, I think we would all agree that it can be a bear. The magic of it all can be so elusive and fleeting from day to day and night to night. This can wear on the psyche, for sure. But what I want to say here is that, even while we are wallowing in our funk, we possibly many times fail to realize the positive influences we have on others, both known and unknown. Every time you play a gig and every time you play on a recording, you never know who might be listening. Since I became involved in this forum, I have had emails from quite a few people telling me about a show that I was on, or this or that record, and how much it meant to them. Or how after hearing me they got inspired to take up the steel, or practice harder, or whatever. Every time something like this happens it reminds me, even at my level, that I have something to contribute after all. It makes all my self-doubt seem so petty and ridiculous. Not to mention a total waste of energy.As a case in point, let me tell you a story about Bruce Bouton. The year was 1977. I was a floundering guitar player who was dabbling with the steel, but I really had no focus or discipline with regard to it. At the same time I was half-heartedly going thru college, wondering what in the heck I was gonna do with it even if I ever got out. I went to Richmond to visit a friend and when I got there he said "Hey, the Good Humor Band is playing over at the Pass tonite!" I had never heard of them, but I said ok. As we were going up the stairs to get in, I heard it. That steel, that tone, just THAT SOUND! We got in and I was just mesmerized the whole night. I hardly ever took my eyes off Bruce. Even my friend noticed I was really wacked out over it. That was the moment it all came together for me.That's when I knew what I wanted to do. Bruce was doing all this cool C6 stuff, so I knew I had to get me a double-ten. Then I heard about one Pete Finney had for sale, and when I went up to Maryland to buy that guitar, Pete urged me to take some lessons from Buddy Charleton. So I did, and ended up in a band as a guitar player, but with the understanding that I could play some steel as I got good enough. That band ended up sharing the stage with Bruce's band from time to time, and we became friends. And the rest, as they say, is history........
So Bruce, in a way I owe it all to you! As Buddy Charleton was my teacher, you were in my mind my mentor. The only bad thing is you got such a headstart on me I'll never catch up!
"Ain't it funny how the circle turns"-Jackson Browne
I dig songwriters too.....
PS-I would be remiss if discussed those days and did not mention another good steel guitar pal and supporter, Bucky Baxter......
. Reading your post made me feel like a $2.00 whore shacked up in a cheap motel room with Jimmy Swaggart....but now IM plagarizing 
