Are Steel Guitar Players a Dying Breed? No!

[Dustin Rhodes]

As a younger guy I would love to see experienced steel players doing something about it instead of doing what seems to be the typical thing and just ranting. There is still plenty of steel guitar music out there. Everyone has a skewed view on the state of music based on their instrument and what time period they came out of. Guys on talkbass whine about synth bass and how R&B doesn't sound like Motown anymore. Guys on TGP or TDPRI whine about modern music because there are no solos or because the guitars don't sound like Don Rich.

There are steel guitar associations all over the country (something that 6 string players don't have). It would be cool to see them put together presentations and go do assemblies at schools for their music programs. Not only play a bit for them but also talk about the history of the instrument and its unique place in American music.

[Richard Sinkler]

Years ago, I was playing for a guy that was a music teacher at Cal-State University. He used to take our band to schools. They would have assemblies, and we would play and present our instruments, explain what they are, and answer questions. We had him on acoustic guitar, a banjo player, piano player and me. We used to do this at elementary schools, Jr. High and High Schools. I don't think it had much of an impression on most. The biggest response was from the elementary school students. It's worthwhile project though. Even if only one kid gets interested, you did good.

[Eric Philippsen]

I find this interesting. I've been using that EH B9 organ pedal at gigs. Sparingly. During or after EVERY gig I get musicians asking about the "organ sound" I use. They come right on up and really want to know.

Hey, think about it. It's expanding the pedal steel's role. And that's a good thing. There will now be keyboard players complaining about us taking their jobs!

[Henry Matthews]

There is a midi device that goes on steel guitar that will mock, piano, organ, sax, trumpet, guitar and several other instruments. The last time I heard one was Bud Carter had one and that was years ago. Al Petty is the one responsible I think for making it. It was called a guitorcrestor I think.

They sound really great and like if you play piano on it, you sorta have to think piano. I figured out the kick to Ft Worth Ever Cross Your Mind and sounded just like it. The piano mode played the note that was closest to your bar position. No playing off key. It was great. Just took a little of a learning curve. You have to have an extra pickup for your steel to make it midi activated.

Don't know if they are still made and haven't seen one in years. It a lot of steelers use them, I think would really help steelers get jobs. The keyboard players would really be pi$$ed then.

[Donny Hinson]

BUT look at how many bands playing stuff we don't care for use it. It may not be playing as much George and Merle, but it's still out there.

You mean, like, one in a hundred? Yeah, sure, it's still out there, but I think it's a looooong way from being what I'd call "popular". From what I gather, it's being used far less than it was in the '70s. Back then, we had younger known players like Buddy Cage, Rusty Young, Jerry Garcia, and Sneaky Pete, who were all keeping the instrument visible to the younger audiences. Aside from Robert Randolph, who's carrying those torches today?

Inquiring minds would like to know.

[Dwight Lewis]

If ever the guitar is not found in country music, rock, or even gospel, I believe the GOOD LORD will have Gabriel sound the trumpet and we all will be going on home. Cause this instrument origin had to have come from heaven. There are not enough words to describe the way this instrument can connect with a persons spirit like no other instrument I have ever heard. One thing we should always remember is we have these nstruments and as long as they exist( AND AS WE CAN SEE THEY LAST VIRTUALLY FOREVER) the spirit of the music will live on. The SPIRIT will never die. So I believe the music will live on forever. My opinion.


Dwight

[Zane King]

NIels,

I have read ever post here on this thread but as you know I appreciate you very much and I wanted to pipe in my half cent worth of an opinion.

I agree with you that the way to build interest in the instrument is to have youngsters express "their music" on pedal steel guitars. It needs to happen more often. Yet, for the most part it does not. There is a little hope when someone like Robert Randolph plays on Lettermen. And when John Mayer has a steel player in his band. Those are good moments for sure. So far though, even that hasn't really brought many newbies to the instrument.

I will keep doing what I can and I know folks here on this Forum will as well.

Stay tuned,

Zane

[Melvin Edge]

I am 30 years old and new to the pedal steel. I started my musical journey in hopes of learning piano. It just wasn't it for me so I decided to pick up guitar. I learned quickly and soon began playing guitar regularly at my church. My first real exposure to pedal steel was on one of Eric Clapton's "Crossroads" DVDs. There I saw Robert Randolph sitting center stage. I was amazed. I had never really even seen the instrument just heard it on a few country tunes. I had no idea of its versatility. As soon as I could I went and bought a Morrell 6 string lap steel and started playing. A year later I bought a Georgeboards 8 string console in preparation for a pedal steel. In July, I received my Jackson Blackjack Custom. I sit down everyday experimenting with new runs and pedal combos. I must add that although I was introduced to the steel via Robert Randolph, I have since explored the styles of most of the notable pedal steel players discussed in this forum. I myself have introduced dozens of people to the instrument and feel like there is hope for its future in many genres of music.

[Godfrey Arthur]

Interesting thread.

Not anymore than Hammond organ players. Organ has disappeared from most rock, pop, r&b so guess where it hangs now?

Alongside psg on country tunes!

In fact like it or not as conventional steelers go, Robert Randolph's Family Band sports a draw-bar/twirl box meister.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip6vMhmveCQ

[Niels Andrews]

The best any of us can do for the instrument we love/ or love to hate, is share it, with anybody and everybody. There is so much music just dying to be played on Steel, we must inspire new players and show what can be done.

[Bob Stone]

Hi,

There are dozens of young (and some not so young) African American "sacred steel" players in Florida and the other mainland states, and new ones coming along every day. Most of them play pedal-steel.

Of course, what they play and how they play, for the most part, does not fit the usual expectation of pedal-steel or steel guitar. You may or may not care for this kind of music, but it is flourishing and there are probably hundreds of these players nationwide. Could there be more sacred steel players than country and western players? I wouldn't be surprised. Something to ponder.

I remember Rick Alexander lamenting a few years ago that there were very few steel players in the Ft. Lauderdale-Miami area. I know of at least a dozen and could probably come up with a dozen more names in a few days.

Again, these players do not fit the most common concept of steel guitar or pedal-steel guitar musicians. Many play in a style similar to Robert Randolph, who has been the subject of much heated discussion on this Forum. But there are lots of them and their numbers are growing daily. That cannot be denied.

All the best,

Bob

[Joachim Kettner]

Godfrey Arthur:

Not anymore than Hammond organ players. Organ has disappeared from most rock, pop, r&b so guess where it hangs now?

I buy the occasional new record from time to time, not as often as I did a few years ago, but I found that singers (who are not aimed for the mainstream market) use more organ to embellish their sound.
Ryan Adams had a steel in his band and on his recordings, but I think he has no more. They are not really loyal to the instrument as the old country singers were.

[Alan Tanner]

My wife had on a local "new country" radio station Saturday morning. After a half hour of the most discordant,loud, non harmonious, no talent, asinine noise makin', no word, conglomeration of CRAP, I turned it off. It was nothing but irritating. If there were steel guitars in there, who would know it or be able to identify them. Even the fiddle runs, played ad nauseum in every tune was obnoxious. The same old sounding bone heads singing with irritating thru the nose pretend to be country vocals, men AND women. If you all think this is bringing in younger players, yer kiddin' yourselves. Besides, young people can't afford it. And, where to go to find out anything if you DID want to know. Here??? Right...with all the arguing, testosterone wars and cane waving that goes on here, not to many young folks that I know are gonna be drawn in. Easier and cheaper to get a guitar and be a STAR....

[Barry Blackwood]

If you all think this is bringing in younger players, yer kiddin' yourselves.

Agreed.
Signed,
An old cane waver..