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

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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Chuck Campbell
Posts: 393
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Manassas, VA, USA

Post by Chuck Campbell »

USAF 18 years as a Flight Engineer on C-130-E Hercules. Owned a Service Station and a beauty shop. Have had a band or played in a band since I was 14 years old. My first job was with Mel Street in Welch, West Virginia,on WELC. Played In West Palm Beach, FL, San Bernardino, CA, Macon, GA Washington DC area and overseas just to name a few. Music and Flying have been a big part of my life. My only claim to fame is being the great Buddy Charleton’s friend and being privileged to sing and play bass and have him play steel in the same band for the past several years.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Chuck Campbell on 09 August 2002 at 02:24 PM.]</p></FONT>
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Jody Carver
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Post by Jody Carver »

Im ashamed to say,,,but I was playing in a club when a young and pretty Italian gal came over to me and said,,,my thats a beautiful instrument. She went on to say her dad would love to meet me and she invited me
to meet her dad and his family....trouble was
he had (5) families here in NYC.

The father said,,,,young man,with that setup of yours,I can make you a "hit".
I was excited of course,it was when he asked
me to remove my Fender triple neck from the tweed case I was like "what"?? he had an instrument unlike the Fender guitar,,,but the
one he asked me to place inside my case had a
trigger,, I remember him saying,,,now my man you are a "hit" a "hit man".

No one will suspect what you are carrying in that case. Are you up to it???? I replied what kind of tunes shall I play??? he said,well,,, up tempo and dont miss and run like hell,but dont forget to take the tweed case with you. I had (5) families to deal with,,,all Italians and lovers of the Tweed case minus the guitar. Easy gig..but weird hours.

The Knight of The Tweed Case. Image
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Jim Cohen
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
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Post by Jim Cohen »

Yup. Jody's back. Image
Joe Minor
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Joined: 18 Feb 2000 1:01 am
Location: Picayune Mississippi

Post by Joe Minor »

Service Tech for Americas propane Co Amerigas. Also owner operator of a water well drilling co. have 1 Bucyrus Erie 22w. drill. play 2 nites most every week
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Jody Carver
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Post by Jody Carver »

Hey JC
In spite of the many requests.I came back anyway.
Dave Horch
Posts: 655
Joined: 19 Oct 1998 12:01 am
Location: Frederick, Maryland, USA

Post by Dave Horch »

Jody - you ain't far from it, my friend. Growing up in New Jersey, some kids in high school had a bumper sticker on their cars that read; "Mafia Staff Car - Keepa You Hands Off!". I knew it was meant as a joke, but...? <font size=-1>(Ahem...Of course we all understand there is really no "Mafia" or Cosa Nostra. Kids! What do they know!?)</font> Sadly, a few friends were off’d due to "unfortunate circumstances", everything looked like an accident. I can say no more...

Back to topic: Today I work for Wells Fargo bank as a technology manager. Thanks to my dad's advise, I had a "backup plan" in case I wasn't one of the 0.009 percent of musicians who actually can make a good living playing music. RATS! Best, -Dave

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Mullen (See! No "S") D-10

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dave Horch on 09 August 2002 at 10:47 PM.]</p></FONT>
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Joey Ace
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Post by Joey Ace »

I have a day job as an IT Specialist for a large school board. I maintain a WAN connecting 100+ sites via radio links, leased lines, and fibre. I'm responsible for 300+ servers (mostly Novell, some NT, Win2K, Linux), routers, etc. I'm a CNE, MCSE, A+, ect.

I started my carear in the 70s as an Electronics Tech. Played guitar since I was a kid in the 60's, full time for 4 years, weekend warrior since.

I do more recording than gigs now. That's a good thing.


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<img align=left src="http://pedalsteel.tv/img/joey.jpg" >
-j0ey-
www.pedalsteel.tv

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Jody Carver
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Post by Jody Carver »

Hey Joey
Come to think of it,,you look just like the Italian girls father,,,ever live in Brooklyn?

He was a good looking guy at that..somewhat like you, Image
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Marco Schouten
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Joined: 30 Mar 2000 1:01 am
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Post by Marco Schouten »

I'm a senior systems / network administrator / engineer.

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom; Sho-Bud LLG


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Joey Ace
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Post by Joey Ace »

No Jody, I'm in computers...
I was in Grand Rapids that day. I have witnesses.

My associates will soon be making you an offer. Bada-bing!

-Joey "2-Necks" Aceiani Image
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Jody Carver
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Post by Jody Carver »

Joey
I knew a guy they called "no neck" he had a large neck and was "one of those". I never refused an offer,,thats why Im still here.

When I met the father of the girl,,I thought
they called him "Goodbar" after the candy bar
then I learned it was "Goombah".

He asked me to kiss her,,so I went over to his daughter to oblige his request,,,,he yelled,,,hey stupid,,,&^%$)*^,,,not her,,,,he stuck his hand out and said "Kiss my Ring"...I did,,I have been asked to kiss other things in my life to get a job but never to kiss a ring.. Image no need to send your
"capos" here..Im cool...

Jody nasa pepe..capesh?? If no capesh I'll e mail you,,,dont worry...its clean.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 10 August 2002 at 12:09 PM.]</p></FONT>
Jim Bob Sedgwick
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Joined: 23 Jan 1999 1:01 am
Location: Clinton, Missouri USA

Post by Jim Bob Sedgwick »

Currently: Deputy Coroner with San Bernardino County, CA. (19 years) Prior- 15 years as licensed funeral director and embalmer. Prior (10 years professional musician, singer) Played with Jerry Hayes, don't know if I should own up to that. Image

Just playing private parties, skunk hunts, panty raids and grand openings of packages of cigarettes. MISS THE OLD DAYS Image
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Ray Montee
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Post by Ray Montee »

Hey Jim-Bob........ I once heard a story about a trainee in a coroners office who while walking thro' the facility heard this popular Willy Nelson tune being sung off in the corner somewhere.
Upon closer examination, he determined the melodic sounds were eminating from the rear end of a recently departed sole.
WHen he notified the head coroner of his discovery, he was informed in essance, that it was "no big deal.....as just about any
A--H--- could sing country".
Can you tell me, is that a true story or was someone just pulling my leg?
Miguel e Smith
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Post by Miguel e Smith »

I've been reading through this post and I found it facinating what everyone does or has done as a job other than music. What an amazing variety! Although I've been a full-time musician since leaving the nest at 17, there have been so many times I wished I had learned another trade and had that 'option'.
Jim Bob Sedgwick
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Joined: 23 Jan 1999 1:01 am
Location: Clinton, Missouri USA

Post by Jim Bob Sedgwick »

Ray: That story is one hundred percent true. Some of the wanta be singers would probably sound better in the above physical state, IMO Image
Kenny Yates
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Joined: 6 Dec 1998 1:01 am
Location: Hattiesburg Mississippi

Post by Kenny Yates »

I have been a water buffalo trainer and rodeo participant for many years in south China and the hill country of Arizona. I try to practice as much as I can between injuries, but it's a tough go.....them suckers are mean.
Steve Miller
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Joined: 31 Dec 2001 1:01 am
Location: Long Beach, CA, USA

Post by Steve Miller »

The hardest job I ever had was working on a fishing boat. I thought I was strong before I tried that (those fishermen are tough SOB's). I was a painter for a couple years before I realized I knew enough to start my own painting business, which I did (doubled my income overnight). Then I got tired of it and drove a truck for six years until I blew out my back. Started up my old painting business after I recovered. Being self-employed has alowed me to play music whenever I was willing to take a pay cut!
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Ken Lang
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Joined: 8 Jul 1999 12:01 am
Location: Simi Valley, Ca

Post by Ken Lang »

I am an engineer designing special machinery for various applications, mostly production equipment.

In the old days, music paid more than the day gig, but times change.

I still get up at 4:30 AM to open the office at 6:00, but 40 years of pickin' and grinnin' on the weekends has led to the "been there, done that" syndrome.

I still do the casual now and then but the rust has set in, and this time I think it's terminal.

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DJ Sillito
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Joined: 22 Nov 2000 1:01 am
Location: Lethbrige, Alberta, Canada

Post by DJ Sillito »

Chiropractor
Graduated from Chiropractic college (Davenport Iowa) in October 1999 after about 6 years of schooling. Always found time to play steel whenever possible. Thank goodness for an understanding wife!
Future goals are to make it to all those steel shows I have always wanted to go to but was too busy with school to attend.

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Darren James
Carter D-10 8P 5K
Nashville 400, ProfexII<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by DJ Sillito on 12 August 2002 at 09:10 AM.]</p></FONT>
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CrowBear Schmitt
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Location: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Post by CrowBear Schmitt »

Kenny Y you get the prize for originality !
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Andy Volk
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Location: Boston, MA
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Post by Andy Volk »

I've been a visual artist for most of my life, a television director-producer-writer-graphic & animation designer for 17 years in the corporate world. Now I'm on my own as Volk Media Design.

I've never played professional gigs but lots of jams sessions with friends - acoustic & electric non-pedal steel.
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Todd Weger
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Post by Todd Weger »

I've been playing professionally for over 25 years, and full-time for the last 5 of those years. Some consulting work (about 6 weeks a year) for a large, national credit union trade association, plus a very nice, monthly residual income from a home business of the last seven years has really made for a wonderful life.

Playing music is what I love to do most, and I realize that I am very blessed, and extremely fortunate to get to do just that!

TJW

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, B11, E13); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6); Melobar SLS lapsteel (open D); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open G)
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Ray Montee
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Post by Ray Montee »

Okay, the participation in this post is truly great and interesting.....however

WHAT ABOUT those couple of thousand members that still haven't particpated? Whatsa matta?

I'd always wanted to be a baker but couldn't raise the dough.......so I drifted into thoughts of becoming a school teacher but I was told I lacked the class; lacking principals I couldn't even become a school administrator. The idea of becoming a doctor was next...but then I laced the patients! Enuff!!!
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Gord Cole
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Joined: 12 Jan 1999 1:01 am
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Post by Gord Cole »

Retired retail advertising Creative Director (commercial artist) for 40 years.Now a full-time, struggling, aspiring, frustrated but most times happy, devil-may-care pedal steel player and equally inept watercolour painter. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gord Cole on 12 August 2002 at 12:01 PM.]</p></FONT>
Steven Cherson
Posts: 113
Joined: 8 Dec 1998 1:01 am
Location: Austin, TX.

Post by Steven Cherson »

I run the Building and Public Works Department for the town I live in.Im one of four communities on a barrier island on the south shore of Long Island with private beaches for residents and beach club members only.

Steven Cherson
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