Attracting New Players

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 3 Oct 2012 5:21 am

Drew Howard wrote:Perhaps your complaints are dating yourself a bit.

I tried dating myself, but my vision started to suffer...

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 3 Oct 2012 5:47 am

Drew,

Like the MEDIAN STRIP on super highways, music is divided by different musical tastes. rockers have their likes and dislikes, as well as country folks. Just because you carry a board full of "effects", I'm sure it matters greatly to you, but I suggest that they are far less important than things that are logically necessary for creating pure country sounds, such as those produced by the steel directly to amp, by gifted players.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 3 Oct 2012 5:53 am

And with that attitude I'm sure your calendar is full of VFW gigs.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 3 Oct 2012 6:33 am

Drew,

One thing that identifies a "rocker" is their habit of postulating, by stating this is the way it is, in so many words. Opinions are two way streets, at least that's the way it could be. "According to their lingo, they can "blow the walls out!" They sure can, and at the same time cruise at multi-decibels, far above safe levels for unsuspecting victims of hearing losses. Ear plugs are very necessary if you attempt to approach their bandstands. That is more than reason enough to consider keeping a safe distance from rock bands, and opt for volume control.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 3 Oct 2012 6:36 am

Don't know what your lecture is pertaining to, but I will say this, if I want to work as a musician, I need to have an open mind.

Jeff Campbell · Post by **Jeff Campbell** » 3 Oct 2012 7:08 am

Most of the places you can go to and listen to what they call country today only has guitars and distortion boxes....I honestly wouldnt waste my time to go the Opry and I live fairly close to it. The steel has been my pick of instrument to play the last 32 years and there is an audiance out there who still likes the "real country" , its just a shame that music industry has went the direction it has and got away from the root of it.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 3 Oct 2012 7:27 am

In my experience, country bands are at least as loud as rock bands. Some country bands I've played with are louder than most rock bands. Ask Jack Francis.

Jack and I were playing a dance for teenagers once, back in the 80s. During the break, a couple of them came up and asked us "How can you stand to be so close to your amplifiers?". We were a country dance band, and we were VERY LOUD.

I used to live a mile from the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. During the fair, I could often hear the country bands from the main stage.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 3 Oct 2012 8:18 am

I used to live a mile from the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. During the fair, I could often hear the country bands from the main stage.

Were there any rock bands there for comparison?

Rick Schacter · Post by **Rick Schacter** » 3 Oct 2012 8:38 am

Jeff Campbell wrote: there is an audiance out there who still likes the "real country" , its just a shame that music industry has went the direction it has and got away from the root of it.

There is an audience for "real country", but it's a rapidly shrinking audience.

The people calling the shots in Nashville probably figured out that they can sell more records when there's a rock beat added to the songs.
That's the free market in action. Like it or not.

If you truly want to keep steel guitar alive, quit complaining that country music ain't country music anymore and try to make it fit into the new style.

Rick

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 3 Oct 2012 8:40 am

I've played in country, rock, top 40, jazz, bluegrass, and other genres of bands, and seen literally thousands in concert over the years. The absolute LOUDEST band I've ever heard playing live was the Mavericks, right after they got signed, in an Atlanta hotel lobby. Deafening. The lead instrument was a viola! When the record came out the only thing that was left of their sound was Raul's voice.

Making one more left turn, I suggest, Bill, that anyone who seriously wants to bring new players into the fold makes an effort to play the music young people like, in the venues they attend. I can assure you that kids, and not-so-young steel fans, recognize and enjoy steel in rock, retro-country, bluegrass, blues, jam-band, and folky singer-songwriter style Americana environments. There are nearly endless opportunities for gigs outside of the dwindling pure country environment- and bemoaning the lack of shining new faces at Scotty's convention, or the local VFW or dance hall, might have more to do with the venue and perhaps performer attitude than steel guitar itself.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 3 Oct 2012 8:58 am

I used to live a mile from the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. During the fair, I could often hear the country bands from the main stage.

Barry Blackwood wrote: Were there any rock bands there for comparison?

I never heard one. The loudest I remember was Hank Williams Jr.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 3 Oct 2012 9:33 am

Rick Schacter wrote: There is an audience for "real country", but it's a rapidly shrinking audience....

If you truly want to keep steel guitar alive, quit complaining that country music ain't country music anymore and try to make it fit into the new style.

Rick

Or ANY style.

Rick Schacter · Post by **Rick Schacter** » 3 Oct 2012 9:40 am

Drew Howard wrote:
Rick Schacter wrote: There is an audience for "real country", but it's a rapidly shrinking audience....

If you truly want to keep steel guitar alive, quit complaining that country music ain't country music anymore and try to make it fit into the new style.

Rick
Or ANY style.

Exactly. There's plenty of room for all of it.
I might also add that if you're willing to give the audience what they want, they''ll be more willing to listen to what you'd like to play for them.
Including old style country music.
Even if people don't want to hear a whole evening of old country, it still isn't going to go completely away.

Rick

Alan Berdoulay · Post by **Alan Berdoulay** » 3 Oct 2012 9:47 am

Mark van Allen wrote:
....... anyone who seriously wants to bring new players into the fold makes an effort to play the music young people like, in the venues they attend. I can assure you that kids, and not-so-young steel fans, recognize and enjoy steel in rock, retro-country, bluegrass, blues, jam-band, and folky singer-songwriter style Americana environments. There are nearly endless opportunities for gigs outside of the dwindling pure country environment- and bemoaning the lack of shining new faces at Scotty's convention, or the local VFW or dance hall, might have more to do with the venue and perhaps performer attitude than steel guitar itself.

.......finally.......well put Mark.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 3 Oct 2012 10:05 am

Mark Van Allen,

DOUG STONE visited RIVERSIDE PARK, (Now 6 Flags), in nearby AGAWAM, MA. a few years ago. Whoever managed DOUG'S sound system, drove him "bananas". He threatened to get even by reprimanding the responsible parties, after the show. LORRIE MORGAN was featured either before or after D. STONE. Her demeanor quickly escalated from song to shouts for security. Both shows were blighted by outside 3rd parties, I deducted there was someone who may have been unfriendly toward country musicians. Speaking of HANK WILLIAMS JR., he traveled nonstop from somewhere in TEXAS to a fairground in SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE COUNTY, in MA. I was there out of respect, because DONNA FARGO was to appear with him. As far as I know, the show flopped, due to a no-show attendance. HANK THOMPSON met with the same type of no-show in CENTRAL BERKSHIRE COUNTY, at TACONIC HIGH SCHOOL, a few years ago. HANK must have agreed to take out two birds with one stone, after appearing in nearby ALBANY, N.Y. Most of the major large attendance records occur at ROCK, FOLK, or BLUEGRASS festivals. It's a second generation of hysteria, or delirium, featuring a deleterious posturing to displace true country music by a show and tell system. For those who have time to wait, I sense that one of the future generations will upset the applecarts of those who are responsible for the musical exploitations of country music.

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 3 Oct 2012 10:21 am

So much for attracting new players.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 3 Oct 2012 10:49 am

Bud,

Uniforms and clean-cut country musicians have faded out. Songs like "RED SOLO(SP.)CUP" go over with a big bang. Anything that allows for letting the hair hang down on bewhiskered faces, and letting it all hang out is receiving high praises. It reminds me of the branch of armed services who are looking for a FEW good Marines. Instead, I'm looking for a few good country music advocates.

Patrick Strain · Post by **Patrick Strain** » 3 Oct 2012 11:01 am

I'm a 34 year old new player (probably the worst on SGF) but I've seen nothing but support from other steel players. I play mainly in a rock setting, but have a lot of respect for country players, classic or mainstream. I don't see the point in arguing what is or what isn't real music. I got into pedal steel from listening to Jerry Garcia, Buddy Cage, and Sneaky Pete. Some purists might cringe at that, but they were my "gateway drug". If it hadn't been for them, I may have never discovered some of my current favorite steelers. Whether we like certain types of music or not, we must at least be happy that it helps spread interest in the instrument.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 3 Oct 2012 11:18 am

Patrick,

Make no mistake, I'm all ears. I hear you loud and clear, so to speak. There is room for everyone in this mass of humanity. Reading about your interest in the pedal steel guitar carries very well. I don't believe you could ever go wrong when you devote your main musical interests to the steel guitar studies. Everyone that I've met in music and elsewhere are a bit tottery when it comes to making important decisions. You can't be sure until you see their "JOHN HENRYS" signed on the dotted lines. The same rule applies to here today, and gone tomorrow musicians. Good luck in your practice room.

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 3 Oct 2012 1:53 pm

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 3 Oct 2012 3:28 pm

There is an audience for "real country", but it's a rapidly shrinking audience.

That's fine, but let it happen at it's own pace. We all live finite lives and when we go, the music of our generation usually goes with us to some degree with some notable exceptions aside.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 3 Oct 2012 4:02 pm

Bill,seems you and a few others are against effects boxes. A couple of times years ago I heard The Big E say,{I can't wait for a new gadget to come out.On many of his songs he used distortion,delay,phase shifters,E-bows,etc.I think newbies should listen to and follow his lead,instead of a bunch of old closed minded fuddy duddys. I vote to support Buddy. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 3 Oct 2012 7:33 pm

So much for attracting new players. Country or otherwise.
How about this, go down to the hardware store, make a playable steel guitar out of hardware stuff. Put pedals on it just for looks. They don't have to work. Then go to the thrift store, buy some cheesy matching suits and plastic cowboy hats. Teach 'em to play under the double eagle. Just one song, thats all that is needed. Voila! Instant country band w/steel.
Problem solved.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 3 Oct 2012 7:40 pm

Stuart Legg · Post by **Stuart Legg** » 3 Oct 2012 11:29 pm

So much for attracting new players. Country or otherwise.
How about this, go to the thrift store, buy some cheesy shirt that has a cat hanging by a guitar string with blood dripping and go get a tattoo to match.
Then don't go buy or build a PSG just go to the local music store pull a guitar of your choice off the shelf, plug it into the biggest amp they have, crank it up to ten and practice the tab to Stairway to Heaven and Voila! Instant rock band without steel.
Problem solved.