Debut: Leaving the comfort of the Nest

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 18 Oct 2001 6:27 am

Well, guys, this is it. I'm taking that big leap. My live debut on steel will take place tomorrow night (10/19).

I've been loyally practicing every night for a year, listening to all of your good advice, learning from my mentor and from valuable instructional materials from various members, and now it is time to make it work. I only hope that I'm up to doing the instrument justice.

I'll also be playing some rythmn guitar so that will help the nerves. However, there's lots of new stuff for the band. A new bassist, me on steel now, I'm using a new headset mic which requires new setting on the PA (did I mention I'm also the sound man). Pheww!!!! Probably won't have time to be nervous.

In spite of all this pressure, I'm loving it.
This is what I've always wanted to do and my day is at hand. Wish me luck.

Any last minute advice, pearls of wisdom, or dumb steel debut jokes? Does this bring back any memories for you? I'm ready, let me have it.

Steel Virgin, until tomorrow.

Tony Orth
Dekley S-11, Session 400

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 18 Oct 2001 6:48 am

Tony the saddest thing about the "First Time" is,it just went by too fast.You'll have a great time and the "spookies" will disappear before you finish the first song.Kick back and have a ball.

Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 18 Oct 2001 8:03 am

...cool!!...let us know on Saturday how it turned out, and enjoy yourself..

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 18 Oct 2001 8:32 am

Do not make a "face" if you make a mistake!
If you just have to, look at the Bass player when you do!
Relax and have a good time!
JE:-)>

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 18 Oct 2001 8:50 am

You'll have a great time. I remember my first show, only a year or so ago-it was wonderful. You'll be itching to be back out immediately. And there's no place better to learn than being out there-there's only so much you can do in the basement. In fact, it'll be hard to get ifred up for practice alone again after playing out.

Best of luck! Let us know how it goes!

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Fulawka D-10 9&5
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel

Glenn Austin · Post by **Glenn Austin** » 18 Oct 2001 9:11 am

Give us the address. We'll all go and check you out! We'll sit in the front row and have poker faces. Just Kidding! Good Luck

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 18 Oct 2001 9:36 am

Glenn,
I'll get enough of that without you guys out there. Some of these folks will be staring because they've never seen a steel guitar before.

Jim,
Great Idea. Since the bassist is new, it can all be his fault!

Ray/JB,
I'm sure I'll feel the same way. I love music and this instrument.

As far as "Hands Up-Don't Move". Sounds like good advice if things go terribly wrong.

I'll give you all a review on Monday. I only have internet access at work. By the way, I'm playing at a party on Saturday night, too, so there will be a second chance to do it well.

Thanks guys,
Anyone else with thoughts...?

Tony

P.S. I wouldn't dare give out the address.
What I don't need is a bunch of accomplished steel players, with sober looks on their faces, staring at me. Besides, Evansville, IN, is located in the armpit of the US. (which, by the way, is a pretty good place to hide right now).

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 18 Oct 2001 9:45 am

Tony, everytime you make a cluncker, check the undercarriage of the steel, and shake your head, then smile!!

Be prepared that you will make licks, you never knew they were on the neck

Please, record yourself.
put the recording away safe, and listen it back in a year from now. I'll bet you will have a great time and a lot of laughs then!!

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STEELDAYS 2002
my web-site
my bands CODand TSC

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 18 Oct 2001 9:52 am

Great idea, Johan, and easy enough to do since I'm the sound guy.

Thanks

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 18 Oct 2001 10:38 am

By the way Tony,I'm calling Bud Hall and tell where your at.Evansville ain't big enough to hide in.Tell Bud me and Mark said hey from Arizona.
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Chuck S. Lettes · Post by **Chuck S. Lettes** » 18 Oct 2001 11:07 am

Hello Tony,
Bring some extra strings, a clipper and a string winder. It's been my unhappy experience that the 3rd and 5th strings usually break when you are least prepared. Relax and smile because that is what the audience remembers. I bet you will do great. Check your snail mail next week-I'm sure you'll be ready to do more practicng. Hope all goes well for you, Tony
Chuck

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 18 Oct 2001 12:34 pm

Tony,

Keep it simple, make it sound as sweet as you can, and you'll have every steel-wannabe guitar picker in the room droolin'. Not to mention all the folks in the audience that melt at the sound of a steel guitar.

Oh, BTW: You'll know when you're pickin's real hot when you start to see all the good lookin' ladies start playin' "air steel"

Have a ball and...

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 18 Oct 2001 12:52 pm

Ray,
You're right about Evansville, and Bud has threatened to come hear me play. He sold me the Dekley I play. Nice guitar, so I can't blame my playing on that. Bud's a great guy and a super steel player! (and I'm not just saying that because I know he'll read this post).
When I first started on the steel a year ago I asked Bud how many steel players there were in Evansville playing in local bands. He looked at me very seriously and said, "Well, there's me, and soon there'll be you". I'll tell him you said "Hi".

Chuck,
Thanks for the tips and the wish for luck.
It'll have to be a bit of luck because my skill won't cover it by itself.
I am really looking forward to your instructional material arriving next week.

Now.....to just relax and smile.....hands up-don't move.....relax and smile....hands up-don't move.

Tony

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 18 Oct 2001 12:54 pm

Glenn,

Now that's the kind of response that'll really make it worth the while. Yeah, boy!!

Chuck, Hurry up with those lessons!!!!!!!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 18 Oct 2001 1:00 pm

Never make the same mistake once.

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 19 Oct 2001 4:54 am

Jim,

I think I understand. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so I have a strong desire to do it right. I know not to try something I'm not sure of until I practice it first.
My plan is to play less, but well.

This kind of reminds me of when I first became a soccer referee. As a referee, people think you should never make a mistake, and then improve after that.

Thanks

Tony