Steel Players on Austin City Limits

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 21 May 2012 1:50 pm

To me the public television show Austin City Limits is seldom worth watching anymore. Years ago they had quality singers and players. The steel players I have recently seen on Austin City limits barely know how to tune their single neck guitars. Jeff Bridges and his band was recently on the Show. Maybe I should not say this, but to me they sounded like a garage band just learning to play and sing. This is PUBLIC MONEY, as in public television, supported by your tax money. Who is in charge of booking these wierd musicians and singers? The public needs to hold these people accountable. How did these people get in charge of Austin City Limits? Seems to me there should be a house cleaning at the top. A nationally televised show using public money should have quality players. One would expect to see one of the top steel players, but instead you see a steel player who barely knows how to tune his guitar. Maybe I should not say anything, but after seeing Jeff Bridges and his band I had to say something.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 21 May 2012 2:40 pm

Amen Keith. As an Austinite...I am sad to say that is has everything to do with everything ELSE; but the Music.
However; Herb has a great point below of how the show is sold; but I will still say that MUSIC being bought today is very very sad...it's just brainless dribble...but that's my opinion.
Ricky

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 21 May 2012 2:50 pm

Thanks for saying the truth Keith. I watched that Jeff Bridges performance and just shook my head at the steel performance. Jeff Bridges really should of had a more competent steel player in the band. The fiddle player and drummer were good. If the steel player is reading this I'm sorry, but Jeff Bridges needs a better steel player.

J R Rose · Post by **J R Rose** » 21 May 2012 2:55 pm

AMEND & AMEND, I have heard some garage bands that sound better than the garbage they have on the show now. I used to look forward to it but don't even know when it comes on now. J.R.

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 21 May 2012 4:44 pm

WOW!!! I thought it was just me.I'm too trad.to watch what they put on now.

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 21 May 2012 7:46 pm

I think the only way you will hear good music out of Austin City Limits is to get rid of the top management. What irks me is the management at Austin City Limits are spending my tax money on their personal agenda. It is what they want--NOT--quality music, and NOT what the public wants. If you sit back and don't complain the top managment at Austin City Limits will keep craming this wired stuff down your throat. To complain to the people running this show now would obviously do no good. Probably the best way to complain is to public television on the national level. Ask your congressman to look into how these people are wasiting away our tax dollars on THEIR PERSONAL AGENDA. Ricky, I really hate judging people's music. Sometimes you have to call a spade a spade. By the way Ricky, wish I could see a great player like you on Austin City Limits. That will not happen, you are much to accomplished on steel. The wierd management of Austin City Limits wants people who can barely tune up a steel guitar.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 21 May 2012 8:28 pm

I haven't seen this particular show, but I would think it is more Jeff Bridges' responsibility to put together a competent band INCLUDING the steel player. Possibly he doesn't know the difference, but my guess would be he's too preoccupied milking his "Bad Blake" persona from "Crazy Heart" to devote any attention to this issue. I like JB, but he needs to understand that he's an actor playing a country singer, not a country singer. Only my opinion, of course ...

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 22 May 2012 4:43 am

Reading these posts, it seems to me that many of the complainers about ACL have no idea of how the show is produced and sold to other PBS stations, or why KRLU books the acts they do.

My take on the situation is this:

The show is produced by KLRU, the local Austin PBS affiliate. Each year the management of the show goes to other PBS stations and attempts to get ACL on those other stations, from which KLRU receives money paid by those stations to keep producing the show. Local $$ contributions make up a relatively small amount of the production budget, and tax dollars even less (thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Republican).

To get other stations to subscribe to ACL, the producers of the show have to book acts that product buyers of other PBS stations recognize and feel will draw viewers to THEIR stations, thereby accumulating $$ from THEIR viewers. Booking acts on ACL based on how "country" they are, or how proficient the steel guitarists are, will not get PBS stations to clamor for adding ACL to their station's lineup.

Thinking that changing the top management of ACL will somehow result in better steel guitarists being on the show is a very nearsighted view of the business world of PBS stations, and unrealistic.

If Jeff Bridges has a bad steel player, complain to him, not ACL or PBS. They're only trying to produce and sell a show the best way they can.

David Yannuzzi · Post by **David Yannuzzi** » 22 May 2012 5:33 am

From what i have seen of Jeff Brideges recently on TV performing the steel players in his band have either been Greg Leisz or Russ Paul . I think it was Russ Paul on ACL with jeff bridges .I didn't see the whole thing

I wouldn't consider them traditional players but i wouldn't consider them terrible . I actually think they are some of the best,melodic and most original players out there today .They listen and play for the song . Not just licks ...

I don't think Jeff Bridges is the strongest singer or front man but he had a good Band .maybe his songs aren't the best either .But i bet its a fun and good paying gig

Just my opinion .

I will say that i did catch some indie band on ACL a couple of months ago and the guitar player played some steel on a couple of songs . It seemed like he just got it and was learning on stage . I am sure some of us started out the same way except our gigs weren't on national TV. Can't remember there name of the band

Curt Jarvis · Post by **Curt Jarvis** » 22 May 2012 6:27 am

I have to say that I have not watched a whole ACL show in years. I tune in and the talent just does not interest me. Do not ask some Des Moines, Iowa PBS affiliate who ACL should put on. Put the best musians in Texas on and the whole world will watch. It's like the show isn't even from texas anymore, are there that many transplants living there now. I'll let them have the rest if they would just give us Miss Leslie and Ricky once this season. You ask me what I like about Texas.

Chris Dorch · Post by **Chris Dorch** » 22 May 2012 6:40 am

I agree that ACL has been hit or miss over the last couple years. The Jeff Bridges show wasn't the worst I ever saw, but wasn't too good either. Apparently Greg Leisz wasn't available to play as he does on Jeff's album. Pity since I love listening to Greg...

To point out, many of the acts on ACL are geared towards the younger generation. Furthermore, they are apparently trying to steer away from country music and get into some other genres like roots, or jazz, or alternative rock.

Perhaps it's been hit or miss because I (we) am (are) getting older and cannot appreciate the music from the "younger" generation?

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 22 May 2012 8:36 am

When ACL shows up on the TV menu,I always watch.For about 30 seconds.The last ACL I can remember being impressed with was the one featuring Hank Thompson.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 22 May 2012 8:49 am

I didn't see the Jeff Bridges show but if a band (like the Decembrists) puts a red Sierra S-10 onstage, I think it's good exposure for the instrument.

Scott Swartz · Post by **Scott Swartz** » 22 May 2012 9:22 am

Some links of interest, I will let them speak for themselves

http://acltv.com/episode/miranda-lambert-jeff-bridges/

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... t=#1818815

and finally AMG is not always accurate or names can get confused but….

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-flo ... 11/credits

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 22 May 2012 9:56 am

Once again, Herb, the voice of lucidity and reason.
You don't do taxes by any chance?

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 22 May 2012 10:14 am

Herb, you are right in one respect. It is "What a few people think will sell". In other words what "THEY LIKE"- what their view of music is. They are desciding what "YOU LIKE". Pubic television is supported by local stations and by our tax money from the Federal Government. Herb, why can't I see people like you, Dicky Overbey, Ricky Davis,Bobby Flores, and Justin Trevino on ACL? Herb, I am not so sure it is about programing and sales. I think most of the programming is based on what a very few people like. Therefore we are supposed to like what they like! And yes--it is obvious--these people truly hate country music with a strong steel guitar.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 22 May 2012 10:16 am

i can't imagine russ pahl sounding like a beginner. maybe he was acting the part...playing down to jeff bridges.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 22 May 2012 11:07 am

I haven't seen the show(s) in question, and I know Greg and Russ Pahl aren't slouches. One thing that has been my experience is that sometimes you'll do a gig with a singer/actor who's knowledge of the genre is quite small, and anything outside their little box just doesn't fly. For some of them, their familiarity with pedal steel begins and ends with "Teach Your Children", and that's the stuff they want to hear.
Not just with steel, or with country music, either... players have been "dumbed down" on gigs for years, and forced to play what the artist wants. It's happened to me a few times, and I hate it.

So maybe it's not the player's fault. Sometimes you play, and sometimes you work.

btw, the last ACL show that fired me up was the one that featured Allen Toussaint.

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 22 May 2012 12:08 pm

I have a very simple question: "Why is everyone ASSUMING it is either Greg Leisz or Russ Pahl?" WHY do you keep assuming that it was one of these two guys on steel guitar? The fellow who was attempting to play steel also played a squeeze box. He was a lot better on the squeeze box than he was on steel.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 22 May 2012 12:59 pm

Here he is gentlemen, place your bets. Black Emmons, by the way ….

Larry Tracy · Post by **Larry Tracy** » 22 May 2012 1:08 pm

I agree with Herb. They are putting on acts that will get the show seen so they can continue to make ACL. You might not like the Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Avett Bros.,Drive by Truckers, etc, but they are very popular right now. It is not ACL's fault the steel player was bad. I had seen the original showing of this episode and not the recent showing. Can't remember who he was but it was a name I didn't recognize. Someone must of seen the name of the steel player at the end of their set when they show who is in the band.

Russell Nugent · Post by **Russell Nugent** » 22 May 2012 1:09 pm

The credits on the show state that it is Bill Flores playing the steel. I didn't think it sounded all that bad, frankly. That was a nice sounding little Emmons, at least to my ears. I know that it is not Russ Pahl.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 22 May 2012 1:22 pm

It appears that it is indeed, Bill Flores.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... 27278b61cd

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 22 May 2012 1:30 pm

Well, there it is. It was neither Greg or Russ.
And they're still not slouches...

Bill Flores · Post by **Bill Flores** » 22 May 2012 2:50 pm

Wow, after playing music for 40 some years, I've finally been castigated on a public forum!...I've watched this thread with mild amusement, esp. those who haven't even seen the the show getting in the dog pack mentality. While it wasn't my or the bands' best performance, I don't feel it was THAT bad.
I can see that some don't like the music that Jeff and the band played, that's fine. But some have taken a personal animus toward me after one performance,albeit on a major broadcast. I'm sure that a least a few have had "off" night, maybe not, but that's how I played that night. No apologies from me.
Mr. Hilton, I do know how to tune and play steel guitar,you may not agree, but frankly,I could care less about your opinion of me based on that show.....btw I did use a Hilton pedal

And that's all I care to say on this.
BF

The Steel Guitar Forum

Steel Players on Austin City Limits

Steel Players on Austin City Limits

PBS affiliates