Pedal Steel in Church ?

James Taylor · Post by **James Taylor** » 23 May 2015 1:07 pm

Erv, You say these are gospel guitars, why? Have they a particular sound that is more in line with gospel music : smoother, softer ,more pleasing etc. I am just curious about the sound ,tone or whatever. They are very attractive looking instruments and I bet they sound great . Every best wish Erv JAMES TAYLOR

Tom Cooper · Post by **Tom Cooper** » 23 May 2015 1:24 pm

I would like to echo what Zane said. My church is very young, hip, etc, and cant get enough of the steel,dobro. They do many different styles so you have to be versatile there. I get to do classic opry lick to some hot overdrive lap steel. Key is being able to change your spots/style on a dime. I would be interested in a series like that. In fact, young people from other churchs are trying to recruit me to come and play for their church! I am almost 50. A young steel player could be getting a lot of hours playing if they wanted to. I am already so busy.

Don Mogle · Post by **Don Mogle** » 23 May 2015 1:38 pm

Zane,

I'd love to have you do a series on steel guitar in the P&W setting!

I play exclusively in church and find the steel works well in our contemporary worship services. It's a different genre, but you can always find ways to make it fit in.

Don

Ford Cole · Post by **Ford Cole** » 25 May 2015 11:52 am

Would love to have a church gig---and be up to the task.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 25 May 2015 1:36 pm

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 26 May 2015 7:05 am

James,
No, there is nothing different about those guitars except for the appearance. The Rains has the dove inlay which represent the Holy Spirit and the Excel has the fish emblem on it which is a Christian symbol. The white color represents purity when our sins have been washed away by Christ's shed blood.

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 26 May 2015 8:22 am

A number of years ago, the worship leader of the praise band at the church, of which I belong, asked if I would like to play in the band. Neither of us knew if it would work out. So I said yes with the understanding that if either the praise band or I didn't feel comfortable with it after one Sunday, I wouldn't continue. I've been playing every Sunday, for about 3-1/2 years with the praise band, during the contemporary service.

Occasionally, I'll be asked to play for special music during the traditional services, too. In fact, this coming Sunday I'll be performing with two other people, doing Willie Nelson's song, "In God's Eyes".

Here is a YouTube from a while back of one of the music specials, during which I played:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Nwq7I8Vns

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 26 May 2015 8:28 am

Very nice!

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 26 May 2015 1:56 pm

We need a "thumbs up" icon...Just sayin..BF

James Taylor · Post by **James Taylor** » 26 May 2015 3:09 pm

Thank you ERV and they certainly look beautiful instruments .Glenn that was real nice music from the three of you ; keep it up. JAMES TAYLOR

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 May 2015 6:34 am

After we played at church, I was asked by the future bride to play for her wedding coming up this Fall. I asked the boys and they were game so this will be a first for us.

Arnie Stewart · Post by **Arnie Stewart** » 27 May 2015 1:27 pm

I love playing in our church. Started playing that in 1984.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 28 May 2015 10:07 am

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 28 May 2015 11:27 am

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 28 May 2015 11:36 am

I don't have a picture of me at church, but I do have one at the nursing home with my church!

James Taylor · Post by **James Taylor** » 28 May 2015 12:26 pm

Hi folks, some nice guitars there and I like your music stand ERV . My one is propped up with cardboard. Your church looks beautiful too . William ,I see you have two extra pedals are these echo, delay and reverb ? Scott and Brett I will have to photograph myself with guitar when you and the rest of you have been so kind to include yours on this section. JAMES TAYLOR

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 28 May 2015 12:32 pm

James,
That last picture isn't my church. That picture was taken in a little pioneer Lutheran church out in the country. They have a cemetery with people buried in it who were killed in the Sioux uprising of 1862.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 28 May 2015 12:43 pm

You should check out "Sacred Steel", especially the work of Bishop Ronnie P Hall.
Having said that, I don't quite understand the terminology of "Sacred Steel". If steel is played in church, does that, for some reason, make it "sacred"?
Without words, what makes "sacred steel" any different from other steel works?
I say this without intent to upset my brothers in the "sacred steel" community. It's just an observation.

James Taylor · Post by **James Taylor** » 28 May 2015 12:51 pm

ERV, that is very interesting and it is good that those hard times are recorded in the locality. Three families of our relatives emigrated to the USA from a small local harbour in 1856 and their history of cruel survival has been recorded; many of them died young. I am still enjoying your beautiful melodies JAMES TAYLOR

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 28 May 2015 12:58 pm

James,
The little Baptist church that I belong to has some history also. When the railroad was put through our area, there were some railroad workers killed in the process. They were buried on a small rise a little north of town. The railroad said that if our congregation would maintain the cemetery, they would give us the land. That was the start of our church. Next year we will be celebrating our 150th anniversary

James Taylor · Post by **James Taylor** » 28 May 2015 1:45 pm

ERV , I was wandering on the web and just had a quick look and saw your entry. Yet another interesting story from you . You know many people emigrated from here during the hard times. After the 1745 Jacobite uprising this area was devastated by the Crown forces. General Huge Mercer, with others, fled from Rosehearty to the states and was killed leading the revolutionary forces at Princeton USA. There are memorials to him there and at Fredericksburg . Many interesting stories for songs and why not PEDAL STEEL MELODY MEMORIAL statements ,echoing our shared history. JAMES TAYLOR

Bob Moore · Post by **Bob Moore** » 30 May 2015 5:01 pm

I first heard a ps in gospel music was whith "The Happy Goodmans" back around the 60's. In the early 70's I played around with the steel in P and W. In a pentecostal church. It was fun and a learning experience also. I play ps when able in a southern gospel group. Bob

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 30 May 2015 8:54 pm

Once in awhile I sub with the No Hat Praise Band out of Durango.They play at cowboy church services statewide and the band's set is an integral part of the service.We play where a hymn would be sung,and they make lots of room in the (somewhat informal)liturgy for the music.Although the bandleader plays some lead guitar,he likes a lot of steel,so you could say the whole thing is pretty heavenly!

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