What are you life goals for steel?

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 13 Jan 2002 9:19 am

I searched around on the Forum to see if this had already been asked, but it seems it hasn't:

Do you have any particular goals you want to accomplish in (or with) your steel playing? Do you want to perhaps....

* Do Nashville sessions
* Earn a living at playing
* Cut five CDs
* Teach steel
* Write a steel symphony
* Just have fun gigging on weekends
* Move from D10 to U12 (or vice versa)
* Be the best in your hamlet
* Win a music award
* Get a direct compliment from BE/PF/BB/SG/JH/DD...
* Go on tour....?

So, to rephrase my original question, what do you want people to look back on your steel playing life and say about you?

(Me? I'm not quite sure where I'm going. I have two informal goals: (1) Get to a level of capability where I could be useful in an ensemble/band; (2) Record my own playing in my home studio for my next itty bitty "CD" (see My Music link below).)

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Bill (steel not out of the woodshed) | MSA Classic U12 | Email | My music | Steeler birthdays | Over 50?

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 13 Jan 2002 10:05 am

Well, I guess I've done most of those things, although I haven't really tried to play music for a living for long. (No symphony and no awards I'm aware of, but most of the others)

I only really have one objective: To be able to speak effectively through the steel guitar. This can encompass a lot of different steps, milestones, and skills, but the two that I think are most important are:
1) Have something you need to say (hopefully something that people want to hear); and
2) Know how to say it.

#1 is kind of internal. If you can hum a cool solo or write a little tune, you're well on your way. That's the most intimate form of composition -- it's just vocalizing a creative thought from within. Not everyone can do this easily. Some have a natural internal voice; others have to form it or find it.

#2 requires dedication, hard work, and perseverence -- not to mention talent and ability. Being able to play anything you hear or anything you can dream up in your mind is not easy.

As Charlie Parker once said, "forget all that $hit and just PLAY"
Easier said than done, but all the other goals or objectives are just ways to get there.

I believe that all the goals of playing on CDs or going on the road with Garth and Shania

are just stops along the road. The overall objective is to be the best me I can be and, in the process, be able to speak through my instrument. I think that's what music is all about.

Just my take on it.

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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

[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 13 January 2002 at 12:03 PM.]

Steve Miller · Post by **Steve Miller** » 13 Jan 2002 10:57 am

Bill, I've long since given up on my original goal of making a living at it. Now I'd settle for being able to play consistantly at or near my full potential. If BE (or any of the others you listed) gave me a compliment I would probably drop dead from shock, but I'd have a big smile on my face!

sgm[This message was edited by Steve Miller on 13 January 2002 at 11:02 AM.]

Jon Miller · Post by **Jon Miller** » 13 Jan 2002 12:38 pm

I'd just like to get out of the bedroom and into the bandstand. Six years and nothin yet!!! I'm not what I ought to be
I'm not even what I want to be
But I thank God, for I'm not what I use to be

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Marc Friedland · Post by **Marc Friedland** » 13 Jan 2002 12:42 pm

Bill, Setting realistic goals and being determined to achieve them works for me. I love to play music, particularly on stage to an audience, and recording is also rewarding and fun, but when that's not available, practicing alone will have to do. When I got my 1st psg about 8 years ago, I was out performing (and I use the term very loosely) with a band within two weeks. I was lucky I if I remembered the names of the strings, let alone be able to add to the music the band was playing. My first goal was I wanted to be "very terrible" within one year. My next goal was to be extremely bad within the next year. In my own warped mind I did achieve these goals because they were realistic and because I practiced about 4 hours every day. Well it's about 8 years later and since I don't find the time to practice and perform quite as much as I first did, I'm somewhere between "inspired but below average" and "not too bad". I believe it's difficult to stay the same at anything and since I don't want to get any worse, my immediate goal is to play and practice enough to at least keep making gradual improvements. If I receive any recognition or milestones along the way, than that's great, I'd gladly accept them, but I'm simply communicating through music and totally enjoying the scenery of the ride. As a matter of fact, although this is very entertaining, if I want to achieve my modest goal, my time would be more wisely spent practicing then talking about it, so here I go. Bye. -- Marc

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 13 Jan 2002 2:13 pm

Everytime I reached a goal, there pops up another one

JJ

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 13 Jan 2002 5:02 pm

I'm not sure. Maybe conquer and rule the world?

I play because I can't not play. There is something inside of me that won't let me stop. It is my true passion, and aside from my wife, the thing in life I care most about.[This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 13 January 2002 at 07:46 PM.]

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 13 Jan 2002 7:20 pm

I'm just having fun. If it ain't fun, don't do it. The rest is just gravy! That's as realistic as I want to be.

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 13 Jan 2002 8:09 pm

1. Do Nashville sessions? No desire to do so
2. Earn a living at playing? Satisfied with what I have at the present time.
3. Cut five CDs? Who would buy them?
4. Teach steel? Yeah, right!
5. Write a steel symphony? It's just not in the stars for me.
6. Just have fun gigging on weekends? BINGO!
7. Move from D10 to U12 (or vice versa)? Why?
8. Be the best in your hamlet? Not as long as David Bolin lives here I won't!
9. Win a music award? For WHAT?
10. Get a direct compliment from BE/PF/BB/SG/JH/DD...? I have received a few compliments. Buddy Emmons once said to me when I quit playing, "thank you"! Lloyd Green once said "that's a real nice guitar"! John Hughey listened to me play one full song without starting to cry.
11. Go on tour....? Tour what?

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 13 Jan 2002 9:02 pm

Interesting topic: At this point in my life, age 65.5 and having played radio,Television, a few record sessions, one really big stage show with an Opry Troop and specifically for Carl Smith, numerous dance hall shows with various traveling Opry troupers......I find myself today hopelessly stuck in this time warp of the 1940-50's...... I've managed to acquire a number of guitars from the latest, state of the art type to my most recent acquisitions.....dating to about 1935....I'd think about the only thing left for me musically speaking, would be to be invited to guest on one of America's leading steel guitar conventions. I'd always dreamed of going to Nashville, playing at least once on stage at the Ryman. As that dream faded, I'd wanted very much to be able to hire some big names, like Homer Haynes, Jethro Burns, Chet Atings, Grady Martin, Dale Potter and/or Tommy Jackson......so as to be able to cut a truly professional, Nashville produced CD full of steel guitar instrumentals that I've compiled over the years. Realistically, about all I have to look forward to is finding continued happiness from listening to my vast record collection of JERRY BYRD and assorted other steel guitar greats....
while communicating with many newly acquired acquaintances from around the world, thanks to b0b and this wonderful Forum. What more could an old man want?

Robert Rogers · Post by **Robert Rogers** » 13 Jan 2002 9:14 pm

Well I would love to get to do some session work in Nashville.But my main goal is to get to play the opry with somebody one time.
Robert Rogers

Emmons Lashley Legrande III
D-10 8&4,Peavey Pro-Fex II

Dave Horch · Post by **Dave Horch** » 13 Jan 2002 10:26 pm

My 2 cents...

I play because I can't not play. There is something inside of me that won't let me stop. It is my true passion...

Mike, that about sums it up for me too. The soul of a musican. You knew it when you were about 3 years old, didn't you?

Johan's comment of

Everytime I reached a goal, there pops up another one

is another one that rings true for every musician.

Bill, your signature mentions "steel not out of the woodshed", but listen to Johan's remarks... He suggests that EVERYONE is still in the woodshed. (oh, wait, a "ahah!" moment just came over me)

And so get out of the woodshed and play with others in public. THAT's where you really build some chops. Hell, I even started hacking the C neck that way and I faked a lot of people out on Choo Choo Cha Boogie (and other tunes).

Oh yes..ahem...You asked what my goals were on steel? Answer: To play the best I can! (duh) And if I can ever play Rusty Young's "Grand Junction", that would be a plus.

My best to you Bill and to the entire group!

-Dave

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Mullen (See! No "S") D-10 
<a href=http://www.davidhorch.com/music>Photo page</a>

Robert Thomas · Post by **Robert Thomas** » 14 Jan 2002 4:49 am

I think I have reached the plateau of my playing career. I am 68 years old and started playing steel for dances when I was 15. I played by myself and now 53 years later I am back playing by myself. I entertain for nursing homes and care centers. I am a one man band, with a Korg ryhtum machine, a Roland space echo and a Mu-tron bi-phase, and HWP mullen D-10, with 8+4. I sing and play my own back-up. I am having the time of my life and find I can play most anything the people want. Every time I play it is for a very appreciative audience and when I am finished I feel real good inside. How could it get any better? I highly recommend it for anyone who doesn't get enough satisfying playing time. I hope you understand that I am not bragging, but just trying tell you all lucky I am to have such a fulfilled life. By the way, my wonderful wife of 47 years loves my music and comes with me wherever I play. I play an average of 4 times per week.

Emmett Roch · Post by **Emmett Roch** » 14 Jan 2002 10:04 am

...next month's rent & utilities...

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___________________
GFI S-12 extended E9, GFI D-10, Emmons Le Grande amp,
'83 Fender Twin II
with 15" Peavey BW

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 14 Jan 2002 11:18 am

Emmett.....gets the "Real Steel Player Award"....for that goal.....I hear ya my brother and that is my goal(s) too.
Mike; I'm still smilin' over your goals....I can dig....
Heck; I've toured the world. Cut on countless master session CD's and commercials. Played the Grand Ole Opry three times including the Ryman. Taught Steel guitar. My life long Prayer/dream of meeting and visiting with Lloyd Green has been answered.
"I guess I'm done".......I can't imagine anything more than that...except for wondering how all this is gunna pay for my rent next week......ah.....ha. Professional Sidemen(yeah that's me)never make the money....ya gotta stand up front to do that.
Ricky

Perry Hansen · Post by **Perry Hansen** » 14 Jan 2002 11:41 am

I'm still trying to get as good as Buddy Emmons was 45 years ago.
Perry

Fred Jack · Post by **Fred Jack** » 14 Jan 2002 2:47 pm

Emmett and Ricky... please send money...I wasn't able to pay last months bills! fred

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 14 Jan 2002 4:04 pm

Well this is my second tme around and I did a bunch of the formal stuff the first time around. This time ( 12 years later) I am practicing regular and not trying to be BE or LG. Just trying to be me. I'm playing simplistic more often than not but I can play a few heavy licks and will when the time is right. Just gonna have fun and hang with some nice folks and keep a low profile.
TP

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 14 Jan 2002 7:38 pm

I play for the sheer joy of music.... I've long since realized that I will never be Paul Franklin. It makes no difference. I play for the wonderful sense of self which any of the instruments I play provides. I have the great fortune to play with a great group of musicians who are also my friends.
What more could I possibly want?

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Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 14 Jan 2002 7:54 pm

Who was it once said "You can make tens of dollars playing one of these things" ??
In order to make a living at it the obvious goal would be rent and utilities serviced by tens of dollars ?? -

Steve Benzian · Post by **Steve Benzian** » 14 Jan 2002 8:19 pm

to play something pretty

Ziggie · Post by **Ziggie** » 14 Jan 2002 8:58 pm

My goal would be to make whatever song or tune I'm playing on sound sweet. That doesn't mean I have to be a superpicker either. I just wanna make it all sound right for the tunes I'm playing on. Playing just the right notes and chord embellishments that really make the song come to life. Knowing just the "right" notes to play. I think Loyd Green already has most of us beat on that one though. Ziggie

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 14 Jan 2002 10:45 pm

The main thing is to stave off the day job as long as possible. After that I would like to play a small part in expanding the vocabulary and role of the steel.
One day I hope I can set up my steel without people assuming that I am preparing to play country music.

Bob[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 15 January 2002 at 01:31 PM.]

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 15 Jan 2002 1:23 pm

I´d simply start with, I want to get to that point where I´ll be able to play in front of others equally well as I do when I´m by myself. Once achieved that, hopefully, as Johan said, there will be other goals coming up.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
What do you want people to look back on your steel playing life and say about you
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
What do you mean Bill, when I´ll be gone?
I don´t know, how about something like "He never gave up until the end?"
[This message was edited by Joe Henry on 15 January 2002 at 01:53 PM.]

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 15 Jan 2002 1:32 pm

OOOps...I meant to write something for another topic.[This message was edited by Joe Henry on 15 January 2002 at 01:34 PM.]