It's my first time - Advice?

Kirk P Dighton · From: Troy Mills, Iowa

I have been playing steel now for about 2 years,,,,OK, I have been obsessed / posessed by the steel for 2 years,,and I am still married. With a little help from my friends, I am progressing to the point where I don't make the dog get up and leave the room when I play. I have played in front of captured audiences (dementia ward, they don't remember anyway) and progressed to jams where everyone is friendly and helpful.
OK, here it is. I am playing for the first time at the Northeast Iowa Steel Guitar Jam in Waterloo, Iowa in February. (whhewww,,,there,,, I said it)

Any hints from you steel players out there about the "first big show" and how you mentally and physically prepared for the sudden realization that your audience was not just a bunch of under-the influence cowboys, but actually a room full of accomplished musicians!!??
Any helpful words of advice will be greatly appreciated.
I'll bet Dennis has a few words of wisdom

Thanks

Kirk

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

Kirk, they all put their pants on one leg at a time.....er, I mean, they all put their picks on one finger at a time.........

If that doesn't help imagine everyone in the audience is dressed only in their underwear.

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 12 January 2002 at 11:26 AM.]

Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

I have to say, you are coming along very well on steel. To the point of becoming scarey! So I'm sure you're putting in the hours.
The shows are like going into battle. Anyone that says they are "totally" relaxed is brain dead.
But seriously....bring your "steel show medical kit": Kaopectate, wash cloths, Depends, towel, cathater is too painful so a shoe lace will work.
If this fails, I'm sure Lefty has a mop and bucket for you to use before the next player goes on.
Another thought: Go to Western Wear and pick out a nice western cut hospital gown and sit on your pac-a-seat with the lid open.
Let me know if you need any more help!

Dennis
I almost forgot! Get the cowboy hat to match the gown!
Lastly..don't worry about it. I've left lunkers from here to Brownsville doing road shows out of Branson years ago.

[This message was edited by Dennis Detweiler on 12 January 2002 at 11:51 AM.]

[This message was edited by Dennis Detweiler on 12 January 2002 at 04:07 PM.]

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Hey Kirk; all anxiety on these playing out things, come from the person comparing theirselves to others, in their mind.
"Don't do that"!!! There is no reason to; as they won't be comparing you to them. Your not trying to be better than anyone there; and it's not a contest or competition, so don't treat it that way.
Just know that for yourself; you know what you know; and you play like you play at the progression you are at; and take "Pride" in being able to play what you know and how you play....and "Don't" for a second think that you wish you could do this and do that and wonder if the other guys think your any good at all. It's not them to decide wheather your good or not; it's up to you to be comfortable with how you play and where you are at in your progression; and that is your decision only.
So if you like what you do and play at this point in your learning...."feel good about that"...and that is all your trying to display to folks......"that you are digging what your doing right now".....and don't pre-occupy yourself with what you wish you can do......that is stupid thinking and nobody there is thinking that of you.
This advice was giving to me from Johnny Gimble; as I was setting up next to him getting ready to play a TV show; and I told him how nervous I was.......and he made it so much better by passing this advice to me; and I'm passing it to you.
Good luck and Have Fun pal.
Ricky

Allan Thompson · From: Scotland.

Hi Kirk, Keep it simple, play as in tune as you can and enjoy yourself. Read Ricky`s post a few times, that`s one of the best pieces of advice i`ve read.
Good Luck.

Bill Myrick · From: Pea Ridge, Ar. (deceased)

Well stated Mr Ricky !! If we all were trying to be the very best, wouldn't it be a sad world ? As, after all, perfection is in the beholder and we can't even all agree on that !! Some of the most enjoyable moments for me comes from hearing someone relitively new trying and doing their best to play because they WANT TO and because they ENJOY IT. Besides Kirk , those Iowegions are forgiving people ; they put up with me for 16 years !!
-

Kirk P Dighton · From: Troy Mills, Iowa

Thanks for all the words of wisdom guys. I wonder if Buddy remembers the first time out??
Dennis, I already have the stuff you mentioned. I'll bring my own mop.
Bill, Iowa people are a great bunch. Got a lot of talent here too.

Ricky, I could not imagine setting up next to Johnny Gimble...Great advice. I plan on having fun.
Thanks all.

Kirk

[This message was edited by Kirk P Dighton on 12 January 2002 at 07:01 PM.]

[This message was edited by Kirk P Dighton on 12 January 2002 at 07:04 PM.]

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

Kirk, I know you can do it and you'll be just fine. Relax and enjoy yourself. We do the jam to have fun. That's the one thing we talked about ten years ago when we put it together. It's not a talent contest. It just an event to highlight the steel guitar. That's the main objective. I've heard you sit down to others' guitars and play just fine. One was mine, remember? Besides keep this in mind: I once had to follow Herby Wallace. It was the second jam I ever did and he played almost every tune I planned on doing. Dean Dobbins sang with him and between the two they went thru my list. Talk about pressure. I just changed up my set list and plowed through. I lived through it. You will too. Bottom line just have a good time. You will be among friends.

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

Joerg Hennig · From: Bavaria, Germany

Tie your right foot to the volume pedal with a tight knot...

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Hey Kirk sounds like it's gonna be great, wish I could be there. I would differ slightly with just one item mentioned above, and it's a tip I picked up here on the forum. Literally take your right foot off the volume pedal and plant it on the floor. Your foot will move with anxiety but if it ain't on the pedal you won't get that nervous swell..just my couple of cents worth

Have fun, Ricky is right on the money as usual. Remember they are all coming to hear steel players play and are excited about it, each and everyone of them ! I have personally just returned to Steel after many many years away and I have been jamming weekly at a music store where a bunch of "ALL LEVEL" players stop and sit in. I'm still nervous when I play but it's way better now than when I started jamming a month or two ago. Yesterday I was the only Steel player and quite suprisingly as bad as I thought I was, several of the other " I didn't bring my Steel today " players were asking me to show them some of the changes I was playing. Now I feel the only real explnantion to this is that their hearing aids were broken or the batteries were dead !
Go get'em..It's gonna be great fun..
TP

Doug Seymour · From: Jamestown NY USA (deceased)

What Ricky said! Go for it, Kirk, & enjoy!

Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

Ricky/Gimble said it best! However....if you keep your foot on the volume pedal, you can play a set of Duane Eddy tunes and jaws will hit the table!

See you this afternoon Kirk!
Dennis

Lefty Schrage · From: West Union, Iowa, USA

Kirk, I think Ricky, Dennis, Craig, and the others have given good advice. As Craig mentioned, when we organized the Jam, we didn't want it to become a 'shootout' where pickers were trying to outdo one another. The purpose of our show is to share the mutual love and appreciation we have for the steel guitar. I think if you just plan to get on stage and 'do it your way', you'll find yourself in a more relaxing situation. When watching the on-stage performance of my past students,I always told them that, instead of hearing them play someone else's solo note-for-note, I'd rather hear their own individual interpretation (even if it meant there might be a sour note here and there). And, Kirk, I do remember hearing you recently at Gilligan's where you did a good job! We all have at least some 'butterflies' when we get up and play in front of our peers and gurus but that's normal (and probably good to some extent). During the first shows I played, I always thought everyone in the audience was completely glued on every note I was playing (or missing). Later, I began to realize that when artists are performing, typically there is a certain amount of conversation and visiting going on in the audience. And, like someone said earlier, we Iowegians are a real friendly bunch! So, Kirk, just plan to come and have a great time! ...Lefty

Reggie Duncan · From: Mississippi

Be yourself. Having a singer sing one for me to back up is helpful. Start off with something you are real comfortable with, and then kick off a song for your singer to sing.
After this song, the jitters should be gone.
And, do tie your foot to the volume pedal to keep down the tremolo effect. Just ask Hal Rugg!

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