A Major Drawback; Placing Many Eggs In one Basket

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 6 Sep 2010 5:13 pm

I'm trying to save space

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 6 Sep 2010 6:49 pm

I think it's very telling Bill, how you go to questioning my background, my age, and my credentials as a steel player every time I write something in disagreement with you. Whether it's cable guitars, learning strategies or this, you can't seem to handle just basic dissent.

What are my ratings as a steel guitarist? I don't know that I've ever been put on a rating scale, but I told you the last time you suggested that my proficiency was proportional to the value of my opinion that I'd let you hear examples of my playing in exchange for yours. Do I have 30 years of stage experience under my belt? No, but since this thread seems to be a complaint largely on behalf of mediocrity, are you sure you want to use number of years as a criteria? And what does meeting pickers in Western Massachusetts have to do with anything? I doubt they agree with you, so no, I guess not.

Bill, as far as apologies go, I'd rather hear none than an insincere one...besides, it isn't me whom you owe any apologies to here.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 7 Sep 2010 3:49 am

Duane,

I regret that my assertiveness has created an image in your mind of someone who goes about deriding individuals who are kind and sincere in there treatment of others who share the same interests. The ideological mold has been casted in solid brass. I appreciate your explicit terminology, that clearly labels me as impertinent. It appears that you are apparently striving for censurable repute. I'll carry this with me throughout my steel guitar experience, as life will permit.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 7 Sep 2010 6:10 am

Zane,

It's interesting to learn about your experiences while at Berklee Music College In Boston, Ma. Mike Ihde of the Berklee teaching staff is an absolute blessing in musical celebrations. He traveled to Lee, MA, to perform on both lap and pedal steel. It was rewarding to be entertained by Mike; who is totally professional, and always a perfect gentleman.

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 7 Sep 2010 9:29 am

Bill, I simply identified an tendency which I have observed in you to question or reject submissions by me, based not on the actual value or correctness of the substance, but based on factors that are irrelevant. For it is not my terminology that labels you as impertinent, but your own.

Furthermore, I disagree that the ideological mold has been cast in solid brass, but rather that it has been cast in iron pyrite...poured from a smoldering crucible that was first filled from only one basket, with phony eggs of misunderstanding and a sense of left-outedness that could have only been laid by the very same "geese" who would entertain the idea of renown attained by certain players ultimately leading to shunning.

Bill, it's time that you sponsored a "melt-down", but not in the emotional sense of the term.

Zane King · Post by **Zane King** » 7 Sep 2010 9:43 am

Bill,

I had a great experience there. One of my greatest regrets in life and perhaps my only one is that I didn't stay in the Northeast. Mike was instrumental in getting me there but I never really had a chance to work under him. I have noticed he is a member here so hopefully someday I can connect with him in a meaningful way.

Take care,

Zane

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 7 Sep 2010 10:22 am

Zane,

Thanks for taking the time to write about your stay here in the Northest. After you first commented in this thread, I was able to pull up several of your you tube instrumentals. I'll bet you could tear up staging areas with your phenominal performances, if you chose to do so. I regret never seeing you perform from 6' away, or for having the privilege of meeting you where steel players gather.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 7 Sep 2010 11:07 am

Duane,

Long before I acquired my first steel guitar, the school principal issued my first working papers. Money was tight, and I worked for peanuts on a chicken farm. My job was grading eggs by weight. It wasn't uncommon to handle eggs with 3 or more yolks. We were allowed to take home cracked eggs after working hours. Of course, up to that point, I had never heard of cholesterol or the problems associated with it in some people. Eggs with 3 yolks may very well produce a problematic condition over time, if consumed. This thread's purpose was intended to issue a timeless reminder of the mysterious egg in the basket. How easily the shells will break, much like plans for the future in crowded agendas.

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 7 Sep 2010 11:49 am

Indeed, a very interesting testimony on the inner workings of the "agri-ovo" industry. I had never heard of an egg with three yolks. Thank you for that fascinating anecdote.

I must concede, however, that I fail to see, upon review of the initial submission in this thread, how one could have derived from that initial submission, a reflection of plans for the future being "cracked" by the nature of crowded agendas. Whether this was a failing on my part or otherwise need not be hashed out, but I will say that if anyone was able to derive such a concept initially, I would humbly invite them to testify to having that level of insight, and I would gladly take the egg on my face (provided it isn't one of those FeS2 egg-shaped paperweights).

The initial interpretation I came up with was that the title of the thread was a sort of allegory for the preferential inclusion of only players of notoriety or instrumental achievement (no pun intended) into the "basket" of performance, or consideration when submitting opinions relating to steel guitar (and of course the exclusion of mediocrity) in such a manner that would jeopardize the outcome of steel development within the whole community at large, alluding of course to the vulnerability of such opinions or performances to failure, in lieu of giving the fruits — or "eggs" — of mediocrity the chance to hatch into something that can also sizzle on a skillet.

Again, that's how I read it. Anyone else care to comment?

admin · Post by **b0b** » 7 Sep 2010 12:44 pm

I afraid that I don't understand this egg metaphor. Perhaps the concept to could be explained more clearly, without references to eggs, baskets and other unrelated objects.

In other words, what are you trying to say about steel guitar players?

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 7 Sep 2010 1:18 pm

Isn't it against forum policy to discuss animal husbandry?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 7 Sep 2010 3:55 pm

bob,

It doesn't require a Shakespearean to find the relationship intended between an egg and plans "laid" down, that are successful only by carefully following a strict working schedule, without missing a beat. Life is full of unforeseen upsets that take place without advance notices. A diversified plan known primarily by the benefiter, would carry under normal circumstances much further in the workings of earned income. Monkey see, monkey do! If the almighty dollar is involved, a working plan is in order, beginning with eliminating the cruxes that "hatch" alarmingly, unless the golden "eggs" have been placed inconspicuously over a wide area. Enterprising steel guitarists know this much. Another foolproof method to insure a busy schedule, free from transient sleuthhounds,
is realized by spreading the goods over a wide area. Early birds in the management of self-employment, rely on information divulged by those who feel comfortable discussing their working schedules in various nightclubs. That is the reason for some steel guitarists claiming ownership to two car garages. When you hear someone say, "he's the quiet type", rest assured his ears are working overtime. Knowing someone, who knows someone with clout, is in my opinion a very close second to building a following, by letting the clientele know how much you appreciate their patronage. As always, competition is healthful, as it produces the very best
by meeting every challenge, without turning back.

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 7 Sep 2010 4:17 pm

b0b, I don't blame you for saying that. The egg metaphor has been morphing from one thing to another, as what this thread seems to be about morphs.

The first way I was using it was as a metaphor for an accomplishment that put a heavyweight player/innovator on the map (egg coming before the chicken), then as a subsequent contribution or performance from a heavyweight...then I was talking about "geese" (mediocre players) laying, not golden eggs, put iron pyrite (fool's gold) eggs in the form of amateurish renderings...then it all came back around to the putting-eggs-in-one-basket adage (I guess that's why Bill titled this thread as such) of vesting all confidence in the heavyweights in lieu of mediocre guys. I think it all ties together somehow...

Finally, Bill starts talking about eggs getting broken as a metaphor for plans going awry...and I have no idea how that ties into it. I don't think it does, actually.

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 7 Sep 2010 4:46 pm

Bill Hankey wrote:bob,

It doesn't require a Shakespearean to find the relationship intended between an egg and plans "laid" down, that are successful only by carefully following a strict working schedule, without missing a beat. Life is full of unforeseen upsets that take place without advance notices. A diversified plan known primarily by the benefiter, would carry under normal circumstances much further in the workings of earned income. Monkey see, monkey do! If the almighty dollar is involved, a working plan is in order, beginning with eliminating the cruxes that "hatch" alarmingly, unless the golden "eggs" have been placed inconspicuously over a wide area. Enterprising steel guitarists know this much. Another foolproof method to insure a busy schedule, free from transient sleuthhounds,
is realized by spreading the goods over a wide area. Early birds in the management of self-employment, rely on information divulged by those who feel comfortable discussing their working schedules in various nightclubs. That is the reason for some steel guitarists claiming ownership to two car garages. When you hear someone say, "he's the quiet type", rest assured his ears are working overtime. Knowing someone, who knows someone with clout, is in my opinion a very close second to building a following, by letting the clientele know how much you appreciate their patronage. As always, competition is healthy, as it produces the very best
by meeting every challenge, without turning back.

b0b, you can take it from here.
I'm not going to try to respond to discursive word salad anymore.

Seriously, I can't find any connection to the original topic in that.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 7 Sep 2010 5:01 pm

Duane,

I can see that your appreciation for that little squeak at the edge of the forest is nonexistent. How terrible, missing out on natures plan to confuse man. Those who are set upon ignoring the smallest details nearby, and who become onlookers who gaze far beyond limits of understanding are lost from the earthly pleasures. I would have nothing in common with such an individual.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 7 Sep 2010 5:29 pm

I respect the wisdom of those who struggled against hardships in generations of the past. We have lost much over the years by condoning wrongdoings such as the one taking shape in this particular thread.

Duane Reese · Post by **Duane Reese** » 7 Sep 2010 5:48 pm

I'm not going to play your game anymore, Bill.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 7 Sep 2010 5:54 pm

A Major Drawback; Placing Many Eggs In one Basket
Poultry in Motion

Chris House · Post by **Chris House** » 7 Sep 2010 6:40 pm

I wake up every day, right here, right in Punxsutawney, and it's always February 2nd, and there's nothing I can do about it.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 7 Sep 2010 8:00 pm

Seriously Bill, can we please have a moratorium on metaphors and talk about the subject directly? Were you referring to the ISGC, as some seem to have assumed, or something else entirely?

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 7 Sep 2010 8:05 pm

Seriously Bill, can we please have a moratorium on metaphors and talk about the subject directly

I'm guessing the answer to that is no.

I actually don't believe that Bill is capable of not speaking in metaphor. Kind of like an ancient curse

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Sep 2010 4:18 am

b0b,

Thanks for submitting your inquiry. NO! It doesn't matter if the organizations are huge, and have become well established over the years. It would require essentially the narrow-mindedness of a calloused and distinguishably crude member of society to cite individually, DeWitt Scott, or The ISGC as the culprit or culprits, involved in the original plan to filter out mediocrities well in advance of scheduled performances. I'm not aware of Dewitt and their elected staff membership singling out their selections of performers by an form of tokenism. The performer must meet very high standards of excellence to make it to the most respected stage the world over. Who sets the high standards that are sought as a regular practise, by ascertaining a grouping of mediocrities? It is much too easy to find the means to adapt to such restrictive measures, when a handful of individuals set examples by succeeding in "pulling it off", or more realistically, taking no chances with possible bloopers originating through a program of unsuitable
performances based on good, better, and best. Many who attend shows are capable steel guitarists in their own right. Once again the yellow caution light would glow before the eyes of promoters in St Louis, Texas, New York, Tennessee, California, etc., upon awakening to who actually determines the successes of the promotions.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 8 Sep 2010 7:24 am

If not the ISGC then, to which "basket of eggs" were you referring?

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 8 Sep 2010 8:01 am

For purposes of this discussion we need a clear definition of mediocre.

If we use the model of school grades, a-excellent, B- good, C- fair, D- barely passing and F- failure. than I'd say mediocre is a C- or D +.

In our world the A+ players are Buddy, Lloyd, Paul, Reece, etc. The of us range from A without the plus and on down the scale.

As I stated earlier there is a fundamental difference between the convention and all the show put in by local clubs and associations. the I.S.G.C. is a commercial enterprise. It is a major part of Scotty's income. He HAS TO book the A and A+ players. If he booked the B players, fewer would come, and if he booked the C and D players, nobody would.

The place for the less accomplished players is at events put on by clubs, where everybody knows everybody else,the element of personal friendships play a much more important role.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 8 Sep 2010 8:45 am

I agree with Mike.

Think of it as a baseball analogy. Playing the ISGC in primetime is like playing at the major league (ok, World Series) level - weekend recreational ballplayers should not expect to fill a very limited number of slots. There are many, many ballplayers that will pay their dues and gradually work their way up in the minor leagues hoping to get a "cup of coffee" in the majors. Only a gifted few may catch on for a major league career, and, unfortunately, many minor leaguers may never get the chance. There are also many talented ballplayers that may never even get a chance at the minors and wind up playing in college or in town/city leagues and are happy just to enjoy the game.

Scotty does have a talent nite every year that is an opportunity for lesser known (and very talented) steel players to get some exposure before a large crowd and maybe break into the starting lineup in the future.

ok, this is possibly the only thread in Forum history that mentions eggs and baseball.

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A Major Drawback; Placing Many Eggs In one Basket

Re: Putting Many Eggs In One Basket!

The "egg" metaphor