevens recording of "Misty". I saw Ray live later that year and Larry Sasser was on steel. I watched everything Larry did that night in total awe. I didn't act on that inspiration for 30 years. In 2005, I bought my first steel and took the plunge. Jim Palenscar taught me and got me on the right track. Now I am trying not to derail.

Kenny Martin · Post by **Kenny Martin** » 26 Sep 2009 1:37 pm

I really appreciate the post guys!

I will also mention that along with Daddy the other big help came from Grady Lindler in Lexington SC!

He was and is still an Emmons expert! If Buddy played he learned it! He is 78 years old and still plays!
When i get stuck on something or something is wrong with my steel he is always there to fix me! He loved my Daddy and my Daddy felt the same for him!

At 12 years old i was invited along with Daddy to come see him play at the Flamongo club! Daddy had never been there so Grady ask us to meet him at the back door of the club! We went in and in a minute my Daddy grabbed me and turned me back to the door!

Along with some real country music being played was a few waitress's wearing pasty's which was my first time seeing that! Well, i had to hang in the back room while they played but it sounded good!

Funnt stuff right there!

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 26 Sep 2009 1:44 pm

my good friend T.C furlong and don kates
1979 hook ever since

p.w

Matthew Carlin · Post by **Matthew Carlin** » 26 Sep 2009 1:50 pm

This funny I get to post right under Paul....

Paul Wade got me going on Sting grips and good bar technique and TC said "make it spit" which cleared up palm blocking for me

Thanks Guys

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 26 Sep 2009 1:56 pm

Hey Shorty,Yeah Tom is a good picker,and a nice guy,When I first started playing traded him a Fender thinline tele[with the F holes] I did,nt like the guitar,had what I call a club neck,for a Dekley D-10. He still has the tele,but that Dekley has been gone for years. By the way we will be at the casino at the racetrack Oct first,second,and third,come visit with us.YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 26 Sep 2009 2:18 pm

I grew up in Denver in the 60's and had no inclination to play the steel, even though I seemed to be surrounded by it. Rusty Young was playing rock lead-on-steel in local teen clubs with the band Boenzee Cryque. This was pre Buffalo Springfield and Poco. There were also a few honky tonks in my neighborhood that I'd ride my bike by and wonder what that sound was? Often times it was Dick Meis, Ronnie Miller, Clip Cookson, Wayne Gaylie, or Donny Buzzard.

I didn't think too much about it at the time. I was into the Beatles and Hendrix.

It wasn't until years later, after I veered off into jazz guitar, that my friends who became "Dusty Drapes and the Dusters", offered to buy me a steel if I'd learn to play it in their country band. They'd met Del Mullen from a musicians union book, who was in no way interested in playing with such a green outfit of hippies masquerading as cowboys. They were so impressed with him though, that they started calling me "Delmar", which stuck for years...even after I moved to California.

Sorry Mr. Mullen.

Dusty was also where Jr. Brown got his start. After me. Ha.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 26 Sep 2009 2:42 pm

Jerry Garcia (he showed me his ZB at a gig and told me what it was.

John Hughey on Conway recordings I heard on the radio

Dennis Lee · Post by **Dennis Lee** » 26 Sep 2009 3:03 pm

I'll make a longer story much shorter. My deceased wife, Linda, loved Ann Murray. One of her favorite songs was "Could I Have This Dance", which kind of became our song. I never knew who it was at the time who played that beautiful melodic steel behind Ann's wonderful voice, but it inspired me to purchase a guitar and begin learning pedal steel. That was about 4 years ago now, and with the good tutoring of Larry Behm, I've been at it ever since. In a way, it was a tribute to Linda to learn to play this beautiful instrument. The end of the story is even better! I attended the NW Steel Guitar Assoc. convention in Spokane a few years ago, and who did Larry introduce me to but JayDee Maness, the man who was identified as playing the steel on Ann's recording. This was memorable for me to say the least. Somehow I think Linda arranged this for me!

Kenny Martin · Post by **Kenny Martin** » 26 Sep 2009 3:56 pm

Great stuff Dennis! You won't find a better man than JD Maness! Such an awesome person and over the years has inspired a many players!

Marke Burgstahler · Post by **Marke Burgstahler** » 26 Sep 2009 4:12 pm

I've been playing bottleneck slide forever...always saw steel as a logical progression. I got hurt in a accident backstage after a sound check several years ago and began to lose most of the feeling and control in my left hand. After therapy I'm actually still only about 80% of what I used to be. But golly - I could still hold a bar in my left hand, right? Time to stop feeling sorry for myself!

On Christmas morning four years ago my wife pulled the sheet off of a brand new Carter S-10, all set up and plugged in.

I have to give credit to my lovely wife, Cynde. I probably would have never taken the plunge.

What a wonderful addiction!

Archie Nicol · Post by **Archie Nicol** » 26 Sep 2009 4:24 pm

Eric Weissberg on the `B` side of a 1971 Sha Na Na album.

Arch.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 26 Sep 2009 4:40 pm

I watched Nashville Now on TNN every nite to see Larry Sasser play pedal steel. I was fascinated with the sound and he seemed to be having so much fun playing it. Saved my money and bought a sho-bud that needed some work and have never lost interest (got a little frustrated at times, though). Got to meet Larry on several occasions over the years: great steel player and a great guy.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 26 Sep 2009 6:31 pm

Don Helms on old Hank's recordings. I always wanted to play like him. I'm still trying.

This Forum created the unbelievable opportunity for me to communicate with him in person. I was thrilled.

John DeBoalt · Post by **John DeBoalt** » 26 Sep 2009 6:33 pm

I have to thank Carl Dixon. I'd always liked the sound of the steel, but was having a good time with the dobro. After attending one of his shows, and listening to all those great players, I got my hands on an S-10 at the first opportunity. John

Ron Scott · Post by **Ron Scott** » 26 Sep 2009 6:53 pm

I had a guy named Chuck Adams taught me how to play tunes like steeling the blues and basic steel guitar tunes of the time.He was a guitar player that also taught and played steelguitar. I was taught on a 3 neck fender with 8 strings on each neck..I then went on to get a fender 1000 double 8 and went to a sho-bud double 10 professional and then listen to Lloyd Green albums over and over again and again until I could get the phrasing in my mind.I guess he and Tom Brumley with together again got me really interested..Thank you Tom and Lloyd...RS

Jack Dougherty · Post by **Jack Dougherty** » 26 Sep 2009 8:12 pm

George Edwards

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