Why Restrict a Band to Just One Steel Guitar?

[Alan Brookes]

Tell a jazz band that they can only have one trumpet player, or a symphony orchestra that they can only have one violinist, and they will think that you're crazy, but we seem to have accepted that a band only needs one steel guitarist.

It's my opinion that when someone is playing the melody on steel he is taking the vocal part, so a second steel guitarists putting in all the fills that you would with a vocalist would fit in well. This works particularly well with Hawaiian music.

And remember, that if people got used to every band having multiple steel guitarists there would be a lot more work out there.

[Jim Cohen]

Ok, but right now we're more in the situation of telling them they need one steel guitarist and they ask in response: Why so many?

[Rick Abbott]

West Coast Ramblers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxxcrnJ17Tk

[Bob Hickish]

Jim said

and they ask in response: Why so many?

Jim - it would get a number of panhandlers off the street & open up a few spots on the corners for others to sell pencils out of a tin can in SF

[Ian Worley]

How about six?
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=267691

[Erv Niehaus]

At one time, Hank Thompson had two steel guitars in his band.

[Mark Eaton]

To anyone familiar with the artist and his touring band at the time, it's possible it was the only song during the evening where both Eric Heywood and Greg Leisz were featured on pedal steel concurrently but nevertheless, here is Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs from a few years ago performing God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVUL6KI8INs

[Rick Abbott]

And, again WCR:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S2S9M9PWX8

[Donny Hinson]

...but we seem to have accepted that a band only needs one steel guitarist.


...if people got used to every band having multiple steel guitarists there would be a lot more work out there.

Evidently, "we" is not "people".

[Herb Steiner]

It can be done, and has been many times, but with great care, discretion, musical generosity, and discipline.

On the other side, quoting my late friend and mentor Jimmy Day, "having two steels in the band is like having two Hammond organs."

[Lane Gray]

As in "pretty damn cool, as long as they stay out of each other's way"?

[Tony Glassman]

Every band needs a "steel section "

[Bill Moran]

Tell a jazz band that they can only have one trumpet player, or a symphony orchestra that they can only have one violinist, and they will think that you're crazy, but we seem to have accepted that a band only needs one steel guitarist.

More than one lead guitar or one steel would create , as Clint Eastwood would say, " A Cluster F "!
I have seen it tried.

[Rick Campbell]

Tell a jazz band that they can only have one trumpet player, or a symphony orchestra that they can only have one violinist, and they will think that you're crazy, but we seem to have accepted that a band only needs one steel guitarist.

More than one lead guitar or one steel would create , as Clint Eastwood would say, " A Cluster F "!
I have seen it tried.

Bill - I strongly agree with you and Clint.

RC

[Brett Day]

At the Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, there are two steel players named Gary and Martha Brown. Gary plays a Zum and Martha plays an Emmons

[Marty Rifkin]

At the Barn Dance in L.A., JayDee would sometimes sit in with us on pedal steel. Since I played standing up (double 8 Stringmaster) I had a bird's eye view of his hands. When he'd go up the neck, I'd play low and vise versa. The combination of pedal and non-pedal was a really cool combination.

[John Lacey]

I play in a Calgary band called Spur Crazy and the leader of the band loves steel (plays one at home). When came into the band they already had a steeler (Tim Jeffries) but he suggested bringing me in so they did. Unfortunately, we can't get together to rehearse some twin stuff but thru repetition we're starting to play together after half a dozen gigs. It definitely takes some heads up and open ears and putting down of the bar to leave open spaces. We usually have about 4 leads in the band, so it's discipline and caring from us all. So far, so good.

[David Cubbedge]

Never had any luck at all with additional steels, but to be fair I've never been in a rehearsed situation with another steeler. Most of the time the players are just all overplaying, myself included. It would take a lot of practice and discipline to make it work, which is probably why it doesn't happen often.

The first track on the Emmons Tribute CD is proof that it can happen with good effect...

[Smiley Roberts]

When I worked with Jimmy Stephens in Wheeling W.V. (W.W.V.A. Jamboree) he used "Big Jim" Murphy & me. When I worked w/ Tommy Overstreet,he used Jimmy Crawford & me. I learned a BUNCH of stuff from both!! I miss both of them immensly!!

[Zeke Cory]

I very often play in bands who have another steel player and myself. It is both challenging and enjoyable, and I always learn something new from a different steel players perspective. Some bands even seemed thrilled to have two steels. More-over - its a very good lesson on how to play with another steel guitar player as well as how to play with other lead players in general. Also, Playing with two steels in the band with help you learn to compliment one another given the comparative similarities of the same instrument. I will, however, admit that it would become a cluster **** if one of the steel players is the type who starts playing and doesnt ever stop, but that is true of any lead instrument in the band. And I have worked with some of those as well. Then, I just do beds all night, get paid and go home. And - Dave, (excluding a personal solo), just keep in mind that a steel or any lead instrument needs to be hot only 8 bars at a time, (for both backup or lead), then let another lead take over. It will soon become second nature. Just another perspective to consider. Best Regards.