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Topic: Do Steel Players Drink Less? |
David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 12:31 am |
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| From personal observation and posts on this board, I am inclined to think that steel guitarists are far less prone to excessive tippling than other country and rock musicians. Is it because the type of person who is drawn to the steel guitar naturally tends toward a more reasoned outlook, or because they know they haven't got a snowball's chance of remembering how to play these things if they've got a buzz on? |
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Matt Dawson
From:
Luxembourg, Europe
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 1:10 am
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I reckon the first thing to go is intonation. Bass players, guitarists, mandolin players, & keyboards can fake it but steel players cant!
Matt (6 years sober)
Carter Universal-12 |
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Michael Dene
From:
Gippsland,Victoria, Australia
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 1:46 am
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What??
Less than we used to or less than we're going to?
Michael |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 4:01 am
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In order to play one of these dang things at all, you have to be capable of a rather intellectual approach, you're playing intricate stuff on 10 or more strings close together with finger picks (instead of banging away with a single flat pick on a few strings), you're hand ear coordination has to be perfect with the bar (rather than slapping thick fingers down on frets that automatically play in tune), you have to maintain good control of everything from your ears to your feet. In order to learn the instrument, you have to be a conscientious hard worker with a strong appreciation of musical integrity. People who can do all the above have a really strong desire to sound good. They have worked really hard at it, spent a lot of money on it, and don't want to ruin it all being a sloppy drunk. I like to start a gig drinking coffee, and not start any serious alchohol drinking or other refreshments until at least half-way through the show (but watch out for that ride home  ). |
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Jim Walker
From:
Headland, AL
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 4:29 am
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| I seen a really drunk Steel player out in Modesto once. It wasn't pretty and it sounded worse! |
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Pat Burns
From:
Branchville, N.J. USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 4:45 am
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..I would equate steel players with pilots..some of them drink, but not on the job, and in general they take their work or hobby more seriously than most people do..
..that's not to say that there aren't some steel players and some pilots who drink too much, but I think it's less common than in the general population..
..I don't drink at all now and haven't for nearly 10 years, but when I did that was my hobby and I took it seriously! I never could have put in the time or sustained effort to learn pedal steel when I was drinking...that's why I started pedal steel much later in life than a lot of people (started at 4 ..but better late than never!..
...learning to fly would be fun, too!... |
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Drew Howard
From:
48854
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 4:54 am
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Since I've been gigging on steel and playing bars, I've always watched my bandmates get sauced and then blow their vocal chords, blow the song, or just plain blow...
Comes with the teritory.
Drew
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www.newslinkassociates.com
www.drewhoward.com
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RON PRESTON
From:
Dodson, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 5:00 am
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Matt...Congratulations on the Big Six...I just turned the big Five. They used to call me "Asleep at the Steel" because of my Drinking. Pass out right there on the ol' thing hung over both necks like a sleeping cat. MANY nights I would wonder who helped me get out from behind it, unplug the system, and take me home. Lord, I'm so happy those days are over.  |
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David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 5:23 am
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Damm Jim, was it me???? or you know who. 
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DavidWright.us
Sierra Guitars
Sierra S-12 9&7
Peavey-2000-PX-300
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Smiley Roberts
From:
Hendersonville,Tn. 37075
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 5:42 am
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Ron,
I have to take claim to that title also. It was back in the mid 70's,we were in Grand Junction,Co. A guy in the audience volunteered to buy the band drinks. I was on my "Cold Duck" (sparkling wine) kick at the time. Before the night was over,the boss, singing one of his hits,said,"take it Smiley". There I was,"Asleep at the steel". I was fired,& re-hired,& didn't even realize it. The rest of the band told me about it the next day. I still imbibe,but not NEAR as much as I used to. As the ol' saying goes,"If I knew I was gonna live this long.I'd have taken better care of my body."
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~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com
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Carl West
From:
La Habra, CA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 5:58 am
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David,
Spending 22 years in the business I didn't see where Steel players drank more than others. Some drank and some didn't but I sure couldn't put them over any other band member. So our personal observations differ somewhat, at least here in Southern California. Not to say you incorrect at all, but I think a lot of it has to do with what part of the country your working. Now that'll generate some stuff Probably. Don't know what that reason may be but that's what I've seen.
Carl West
Emmons LaGrande |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 6:04 am
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| I will say that Jimmy Day played damn good with more sauce under his belt than most people could handle. I sometimes wish he had laid off a little and been with us longer. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 9:17 am
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Jim, I hope it wasn't me. When I was gigging at the Sandlewood, I never drank at all. I lived in Hayward and drove back and forth every night. The highway along the river is not one you want to drive drunk on.
I don't know. Maybe we look less drunk and we are sitting down and not swaying back and forth like the other band members who are trying to stand up. I have played drunk on several occasions in my early years. |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 9:29 am
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David Doggett-I think you brought up a interesting point. I believe that is very true, about steel players. Although I saw Jimmy Day , when he was with Willie Nelson in Mr. Lucky's in Phoneix, laying right over his guitar, loaded. So go figure...al
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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
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Rich Weiss
From:
Woodland Hills, CA, USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 9:35 am
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I'm not a big drinker, but when I do have a shot before playing, I think I play better. I'm looser and more relaxed.
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Bill Crook
From:
Goodlettsville, TN , Spending my kid's inheritance
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 10:29 am
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Ditto what Rich said......
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Nicholas Dedring
From:
Beacon, New York, USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 10:31 am
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| I have more difficulty playing if I just have too much coffee, everything tightens up; I used to have the free band drinks when I played tenor sax, but I can't imagine doing it playing steel... the coordination suffers too much, and I don't have any that I can spare so far. |
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Gary Lee Gimble
From:
Fredericksburg, VA.
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 10:32 am
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| I'm presently enjoying a goblet, not a snifter of a Tres Vielle Grande Champagne, Cognac Prunier XO. A little early in the year for such a gem but oh well. I've got some 4 cheese Dorotos to wash it down with too. |
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 10:39 am
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I used to drink a lot when I played in bars, when my liver was still good. Now I can't - doc says it would kill me.
I suppose it did hurt my playing, but who cares in that environment, anyway? The audience never seemed to mind, and the rest of the band was at least as drunk as I was.
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 Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax |
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Grant Johnson
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 10:44 am
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I can't play at all with even a mild buzz, but I enjoy nursing a beer through the set for refreshment.
My bandmates drink much more than me.
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www.bigsmokey.com
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 10:53 am
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We always tell the crowd, "The more we drink - the better we play, and the more you drink - the better we sound!"  Our unofficial theme song is "Tequila"! |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 11:46 am
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Who cares, as long as you still play good!
(It didn't hurt Curly's playin' much!) |
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Steve Spitz
From:
New Orleans, LA, USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 12:22 pm
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| I don`t like to drink, but you gotta wash the pills down with something. |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 12:42 pm
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I think steel players are latent perfectionists. Does this mean they're always gonna be a little unhappy with their performance and have a drive to always make it better?
A little wine is good for the stomach (as the "book" says... Also helps us to tolerate the fact that we ain't perfect yet. A lotta wine only makes us worse for the most part.
Just my $0.02
Regards... |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 22 Aug 2003 12:46 pm
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| Too much coffee or too much alcohol (or anything else) can be bad for your playing. But a little of either could help out. Or you can have a little of both. Sometimes I start out with a cup of Irish coffee, or a cup of coffee with a jigger of rum or brandy. |
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