Rant: no more singers.

[Don R Brown]

Ok, comparing POPS and the Stones..uhh..really ?

How about Gene Autry and Sinatra ?

Ernest Tubb and Michael Buble ?

I think you missed his point. Those two were chosen as an example of extremely contrasting types of musical groups, which would likely attract quite different audiences.

*****

One thing which I believe has changed over the years is there is less appreciation of the performers and what they bring into the musical experience. When I was a youth, we had record hops (and "sock hops" where you could not wear shoes on the gymnasium floor). But if the event was a big deal, it would feature an actual live band!

Fast forward to when my kids were in school, and one was telling me about some upcoming event. It sounded big, and I asked if there would be a band. He or she (can't remember which kid it was) gave me a look as if I asked if the food was catered by Burger King, and proudly said "Oh no, we're having a DJ!!"

[Tony Prior]

I think you missed his point.

Perhaps, but to me the comparison is flawed, maybe the wording. Plus it really has nothing do do with Mikes complaint.

Mike suggested to play Instrumentals in a band and thats a fair request, unless of course he accepted a gig in a Country Band that doesn't want to play the songs he brings to the gigs !

But it does all get back to Steel guitars are not relegated to backing up singers , anymore than Keyboards or Guitars are.

IF we play in a band that has a front singer and pretty much all the songs are VOCAL songs, well...

What exactly is our job ?

Our job is to play the best we can and be as prepared as we can. Our job is to make the songs sound good, even if that means we play less. If there is a singer, yes indeed our job is to back up that singer.

Otherwise, why are we even there ?

[ajm]

I'm not sure that the real problem has anything to do with singers versus instrumentalists versus anything else/whatever. And by the way, IMO singers ARE musicians.

The real problem as I see it is really one of our culture.

Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame. "Singers" are unique in that no matter where they go, they have their "instrument" with them. They can get up on stage at the local karaoke night, have people applaud, and all of a sudden they are a "musician". Now that they have been "certified", they can get up on stage at any bar they go to, and be the latest spotlighted special guest performer. The other musicians, who spent years working their craft, are instantly backing them up and working for them, a total stranger.

Shows like American Idol have had many folks who are talented singers. But IMO they have also fed into this mind set of "everyone can be a star". Just look at the pre-season audition shows, where people with less talent than a shovel full of fill dirt get their 30 seconds in the spotlight. Some of them don't care, and know that they have no chance. But they got their face on TV. And some of them have no chance, but for whatever reason are delusional. They think they can be the next J Lo, and are crushed when they don't get to go to Hollywood. The reality of having a "normal" life like 99.999% of all people is devastating to them.

To add to that, I dare say that the internet has not helped either. All of these web sites have created a lot of "professionals".

Everyone is a critic. If they're not giving their opinion on music, they're talking about how the quarterback for their favorite team stunk this past weekend, and how he needs to be replaced. Well, the job is always open. If they could do better, then they should show up at practice on Monday and take a couple of snaps. Show us all how it's done.

Singers/instrumentalists spend years on their craft. Practicing, playing, lessons, etc. It's too much work.

A little humility, and respect for your fellow man, goes a long way in life. No matter what field you are discussing, it is important to periodically remind yourself that there is ALWAYS somebody better, or who could humble you on any given day. Sure there is music that I don't like, even detest. But I can always ignore it, and keep my mouth shut. Those songs didn't write themselves. Those musicians always started with a blank sheet of paper. I try to remind myself of that from time to time. Of course, then I curse them and change the channel.

The problem isn't "singers" versus "musicians". It's society. It's people.

[Mike Neer]

A steel player can play whatever music he/she chooses. The question is whether you can make it compelling enough for people to actually want to listen to it. Personally, I prefer to play instrumental music, not vocal songs played instrumentally. That in itself is an uphill climb.

Marketing it as steel guitar music is not necessarily a good thing, either.

Just make the best music you can.

[Peter Freiberger]

Hey Mike, you can refer all those singer gigs to me. I'l send you all my classical calls.

[Barry Blackwood]

[Brooks Montgomery]

Curmudgeon bumpersticker on the back of a drift boat.

[b0b]

Hey Mike, you can refer all those singer gigs to me. I'l send you all my classical calls.

LOL!

I have a duo act, Wine Country Swing. We do a lot of instrumentals and I think we play them pretty well, but we get the best audience response on vocal songs that people recognize.

As a steel player, I'm used to getting a fair amount of praise from the audience during breaks between sets. I started doing some gigs on bass a few years ago. I'm actually a pretty good bass player. I discovered right away that people don't notice the bass. They take it for granted. No comments at all about my bass playing, except from musicians.

The musicians who back up pop singers get no recognition, and I imagine that they probably aren't paid very well, either. They're the real pros. It's sort of discouraging.

[Mike Archer]

I don't have a problem with singers

some have a need for attitude adjustment

such as a..s whopping of a sort....

but hey ya gotta love um or not.....

mike

[Jim Fogarty]

Interesting that the one word I don't see mentioned here.....which is the key, IMO.....

Entertaining.

Music is an art, absolutely. But it's also entertainment. I honestly feel, no matter WHAT style or format you choose to play, it's imperative if you get on a stage, to realize you're a performer. No, that doesn't mean you have to jump around, wear silly hats, and tell jokes. But, far too many musicians ignore (or are utterly unaware of) that aspect, to their detriment, and it shows in the dying live music scene. Who wants to watch someone stare at their toes for a few hours.......or at an electric ironing board?

So, if you can get in front of an audience and ENTERTAIN them with steel guitar based instrumental music......go for it! Unfortunately, the market tells us that very, very few can.

[Larry Carlson]

Who wants to watch someone stare at their toes for a few hours.......or at an electric ironing board?

That is the main reason I don't want to play for friends etc.
I appear to be staring at my feet.
With a conventional guitar I can wander around, look at people and talk to them and still be playing.
With my lap steels I appear to be so despondent I can't even look up....

[Jim Cohen]

Who wants to watch someone stare at their toes for a few hours.......or at an electric ironing board?

Hey! I resemble that remark!

[Bob Blair]

Wow. If it wasn't for good songs and good singers I doubt I'd have ever picked up a guitar. I've had a remarkable run of good luck in terms of working with singers I guess. It's something I love to do.

[Jim Cohen]

Heck, even Bernstein wrote for singers!

[Jim Fogarty]

Who wants to watch someone stare at their toes for a few hours.......or at an electric ironing board?

Hey! I resemble that remark!

Yeah, but you wear funny hats, so it's ok.

[Mike Perlowin]

Hey Mike, you can refer all those singer gigs to me. I'l send you all my classical calls.

It's a deal.

[Mike Perlowin]

Regarding Tony's comments, When we agree to enter a situation, whether it be playing in a club of working in an office, we agree to abide by the protocols of that situation. It would be both ridiculous, and just plain wrong for me to accept a gig in a country band and then refuse to play Good Hearted Woman and try to play a classical piece instead. The price I have to play for not playing behind singers, is that I don't get to play in country bands.

This is a personal manifesto. Most of you guys would rather not take such a militant personal position, even if you secretly (or not so secretly,) feel the same way I do. I don't ask anybody to join me in only playing instrumental music. It's still a free country.

However, I want to amend my original question. Where is it written that the steel can only be used to play country music, and that as steel players, we have to play in country bands?

[Mike Perlowin]

I prefer to play instrumental music, not vocal songs played instrumentally.

It depends on the song. There are many songs whose value lies in their lyrics, often at the expense of interesting melodies and chord progressions. Perhaps the ultimate example is Blowing in the Wind. If you take away the lyrics, and substitute a melodic instrument like a flute, the results are pretty boring.

On the other hand there are some songs that may be written for vocalists, that maintain their value even without the vocals. Jim pointed that even Leonard Bernstein wrote vocal music.

Check out this tube from my West Side Story CD.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com/Track14.mp3
This is the quintet between the Jets, the Sharks Tony, Maria and Anita. The different steel sounds represent the different characters.

In my opinion, this song has musical value without the lyrics or vocalists.

[Susan Alcorn]

Things, music, and people move along, and sometimes we just need to open our windows.

[Herb Steiner]

I wait for the day when one can walk into an actual jazz club and, upon seeing a steel guitar, think "I wonder who's on steel tonight?" rather than "Good God!! A steel guitar?"

[David Mitchell]

My point is why be angry because a band, any band ignors your instrumental talents. I accept the fact they hired me to make them sound good and not me. A steel player can always hire a band and set his steel out in front of the band and play instrumentals all night. Watch Pete's Drakes video of forever. He even got on TV with it. I'm sure he/she would attract their own audience but not necessarily the one a singing band would attract. I can picture a room full of musicians for a steel players fanclub. General public might take it or leave it. Probably leave it.

[Bill L. Wilson]

Personally I'm not a fan of instrumental pedal steel guitar music. But, I am a fan of good pedal steel guitar licks in country music. The Dobro of Jerry Douglas, fiddles of Mark and Maggie O'Connor, the roots band The Steel Wheels, and fast bluegrass instrumentals is what cranks my tractor. I do appreciate the talent and study that it takes to play steel guitar instrumentals, but I'll stick to pickin' the same ole country licks that I still love to play. This "70" yr. old hoss ain't learnin' any new tricks anytime soon.

[David Mitchell]

I wait for the day when one can walk into an actual jazz club and, upon seeing a steel guitar, think "I wonder who's on steel tonight?" rather than "Good God!! A steel guitar?"

Heeheehaha....!

[Bob Watson]

I love playing behind "the right" singer,one who really puts a lot of heart and soul in every tune, not singing it exactly the same way every time. Regardless of the genre, the right singer, singing a tune that I dig, inspires me to play better, the same way that playing instrumental tunes with other musicians who you dig inspires you to play better. Don't get me wrong, its a gas to play instrumentals and, although I don't play "Jazz" on steel, I do get to play an occasional Jazz gig without a singer once in awhile and its always like finding the money on the ground. IMHO, the voice is just another instrument, so the right singer with the right personality is as much fun to play with as any other musician, if you are both on the same page.

[Tony Prior]

However, I want to amend my original question. Where is it written that the Steel can only be used to play country music, and that as steel players, we have to play in country bands?

Well Mike, my friend, It's not, there are no written rules or protocol.

Robert Randolph comes to mind !

It just so happens that Country Music is an identifier for our Instrument, good or bad, and thats not actually a bad thing.

I personally would not like the 80's classic DX7 Electric Rhodes tones in Merle Haggard songs but yet I love those tones ! As well as the classic 64 key Electric Wurlitzers.

How about Vibes ? I love Vibes played by Gary Burton in the Jazz Genre, but I don't think he got many calls for POP or Country gigs !

Who could deny that a Hammond B3 played by the late great Jimmy Smith isn't one of the greatest Instruments in the world, but yet, he never toured with any Country band , far as I know.

I happen to love Country Music music so I don't have any issue being labeled a Steel player who only plays Country. I stink at Jazz anyway ! I fake it pretty good though, me and the 12 chords that I have been using for the last 3 decades!

I love playing out with the Country bands , I love talking Telecasters * and Steel Guitars with my friends and audience members .

* Qualifier, The Telecasters must have the Fender Logo on them (just kidding )

IF I went to a Jazz club where there happened to be a Steel player I would really enjoy that as well.

If I lived close to where Mike lives, I would also pay to go hear him play a classical music show on Steel.

If Jimbeax came to Charlotte with his Jazz band I would also buy a ticket to his show, well that is if his son was on Sax with the band, as I would want the 2 for 1 thing !

I love playing behind good singers and this past two years , being required to play at least 2 Instrumentals each show turned the wick up for me as I try to add new tunes all the time, new tunes that the band as well as the audience recognizes and appreciates. This whole deal of being required to play instrumentals regularly has certainly forced me into a new practice routine as well as being aware of the songs I am selecting.

If indeed we have the desire to go out and play different genres, then by all means , do so. Will people appreciate it,? I dunno...But you can probably get a lounge gig in Vegas .

We play a Country Music identified instrument, so what, go out and play it ! This is NOT the only "genre" identified instrument in the world, it's just one of them.

Oh yeh, we also don't have a Cello in any of the bands I play in, but it would be kool !