What line of work....made it possible for you to play steel

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 30 Jul 2002 1:45 pm

I would find it interesting if we could see in a single post, what "DAY JOBS" have made it possible for we 3,200+ steel players from around the world....to pursue our fantasy of becoming a recognizeable steel guitarist.

For me, I've been a legal investigator for the most part of 40+ years. This basic income has been augmented by stints as a commercial pilot/flight instructor; commercial truck/tour bus driver; aviation writer and public relations person, and crime victim's advocate (25 years).

How many attorneys; brain surgeons; prof. athletes; symphony conductors; environmentalists; or whatever do we have in our fine association?

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 30 Jul 2002 1:55 pm

I was a cost accountant for 10 years.
I've been a bank trust officer for 16 years.

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Lee, from South Texas

Andy Schick · Post by **Andy Schick** » 30 Jul 2002 2:02 pm

I have been an Fire Alarm/Electrician for 12 years. Thanks Andy

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Fred Murphy · Post by **Fred Murphy** » 30 Jul 2002 2:05 pm

Henry Ford made it possible for me, along with a lot of 7 day work weeks and 12 hour days for 40 years. If anyone needs advice on screw machines, especially Conomatics or Acmes, I can probably help.

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 30 Jul 2002 2:18 pm

Professional designer, welder, machinist and fabricator. Union film business until '86, self-employed since.

Stoney Stonecipher · Post by **Stoney Stonecipher** » 30 Jul 2002 2:34 pm

I was an engineer at a local TV Station. I was on a syndicated TV Show for Clayton Homes (called Startime and Kathy Hill Show) for 17 years. I've played music and worked full time at the TV Station all these years. I'm retired from the TV Station now, and I tell people I play for a living now.

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 30 Jul 2002 2:46 pm

In between gigs I'm in the mortgage business

JB

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Fulawka D-10 9&5
Mullen Royal Precision D-10 8 & 5
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 30 Jul 2002 3:21 pm

I built Dekleys from '75-'80, then moved to Texas for the Urban Cowboy days. Along with Buddie Hrabal, worked for a motorcycle escort service escorting funerals for almost 20 years. We'd get 'em drunk listening to good ole honky tonk music, then bury 'em the next day!

After that slowed down I finished my college degree and am now a software engineer (programmer).

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 30 Jul 2002 3:42 pm

Synthetic organic chemist
Manager / computer programmer / engineer

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 30 Jul 2002 4:13 pm

Have been a Farmers Insurance Group agent for the slightly over 20 years.
Jerry

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 30 Jul 2002 4:17 pm

Being a musician has allowed me to play steel guitar. (?)

I worked at a Sherwin Williams for a while and a little stint in a music store, a jewelry/music store and a week in construction, but that's about it. Music has been my job full time since the late 70's.

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My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 30 Jul 2002 4:36 pm

I'm a software engineer. It pays the bills and allows me to play the music that *I* want to play.

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<small><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Skip Cole · Post by **Skip Cole** » 30 Jul 2002 5:13 pm

I "raced" the brown truck for 31 years with UPS and retired to work as a fleet lease lot coordinator for a vehicle auction where i remain to this day

. When I grow up i want to be a still geetariss.

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"Steel guitar is where it are"

Bob Kononiuk · Post by **Bob Kononiuk** » 30 Jul 2002 5:14 pm

Hello everyone. New member here. I am a Pharmacist and have just bought my first steel guitar (a sho-bud LDG) that hopefully will be delivered by the end of the week.

I know i have a lot to learn and look forward to the challenge. I have also learned a lot from lurking on the forum for quite a while but I am sure that I will have many questions for ya'll.

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Bob Kononiuk
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Sho-Bud LDG

Bob I. Williams · Post by **Bob I. Williams** » 30 Jul 2002 5:22 pm

In the late 50s and 60s I was a painter, IBM computer operator,While I did what I wanted to do (play steel and lead)The day job went by the wayside and I went on the road with small groups till I turned 40. Got off the road and went into real estate,got tired of that. got involved in meals on wheels,Did that 4years. Now its s.s.checks and still steelin. Its been a great life BOB

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 30 Jul 2002 5:33 pm

Worked at Cummins Engine for 21 years at the Jamestown, NY. plant.I retired a year ago,as a machine operator and engine assembler. You truck steel guitar playing drivers,don't blane me if your rig breaks down.

Joe

patrick donovan · Post by **patrick donovan** » 30 Jul 2002 5:36 pm

Chief Warrant Officer (W-3) RETIRED..US Army, 23 years. Currently Owner Marine Electronics Campany, 19 yrs in February. I may really retire in a couple of years and just play music.

Patrick

Tom Jordan · Post by **Tom Jordan** » 30 Jul 2002 5:46 pm

Pilot and Director of Operations for a cargo airline. Playing music (PSG, lead & vocals) 6 nights a week paid for my flight training and college. I also played to make ends meet during the foggy season while I was flight instructing and struggling with my first charter company.

Its funny, now that I have a "job" I really miss playing out all the time. The most we do is a casual every other month or so. I went through a period of resenting music because I had to do it to survive but I got over that...now I hate airplanes and would rather be out honky-tonkin'...the grass is always greener ain't it?

Tom Jordan
Sierra U12, Morrel 8, Supro Comet
35 Cessna Caravans
4 Metroliners
1 Falcon 20

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 30 Jul 2002 6:00 pm

USAF !!

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 30 Jul 2002 6:03 pm

Actually for me, the music business has made it possible to play steel. I have been in it since right out of high school (almost 31 years, now). Engineer/producer and occasional studio designer/installer. SOme years the steel income was the highest, some the studio side.

I would've worked a lot less hours with a day job, though...

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 30 Jul 2002 6:11 pm

Don't begin to consider me a player. My Carter Starter came from dad's life insurence
settlement.
My bus cleaning job is ok but it makes it a lot easier living at home also.

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 30 Jul 2002 6:18 pm

Automotive shop forman, dispatcher, Service manager and service coordinater as well as ditch digger, Croyogenic and industrial gas specialist, nucleer scientist, brain surgeon. I could go on but it would take too long to list them all.

Does anyone wat to buy some ocean fron property in Arizona?

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Dyke Corson · Post by **Dyke Corson** » 30 Jul 2002 6:34 pm

Started taking 6 string guitar lessons in a local music store when I was 10, started working at the store when I was 12, learned my first steel lick off the Sho-Bud Neil Flanz record when I was 13, started playing 6 string in bands when I was 15, started playing part-time steel in bands (while still playing 6 string)when I was 16. Now I'm 45 and still work in a music store and still play in bands! (some day I will grow up) Never became a "full time" steel player, usually I'm asked to do the guitar duties also. Working at the stores usually lets me find good deals on used steel guitars!

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 30 Jul 2002 6:41 pm

Hmmmm...well...let's just say that I'm a "consultant", and leave it at that. I don't think that any job will keep you away from music, though, if your heart's set on it.

Michael Wilson · Post by **Michael Wilson** » 30 Jul 2002 6:49 pm

I started playing steel guitar while i was in the Navy back in the 70's, learned how to play from Ray Mangrum who I believe played for Little Jimmie Dickens for awhile. Then I was a truck driver (LTL) and now work for the railroad. Tough to do but still get to play.