Anyone play steel and sing... at the same time!?

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 2 Oct 2001 6:34 am

I don't know if I've ever seen a microphone in front of a steeler. Seems to me getting hands, knees, and feet all going together, PLUS singing at the same time, would constitute The Impossible. Does anyone here do this? (I would be SO impressed....)

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Bill (steel player impersonator) | MSA Classic U12 | Email | My music | Steeler birthdays | Over 50?

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 2 Oct 2001 6:37 am

Yes

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 2 Oct 2001 6:37 am

I have a friend, Jim Beckett, who sings and plays steel. He plays the steel solo and sometimes a few fills .
We just put a boom mike in front of him.

Blake[This message was edited by Blake Hawkins on 02 October 2001 at 07:39 AM.]

Chick Donner · Post by **Chick Donner** » 2 Oct 2001 7:19 am

You've got one of the best right here on the Forum . . . Len Ryder, who lives (now) in BC during the summer and Yuma, AZ in the colder months. I met him in Hawaii, when I bought my first steel (from him), as he was playing in the New Frontier Lounge on Kalakua Avenue, right on Waikiki beach. He worked with a trio (steel, bass and flattop) and just sang the hell out of all kinds of country songs. I understand he still does. He played the C6th neck like nobody I've ever heard before or since. It doesn't "sound" like C6th. He plays it his own style, and sings along. It's really something to hear, though I haven't heard it since 1967. I've tried to get him to "re-release" an album he did back then. No luck yet . . .join me.

His Email(s) are
ryder@nethop.net
and
rysder@plpower.com

I don't know which is 'summer' or 'winter' email. Try both.

Bob Hayes · Post by **Bob Hayes** » 2 Oct 2001 7:31 am

I do it occationally. Also back up harmoneys.
It takes away from the stell pickin' (and in that area I need all the help I can get). The group that I play in now.all take turns, so we get a variety. I'm the "Kid" of the group at 61 (going on 18), and I also switch back and forth to my Imitation Les Paul guitar for the line dance ..Rocky stuff.I guess the best one I sing and play steel on is "Make the World Go bye bye on C6th"
Grouchyvet

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 2 Oct 2001 8:44 am

Wally Murphy is quite adept at it. Also there was a player from Germany at Scotty's several years ago (Red ???) that was very good at singing and playing steel. Maybe some other players in that area knows whatever happened to him.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Oct 2001 8:48 am

Joe Wright does it. So does Pete Burak (who does it wonderfully, btw). I've been known to sing a few with my band, but I must say I'm not too good at playing fills in and around my own vocal lines. I think I'd need an extra brain to pull that off. Joe Wright has an extra brain, I'm convinced.

Lee Holeman · Post by **Lee Holeman** » 2 Oct 2001 9:09 am

I'v sang, fronted a band and played steel for many years now. I honestly don't think singing hurt my playing or vice versa. After awhile it comes natural and easy to "fill in the gaps" as you sing. Best of luck!

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Bob Putnam · Post by **Bob Putnam** » 2 Oct 2001 9:20 am

Bill,

Rusty Danmyer plays steel for Lee Ann Womack and does harmony on many of her songs.

Bob Putnam

pdl20 · Post by **pdl20** » 2 Oct 2001 9:22 am

Mike Sigler can pick n sing his a!!!!!s off.what a talented man cool

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Rudy

Richard Gonzales · Post by **Richard Gonzales** » 2 Oct 2001 9:38 am

I saw Buddy Emmons with a mike singing backup
with the Everly Brothers.

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 2 Oct 2001 9:49 am

I'm not sure I'd call it "singing" LOL, but I do lead vocals on several tunes from behind the steel!
JE:-)>

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 2 Oct 2001 10:00 am

I can't (yet??) but Blackie Taylor has a mic set up on the leg of his guitar, made up of some drum hardware and a long goose neck. I guess if you have been playing for some 45 odd years, it can be done.

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Steven

GFI Ultra S10 Keyless
Nashville 400
Peavey Bandit 65
Boss SE-50 processor
DTR-1 tuner

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Oct 2001 10:06 am

I used to to harmony work, and sang a few solos. I have a flex-mike stand that clamps to the front leg of the steel, and it's quite convenient. Just comping chords is easy. As for doing intricate solos while singing, I'm still working on that.

Having a mike also gives me the opportunity to banter back and forth a little with the lead singer, and sometimes that extemporaneous comedy goes over well in the venues we play. It's all a part of "entertaining" vs. "just playing music".

Ed Byerly · Post by **Ed Byerly** » 2 Oct 2001 10:28 am

I couldn't imagine NOT trying to sing & play at the same time.(stress that word 'trying') I wouldn't be doin' my fair share if I didn't contribute equally with the other band members. There's no big deal. Try it & you might like it. Start out just doing some of the fills & holding solid chords. This gives you a chance to pick songs that YOU want to hear & play. Don't fret, just B#.

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Carter S-12

Ed Byerly
Wild in Northwest Ohio

Ziggie · Post by **Ziggie** » 2 Oct 2001 11:34 am

I'm just starting to experiment with it and I think it's gonna happen. I just have to get to know where and when to lay back and sing and when to play the fills. I would think it could become very natural after a while. It's not to smart to fill over the vocals anyway so with that in mind I think I can do it with a bit of practice.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 2 Oct 2001 12:03 pm

i do sing while Steelin'. (try too that is)
it's difficult to do both well, but i get by.
what's hip is singin' to what you play or just usin your voice to help you find the missing part.
one's voice should never be underestimated or neglected. it's yours and it's an instrument !
Steel can sing ....

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 2 Oct 2001 12:47 pm

I do. I love singing harmony, but I do sing some solo.

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 2 Oct 2001 12:48 pm

I have seen Jim Vest , when he had had the "Nashville Cats" band , sing and play steel . Good voice and a fantastic steel player .

John

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 2 Oct 2001 1:23 pm

Several years ago, at St.Louis, I saw Sara Jory, Sing a "Tribute to Patsy Cline" I believe the song was "Two Empty Arms" She sang her ? off & Played her ? off at the same time! Absolutely knocked my socks off! Oh! BTW she was 15 at the time! Still stands as a classic in my mind! Al Udeen

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 2 Oct 2001 1:37 pm

I´m a lousy singer. I always hoped playing steel was an excuse for notsinging...

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 2 Oct 2001 3:55 pm

Billy Mize used to sing lead and play steel.

Walter Jones · Post by **Walter Jones** » 2 Oct 2001 4:43 pm

I have known Mike Sigler for a long time. I have seen Mike ,sing, play steel and catch all the signals from his wife Sally on what needs to be up or down on the PA system, make the adjustments with one hand and keep on playing and singing. I think his Momma dropped him on his head when he was little and he develpoed the ability to think and accomplish multiple tasks at the same time. Humm, maybe he wasn't thinking at all and I just missed something. Just kidding Mike, he is also a top notch guitar and dobro player and his little brother is a great drummer. Seriously guys, Mike can do it all and do it well.

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 2 Oct 2001 5:12 pm

"""Joe Wright does it."""

I remember standing with you Jim when Joe
played and sang Why Me at the Dallas Convention.

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 2 Oct 2001 5:36 pm

I do and so does a fellow from Illinois by the name of Dean Dobbins,that sings and plays all that good old Ray Price stuff.

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1985 Emmons push-pull, Session 500, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele