Steel Guitar Abuses

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 19 Jun 2002 9:36 pm

To Bruce: I remember you from Saturday Mornings at Oxon Hill Music in 78-9. I was usually there for my lesson around noon. I was far less advanced at the time, and I spent a lot of time listening in the hall there in Leo's Store.

It's good to hear you've been doing so well. I remember the earlier jam sessions at Hunters Lodge, the VB in Suitland, and a couple others. You put a lot of spark in Charltons eye, and still do, I'm sure. Sid Hudson was just over 21 then. Remember Roy and the String Dusters?

I've gone on to just play steadily over the years here in Portland, and was not too surprised to hear you with Ricky Scaggs in the 80s. Lately I'd been wondering what became of you.

I've been more like just a regular bush league "tradesman" with an old Sho-Bud I bought from Leo Kellar all those years ago, and I've worn off countless dozens of sets of strings. I like being where I am, and doing what I've always done here. Playing Steel, and having a home, and a hobby besides nusic.

I can't handle the "Boards" here, though I read it all. It's just not where I "live".

It was good to get Don West's # and give him a call wishing him well, and finally getting permission for using his last name since 1980. He taught me a lot. Mostly "attitude". Other than that, I think it detracts from the way I view my "trade", and invites me into things I'd rather not deal with locally. My thing is playing, working, and building old bikes.

You were and are perhaps Buddy's finest example, and I salute you.

Music is what it is.

Sometimes people's frustration with things in their own lives manifests itself in endless disdain for what they can't understand.

I Loved Jimi Hendrix. I've got every song he ever recorded. I'm going to pop in the old BBC CDs tonite..( Devil Indeed! )

Playing in tune, on time, loud, and in front of other people, and doing so often, are things there are just no substitute for.

Garth's songs have made me a bunch of money. Never got a bill from him.

What the Hell.. Sometimes a guy needs to speak out.

I feel like I needed to do so to thank you for being a good example. 24 or 5 years has just seemed to whiz by...

Best wishes, and thanks.

Eric Lundgren (West)

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 20 Jun 2002 1:18 pm

I also can't believe this thread turned into a Garth rant. While I personally wouldn't walk across the street to see him play for free, I certainly respect his contributions to the "country" music scene. Heck, I even like a good number of his songs. I only dislike his stage show.

I have been guilty in the past of "Garth Bashing". But, no more.

Bruce, it sure would be nice to see you on here more often and not only when someone decides to bash Garth. You are an incredible player and would love to hear more from you on the forum.

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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 20 Jun 2002 10:09 pm

Sorry Bruce, just kidding. He is not my favorite, but your work on his records is A1 topshelf! It has promoted steel guitar greatly.

JamesMCross · Post by **JamesMCross** » 21 Jun 2002 11:40 am

I have only recently begun to play the steel guitar seriously, after having fiddled around with it for longer than I want to admit and getting absolutely nowhere.

There are many things which have helped me to learn, but at least two of these things bear mentioning in this thread:

1) Bruce's video, and
2) covering ALL kinds of top 40 tunes, including Garth's, in every band I've worked with.

I will say, I count myself extremely fortunate to be able to play the kind of jobs I am playing, and I am real happy there are guys like Garth and Bruce out there producing music that I can learn from, and then try to reproduce. Whether in the dance hall or on the local oprys or at a wedding party, it is great work if you can get it, and from my perspective, a bad night playing steel guitar beats a good night doing almost anything else.

Best wishes to all - and many thanks to Bruce, Garth, and every one else who makes the music business what it is.

Jim Cross

p.s. I smashed my Gibson SG one time, back in 1980, during a brawl in a club in SLC. I was playing in a 6-piece country rock band back then, with 3 guitarists. It did not go over at all, and it cost me $200 to fix it... It still plays though.[This message was edited by JamesMCross on 21 June 2002 at 12:43 PM.]

Robert Rogers · Post by **Robert Rogers** » 22 Jun 2002 2:10 pm

Nothing against his band.when i say this I mean it towards Garth Brooks himself:I wouldn't walk across the sreet and pay 10 cents to see him!just my two cents.

Robert

John Russell · Post by **John Russell** » 22 Jun 2002 3:58 pm

I think Garth's a great talent too. I have played his songs many times onstage and I think his stuff holds up pretty well over time.

I suspect his sound is irritating to many "traditionalists" of which I include myself, mainly because of all the "Garth clones" that came along right after him. I generally avoid that high-energy '90s style country music since I had to play so much of it during that time. Looking back, there were some very good songs among the bombast and that's true of most eras. Listen to some of the bigger hits from the '60 and they weren't all Ray Price, Roger Miller and Buck Owens. Lots of sugar-coated "stuff" sold real well.
I'm glad to hear it mentioned that Garth put a lot of steel guitar on the radio. Wish somebody was doing it today!

--JR

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 22 Jun 2002 6:00 pm

Bruce...... so glad to have your contribution here on the Forum. THanks much for sharing your insite with us.
And Bruce.....I've known Eric West for years now, ever since he adopted my dog "Ralph".....and all he has ever talked about is the days and lessons he took from you. So glad he's had this opportunity to once again share with you. Eric is unique and a fabulous steel man.
Please don't stay away so long.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 22 Jun 2002 7:28 pm

Thanks for the Garth recording details, Bruce.

It's very interesting.

I too wish you'd post more,

not just when someone ruffles your feathers.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 22 Jun 2002 8:59 pm

Ray. Bruce was taking some studies with Charlton the same time I was back then. I did listen to him many times in those little eastern shore type venues, and there was no doubt that he was going places I never could.

I was just a GI in DC with a year or so on my hands to get a good foundation.

I'm sure Bruce would agree. Buddy was the best place I could have gotten it.

EW

BTW, Why don't you share some of that old stuff with some of those minus a lot of the old building blocks?

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 22 Jun 2002 9:42 pm

I like a lot of Garth's material. I never liked the guitar bashing (I found it pretty disturbing, actually), and I'm glad he's over it. And I love Bruce's playing. It was very interesting to read about how Garth's sessions go. Thanks, Bruce.

Garth was instrumental in bringing Trisha Yearwood into the limelight, wasn't he? I believe she used to be a backup vocalist for him. I really like Trisha Yearwood.

Back to the main topic, abusing steel guitars. I'm still clinking away on my old MSA, trying to do it right but still making the dog down the street howl. Does that constitute abuse?

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Bill L | My steel page | Email | My music | Steeler birthdays | Over 50?

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 23 Jun 2002 6:02 am

The title of this thread is misleading. I thought it was about STEEL GUITAR ABUSE in general, such as careless players reducing a beautiful guitar into a piece of scrap etc. I´d know a story or two about that. Instead, it´s all about bashing/defending Garth Brooks. It should be called "GARTH BROOKS". Personally, I´m not a fan of his, but who cares? b0b, how about moving this to the "Music" section.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 23 Jun 2002 7:07 am

Yes, it's weird how the topic changed.

I suggest the original poster request it be closed.

PS
"Steel Guitar Abuse" could be an interesting thread. Maybe try again later.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 23 Jun 2002 11:16 am

Some of the rock bands that used to use steel guitars, would smash them at the end of the night. This ceased due to too many hernias incurred by such action.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 23 Jun 2002 12:37 pm

b0b........go ahead and close this thread. My best effort was a waste of time, I guess.
I'll go along with their recommendations.