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Topic: To play/not to play (conventions/steel shows)? |
Dave Burr
From:
League City, TX
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 10:58 am |
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Some play, some don't - What are some of the contributing factors to who plays conventions and who don't? I realize an invite is necessary; that we all know is a pre-requisite. I'm asking why the player chooses to play or not to play - If they choose to play, is it for exposure, marketing new product, sheer love of showing your "stuff" in front of your peers?  If they choose not to play, is it due to schedule conflicts (more than likely) or do they just not want to?
The reason I ask is that there are some folks I would certainly expect to see on the roster; however you never see their name on the list. Do they get invited but choose not to play or do they just not get invited?
Example: This past year or so I have been touched beyond words by the playing of Dicky Overbey. I have been brought to tears by this mans playing, yet I never see his name on any of the steel shows. What's up with that? I just used this one player as an example realizing there are MANY others.
What gives? Curious minds need to know these things.
Respectfully,
Dave Burr |
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autry andress
From:
Plano, Tx.
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 11:17 am
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| Good Question, & I don't have the answer & would love to hear Dicky Overbie, as well as Gary Carpenter, & Norm Hamlett. [This message was edited by autry andress on 22 January 2004 at 02:20 PM.] |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 11:20 am
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Players are all different. I remember, in the late 70's - early 80's, I was really interested in learning more about Paul Franklin's style and approach to the instrument. At the time he was playing with M-m-m-mel Tillis and others and was getting his career in Nashville established. I'd ask Paul, Sr. every year when Paul was coming and Mr. Franklin would explain how busy Paul was with other commitments. Same was true with Hal and Weldon at the time. Just too busy. Many players are working all they can to make ends meet and going to shows is a luxury for them. Besides that, if you're an electrician, how are you going to respond when you get a week off and your neighbor wants you to rewire their house? You'd probably rather go fishing. 
It is great that we have guys like John Hughey, Hal Rugg, Buddy Emmons, Weldon Myrick, Don Helms (et al) who are actually (more or less) retired from playing. Those folks are much more available these days than they were a decade or two ago.
Another fact is that some great backup players just DON'T LIKE TO PLAY INSTRUMENTALS or do steel shows where they are the center of attention. Some are so comfortable as sidemen that being in the limelight is not enjoyable for them.
I think this explains at least some of it.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 22 January 2004 at 11:21 AM.] |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 11:22 am
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I'd imagine that it has to do with how much the gig pays.
Possibly as possibly in the case of a couple of MY favorites, the politics involved might be a factor.
Can't imagine that....
EJL
[This message was edited by Eric West on 22 January 2004 at 11:23 AM.] |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 12:26 pm
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| I was afraid I would get stage fright and blow it. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 2:20 pm
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I was asked one time to play at a steel show. I asked them how much they'd pay me and they said they'd pay me what I was worth. I told them I wouldn't work that cheap!!!
Uff-Da!
Besides that, they weren't serving lutefisk! |
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Scott Henderson
From:
Camdenton, Missouri, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 8:17 pm
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I don't think to many of them pay...but you do get a chance to show your stuff and your products too. besides it's great hanging out with other steel cats. some of the super pickers you have mentioned may be gigging so much they can't fit it in to their schedules i had played steel for 18 years before i even went to a steel show. always wanted to go but just couldn't get off the bandstand long enough to go. just my thoughts
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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Jan 2004 9:46 pm
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I have attended ones around here where I have heard the best steel guitar I can imagine. Hopefully another one soon.
Honestly I've tried several times to go to the ISGC and others but I'm always doing a gig, and can't get away. I'm taking Dale Granstrom's place at his gig while he goes to the Texas Conv on Mar12-13. That's usually how I end up working through them.
I'd certainly pay the gate, but I just can't find the time.
I LOVED the streaming coverave of the ISGC.
Sue Parkerhouse, a dear friend of mine from London, has taken pity on me and swings out to catch whatever gig I'm at at that time, on her way to St Louis, and with that happening, I have to say that I'm not sure I'd want that to stop..
EJL
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Paul Polish
From:
Concord,NC,Usa
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 3:09 am
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Dave, Just my $.02 worth.
LOVE LOVE LOVE, thats the biggest reason. Love for the instrument.
Love for the friendship /fellowship involved
Love for playing out of the box,so to speak
I don't know how many shows you get to go too, but come to the Dallas show and see. And ask this question to the players themselves. You will soon figure out its really NOT about the money so much, although most players have CD's and numerous items for sale to help offset their expenses.
Ain't nobody gettin' rich by working steel shows.
It boils down to the LOVE and FRIENDSHIP.
Come and see us. Paul
Come shake my hand, would love to meet you. I'm the big ugly,grey headed guy playing the drums.Or should I say, sitting behind the drums.hehe! See ya there.[This message was edited by Paul Polish on 23 January 2004 at 03:09 AM.] |
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ray qualls
From:
Baxter Springs, Kansas (deceased)
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 6:02 am
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What I enjoy most is that the top notch players don't run down us less qualified players. Everyone is on the same level and there's always fellowship with friends. There's always someone willing to help or give advice and you won't find that with any other type of convention or show. We've got a special instrument to play and special people to help! God bless steel players!
Ray Qualls-President(KSGA) |
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John Lacey
From:
Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 6:24 am
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| The fear and the money factor. |
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Joe Casey
From:
Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)
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Posted 25 Jan 2004 1:08 pm
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| I believe at one time or another your favorite has or will be on the ISGC stage.Scotty certainly tries to get early committments and that paticular weekend has many shows and fairs going on around the country.For road steelers thats a busy time.Each year i see 70% of the same faces but also each year there are new faces,last minute changes(schedules change,S--t happens) and the show always is excellent. There are comps, and the products sold by the individuals and mfgs are a great reason for all to be there. Add to it the fratenizing,(cold beer)meeting up close personal contact with the legends (cold beer)Add in also the room jams,(cold beer)test driving all the new equipment,(cold beer last one because by now I'm broke)Did I mention all the great country music? I forget a lot when i drink. And last but least you could run into Will Picket as Smiley Roberts. He even did the show in 2002. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 25 Jan 2004 2:16 pm
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I play 'live' theatre all the time, and I've played for a living for over forty years - I've done a lot of recording, and a fair amount of 'live' television, but there's no power on Earth that could get me on the stage of even the smallest steel show in the land......
I'm convinced that I'd 'blow it' in the first measure!
RR |
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Ken Williams
From:
Arkansas
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Posted 25 Jan 2004 3:09 pm
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My reasons are the expense and lack of invitions. I play at Ronnie's in Hot Springs every year because it's relatively close. Ray Qualls has always been nice enough to invite me to play at some of his shows. And, Louie invited to play Thursday night at Dallas one year but schedule conflicts made it impossible. I would like to play more shows if I could ever get in that position.
Ken
http://home.ipa.net/~kenwill
[This message was edited by Ken Williams on 25 January 2004 at 03:10 PM.] |
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