"I'll Give You One Week To Learn It!"

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Sep 2010 4:11 am

That remark was made to me by a mediocre female country singer, who's husband is a keyboardist. They were playing a prerecorded CD with hot steel "licks" in a club when she decided to speak out. As a steel guitarist, how would you respond to that comment?

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 25 Sep 2010 4:37 am

Bill, it depends. You didn't give enough info.
If you were working for her or applying to work for her, I would smile and say "I'll do my best"

If she just came on to you outa the blue with her silly rhetoric, I would smile sweetly and tell her to stick that CD where the sun don't shine.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Sep 2010 4:59 am

Bent,

No, I'm not in her group. The curt remark stuck with me. They are not heavily booked here, and travel south to spend winters in Florida. They are more keyboard oriented. Thanks for your suggestions.

George McLellan · Post by **George McLellan** » 25 Sep 2010 5:03 am

Not all of us have the same changes/setups as in more pedals and knee levers, differant tunings ie: Mooney, making some things very difficult and some are impossible to do. (The next time someone tells you nothing is impossible, ask them to dribble a football - unknown author)

Geo

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 25 Sep 2010 5:06 am

Bill,

Ask her, "If I learn it in 6 days, do I still get the prize?"

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Sep 2010 5:51 am

Hi George & Chip,

Thanks for the solaces proffered in combating outspokenness on the part of the female entertainer.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 25 Sep 2010 5:52 am

So, Bill, how did you reply, and what were the consequences if you did not learn it?

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 25 Sep 2010 5:52 am

I would say,no problem,I'll play it my way

and wink at her. Joe

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 25 Sep 2010 5:56 am

So, Bill, how did you reply, and what were the consequences if you did not learn it?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Sep 2010 6:09 am

By and large, I would have let the jab to the rib cage, fly out the window. For some reason it developed a boomerang incontrovertible effect, the more I pondered its meaning, the more it danced before me.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Sep 2010 6:15 am

Barry,

I was not compelled to learn a reasonable facsimile of the recording, she knew that much. She enjoys commenting in sensitive areas. This much I do know.

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 25 Sep 2010 6:34 am

remenber the Buddy Emmons, Pete Drake story

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 25 Sep 2010 6:45 am

Joe Miraglia wrote:remenber the Buddy Emmons, Pete Drake story

Bill if you leave your home now, you could be in Jamestown by 9:00 pm and get to hear me play all the hot licks I play at the Legion gig. Joe

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Sep 2010 6:53 am

Yes Joe, I do remember the story as told. Whether or not it was overdramatized by individuals who get carried away with leaving out no details, the real story, since I doubt there were many onlookers there at time, could be expressed by Buddy Emmons. Undoubtedly, such an event would in all liklihood thrill and boost the economic aspects of the industry at this point in time.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 25 Sep 2010 6:59 am

I would have asked her what the prize would be. Then I would have asked her what second prize would be.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Sep 2010 7:25 am

Jim,

I hope to be better prepared to meet the next musical jab to sensitive areas, should another witty remark be cast in my direction.

Tim Heidner · Post by **Tim Heidner** » 25 Sep 2010 7:33 am

Joe Miraglia wrote:remenber the Buddy Emmons, Pete Drake story

Do tell!

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 25 Sep 2010 7:51 am

I didn't see where it required you to learn it exactly.
I would have said "already got it"

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Sep 2010 8:10 am

Thanks Chris, I like that. Slightly abrasive remarks can and do cause the recipient to ponder for longer periods of time, should the utterance be forthcoming in a carefree manner; as if it's nothing out of the ordinary, by speaking in such a manner.

Rick Winfield · Post by **Rick Winfield** » 25 Sep 2010 8:23 am

deleted

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Sep 2010 8:45 am

Joe M.,

BTW, Here's hoping you spend an enjoyable evening at The Legion gig tonight. I'll be over on Route #22 in Cherry plains, N.Y. from 8:00 to 11:30 P.M. tonight.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 25 Sep 2010 8:56 am

i wanna know the drake/emmons story....please...

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 25 Sep 2010 9:10 am

Buddy played some hot licks to Pete, and asked 'Can you do that?'

Pete got out a thick wad of notes from his back pocket, and said 'Can you do that?'

Les Green · Post by **Les Green** » 25 Sep 2010 9:28 am

Bill, your female singer reminded me of a run-in I had with one several years ago. Our band was opening for someone, can't remember who at a county fair. We decided to have a rehearsal because a local gal wanted to sing. Night of that she appeared all decked out in her cowgirl outfit and an hour late. After the second run-through of her first song she stomped her feet and announced she couldn't sing like that as the steel player (me) was screwing her up. Before I could even get my tongue unwound the bass player had already ripped her a new one and I do mean ripped! "Lady, it ain't the steel player it's you. You can't keep time, you can't stay on key and furthermore you've got the words all screwed up. I suggest you go back home and work on your act." She appeared shocked that someone would question her talent and proceeded to stomp her feet a couple more times, turned around and left never to grace us with her talent again. I thanked the bass player, we all had a good laugh, and the rest went smooth.......

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Sep 2010 9:35 am

Chris Ivey,

A book consisting of verbatims such as the one that occurred between Buddy Emmons and Pete Drake could easily become a #1 seller, particularly among steel guitarists. Surely a veritable, publishable gold mine.