OK guys...what's the answer??

[Rick Kornacker]

Right on, Andy! So maybe history is repeating itself after all. Many of us older players, starting during the 70's era, were drawn to the pedal steel as played in anything but a commercial country setting. That is, our first "heroes" of the pedal steel were not the same players as those that we discovered a little bit later in the game. First captivated by the likes of Jerry Garcia, Toy Caldwell, and Buddy Cage, to name a few, then discovering such inspired players as Lloyd Green, Buddy E. and later Paul Franklin. That was the real "eye-opener" for me. I say whole-heartedly...whatever it is that gets you going, go with it! Respectfully submitted, RK

[Mark Taylor]

I've been playing Dobro since I was 13. A friend I was raised up with starting learning the steel when he was around 8 or 9 years old. His dad would make him practice while the rest of us was outside playing. I was thinking the other day that if he could have had the access to the steel guitar forum, youtube etc... back then how good he could be now. Of course he is darn good. Works in Nashville now. A fellow named Scottie Sanders. The country music scene these days isn't what I grew up with. We need more steel, more old time country. I play with a little band out here in Texas. Have owned a Marlen for 20 years but never really learned, or took the time to learn to play it. The band found out I had it and have kinda pushed me over the edge. Now I can't get enough of it. I would love to be half the steeler Scottie is.

[Gordon Hartin]

I started playing steel because of bands like Whiskeytown, Wilco, Sun Volt, and a couple of old Neil Young records.

I've played guitar since I was 13 and I got a steel when i was 25 in 2000, but I didn't want to double on steel and guitar. In fact I think I have only done 1 gig where I doubled. This was probably due to the fact that I was usually playing guitar in more rock oriented bands.

At first I was a bit of a purist on steel, only wanting to play it on more country type stuff, but in the past 5 years I changed my outlook on the instrument and have added fuzz, delay, pitch shifters and ambient type of effects.

Gordon

[Bill L. Wilson]

Eddy Dunlap is a FINE steel player. If I could've played like him when I was young, I could've owned Nashville.........Well, maybe not owned it, but it would've been a nice down payment. He really is fantastic.

[Eric Swanson]

I have to say that my motivation was initially practical. The artist I play with wanted a steel player and just put the challenge to me. I've played bass and guitar for 20+ years (I'm 35) and I've learned mandolin, banjo, and piano (poorly) along the way so steel was just another way to keep playing and to open up new opportunities.

Practical at first, but I'm really glad I did it. Two months after I bought a steel, I was touring as 50/50 steel and guitar. Two years later, it's more like 90/10 steel and guitar. I probably fall into the moody/atmospheric style of playing but I'd like to expand into a more classic style. I'd also like to get away from the S10 and into some C6 stuff but, to be honest, money is the biggest obstacle there. Picking up random gigs so that I can pay the rent means there's not a lot leftover to save for $2000 -$3000 guitar.

But don't fret! new players are coming along all the time and the instrument is being used in new and creative ways. Heck, even Daft Punk used pedal steel on their last album!

[Bud Angelotti]

There are about twice the number of people on the face of the earth as there were about 30 years ago, hench, more steel players.

[Wayne Neal]

My dad played steel for most of my life so I grew up with one "in the house". Always loved it but left the steel playing to him. After he hung up the gigging a few years back I wanted steel in the band; so I took up playing it a year ago.

As was stated before I think there is a guitar player under every rock and even though I got 25yrs+ on it I still get more offers to moonlight with other bands on steel.

[James Cann]

I think Hinson has it: sound distinction, to which I would add smoothness of progression no other instrument can really match and, were than not enough, the instrument's adaptability and effect beyond country music.

[Jon Smorada]

When I was 16 I met Buddy Cage. He was a member of Hog Heaven in which my godfather and next-door neighbor Mike Vale was the bass player. When I heard Buddy doing those wacky licks on the rough mixes I thought, "Man, I gotta get me one of those and learn how to play it." It wasn't until 1991 when I finally bought a Dekley student model steel from Charlie McVay. He showed me the basics and I took it home, set it up in the living room and got totally immersed. There was nothing else in my mind except the steel. I was hooked and still am.

I've met many young'uns who ask a lot of questions and are interested in learning but when they find out how expensive they are they balk at the price. If an affordable "student" pedal steel was available I guarantee there would be more folks learning. Perhaps the price of a mid-range 6-string would be more attractive.