Pedal Steel Is Dead

[Tim Fleming]

I was, as a professional electric bassist in the mid-80's, run out of business by the "new" sound of sequencers and synthesizers. I put my basses in their cases and didn't play for about 5 years.
As we see now, young bands are not only employing bass players - the players are choosing to play old-fashioned axes (vintage 4-string, passive Fender P-Basses, etc.) over newly designed models. Is it the "look" or the more organic sound that is produced?
There is much to be said for keeping faith that the quality sounds will prevail regardless of which generation produced the players.

[Twayn Williams]

As we see now, young bands are not only employing bass players - the players are choosing to play old-fashioned axes (vintage 4-string, passive Fender P-Basses, etc.) over newly designed models. Is it the "look" or the more organic sound that is produced?

Neither, it's cause they're cheaper!

Kidding aside, you're right, good tone is good tone and will always survive.

[Dan Tyack]

This is a great time to be playing pedal steel, in my personal experience. There is a great deal of acceptance across genres for the instrument, and I have had a lot of success in playing with folks in many styles. I have seen a lot fewer blank stares when I say 'pedal steel' these days compared to 20 years ago.

Now, to be sure, now is not a great time to be making your living from playing music, but that's independant of instrument.

In terms of D10 versus Universal, I don't have a dog in that race. Tunings and pedals are tools to enable your musical expression, they don't define you as a musician. If a particular copedent works for you, then use it. But your tuning doesn't define your capabilities as a musician. I personally mostly use a single neck these days with a tuning that combines the Sacred Steel tunings with a standard E9th. Any restrictions I have in playing are purely personal, I can't blame the tuning.

And of course I prefer JI, because the steel guitar deserves to be in tune.

[Jason Hull]

I listen to a lot of music with steel guitar in it, none of which is country music. The popularity of this instrument will continue to grow; as people discover its beauty and usefulness it will be used my more musicians in more kinds of music. Long live the steel guitar!

[Harold Bullard]

I’ve been playing in the Kansas City area for about 30 years now and for all intensive purposes, steel guitar around here is being left behind. KC country bands have evolved into an 80’s rock sound. They have a bass player, a drummer and 3 more guitars. They all sound the same. And it’s not just steel. They don’t use keyboards, fiddle, banjo, washboard, kazoo. Nothing that sets one apart from any of the others. But that’s what the venues want. Loud, drunk and rowdy. Quality is just by accident. I’ve had ads in the local musician want ads for a couple of years now, and can’t get any hits. I could understand it better if it were my playing ability, then I would practice and get better. But the opportunities just aren’t there.

Last Saturday night I went to watch one of the best country bands in KC at a top venue. The bass player and the lead guitar player are long time friends and, up until a couple of years ago, I had played many years with them. And they both agreed that they would love to have me in the band but if they did, they wouldn’t get the jobs that they’re getting. And they hear that straight from the venues themselves. It’s like having a steel guitar on stage carries with it some sort of stigma.

But in all fairness, I guess I’m limiting myself because I have had a couple of offers from a couple of pure rock bands. I can hold my own playing rock music; I just don’t want a steady diet of it. I kind of got hooked on Strait, Jackson, Price and Haggard. And Jeff Newman told me 30 years ago that you got to have fun with it.

I realize this is the natural order of things. Music evolves. I’m just afraid that by the time country music in the KC area transitions back around to where steel guitar will have a prominent place in it, I’m gonna be too old to lift it out of the case.

Oh well ….. if I don’t get to play anymore, I have certainly had fun with it.

[Jim Cohen]

Man, this thread is starting to make me feel "Old and In the Way"!

[Kevin Klimek]

While I've been playing six string since 1964 and gigging regularly, I am back playing steel (sort of ) after quitting and selling out in the early 80's. I was using a ShoBud Universal 12 at the time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7fyoYtPgco
Note, this video was retrieved from a bad quality cassette demo I found and drums were "tap" added" to cover up the cheesy drum machine we were using at the time . Anyway, I picked up a GFI Ultra D10 last fall and woodshedded non stop until this summer when I decided to work it into my steady gig at a club where I've been for four years now. The night I set it up, one fellow came up and asked "What's that thing?" I replied "It's what all country music USED to have in it and should still have in it, a pedal steel guitar". Another person asked my keyboard player if I was playing a xylophone! Anyway, I know for a FACT that this club which has been there forever with a complete new building about 7 years ago, has NEVER had a pedal steel guitar player on it's stage. People seem genuinely fascinated by it. And as other posters have said, young folks, kids, etc are all totally intruigued by it. It is my hope that in some small way I can get some youngster interested enough in playing the instrument. I know there's a lot of E9 players out there on singles but I fully intend to get better and better on the back neck. I hope the D10 never fades away.

[Michael J Pfeifer]

Hi Franklin,

Steel guitar is dying. I play show tunes,bluegrass, and could easily play other genres. There are no gigs here for steel. Most people are not familiar with the steel.The audiences at the CT. steel show gets smaller each year. Carter Guitar Co. went out of business. Steel is dead here.

[Jim Cohen]

Carter Guitar Co. went out of business...

I won't argue with your other points but this one can't go unchallenged. Carter closed because John Fabian DIED fercryinoutloud! It wasn't because their business was sucking wind. In fact, I think they were doing quite well.

[Mike Perlowin]

Hi Franklin,

I think Paul deserves to be called either by his first name, or the title MR. Franklin.

[Pete Burak]

...Steel guitar is dying. I play show tunes...

I don't get it... on your myspace you say "...I began fronting several impromptu trios, playing traditional instrumental music, from 2006 to 2007. We played clubs,Churchs and Christian coffeehouses in NY&NJ".

btw, I like your take on Jambalaya.

[Michael J Pfeifer]

Mike,

How am I supposed to know his first name? I know who Paul Franklin is,but he is not the only Franklin in the world. What about Ben Franklin? The topic is authored by Franklin,not Mr. Franklin. Go back and read it.

If Franklin wants to be called Mr., he can let me know himself. He doesn't need you to speak for him. Quit sucking up!

[Michael J Pfeifer]

Thanks Jim. I didn't know John died.

[Michael J Pfeifer]

Thanks Pete. My bio needs to be revised. By "Impromtu," I mean whatever bassist & drummer were available at the jam any given night. We would play one or two sets as a trio. We also played St Nicholas Church in Jersey City, and True Vine Christian Fellowship Coffee House on Staten Island. Thanks for listening. Have a nice day.

[Mike Perlowin]

Michael, for future reference, "Franklin" is indeed Paul Franklin. Everybody knows that, or at least I thought everybody does.

And there is a difference between sucking up and treating people with respect.

[Michael J Pfeifer]

Mike,

Go back and read it. The author is Franklin.I will address him or her as Franklin. That is not disrespectful. If Franklin expects me or anyone to know that his Paul Franklin,he or she is presumptuous, and perhaps pompous. Again, if Franklin wants to be addressed as Mr. or Mrs.,he or she could let me know. He or she doesn't need you to speak on their behalf. I doubt if your sucking up will get you a free lesson!

[Mike Perlowin]

Michael, it I wanted to make you look like an arrogant and ignorant fool. I could not do a better job than what you are doing yourself.

I suggest that you stop now before you dig yourself into an even deeper hole.

[Jim Cohen]

Go back and read it. The author is Franklin.I will address him or her as Franklin. That is not disrespectful. If Franklin expects me or anyone to know that his Paul Franklin,he or she is presumptuous, and perhaps pompous.

Michael, indeed if you go back and read it, you will note that Paul has signed every one of his six posts in this thread at the bottom as "Paul". Perhaps you think that is pompous or presumptuous for him to sign his posts with his first name? Or perhaps you just weren't paying too much attention, and also didn't really notice all the people in the thread addressing him as "Paul" during the conversation?

Cohen (maybe Barbara, or Jon, or even Michael Cohen, who knows?)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And, now, can we get back to the subject at hand?

[Michael J Pfeifer]

b0b is b0b. mike is mike.Franklin is Franklin. Some people suck up to get what they need in life. Perhaps, you are one of them!

[Michael J Pfeifer]

Thanks for clearing that up Jim. I did not see Paul's name. Mike didn't mention Paul's signing. If he had, this nonsense could have avoided. Have a good evening.

[Michael J Pfeifer]

Mike-Truce!

[Barry Hyman]

Michael J Pfeifer, maybe if you sucked up some of what you need in life, you would get some gigs and realize that pedal steel is NOT dying! Everybody likes pedal steel guitar if you know how to make it sound good! Duh!

And show MASTER Paul Franklin some respect! You are honored to be able to post on the same thread as him, even if you don't know it. And that is not sucking up, it is basic intelligence and common courtesy. Listen to the man play before you insult him!

[Michael J Pfeifer]

Hi Paul,

Sorry about all of this non sense. I didn't see your first name at the bottom of your post. I spoke to you, and your mother on the phone many years ago,when I called to order a tape.

[Michael J Pfeifer]

Barry,

Pedal steel is dead here,as far as I'm concerned. Oh,I could get gigs, if I'm willing to play "grunge" or "psychobilly" with 21 year olds.

As far as sucking up goes,I don't know how to do that,but I'm sure you could teach me a thing or two about it.

[Michael J Pfeifer]

The pedal steel is dying,like it or not. Listen to any commercial country radio station, right now. You will hear very little pedal steel,and lots of lead guitar, and perhaps some lap steel. Have you see the group with Emmy Lou and Chris Hillman recently? JD Maness gets to play 4 bars, and the lead player gets 24.

Have you seen Dierks Bentley's steel player recently? He plays one song on the steel, two on the banjo,and three on the dobro. Around here,people don't even know what a pedal steel is!