Pedal Steel Is Dead

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 20 Dec 2010 12:24 pm

Just had Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders here at a big Vineyard gig -- I heard she had a guy doubling on Pedal Steel in her band !!!

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 20 Dec 2010 3:22 pm

That would be Eric Haywood. He may well double on another instrument, but in the concert that was televised on PBS (much of which is available for viewing on You Tube,) he only played steel, and he played it on every song.

Both he and the steel (a Williams) were also shown prominently, with lots of close-ups. throughout the telecast

The fact that the Pretenders have chosen to add a pedal steel player to the band shows that the steel is very much alive.

Scott Shewbridge · Post by **Scott Shewbridge** » 20 Dec 2010 8:02 pm

Brass in Pocket 12/14/2010

Ferdinando Ghidelli · Post by **Ferdinando Ghidelli** » 22 Dec 2010 3:37 am

Pedal steel is dead?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbLqRh7_ ... re=related

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 23 Dec 2010 12:08 pm

Mike if I had known that I would have been there with bells on mate.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 23 Dec 2010 7:18 pm

AS LONG AS THIS OLE FAT BOY IS BREATHIN' AND SOMEBODY WILL LET ME PLAY, STEEL IS ALIVE AND WELL. I'll be starting a new gig ( for me ) Jan. 1st with Gene Watson. It's music with steel guitar. That's a good thing in my book. My mind becomes much more open the more hungry I become. Paul, Mike, Sonny, Dan and whom ever else is up there in Nashville doing those records and videos. Do what ever it is you gotta do to make it to the bank on Friday. I had the chance and didn't listen. Not bitter either, kinda wish I would have used the ears more and the mouth less but lessons learned late are still lessons learned. I've had a lot of fun, made a lot of music and friends and have no intentions of slowing down anytime soon. There can only be so many A team guys, usually about 3 to 4 per instrument per 15 years give or take. When I got to Nashville in 67 it was Drake, Green, Myrick, Rugg, They were the big four. Emmons and Day were in and out. And there were the demo guys. Stu Basore, Jim Baker,Jeff Newman, Walter Haynes, Jerry Byrd and a dozen more. I'm probably way off topic now so I'll stop with this last statement. I had the chance to get to the demo chair at one point through an A team guy but was afraid to give up the $225 per week road gig salary.

Dave Grothusen · Post by **Dave Grothusen** » 24 Dec 2010 6:11 am

GO GO Johnny Go,,,,,,,,,, Johnny Be Good......lol
Sounds like a great gig glad you got it.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 24 Dec 2010 10:12 am

Johnny, great to hear that you'll be playing with Dale Watson!

Speaking of Eric Heywood, below is a link to a video of a live performance of the title song from one of my favorite CDs of 2010: God Willin' And The Creek Don't Rise from Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs. And what makes this song particularly unusual, in this era or for that matter any era since the invention of the instrument - there are two pedal steels in the performance - Eric on one, and Greg Leisz on the other. E9th, but not in the stereotypical Nashville "record mill" style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVUL6KI8 ... re=related

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 24 Dec 2010 11:49 am

Scott Shewbridge wrote:Brass in Pocket 12/14/2010

Holy Ca-rap!!!... Chrissie still looks, sings and moves like a 30 year old. whoa... Sexy as ever!...

I had and have a major crush on her.

Why she is working with a steel I don't know, but I am sure it will work well for what she is doing...

btw, Wasn't Eric Heywood with Son Volt??

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 24 Dec 2010 3:42 pm

Mark, that's GENE Watson as in Farewell Party, 14 Karat Mind ect. Not to be confused with Dale Watson who is a fine singer.

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 25 Dec 2010 2:13 pm

I remember The Pretenders stepping in a bar I used to own on Broadway back in the 80's (about 85 I'd say) I was just learning to play (still am too!) and they seemed like they liked the sound of the steel guitar when they sat in. As for A team or demo players, there's got to be the ones that make the records and the rest of us that plays them out here. I'm glad to be playing period and we all look up to you Mr. Cox! You've done way more than most of us ever dream about and just playing the ET gig would've been the highlight for me! Going to see Paul play at The Station Inn is always inspirational and I hope they never leave over there! It's a great time to live in Nashville!

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 25 Dec 2010 3:07 pm

Frank, I'm with you man. I still can't believe I've got to do even just one of the cool gigs I've done much less all the things that God has blessed me with. I'm as happy as I can be anywhere I can play where it be on a corner stage in a tractor barn, or a flatbed in a field or the Grand Ole Opry, RCA Studio B or anywhere else. I'm just very thankful to God and all my friends that helped me along the way and the new friends that still do. I just love listening to Paul tune up. Him and Tommy White and Robby Turner are the guys from our age group that set me on fire.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 26 Dec 2010 5:31 pm

Ferdinando, thanks for the link, stunning!