Swelled-headedness And Cowboy Hats

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Mar 2010 8:26 am

Fred,

I must have struck at a nerve. I've never known a steel player from Texas to become as assertive as you. The C6ers are all smiles. I smell trouble. I'm an E9th impersonator, shuffling around, still trying to make the most of the Nashville Sound. I need to be honest about tunings.. E9th has the strongest attraction for my taste in music.

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 8 Mar 2010 8:58 am

Bill
Music jobs,just like regular jobs, require different attire. If I could dress more casual and comfortable at a gig I wood. However to play with this wonderful band it requires boots,hat,jacket etc. Yes, it is more difficult to carry all this stuff around, sound check and change clothes-sometimes in the parking lot or tiny back room. $500 boots? I don't think so. This is who we are and people here like it. Most of the better bands in Texas wear hats and boots. If it don't work for you I understand, but don't pick on those of us that do. Of coarse you won't be on my sub list. Have a great day.

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 8 Mar 2010 9:47 am

Which one of my band members would be allowed to play in Texas

Joe

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Mar 2010 9:47 am

Roger,

Opinions have not been rated as an endangered form of human expressions, as I work my way further south. My daughter has a cousin in Texas who owns a large spread, and he told me that he hosts a country radio program down there. I'll be visiting a niece in Stockbridge, Ma. soon, to learn more about the rancher's involvement with local performers. I'll no doubt remind him of my feelings as such: While others ask, who does the singer have for a steel player, I ask, who does the steel guitarist have for a singer?

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 8 Mar 2010 10:03 am

Bill Hankey wrote:Fred,

I smell a bad odor emanating to the north from deep in cattle country.

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 8 Mar 2010 10:07 am

Joe,

Your whole damn band would be welcome here. Your a nice guy. There's room for all. Do you have a fiddle? That's pretty much a requirement here. Some venues truly won't hire if you don't have a fiddle in the band. Lots do. I'm not saying everyone has to wear our get up, but it just works for us.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Mar 2010 11:00 am

Roger,

Before I settle down to my daily practice, may I congratulate you and your band for the impressive efforts on your part, to once again attempt to recover what is left of proper stage apparel. I would enjoy hearing your total sound sometime in the future. Perhaps you would disclose your E9th setup at your convenience? Thanks..

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 8 Mar 2010 11:11 am

Steve,Barry,Chris...I think this guy is on an ankle monitor,Just a guess.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 8 Mar 2010 11:13 am

geez...flip flop much?

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 8 Mar 2010 11:19 am

yeah stu...i mean, it can be fun but....maybe a little sad. at least he likes roger now, in spite of the beef and beer.

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 8 Mar 2010 11:32 am

I can prove that ghoti is pronounced fish in the English language.

Stephen Silver · Post by **Stephen Silver** » 8 Mar 2010 11:34 am

An ankle monitor on an ankle biter, nothing more than a pugnacious little puppy.

Stu, here's hoping that spring comes early for you.

Chris, when the hankeyman stated that he once had a case of poison ivy (thus making an absolutely hysterical reference to your last name) my first thought was that I once carried a hankey to wipe my kids nose but got tired of it always being full of snot. Quite similar to hankey the bi polar grouch.

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 8 Mar 2010 11:42 am

Bill,

I'm confused, but I'd be happy to send you my set up. It works with or without a hat. LOL

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Mar 2010 11:43 am

Chris,

There is something you seem to be conveniently overlooking. I've never met a steel guitarist who deterred me from finding something nice to say about him, that would in turn, reflect upon my desire to put negative comments aside.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Mar 2010 11:58 am

Roger,

Thanks for offering to send your setup. My e-mail works fine, or private messages. Don't let a handy pack group of hecklers convince you that the hospitality here is not some of the best in the business.

Bill Holt · Post by **Bill Holt** » 8 Mar 2010 1:12 pm

Fred Shannon wrote:Hankey, I've never seen you so mean and personal. What r u eating these days, razor blades and chasing them with black powder?

We folks here know the members of the Billy Mata band very well, and one would be hard pressed to put any one of the 6 on the floor. Matter of fact you'd come off better by sand papering a bobcat's behind (blindfolded) in a telephone booth with the door closed than indulge in a "little tiff" with 4 or 5 of those boys--especially Mata himself.

But disregarding their ability to take care of themselves they are one of the super western swing bands we have in this area. I challenge you to buy one of their cd's, listen to it, and disagree with me. Roger Edgington is one of the best C6 players you'll ever hear. Take it to the bank and for the sake of all players stop sniping. It's really not very representative of your personality and besides that it's pretty crappy on your part.

phred

Well, Fred... you have us pegged. Bill's observations are certainly correct regarding our respective builds and abilities to defend ourselves and maintain public order. We are well skilled and well armed to be sure. The best part is that this is the nicest, most enjoyable outfit to travel and pick with. The sad part is that none of us can make the claim of being rich cattle ranchers or oil barons, although I wish that were true sometimes.

I'm quite sure Bill would have a great time at one of our dances or shows. Hats are not required, however, hats are a part of normal daily wardrobe in Texas for the vast majority of men and a few ladies, too. I often wear a hat, however, I follow all hat rules and hat etiquette. A gentleman in a hat must at all times remain a gentleman.

If we meet the qualifications to be a "hat act," well, that's alright by me. We aren't trying to be anything we're not by donning a lid. We want the style of our music to be authentic, and our dress is that way, too. People highly appreciate us looking sharp and looking alike, instead of wearing torn jeans and tank tops.

Dave Manion · Post by **Dave Manion** » 8 Mar 2010 1:28 pm

Not just cowboys wear "cowboy" hats. And most of us who wear them aren't trying to impersonate cowboys per say. Straw hats keep the sun off you in the summer, felt is warm in the winter, and the rancher will wear his hat much different than the ranchhand or the farmer. Or the vet, or the shopkeeper....etc. etc. One of the things I love about hats is the individuality of the wearer, and his/her surroundings can be reflected in it (people on a windy Montana plain will wear a different shape than someone in South Texas). Unfortunately, there are some places where they think you should only wear your hat one way. Some people always want to conform, whether it be "flathats" or "tacos"...but that's another story for another day.

I wear a hat for "show" with the band. We don't have uniforms, but the one thing I keep in mind is: don't look exactly like your audience, stand out a little, or a lot. People listen alot with their eyes.

I was worried about this being off-topic until I realized there really wasn't one in this thread. Just wanted to be part of a Hankey thread.
Dave

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 8 Mar 2010 1:53 pm

Hey Mr. Bill,Checked Mr. Tilly's site. What happened ? Show those cowboys what you got. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Mar 2010 2:20 pm

Dave M.,

Welcome to a mini dispositional effrontery type of verbal abuses, and some solid proof that the wisest procedures by far is to keep the foot far away from the mouth. Feel free to become assertive. I lose some, and sometimes I feel like I've known writers all my life.

Allan Munro · Post by **Allan Munro** » 8 Mar 2010 2:42 pm

Bill Hankey wrote:...I lose some, and sometimes I feel like I've known writers all my life.

The forum is a competition? A game to win or lose?

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 8 Mar 2010 2:43 pm

I understand now...he's channeling Jack Kerouac. It's not writing, it's typing.

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 8 Mar 2010 2:44 pm

What a Waste Of Bandwidth.
b0b is way too easy.

I would have deleted this one after the 1st post.

You don't play on Chicken Wire enclosed Bandstands in Texas, If you can't Defend yourself or your equipment.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Mar 2010 3:17 pm

John Floyd,

I didn't miss hearing your persistent pecking on my picture window(so to speak). I heard the crass tapping, the taps throwing off solid little window rattles to distract. This is your latest of aggressively self-assertive comments. I haven't involved myself in ducking beer bottles for a number of years. I can assure you that there are members of our society who will throw bottles. Little do people realize, they are lethal weapons. BTW, Have you been fitted lately, for new hats and boots? I may check out the Kenny Rogers line of Western Wear and boots at The Country Tack in Lanesborough, MA. He's top brass in class.

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 8 Mar 2010 3:47 pm

Bill Hankey wrote:John Floyd,

I may check out the Kenny Rogers line of Western Wear and boots at The Country Tack in Lanesborough, MA. He's top brass in class.

Bill, now I understand your earlier confusing "doggie" with "dogie."

You have a Kenny Rogers fixation.

Wasn't Kenny Rogers' first hit the doo-wop song "Poor Little Doggie?"

Bill, that was a pop song about a little dog -- not a calf.

Archie Nicol · Post by **Archie Nicol** » 8 Mar 2010 4:29 pm

BTW, ILK!

A.