Are Steel Guitar Credits Long Overdue?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 20 Apr 2002 3:48 pm

Wouldn't it be gratifying to learn that a gifted steel guitarist had won the C M A instrumentalist award in 2002? Consider the winners selected in past years, while the steel guitar remained exceedingly supportive, but was denied the recognition it so richly deserved. It is my hope that the future will bring about changes, that are concerned with talent and accomplishments.

Bill H.[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 20 April 2002 at 04:50 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 20 Apr 2002 5:00 pm

Having seen the way the C.M.A. "regards" the Instrumentalist of the Year (who might rate a whole 10 seconds in their 3 hour show), I don't really see where it would make any difference, except possibly to the person who wins.

The entire industry's treatment of instrumentalists is nothing short of shameful.

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 20 Apr 2002 8:29 pm

If I`m not mistaken,Paul Franklin was a instrumentalist of the year one time.I think that was few years back,but don`t kill me now,maybe I`m wrong.

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Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 20 Apr 2002 8:57 pm

Nominated but not the winner.

John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » 20 Apr 2002 9:22 pm

The public cares naught about anything but singers.
-John

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 21 Apr 2002 4:36 am

One would be hard pressed to question the lapse of rationale over the years, by the C.M.A. management, or those responsible for falling short of presenting the instumentalist award to at least one steel guitarist. The contributions made by steel guitar artists during the last half of the 20th century is unparalelled. I pronounce the lack of reciprocative response to be remiss in every sense of the word. Flimsy hexcuses will not explain away, or right the negative nature of the insensitivity involved. Steel guitar shows have enabled the general public to better understand more about the steel guitar. The most precious award is realized by those who play the instrument. It is hard to imagine not deriving an abundance of musical pleasure, as one progresses on the road to a better understanding of the steel guitar.

Bill H.[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 21 April 2002 at 06:24 AM.][This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 21 April 2002 at 07:20 AM.][This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 22 April 2002 at 03:32 AM.]

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 21 Apr 2002 6:58 am

The words "CMA" and "Management" are mutually exclusive and don't belong in the same sentence. This is the same group that woldn't let george Jones sing his whole version of his nominated song Choices because they were afraid it would remind younger viewers what country used to be like and they'd hit the remote with alarming speed, which is probably true.

One of the reasons New Country won't last is because it's target audience requires something completely new, different, and unique every ten minutes. That's why the "One and Done" career pattern is moving into Country. It's been a phenomenon in Pop for a while now.

My guess is the CMA will completely give up even TRYING to appease the real country audience. From their perspective, 5 minutes in a 3 hour show plus a legends award segment is a major concession. In today's market, Real country sales are statistically zero-except Alan Jackson, and he gets the 5 minutes, mostly because all the teen girls think he's hot. And it will be VERY interesting to see how they handle HIM down the road. So they get a major amount of flak from the old guard that they feel is unwarranted-so they'll probably quit even trying. I've quit caring what they do. The show itself has been unwatchable for years.

JOhn

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Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 21 Apr 2002 7:20 am

Great points JB.

ChipsAhoy

Billy Woo · Post by **Billy Woo** » 23 Apr 2002 1:49 pm

On another note, I think it would be a benefit to the steel players on new recordings to be also credited with their performance. I buy current country Cd's but I don't usually see who the steelers are? Is anyone else curious about this?

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 23 Apr 2002 4:52 pm

CMA awards are different than the SGHOF awards. They are nominated and voted for by the membership of the CMA, not management or a board of directors.

Also, I can't remember a a major label CD in a long time with no credits. There are mistakes sometimes, but always there...[This message was edited by John Macy on 23 April 2002 at 05:54 PM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 23 Apr 2002 5:22 pm

John M.

If the membership is solely responsible for selecting the instrumentalist of the year, how would you explain their lack of interest in the steel guitar? Are you saying that the elected officials are totally unaware of who may become instrumentalist of the year? Would you care to elaborate further, and become more explicit on this subject matter? I would find anything you have to offer most interesting. Thank you for the information concerning how the internal affairs are handled.

Bill H.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 23 Apr 2002 5:42 pm

Technically, they should not know. An independent accounting firm, just like the Academy Awards and others, handles the voting.

As for lack of interest—isn’t there a general lack in interest in steel in general among the public? When the nominees are announced for the CMA (or any similar awards show), labels do their best to influence your voting via “for your consideration” ads and mailings to the membership. Anybody doing that for the instrumentalists, especially steel guitarists? Labels block vote (though not legal by the rules, and never admitted). Not many steel labels for block voting.

There are 6,000+ voting members of the CMA, related to all facets of the industry. How many publicists follow instrumentalists? Higher public profile players like Mark O’Connor sometimes get votes just because their name is recognizable on the ballot.

Anyway, I would like to see a steel player get the award. Paul certainly deserves it, but I doubt he loses much sleep over it.

By the way, the Academy of Country Music seems to get it. Jay Dee and Paul (among others) have won that award several times.

Hope this helps…

John
[This message was edited by John Macy on 23 April 2002 at 06:43 PM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 24 Apr 2002 2:41 am

John M.

in light of the contradictory element within the 6,000 + membership, a new criterion should become a prerequisite before allowing the voters to proceed with meaningless vote casting. The difficult task of presenting a minimal list of questions to the body of voters, to ascertain if they possess the accumulated knowledge necessary to satisfy those who have become concerned with questionable results. Simply put, an exclusive body of voters, who know the accomplishments of the instrumentalists, and are qualified to place their votes, would be most welcome at this time.

Bill H.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 24 Apr 2002 6:19 am

The CMA (Country my ASS)has never had the finess to award the instr of the year "live" on camera any of the shows.Their choices each year for the Artist are so predictable I never watch the show . I can tell you right now who will be awarded Entertainer of the year in October.One thing for sure that great Country network C B S (Country but slightly)will be involved.Hopefully it will still be broadcast from Nashburg and not LA.(O brother where art thou). Maybe if the Awards were held in LA George SStrait would show up.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Apr 2002 1:24 pm

The scoffing and ridicule of country music, once heard much too often, coming from the lips of callous individuals, has taken its toll on many through the years. Imagine someone coming up while a band is performing, and reciting over and over, to whoever will listen, "I don't like country music." That same person can be found today riveted to an award show, pretending to be an authority in the field of country music. The lights, gowns, presentation, hair styles, expensive sound equipment, and dozens of added attractions, have enabled country entertainers to overcome prejudices, and mingle with the uptown audiences. Perhaps, the C.M.A. voters in the future, will pay tribute to the great musicians who support the artists throughout the years. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 26 April 2002 at 03:05 AM.]