How many 19 years and younger steel players in the world?

Zane King · Post by **Zane King** » 25 Apr 2015 10:15 am

I'm just curious based on your experience of actually seeing someone 19 years and younger playing a pedal steel guitar. I'm not talking about someone who is just sitting behind it making noise. I'm talking about a kid who has actually spent sometime with it and knows what A/B pedals are and the raising and lowering of the "e"s. Give me a number. I have some ideas but I will let some of you throw some ideas out first.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 25 Apr 2015 6:43 pm

Wow. Apparently not many...

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 25 Apr 2015 7:03 pm

I saw one (fellow freshman in my dorm) in 1971...but probably none since.

(He also had the first Marshall amp I saw not on the stage of a large venue.)

Paul Stauskas · Post by **Paul Stauskas** » 25 Apr 2015 8:25 pm

I started playing a few months ago at 22, so maybe I can share what I have noticed regarding this sort of topic.

In regards to the question that Zane posed, I think that most of the very small percentage of good players that are in their teens probably were introduced to the instrument by their father or grandfather. There are several barriers (not intentional ones) that seem to be keeping younger players from becoming interested in playing, from my limited experience.

Listening to a mix of alt-country, Texas country, and classic country attracted me to the instrument. I feel like most younger players in their 20s today probably have heard the alt-country stuff I'm referring to and that kind of music might have spurred them to start playing as well. Not to beat a dead horse, but it is undeniable that younger people today are more interested in what CMT/radio is playing rather than the Bakersfield country/Western swing/traditional country that is popular to discuss on this forum.

That being said, it is interesting to note that "country-esque" sounds are sort of en vogue right now in general alternative music (stuff that might be featured on Pitchfork). Greg Leisz on Bon Iver and Cass Mccombs' stuff is indicative of this trend. Also forumite Paul Brainard with the Decemberists. I'm a big fan of both of these guys.

I want to close this lengthy post by reiterating how unique this community is, and how grateful I am to the players that have helped me get started. Thank you kindly.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 25 Apr 2015 9:13 pm

Zane, I'd say you're shooting too young. I know there are many steel players in their 20's. Most don't go to steel shows because they're working musicians, which means 1) they're busy and 2) being musicians, they don't have the bucks.

Matter of fact, when I started to get serious on pedal steel, I was twenty years of age. I was hired as a dobro and mando player, and pushed into learning pedals. That was 1968.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 25 Apr 2015 10:11 pm

remember when you couldn't trust anyone over 30?

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 25 Apr 2015 11:22 pm

And those I didn't trust then I STILL don't trust.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 26 Apr 2015 5:37 am

I'll agree with the "Most don't go to steel shows" comment. IMHO, you won't find young people there because they are not particularly inspired by whiny Ray Price songs, or the geriatric group that plays and listens to them (the major presence at most steel shows). $:\$

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 26 Apr 2015 6:08 am

A lot more than are on the forum or at shows.

I sell lots of seats to younger players - maybe not under 20 but in that age range. I just shipped a couple and have at least 2 more on order from young men.

I hear people at steel show ask about the younger players and my comment is they are out making money and not going to shows.

My 2 cents worth

Joe Naylor
www.steeleat.com

Ian Worley · Post by **Ian Worley** » 26 Apr 2015 9:31 am

What about Travis Toy? He's not under 19 any more but he was a badass even as a kid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEkDavGXah8. Check the impressive Franklin-esque right hand technique.

Jason King · Post by **Jason King** » 26 Apr 2015 11:17 am

Zane, my son is 11 and I know Jerry Rollers grandson Braden is a steel player age 15? I live in SW Missouri and I don't hear of any young players. Of course Austin Stewart is just over your age cap and AWESOME!

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 26 Apr 2015 11:23 am

What about Travis Toy? He's not under 19 any more but he was a badass even as a kid

:
I'd be curious to know how he got to that point at such a young age.

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 26 Apr 2015 12:39 pm

Whiney Ray Price songs??? I don't get that remark.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 26 Apr 2015 4:38 pm

i get it. it just denotes a style that many love and many have gotten tired of over years of hearing it.
i imagine donny thinks a more exciting style may attract younger people more.
it's like going to a western swing society gathering. the music is wonderful, but the scene is very old people dancing and having a good healthy time, god bless them.
perhaps not a stimulating atmosphere for young guys looking to do what young guys do.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 26 Apr 2015 7:48 pm

Right. It's not that I don't like that way2serve5 stuff, but I get the impression it just ain't exactly "doin' it" for the younger set. Let's face it, we've (myself included) been playing it for half a century now, and young people (potential players?) haven't been exactly flocking to see us ;ately. When I was young, most of the "greats" were pretty young, too. But when I got older, I began to find that most of the greats were older, too. It just seemed all those 20-something guys weren't being replaced by another group of 20-something guys. I keep reading that all those young players today are out...busy working...at something. Somewhere, maybe. But on YouTube, digital bastion of all that is trendy and hip, I ain't seeing no big contingent of young players. One or two, here or there, maybe - but not what I would like to see, and maybe not enough to keep it viable.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 26 Apr 2015 10:52 pm

I've met a few young players in their 20s in the past few years, and they mostly play Americana, non-commercial country, folk, originals, etc. The style of steel playing in those genres is not like the classic steel stuff that many of us have played for the past 40 years or more. They tend to use the pedal steel for simple backup and to add texture to the songs... and less as a lead instrument. It's a different approach and a different role for the steel guitar, as far as I can tell. I don't think young players today have much interest in playing Ray Price shuffles, "A Way to Survive", or "Steel Guitar Rag". They probably never even heard those songs and don't care about them. I don't blame them. When I was 20 I didn't want to play 50 year old music either.

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 27 Apr 2015 2:10 am

I started at 19 years of age but that was 36 years ago. Steven Hicken from the United Kingdom is 17 years of age.

Eddy Dunlap · Post by **Eddy Dunlap** » 27 Apr 2015 6:25 pm

I'm 25.

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 27 Apr 2015 7:32 pm

I'm 26.

Dylan Keating · Post by **Dylan Keating** » 27 Apr 2015 7:41 pm

I'm 24- I bought a 6 string lap steel when I was 19 but couldn't afford a decent pedal steel until I finished University. I have been studying it pretty seriously for the last two years. There are surprisingly few steelers in Alberta even though there is a lot of love for country music (although the players that are here are top notch!).

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 29 Apr 2015 2:22 am

For 25 years of age Eddy Dunlap is one fantastic picker. I saw him at the Texas show this year and it was great.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 29 Apr 2015 6:05 am

I agree with Doug B..

Goodness knows, I'm tired of hearing those maudlin songs that are played all too often at steel shows (and at VFWs across the land).

I can clearly recall being absolutely transfixed by the sounds of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard in the mid-'60s when I couldn't stand the sound of the Hank Williams records I heard. The CA guys had a rock'n'roll edge to their sound and it drew me in.

I've often wondered how that 'Bakersfield sound' was received by the traditionalists at the time. As I was still in England then I had no reference point.

Jonathan Cullifer · Post by **Jonathan Cullifer** » 29 Apr 2015 7:19 am

27 here.

Jason King · Post by **Jason King** » 29 Apr 2015 8:08 am

So far forum members have identified 3 in the world under 20? I hope that's not the case.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 29 Apr 2015 12:09 pm

Whiney Ray Price songs??? I don't get that remark.

i get it.

I get it, but I've always thought Ray Price songs were among the least 'whiney' songs of the genre, so in that case, maybe I don't get itâ€¦
When the term 'whiney' is invoked, are we referring to the singing or the playing?