Officially introducing myself!

Tyler Hamilton · Post by **Tyler Hamilton** » 19 Mar 2010 7:38 pm

Hello, fellow guitarists! My name is Tyler and I've been a lurker here for a while now. I'm 24, graduated from college with a business marketing degree, and music is my game. My aim in life is to be a singer/songwriter with a band. I've been playing 6-string for 15 years. I just recently acquired my first pedal steel from a fellow player you all know by the name of Mr. Bobby Bowman. He is just about the coolest guy over 70 that I know! His generosity and kindness has really made my introduction into this wonderful instrument special beyond all expectations. I'm glad to be able to call him my new friend! Thank you to all who emailed me when I was looking for a guitar--we're surrounded by great people here .

I play in a casino cover band called City Zu and I got the chance to bring my pedal steel up and play Sleepwalk. After only having two weeks with the instrument in my hands, I can say I'm proud of how I played the song. It's not perfect but was a lot of fun. My next step is to meet some steel players in person and talk about this fine instrument. Many of you in the area have chimed in and I look forward to meeting all of you. This is a wonderful community of people and information and I'm proud to be a new member. Here's my myspace page so you can put a face and voice to my name!

-Tyler Hamilton

P.S. I'll see if I can get a youtube clip of sleepwalk for you all.
www.myspace.com/tylorhamilton

Chris Dorch · Post by **Chris Dorch** » 19 Mar 2010 7:54 pm

Welcome aboard!

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 19 Mar 2010 8:05 pm

Tyler, glad to hear you're having fun with the PSG. Next Thursday if you can you should drop into The Little Red Hen. I'm playing guitar and Dan Tyack will be on steel with The Buckaroosters doing a whole night of Buck Owens music. Dan is one of the finest.
I like your tunes on your myspace. Nice job.
Take Care,
Dave

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 19 Mar 2010 8:53 pm

No Way Bobby is 70,I don't believe it.

Steve Raulston · Post by **Steve Raulston** » 19 Mar 2010 9:55 pm

Welcome Tyler! "Sleepwalk" is a nice tune to start your repertoire of instrumentals. Get hold of some Emmons material for some cool instrumental ideas. He is king in that department. IMO

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 20 Mar 2010 2:54 am

Bobby Bowman??? Bobby Bowman??.. You bought a steel from THAT guy??

.. You're in trouble now brother, it will probably self destruct or somethin'

nah, just kiddin'.. we all love Bobby. He's a sweetheart and is always a "first call" when I have problems with a steel. You could NOT have done better than buying your guitar from Bobby!
It probably plays perfectly.

Welcome aboard. This is the place you need to be for anything and everything you could ever want to know about steel guitars of any type, amps, players , gizmos.. whatever.
Every member here has learned a lot .

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 20 Mar 2010 7:04 am

Hey Tyler...want to welcome you to the finest forum on the internet airwaves....In here you'll find the best people to help in any given situation you might find yourself in. There's so much information shared in this community. The friendships are just amazing....like the friendship you've made with Bobby Bowman....I call him Dr. B, because if there's something amiss with your guitar, the "DR" can get you fixed up in a hurry. Not only can he fix 'em, but he can, sho-nuff, play 'em, too. Have fun in here Tyler.....and you've picked a great instrument to play....it will keep you busy for a long time. I've been playing for 40 years this month, and I wouldn't trade anything for the great experiences, the great people that I've had the pleasure of meeting, and the places this instrument has taken me to. Again, Welcome!

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 20 Mar 2010 9:29 am

Welcome Tyler, from Missouri.
BD

Cliff Trent · Post by **Cliff Trent** » 21 Mar 2010 10:42 am

Welcome from Oklahoma!!!!!!! You couldn't go wrong dealing with Bobby Bow! He's the best!! Have fun with your guitar and don't take yourself too seriously. It the most fun instument in the world.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 21 Mar 2010 7:30 pm

Welcome aboard, Tyler, by all means if you can you should make it down to the Steel Jamboree in Tualatin Oregon on Sunday, April 18th

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=178812

Might as well meet some of the gang in person, there's plenty of room for new faces here!

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 21 Mar 2010 9:15 pm

G'day Tyler, from across the Pacific. I reckon you'll like it here, all a real good bunch of nice blokes (and nice sheilas as well).

What sort of steel did you end up with, Tyler? Maybe a piccie or two? I just love collecting photos of steel guitars, must have nearly a thousand now. Makes a great slideshow for the computer when it is idle.

Frank Sprague · Post by **Frank Sprague** » 21 Mar 2010 10:42 pm

Hey Tyler - Welcome to the Forum - I wish I had started playing pedal steel when I was 24 ! good luck with this adventure , and good move signing on with this bunch! - - Off the topic a little , but there was a band called "City Zu" that quite often came up from Seattle and played a place in Birch Bay called the "Village West" - That was back in the late 60's - early 70's - sometimes band names get passed down to sons , daughters , nephews , etc. - any connection ?

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 22 Mar 2010 7:13 am

Tyler do as Dave H suggested and go see the buckaroosters thursday if you can. Thats a fun band, a fun place, and Dave and Dan are the two best players in the area. I think im gonna go myself, it will be nice to meet you.

Shorty Smith · Post by **Shorty Smith** » 22 Mar 2010 7:40 am

Welcome aboard Tyler, you doing ok, it took me a year to play sleepwalk where other people could understand what it was, haha, Shorty

Tyler Hamilton · Post by **Tyler Hamilton** » 23 Mar 2010 9:11 pm

Thanks all for the very warm welcome! It's so great to connect with people all around the world.

Frank: City Zu is most likely the same one you remember. They started in the mid-sixties and have been playing ever since. I joined them about 3 years ago. I posted a craigslist ad for guitarist available and they said they couldn't have written a more perfect ad for what they were looking for so I drove down sight unseen to California to play a casino gig and I've been in since! A really talented group of players, all the nicest people. Jerry "Zu" has lived a lot of music. He's a good guy.
If you want to check out some photos and bio:
www.cityzu.com

Dave: Thanks for the compliments on the songs. It's what I want to do with my life and it's all I think about. I'll see you this Thursday with Dan and Ben too if he can make it.

*I uploaded Sleepwalk to my myspace page (link in my first post). The song is at the top of the play list. Sleepwalk is a neat song to play and a timeless one at that. The harmonics are a blast to play... that is when I get them right! There are some blatant ugly notes and intonation issues at times but I was very happy and excited to hear it recorded. I feel lucky to have gotten the chance to play live so soon.

Here's a pic of my new guitar. Bobby warned me that it wasn't a "looker" but man, it's the prettiest thing I could have ever hoped for. It's perfect in my eyes. It somehow fits who I am as a person.

Frank Sprague · Post by **Frank Sprague** » 23 Mar 2010 9:51 pm

Hey Tyler - That's pretty cool playing with a group with that kinda history - There was alot of good bands rollin' thru between Seattle and Vancouver back in the so-called "good old days" and they were one of my favorites . . Give me a jingle (I'm in the book) the next time your up to play the "Reef" - - we'll do some pickin'!

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 24 Mar 2010 12:58 am

Welcome to this great forum Tyler

it's good to see youngbloods like you takin' up steelin'
whatever questions you have or help you may need, the good folks here are always on the case
what brand is that psg of yours ?
good luck on your journey

Tyler Hamilton · Post by **Tyler Hamilton** » 26 Mar 2010 10:58 am

Frank, when we go up to the Reef, I usually have all of saturday to kill and that'd be great to meet you and play some guitar together! I'll look you up when that time nears.

Crowbear, my specific guitar is no brand besides "Bowman's Own." I believe it was a parts guitar from his time building guitars. It's as mysterious as the ocean is deep!

Frank Sprague · Post by **Frank Sprague** » 26 Mar 2010 2:01 pm

Tyler - E-mail in cyberspace headin' your way - Frank

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 26 Mar 2010 2:42 pm

sorry i didnt make it out last night Tyler, I woke up this morning and looked at my email and only then remembered the show was last night. doh.

Tyler Hamilton · Post by **Tyler Hamilton** » 26 Mar 2010 3:05 pm

Hehe, no problema. I got to meet Dan and talk a bit of pedal steel with him. Both Dave and Dan are awesome players and I was glad to get to see them on one stage. I'll catch up with you sometime soon. Don't think I have the coin to make the Portland jam but I'd love to come out next year if possible.

John Lemieux · Post by **John Lemieux** » 26 Mar 2010 4:24 pm

Wow Tyler sleepwalk after two weeks!!!!! I cant play anything after ----well a good stretch welcome good bunch of folks here.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Officially introducing myself!

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