Attracting New Players

[Charles Davidson]

Bill, I think we were talking about Young people and the steel,also Robert Randolf and your bashing of this great player.Right out of the blue you change the subject[as allways]and start talking about an artist from the 30's that very few even know who he is.Can you explain why you would do this. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

[Bill Hankey]

CHARLES,

Bullies are the most unpopular people in our society.
They are found in different levels of grades throughout our schools, and elsewhere. That situation has been brought to the attention of anyone who owns a radio or television, and watches the news. Many situations in life allow for bullies to carry out their urges to mistreat others, escaping detection as they roam about looking for their next victim. When I was in grammar school, a bully in my class, named BUSTER D., loved to pick fights, hoping to find someone to go a few rounds with him. He had an uncle who boxed professionally, which explains why he liked to dance around on his toes, while guarding his chin. To this day, I have no idea how he came to know about HANK KEENE. We were both out for recess, and he heard me singing an old country tune. Then he remarked, "Oh, Hank Keene, huh?" For some reason, I never forgot that name. Many years later, I learned that he was an entertainer.

[Alan Tanner]

Topic: Attracting New Players

[Dick Sexton]

I think if a new player happens to stumble on to this thread, they would burn their steel and slit their wrists for ever having thought of becoming even remotely associated with the instrument and its playing community. Will someone point to something in this thread that might attract or even remotely help a budding young musician. The title is an oxymoron when associated with the thread content. MOO

In Bills defense. I'm sure you have helped scores of players. I have read from others, that you have. I commend you for not tooting your own horn. But... What have YOU done lately? If you have done it, it hasn't been in this thread, maybe not this forum. Since Bill will not answer that question. Charlie, have you seen anything?

[Bill Hankey]

Alan,

I can't think of a better way to attract new players, than to follow the steps of such promoters as DeWitt Scott from the "show me" state of Missouri. He's been featuring the most sensational steel guitarists from around the world, on Labor Day Weekends for many years; as far back as the 1970's. The P.S.G.A. INC. in Floral Park, sponsors the same type of show, on a reduced scale, in terms of numbers of players who perform. Nevertheless, they have featured the same level of professionals, and nearly as long as DeWitt Scott has produced his yearly shows. Another attraction that might prove to be fruitful in searching out those would-be players who would possess more than an average interest in the steel guitar, could be done through a raffle. Those with a moderate to strong interest in the instrument, would want to be included in the drawing.

[Bill McCloskey]

"I can't think of a better way to attract new players, than to follow the steps of such promoters as DeWitt Scott from the "show me" state of Missouri. "

Well, then I guess our job is done. I guess there was no need for the thread since the answer is already being done.

Can't wait for the raffle. I know when I talk to my son's friends, they tell me the only thing keeping them from any interest in the pedal steel is lack of a good raffle.

I'm now going to go away and ask myself why I participate in these stupid threads.

[Bill Hankey]

Bill M.,

Have you ever heard the song recorded by "HIGHWAY 101", called "THE BLAME"? When their lead female vocalist left the group after many hit recordings, another female vocalist took her place, and recorded that particular song with the "HIGHWAY 101" group. I suggest you listen to their copy and the instrumentally played version, by DAVID HARTLEY on PEDAL STEEL GUITAR. More recently, you remind me of that song, by fixing THE BLAME where is doesn't belong.

[Bill Hankey]

A special note: If they, the builders, ever find a way to mass produce the pedal steel guitars, and the prices are decreased to an affordable range, the instrument might take off in popularity to such an extreme, that all this bickering can come to a close. Everything in life boils down to supply and demand.

[Charles Davidson]

Bill, You are so predictable at changing the subject with nonsense and gooble goog,What does some group from 15 or 20 years ago,or even 80 plus years ago have to do even remotely about the subject of YOUR post.Since I'm just an old backwoods illiterate simple man having less than an expected standard of familiarity with the language you use in your post.Would it be possible for you to explain in LAYMANS terms what Highway 101 or Hank Keene have to do with the subject matter of your original post. And what do you mean about bickering about new players and the price of steel guitars,You are the only one I have heard complain about ten thousand dollar guitars. Maybe you were thinking of the old viintage Bigsby Bobbe had for sale.YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

[Bill Hankey]

Charles,

WAYLON JENNINGS could respond in kind to many of your indirect inquiries. He would come out with such comments as: "That don't deserve no answer hoss", or, "If you see something getting smaller "hoss" it'll be me leavin'". With RALPH MOONEY on pedal steel, WAYLON could back much of what he had to say by his performances. Then there was "LITTLE SHOOTER" and "I'M NOT LISA". Bottom line, I haven't a great amount of imagination, when anyone commences to sidetrack me and divert my thinking into the "ditches". I prefer to keep all 4 wheels on the pavement, at all times.

[Alan Tanner]

Topic: Attracting New Players

[Charles Davidson]

Bill,You just proved my point ten fold.Your last post has NO intelligible substance,lacks any coherent meaning,Bringing Waylon and Moon into this conversation makes no more sense than bringing Highway 101 or Hank Keene into it.Could you PLEASE just one time answer a direct question.[is that possible] What does Highway 101,Waylon,Moon,Hank,etc, have to do with this thread.YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

[Bill Hankey]

I've deemed that this forum is made up of serious-minded musicians, for the most part. 99 percent are not interested in silly exchanges between just a few who have been known to "throw" the bull. This thread was originally formulated as an idea that newcomers who may read into the forum's threads, would be tempted to become players of the pedal steel guitar. The challenge is there, and wide open to those who are looking to express their musical abilities on an instrument that features numerous advantages over less complex means. I realize that the majority of musicians usually follow the sounds of music in the beginning, and gradually find themselves becoming more involved with one instrument or another. Hopefully, others will enjoy the pedal steel guitar by findind the excitement of learning, that I and so many others have experienced for many years.

[Dick Sexton]

"A few who have been known to "throw" the bull."
Throw on Bill, throw on!

"Originally formulated as an idea that newcomers who may read into the forum's threads, would be tempted to become players of the pedal steel guitar."
Surely you jest! After a couple of your posts drivel, they would be back on the Drum or Tele forums, post hast.

"Findind the excitement"
The lucky ones will "Findind the excitement", but not here. The majority of the musicians in the world don't know you, I or the forum exists. If you think otherwise, your eaten up with yourself. Which as evidenced by your writings, might the case.

[Bill Hankey]

Dick,

Reading your retort made me think that I've been introduced to the GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER of this forum. His miscalculations were similar to yours back in the year 1876.

[Dick Sexton]

Sorry Bill, didn't mean for you take it that way. And thank you for comparing me to old George, he was an educated and brilliant military strategist, who's mistake was, underestimating his opponent. Such is sometimes the case in battle. Wrong tools, not enough resources, distractions and even poor or no intelligence. He had studied everything he needed to, to fight the forces he knew and understood, by the book. He unfortunately had not studied the books his enemies had, which suggested, "Bring more Indians". No accident, that he was out numbered, it was good prior planing on his enemies part.

[Bill Hankey]

Dick,

I appreciate your accurate account of what went down in the "Little Big Horn" battle. According to reports, General Custer was hit by a rifle bullet from a great distance. It was assumed that the one who fired the shot, was a marksman, or as if by accident, struck the General in a vital point. I'll be practicing the rest of the day on my pedal steel guitar.

[Alan Tanner]

Topic: Attracting New Players

[chris ivey]

waylon also said something like,'it's hard kickin' asses with just one leg!'

[Bill McCloskey]

And so it goes.

too soon old, too late schmart.

[Charles Davidson]

Bill,As usual you don't have the cojones to answer the simple question[What does Highway 101,Waylon,Moon.Hank Keene,etc, have to do with this thread ?]Instead you start shooting the bull about Sitting Bull.By the way what does an Old Indian Chief and an old general that got his butt kicked way back in 1876 have to do with this thread.I'm just an old dumb country boy,but even I don't think that neither Mr. Bull or Mr. Custer had ANY thing to do with young people learning the steel guitar.Please inform we tree dwellers[as you affectionally called some here what Mr. Bull,Mr. Moon,Mr. Waylon,or Mr. Keene [from way back 80 years ago]have to do with this thread,This the third time you have been asked this VERY simple question. WHAT IS THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THESE FOLKS AND YOUR THREAD YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

[Bill Hankey]

Charles,

Those great people who should never be forgotten, were casually mentioned as reference points meant to characterize how much different the music was in those days many years ago, and how complex country music has become since HANK KEENE roamed through NEW ENGLAND singing his songs. Country music started to grab at every heart of those who IMO had a lick of sense in the 1940's. Country music picked up with leaps and bounds in the 1950's when the pedal steel guitar was introduced to the public by "BUD" ISAACS. I think he rang the listener's bells, as well as a large number of nonpedal steel guitar players. The pedal steel could be heard in the recordings of the majority of country music artists, with the exception of a few who had gimmicky sounds they refused to change. Great recordings were produced by some of the most artistic studio musicians in Nashville; such as LLOYD GREEN, JIMMY DAY, and BUDDY EMMONS. Their sounds could be heard on every country radio station well in the 1990's. Then new country moved into the picture, and the artists heard earlier are all but retired from the broadcasting radio stations.
Charles, can you see where this is going? It's called culmination from good to unsatisfactory in terms of hiring out as a pedal steel guitar player. So here's the thing; you are concerned with a few earlier references made by me, while your main concern of employment is in jeopardy.

[Niels Andrews]

Damm those Yankees!

[Niels Andrews]

Damm those Yankees!

[Dick Sexton]

Bill, I applaud you. Your last post was concise, non rambling and informative. Can we report a break through in communications witnessed in this thread. I do hope so.