How many years have you been playing?

David Hartley · Post by **David Hartley** » 15 Dec 2014 4:41 am

I've just worked out I have nearly 40 years steel playing experience.

Now I feel old!

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 15 Dec 2014 5:03 am

44 years. I thought I would have learned how to play this thing by now. Oh well...

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 15 Dec 2014 5:13 am

Ben Lawson wrote:44 years. I thought I would have learned how to play this thing by now. Oh well...

Ben - I'm 65 with three years (almost) at the steel. You mean to tell me at age 106 I'm still going to be chasing it?

Pete Nicholls · Post by **Pete Nicholls** » 15 Dec 2014 5:16 am

2.5 years and counting! Wish I had started 40 years ago.

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 15 Dec 2014 5:25 am

Started in 1971 at age 14. Year# 44 is just around the corner. Main influences early on were Jerry Byrd and John Hughey. I don't have preference now, instead, I listen and study all steel players. By the way, Dave, I really like your latest Justice guitar. Thanks.

Robert Parent · Post by **Robert Parent** » 15 Dec 2014 5:41 am

I also started at age 14, May of 1974..... Guess that makes 40.

Robert

Dave O'Brien · Post by **Dave O'Brien** » 15 Dec 2014 5:51 am

40 years and I agree with you Ben!

Mike Kowalik · Post by **Mike Kowalik** » 15 Dec 2014 6:10 am

Somewhere between 25 and 30 years.....really like your playing and that Sho-Bud Pro I....

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 15 Dec 2014 6:37 am

Started in 1972 or 73 I think, so 41-42 years...Wish Iâ€™d learned a better, or more correct way of learning from the beginning, when ALL I had to think about was all things steel guitar.

Mike Archer · Post by **Mike Archer** » 15 Dec 2014 6:37 am

over 50 on tele

31 on steel

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 15 Dec 2014 6:37 am

I was a late bloomer, didn't start on pedal steel till I was 23 years old.
So, it will be 44 years of playing this coming February.

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 15 Dec 2014 6:42 am

has been 30 years for me wow time flys

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 15 Dec 2014 7:00 am

I started taking lessons in 1980 so around 35 years.

Thiel Hatt · Post by **Thiel Hatt** » 15 Dec 2014 7:20 am

I've been at it for 65 years . Started when I was twelve. Yep, that make me 77 now. Still at it. I wish I had the refinement that Dave Hartley has.

Carl Williams · Post by **Carl Williams** » 15 Dec 2014 7:21 am

Closing in on 41 years...Has been a great ride...No regrets...I only wish that I could have played steel with my Grandpa on his fiddle...he passed in 1970. He's the reason I started playing music.

Billy McCombs · Post by **Billy McCombs** » 15 Dec 2014 7:24 am

Late bloomer also 23 years, but I don't know if you would call the first three playing it. Ha

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 15 Dec 2014 7:37 am

44 on steel, 50 on regular guitar.

Jim Bloomfield · Post by **Jim Bloomfield** » 15 Dec 2014 7:51 am

4 years now. Started at 36. Really having trouble finding people to play with...

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 15 Dec 2014 8:01 am

I've been playing steel for fourteen years...it'll be fifteen years on Christmas Day

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 15 Dec 2014 8:03 am

60+ years

Rick Stratton · Post by **Rick Stratton** » 15 Dec 2014 8:10 am

50 on regular guitar, 5 on lap steel, almost 3 on pedal steel.
I broke my left wrist Nov. 25th and I'm really hoping I can resume playing someday soon!

Bill C. Buntin · Post by **Bill C. Buntin** » 15 Dec 2014 8:38 am

20 years for me with a sabbatical between 2005 and 2012. Herb Steiner said I would be back...He was right!!

BTW - David Hartley, I've watched some of your video. You sir are a great player. Great sound. Very impressive Sir.

~Bill

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 15 Dec 2014 8:45 am

Too many and NOT enough obviously!
I started playing 6 string guitar 56 years ago and started playing the pedal steel in about 1972, that's 42 years ago. One of these days, I hope I'll get to the level that's comfortable for me on the steel or maybe not. But, it's all been good so far. I'm really glad I've found this instrument.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 15 Dec 2014 9:03 am

Next February will mark 44 years for me.

Jerry Berger · Post by **Jerry Berger** » 15 Dec 2014 9:04 am

I started in 1955 (check out the pic). I will be 67 next month. I wish I would have stayed with it all that time but "things" got in the way.

I'm on the right.

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How many years have you been playing?

How many years have you been playing?

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Late Bloomer