Who started you on playing steel!
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
- John De Maille
- Posts: 2266
- Joined: 16 Nov 1999 1:01 am
- Location: On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.
My interest was fired, when, I heard the "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" album by the Byrds. I had to figure out what, "That Sound" was. I spoke to Clarence White and Roger McGuinn at a concert, where, my band opened up for them and was told it was a "pedal steel guitar". I never saw one and didn't know who made one. In 1974, I bought a Sho-Bud Maverick and commenced to teach myself to play it. My thanks go to Jim Hand, then VP of the PSGA, who, turned me on to the club and it's many assets. I met Jeff Newman ( more thanks) and attended a few of his knowledgeable seminars and the rest is history and a passion that lasts a lifetime.
- Tony Prior
- Posts: 14522
- Joined: 17 Oct 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Charlotte NC
- Contact:
Kinda like my friend John above, I somehow started changing my music listening to Country sorta Rock bands in the mid to late 60's , I heard this thing but didn't really know what it was , there were not many Pedal Steel players in Norwalk Ct. Listening to Buffalo Springfield "Kind Woman" then of course the wave of Country Rock bands that followed, Garcia, Young, Sneaky Pete, Cage etc..
I also ran down to Sam Ash in White plains NY and bought a Maverick, I had no clue what the heck I was gonna do with it but somehow it came together. I remember the night I came home with it, it took me a few try's to actually put it together correctly !
I met John D. back in those days as well, it was a great time to make the transition from rock/blues over to the dark side ! John was part ( still is ) of a new organization out in NY that was turning up the wick on this Instrument. Lord knows how many new players they attracted with that organization.
t
I also ran down to Sam Ash in White plains NY and bought a Maverick, I had no clue what the heck I was gonna do with it but somehow it came together. I remember the night I came home with it, it took me a few try's to actually put it together correctly !
I met John D. back in those days as well, it was a great time to make the transition from rock/blues over to the dark side ! John was part ( still is ) of a new organization out in NY that was turning up the wick on this Instrument. Lord knows how many new players they attracted with that organization.
t
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 8 and Pro Tools 12
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 8 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
Pro Tools 8 and Pro Tools 12
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 8 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
Living in Germany, Pedal Steel is obviously not among the usual choices of instrument to learn as a kid.
When I bought my first Country record, I choose a Bob Wills album because he was wearing the biggest hat of all the covers.
Leon´s western swing style "took me away" like nothing before!
A year later the Drifting Cowboys played a couple´days in Cologne. I came to see them every day and Don Helms impressed me so much: I was infected.
Still, a real steel guitar was way out of reach for me.
Later that summer, we spent our summer vacation in Spain.
In the hotel next door, a swedish Country Band with our fellow forumite Uffe Edefuhr on steel played 4 nights a week.
I sneaked out of my room to listen to them every night, made friends with Uffe, and as a farewell present, he generously offered me his old steelbar and his Winnie Winston book!
Back home again, he arranged a student model purchase with a friend in Sweden for me. I got me a vacation job and paid it with my first ever self earned money. That got me started.
We stayed pen friends for a while, then my Steel playing faded slowly, ´cause I found no one to play that "funny music" with me.
That was back in ´77.
Last year I found back to my old love and have been playing with a band since.
We just recorded and produced our first own record.
please take a listen here!
I got me a second hand Carter U-12 through this wonderful forum (thanks to Jerry Scoope and Paul Wade).
I am still very grateful to Uffe for helping me into my shoes!
Uffe, I owe you, man! Hello? Are you out there?
pit
When I bought my first Country record, I choose a Bob Wills album because he was wearing the biggest hat of all the covers.
Leon´s western swing style "took me away" like nothing before!
A year later the Drifting Cowboys played a couple´days in Cologne. I came to see them every day and Don Helms impressed me so much: I was infected.
Still, a real steel guitar was way out of reach for me.
Later that summer, we spent our summer vacation in Spain.
In the hotel next door, a swedish Country Band with our fellow forumite Uffe Edefuhr on steel played 4 nights a week.
I sneaked out of my room to listen to them every night, made friends with Uffe, and as a farewell present, he generously offered me his old steelbar and his Winnie Winston book!
Back home again, he arranged a student model purchase with a friend in Sweden for me. I got me a vacation job and paid it with my first ever self earned money. That got me started.
We stayed pen friends for a while, then my Steel playing faded slowly, ´cause I found no one to play that "funny music" with me.
That was back in ´77.
Last year I found back to my old love and have been playing with a band since.
We just recorded and produced our first own record.
please take a listen here!
I got me a second hand Carter U-12 through this wonderful forum (thanks to Jerry Scoope and Paul Wade).
I am still very grateful to Uffe for helping me into my shoes!
Uffe, I owe you, man! Hello? Are you out there?
pit
- Dave Grothusen
- Posts: 754
- Joined: 16 Mar 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Scott City, Ks
My older brother had a band in college along about 1962. I had never knew what a steel guitar was. Oh sure I had heard one on records but did not realize what it was. I took a trip to Manhattan, KS to vist my brother and the band played the college rodeo dance. I was hooked from the begining.
Thank you Jerry Maranville, Matheson, CO. Jerry found me a used Milti-Kord and a DeArmond volume pedal. He showed me a few basic things and if I remember right showed me how to play Harbor Lights. That was about 1966.
Thank you Jerry Maranville, Matheson, CO. Jerry found me a used Milti-Kord and a DeArmond volume pedal. He showed me a few basic things and if I remember right showed me how to play Harbor Lights. That was about 1966.
-
- Posts: 488
- Joined: 22 Nov 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Katy, Texas
I bought my first pedal steel from Herb Remington and he gave me two lessons to get me started. Actually I wanted to play steel since hearing Buddy Cage at a Grateful Dead concert in the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City in the early seventies. I tried to make a Gibson lap steel sound like him for about five years after that. Wasn't even close.
Allen Peterson
Allen Peterson
2008 D10 Rains Pedal Steel, 2000 D10 Carter Pedal Steel, BR-9 Lap Steel, Nashville 400, Nashville 112, '65 Fender Twin Re-issue, MB 200, Telonics Volume Pedal
- Jamie Lennon
- Posts: 1822
- Joined: 30 Sep 1998 12:01 am
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Les Anderson
- Posts: 1683
- Joined: 19 Oct 2004 12:01 am
- Location: The Great White North
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- Posts: 501
- Joined: 1 May 2002 12:01 am
- Location: , England, UK.
My dad played lap steel all his life , I grew up with it, probably listened to him from my mothers womb!
Like most people here on the forum its in my blood and its difficult to imagine life without it.
I first heard pedal steel on the compilation LP "Nashville steel guitar" with Pete Drake on the cover and I wondered what all those rods and pedals were for.
The superb British band from the Liverpool area" The Hillsiders" also had Ronnie Bennett on pedal steel.
They were the band that were on UK tv (late 60s-70?) with George Hamilton 1V, that was the first time I had seen one played.
Ronnie was the man who sparked off the desperate desire buy one.
I managed to afford one about 15 yrs later....almost 30yrs ago ......AAARGH! I need another lifetime.
Like most people here on the forum its in my blood and its difficult to imagine life without it.
I first heard pedal steel on the compilation LP "Nashville steel guitar" with Pete Drake on the cover and I wondered what all those rods and pedals were for.
The superb British band from the Liverpool area" The Hillsiders" also had Ronnie Bennett on pedal steel.
They were the band that were on UK tv (late 60s-70?) with George Hamilton 1V, that was the first time I had seen one played.
Ronnie was the man who sparked off the desperate desire buy one.
I managed to afford one about 15 yrs later....almost 30yrs ago ......AAARGH! I need another lifetime.
- Gerry Simon
- Posts: 205
- Joined: 17 Apr 2009 12:36 pm
- Location: Ohio, USA
Garcia opened the door and Cage pushed me thru...
Buddy talks to me about his beginnings in this inept (by me) interview:
http://blip.tv/file/374459
Buddy talks to me about his beginnings in this inept (by me) interview:
http://blip.tv/file/374459
- Dennis Wood
- Posts: 239
- Joined: 13 Jun 1999 12:01 am
- Location: Savannah, TN USA
For me it was Cowboy Eddie Long. The band I was with at the time was recording a demo (I was playing lead tele) and hired Cowboy Eddie to do some steel fills. This was my first up close and personal encounter with a pedal steel. After hearing and watching Cowboy in the studio I was hooked. We talked a lot between sessions and he was kind enough to explain the mechanics of his sierra. Eddie referred me to Bill Stroud, with whom I was acquainted through my day job. Bill sold me my first steel, a U12 sierra, which I still have and play. Bill also helped me with a few one on one lessons. Thanks to Cowboy Eddie Long and Bill Stroud!
dw
dw
auribus teneo lupum
- Ronnie Boettcher
- Posts: 749
- Joined: 23 Nov 2007 2:33 pm
- Location: Brunswick Ohio, USA
I always had a thirst for music, and musical instruments. Started playing my uncles trumpet at 5. In the 2nd grade I made the school orchestra, with players through 8th grade. When I was 12, I had a radio that could pick up WWVA,WSM,WCKY, and WJJD. Was hooked on country and bluegrass. Got a old guitar, that the strings were so high off the fretboard, but thats the start. Got to be friends with the owner of a music store in Cleveland called Master Music. One day he took in a fender 400, on a trade for something else. I took it home to diddle around with it. Set it up E9, minus the 2 low strings. It was very limited. Soon after, I was in a recording session at RCA, and Lloyd Green was on steel. Talking with him, he sold me on a LDG. One week later, I bought a new one. Thats it!!! Still have it today, and it gets played daily.
Sho-Bud LDG, Martin D28, Ome trilogy 5 string banjo, Ibanez 4-string bass, dobro, fiddle, and a tubal cain. Life Member of AFM local 142
- C. Brattain
- Posts: 232
- Joined: 15 Jun 2000 12:01 am
- Location: Balch Springs, Texas, usa
- Contact:
Karl Schultz started me on a acoustic lap steel playing hawaiian music in 1944. Chuck
www.texasguitartradingpost.com
www.texasguitartradingpost.com
-
- Posts: 275
- Joined: 16 Jan 2008 3:30 pm
- Location: LOMITA, California, USA
Sometime around May 1948 I walked in from my paper route and dad said "You're going to take guitar lessons". And that's when you didn't argue with dad. Later what kept me interested was meeting Noel Boggs in northern Ohio at the IML, listening to Roy Ayres Sat nights in the Pee Wee King band, and of course Hank Thompson's "New Green Kight". I can't forget Jerry Byrd. Many paths were crossed between then and now. After leaving the PSG behind for almost 30 years I now have a renewed interest thanks to the urgings of Jim Bob Sedgwick and my wife. I'm hooked again. I'm also grateful to Rudy Osborne for bolstering my interest. Big help.
Last edited by Skeeter Stultz on 30 Sep 2009 12:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
GFI ULTRA D-10, EVANS, FENDER 2000 (WORN OUT) TWIN REVERB W/JBL'S, OLD 4-10 BASSMAN
- Peer Desmense
- Posts: 109
- Joined: 30 Jul 2007 6:01 am
- Location: Netherlands
- Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
- Posts: 1118
- Joined: 27 Oct 1998 1:01 am
- Location: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)
When the steel guitar bug first struck me and made me want to learn, it was Weldon Myrick's playing on The Singing Rambos album "Soul In The Family" that planted the initial seed for steel guitar in me ... and John Hughey's playing with The Happy Goodman's made that seed grow until I had to buy a steel and learn ...
The players who really poured the fuel on and lit the fire under me and became my heroes once I finally bought a steel were:
>>> Rusty Young (his playing on Bad Weather really got me)
>>> Gary Hogue (met him when I'd been playing less than a month and he became my chief hero and mentor)
>>> Buddy Emmons (Hogue introduced me to Buddy's sound)
>>> John Hughey (from the first time I heard John, he became an instant hero and influence)
Add a fifth player into the mix, who's really been an inspiration to me in my playing, and that's Junior Knight.
The players who really poured the fuel on and lit the fire under me and became my heroes once I finally bought a steel were:
>>> Rusty Young (his playing on Bad Weather really got me)
>>> Gary Hogue (met him when I'd been playing less than a month and he became my chief hero and mentor)
>>> Buddy Emmons (Hogue introduced me to Buddy's sound)
>>> John Hughey (from the first time I heard John, he became an instant hero and influence)
Add a fifth player into the mix, who's really been an inspiration to me in my playing, and that's Junior Knight.
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks)
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- Posts: 101
- Joined: 25 Oct 2007 1:50 pm
- Location: Conroe,Texas, USA * R.I.P.
The person that turned me on to pedal steel was a man named Don Cathey. Back in 1975 I was playing lead guitar at the time. A local band hired me for the weekend at a placed called 6 mile inn. A honky tonk outside Conroe Tx. I setup next to him and from that moment on I knew I had to have one to play. I have never regreted it for one second.
MSA D-12-8x5,Emmons D-12 Push Pull-9x8, Evans 500,Peavey Nashville 112,Dobro,Banjo, Fender Strat,Misc. pedals and etc:
- Kenny Martin
- Posts: 757
- Joined: 4 Aug 2009 9:41 am
- Location: Chapin, S.C. USA
I really appreciate all the comments on this topic!
I did this in honor of my Daddy that passed away last year so that everyone gets a chance to thank their hero that started them playing!
For me, my Daddy along with Lloyd Green and Buddy Emmons is why i play and today, Tommy White is my inspiration everyday to play better!
Tommy has replaced the empty part of my heart that Daddy left and is truly an awesome player and friend!
Thanks for being there Tommy through the hardest part of my life!!
kenny
I did this in honor of my Daddy that passed away last year so that everyone gets a chance to thank their hero that started them playing!
For me, my Daddy along with Lloyd Green and Buddy Emmons is why i play and today, Tommy White is my inspiration everyday to play better!
Tommy has replaced the empty part of my heart that Daddy left and is truly an awesome player and friend!
Thanks for being there Tommy through the hardest part of my life!!
kenny
steel influence
it all started with a guy named Spike Spiker and a lap steel then a county fair with a music studio signing up students to my first teacher Russ Pollock then Skeeter Stultz kept me learning and the Big E for all those hot lick's, then Weldon Myrick,My Hero.i never missed a chance to go see him with the Bill Anderson Show,what great country music years those were,these people today haven't a clue.
Mullen G 2 D 10 8 & 6 , Emmons D 10 8& 6 Evans Amps , Revelation,MPX1,Steward PA 1000 rack, Steelers Choice Cross country Seat ,Hilton Pedal, Curt Mangan strings . When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
- Bill Cunningham
- Posts: 2092
- Joined: 6 Aug 1998 12:01 am
- Location: Atlanta, Ga. USA
Dick Sexton wrote:
My dad always had a band and a couple of old boys who played steel a bit. HOWEVER, one day when I was about 8 or 9 years old, I heard Randy Sorrells (Now with Montgomery Gentry)in the Sorrells Family Band backing his beautiful sister Shelia as she belted out those Connie Smith songs. Randy played it all just like the record. Including "I'll Come Runnin'" That's when I knew I wanted to be a steel player. It was at the Mountaineer Festival in Clayton, GA in probably 1967. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Feeling old....Semper Fi...
Sgt. Cunningham, 1976-1980
Oh my gosh Dick! I have not been following this thread but looked through it tonight. I am so honored to be included here with the great inspirational players. Especially our Havelock, NC friend Bob Stone. Those were some great times.Bill Cunningham(GA), he was there when I was in the earliest stages of learning. Great player and Marine Brother.
My dad always had a band and a couple of old boys who played steel a bit. HOWEVER, one day when I was about 8 or 9 years old, I heard Randy Sorrells (Now with Montgomery Gentry)in the Sorrells Family Band backing his beautiful sister Shelia as she belted out those Connie Smith songs. Randy played it all just like the record. Including "I'll Come Runnin'" That's when I knew I wanted to be a steel player. It was at the Mountaineer Festival in Clayton, GA in probably 1967. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Feeling old....Semper Fi...
Sgt. Cunningham, 1976-1980
Bill Cunningham
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, GA
- Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
- Posts: 1118
- Joined: 27 Oct 1998 1:01 am
- Location: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana (deceased)
Hi, Kenny ... it's been a pleasure for me as well ... reading the posts and how so many got their start on steel ... I'm very happy you started this thread and very happy to have been able to be a part of it.
Tommy White is a great player and a very inspirational person as well. I got to know Tommy a little when I was working with Ty Herndon and we'd play Prime Time Country or some other event in Nashville. I don't know if Tommy would remember me or not, but he's a great player and I really appreciated getting to talk and visit with him when we'd do those shows.
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Wow, Paul ... your mention of the Longhorn Ballroom really brings back some memories for me! Dewey Groom's Longhorn Ballroom is where I met Gary Hogue and Junior Knight in August of 1976 right after I started playing steel ... and I became a faithful follower of their music and a regular at the club so I could "watch and learn". I also would watch the Cowboy Weaver show as well. It's a small world.
Plus, I see you're from Gainesville ... I grew up and graduated in Sanger, just a few miles from there.
Tommy White is a great player and a very inspirational person as well. I got to know Tommy a little when I was working with Ty Herndon and we'd play Prime Time Country or some other event in Nashville. I don't know if Tommy would remember me or not, but he's a great player and I really appreciated getting to talk and visit with him when we'd do those shows.
-------------------------------------------------------
Wow, Paul ... your mention of the Longhorn Ballroom really brings back some memories for me! Dewey Groom's Longhorn Ballroom is where I met Gary Hogue and Junior Knight in August of 1976 right after I started playing steel ... and I became a faithful follower of their music and a regular at the club so I could "watch and learn". I also would watch the Cowboy Weaver show as well. It's a small world.
Plus, I see you're from Gainesville ... I grew up and graduated in Sanger, just a few miles from there.
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks)
-
- Posts: 419
- Joined: 18 Nov 2002 1:01 am
- Location: Harlow. Essex. England
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- Restricted
- Posts: 4839
- Joined: 4 Apr 2005 12:01 am
- Location: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
psg
Bobby Bowman from Texas was actually who got me started on pedal steel at age 14 in 1971. A month or two later, I met John Hughey at a concert and that was it. The fire was lit. I studied day and night for five long years. At age 19, I was a speedpicker mainly trying to learn everything Doug Jernigan put out. After that and since then, I've studied every steel player I could. The fast pickin' is simple to me but what I like most is ballad playing, as it tends to be a avenue that most non-steel folks enjoy the most. To me, that's where tone, sustain and the hands really come into play.
Bob Estes Harrison ,ar
I HAVE MY GOOD FRIEND OF 40 YRS TO THANK FOR GETTING ME HOOKED TO THE PEDAL STEEL.