Steel Guitar in Ambient Americana

Eric Tingstad · Post by **Eric Tingstad** » 14 May 2012 1:52 pm

Hello Fellow Steelers and Musicians,

I think and hope some of you might be interested in the original music I have been producing that is pushing the steel guitar in some new directions.

I am a two time GRAMMY nominee and one time winner. The music I am known for has been mostly thrust into the New Age / Ambient genres, but I have always been a closet cowboy with a twang streak.

My brand new CD is called Badlands and features not only myself on steel but also Terry Lauber and Cindy Cashdollar. Cindy plays her National as well. Badlands is instrumental music that honors the traditions of American roots music, western culture and Native American Spirit.

You can visit my website http://www.erictingstad.com which will lead you to audio samples and youtube videos.

I would love to hear what you think. Thanks for reading.

Happy Steelin’

ET

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Tim Fleming · Post by **Tim Fleming** » 14 May 2012 2:26 pm

You might be interested to know (or maybe already do know) that Harold Budd has used pedal steel in some of his recordings as well - most notably on the 1991 album "By The Dawn's Early Light" The steel player is B. J. Cole from the UK.

Listen at the 4 minute mark:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1nE0UQxO0s

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 14 May 2012 2:36 pm

Interesting music Eric. The videos did not play very well for me, but I was able to listen to Cindy on the title cut and you on the Jornado and Caballero cuts.

Very nice, tranquil, listenable music. I really don't know the meaning of American Ambient music, but I get a Native American feel from the ones I was able to watch.

Thanks for sharing. Very enjoyable.

Eric Tingstad · Post by **Eric Tingstad** » 14 May 2012 4:15 pm

Tim many thanks for pointing out the Harold Budd piece. He was one of a kind. And Jerry, Ambient Americana is a term coined by John Diliberto from Echoes to describe my music and others such as Steve Roach and Ry Cooder's Paris, Texas soundtrack. A real compliment in my book.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 14 May 2012 4:37 pm

I see. Thanks Eric. I've been a fan of Ry Cooder's efforts for several years.

Chuck Thompson · Post by **Chuck Thompson** » 14 May 2012 4:56 pm

Love it

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 14 May 2012 5:01 pm

Eric - While the music is not my personal cup o'tea, you did a great job of it. It represents a lot of work! It has very high production values and an excellent/soothing temprament. Don't stop!

Eric Tingstad · Post by **Eric Tingstad** » 14 May 2012 10:08 pm

Thanks Jerry, Chuck and Bud! Thank you for letting me share. Above all I am really passionate about the steel, the history and the players. I myself have a '73 ShoBud 6139 and a sweet Fender Steel King.

Karlis Abolins · Post by **Karlis Abolins** » 15 May 2012 5:38 am

I enjoy listening to the ambient music genres. Your new album is beautifully executed. I will be adding it to my collection.

Karlis

Eric Tingstad · Post by **Eric Tingstad** » 15 May 2012 12:17 pm

Thanks Karlis!

I see you around the Seattle area. I am out here on the Sammamish Plateau living it up with all the beautiful people. I have shows this weekend in Bellevue with my Americana roots band The Halyards ... www.thehalyards.com Complete with Chris Middaugh on the pedal steel ... ET

Tim Fleming · Post by **Tim Fleming** » 15 May 2012 1:21 pm

Eric,

Harold Budd STILL IS one of a kind!
I live about 100 yards from his place - we share a bottle of wine on his patio about 3 days a week.
He has been very prolific composing and recording over the last 3 years, turning out some subtly wonderful stuff.

Tim

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 15 May 2012 4:10 pm

Hey Eric, good to see you on the Forum!

Justin Jacobson · Post by **Justin Jacobson** » 15 May 2012 4:42 pm

Eric,

Fantastic stuff. I'm a huge fan of ambient music. That Echos program was my favorite episodes played from the NPR station I worked for.

I love hearing the steel in contexts like this.

And Tim that Harold Budd piece was great.

Much heavier but approaching the ambient territory (Americana doom/drone metal)is probably my favorite recording with Steel on it. If you've never listened I highly recommend the whole album. (there is really great atmospheric steel peppered all over the album)

Earth: Hex or the printing of the infernal method
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puJ-YGo0 ... ure=relmfu (around 1:30)

Eric Tingstad · Post by **Eric Tingstad** » 15 May 2012 6:43 pm

Justin ... americana doom, who knew. very cool! i googled and found some other great bands doing doom with twang.

Mr Daste ... you heard of this?

Tim ... if i bring a good bottle of wine can i get a seat at the table with you and Harold? and trust me i know way more about wine than steel guitar

George ... i'll ship a CD to you and give ya a screamin' deal.

Thanks All,

ET

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 15 May 2012 6:54 pm

To expand on my earlier posts, I would like to say I admire you for breaking the pedal steel out of it's half century old box. While I love the traditional stuff, all steel guitar music and efforts made, this is a breath of fresh steel guitar air.

The things you, Ry and people like Bruce Kaphan, Gary Brandin et al. are doing will hopefully beget a widened interest in the instrument. Much continued success.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 15 May 2012 7:38 pm

Sounds great. I really enjoyed that.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 16 May 2012 7:53 am

Refreshing to hear steel in this context. Keep up the good work!

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 16 May 2012 9:34 am

Eric, can't say that I have, though there is definitely some unconventional steel out there...have you discovered Susan Alcorn?

Bill Liscomb · Post by **Bill Liscomb** » 16 May 2012 2:59 pm

Perfect music for the first half of my upcoming drive from California to Massachusetts. Very nice.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 16 May 2012 3:25 pm

Great stuff Eric!

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 17 May 2012 2:25 am

Eric,

Well done!

Eric Tingstad · Post by **Eric Tingstad** » 19 May 2012 2:30 pm

Jerry, that is the nicest thing anything anyone has ever said to me. Thank you so much. My publicist loves it and it will soon be up on billboards all across Americana

Mike, your site is truly amazing! I am gonna quit my job so I can devote more time to it. Oh ... wait ... I don't have a job.

Thanks for listening and commenting Barry, Bill, Bob and John!

B Daste, Thanks for reminding me of Susanalcorn. This is a good time for me to get reacquainted with her music. Will I need to start a band with her too

Also wanna give a shout out to you all about Mr Daste. A fine and upcoming player who gave me my first lesson and got me totally going in the right direction. His band is Emma Hill and her Gentlemen Callers ...http://www.emmahillmusic.com

Eric Tingstad · Post by **Eric Tingstad** » 28 May 2012 4:36 pm

I just want to underscore and give a shout out to Terry Lauber. The man who did most the brilliant ( that is the stuff i could not play

pedal steel on my production.www.terrylauber.com Thanks Terry!

Riley Hart · Post by **Riley Hart** » 31 May 2012 6:13 pm

Just yesterday downloaded a copy of Badlands, and the Emma Hill album...nice stuff! You guys are my heroes!