Age range of Steelers

Bart Maloney · Post by **Bart Maloney** » 22 Jun 2004 8:05 pm

Hello everyone. I am a new member and wanted to stick my head in and say hello. I have been coming to the site for months now, but just decided to join. I am a 21 year old Dobro player that has been wanting to start playing steel for a couple of years now. I wanted to ask everyone what they thought the breakdown of the age of people playing steel guitar was. Just curious what the stats are. or good guesses. I have been curious of this for a while now. Well if anyone knows or even wants to make something up and trick me, let me know. Just kidding.

Herman Visser · Post by **Herman Visser** » 22 Jun 2004 8:29 pm

If your 21 I say old. Im 58 and just starting up again after 40yrs. have alots of time on my hands now. NO kids to around.Started a few months ago

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 22 Jun 2004 8:31 pm

Welcome to the forum!! Seems a few young pickers, more middle age, and a lot of seniors. I'm pre-senior. You sure are in a fine area for experienced steelers, on this forum and in Austin!!

Ed Naylor · Post by **Ed Naylor** » 23 Jun 2004 4:37 am

A few years back I did a little study with the info I had available, and I beleive the average Steel player was over 50.Probably 80-90 percent of players calling me are over 60.Ed Naylor Steel Guitar Works.

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 23 Jun 2004 6:15 am

I am 44 and younger than most.

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 23 Jun 2004 6:22 am

Older than dirt and that was before Noah!

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 23 Jun 2004 6:28 am

49 here and been playing steel for 11 years. I envy you starting at 21 and in such a great steel guitar friendly town as Austin. You are definitely in the right place at the right time. Best of luck!

Bart Maloney · Post by **Bart Maloney** » 23 Jun 2004 6:48 am

thank yall for the replies so far. It seems I am kind of an oddball for wanting to play it at this age huh? People my age these days just want to see how much distortion they can get out of there Les Paul and full Marshall Stack and scream as much as they can and call it singing. It is terrible. I actually read an ad here in Austin, in the musicians classifieds that was looking for a guitar player. One of the requirements was you had to have a stack. RIDICULOUS if you ask me. I am really glad that i found a site with really nice people that like good music. I couldnt tell you why the world hasnt fallen in love with this beautiful instrument, maybe the world is crazy. Everyone but us.

John Parker · Post by **John Parker** » 23 Jun 2004 6:49 am

I'm 48 and started (and still learning) at age 44. I wish I would of started 30 years earlier. But I'm having lots of fun with it.

------------------
John Parker
Zumsteel SD10 3x5
Peavey Session 400

pdl20 · Post by **pdl20** » 23 Jun 2004 6:56 am

62 and looking forward to a long time of picken

------------------
Rudy

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 23 Jun 2004 7:08 am

Average age would be tough to establish, but I'm nearly 48 and Scotty's International Steel Guitar Convention is one of the few places I still feel young.

I think most of the great players started young, but here again 21 is young. The fact that you already have dobro and musicianship in general under your belt should be a great benefit.

------------------
HagFan

Bill C. Buntin · Post by **Bill C. Buntin** » 23 Jun 2004 7:09 am

I'm 43. Started when I was 32. Still learning. Good luck. Have fun in Austin.

David Spires · Post by **David Spires** » 23 Jun 2004 7:51 am

I hate to say it, but at 33 years old - I am often still the youngest steel player at a club meeting / convention, etc.

However, I don't know that there are really less "younger" players today than 10-20 years ago.

Just an observation,

David Spires

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 23 Jun 2004 7:55 am

Welcome to the steel guitar, Bart. Many of us started off as Dobro players. The average age of steel players is probably over 50. But that doesn't mean it is a fading craft. If a constant number of steelers started around age 20, and typically died in their 80s, the average age would be 50. Maybe today steelers are a smaller proportion of musicians, but the population is bigger, so maybe the number of steelers is about the same as ever.

Dwayne Martineau · Post by **Dwayne Martineau** » 23 Jun 2004 8:24 am

29...and should've started earlier.

Ben Slaughter · Post by **Ben Slaughter** » 23 Jun 2004 8:38 am

26 and trying to soak up as much information from the experience floating around this wonderful Forum as possible.

------------------
Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc.

Burton Lee · Post by **Burton Lee** » 23 Jun 2004 8:56 am

I'm also 26, and finishing up year one of playing.

A funny thing is happening around where I live. The guys my age have suddenly rediscovered classic country and it's appearing in various ways across the local music scene. Pedal steel isn't exactly popping up all over due to the price tag, but everyone knows what it is and are very excited that I play it.

I think we might be part of a new generation of steelers after some bleak years. See you in Nashville one day

.

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Burton Lee on 23 June 2004 at 09:59 AM.]</p></FONT>

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 23 Jun 2004 9:01 am

46 and started at around 20.
Hook

------------------
HookMoore.com

Ryan Giese · Post by **Ryan Giese** » 23 Jun 2004 9:32 am

I'm 15. I'm enjoying steel guitar very much. Learning to play is a very hard but you have to stick with it and practice every day.

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 23 Jun 2004 9:44 am

Started playing standard guitar at 13, but didn't pick up lap steel before I was 41. Today I'm 45, and don't play standard guitar unless I have to....

Steinar

------------------
www.gregertsen.com

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 23 Jun 2004 10:17 am

I'm 50; started playing when I was 17, and thought I started "late" at the time.

Just do it!

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 23 Jun 2004 10:33 am

When I was born, the Dead Sea wasn't even sick.
I started playing before electricity. I learned on a kerosene guitar.
My father learned on a woodburner (along with Scotty).
This has been your introduction to "Steelpickers Witt 101". You will probably end up this way if you keep studying. WELCOME to the club.

Frank Estes · Post by **Frank Estes** » 23 Jun 2004 10:57 am

41 started when I was 17.

------------------
Frank Estes - 1978 Emmons D-10 8+7 #2441D

Bill Bosler · Post by **Bill Bosler** » 23 Jun 2004 11:00 am

Welcome aboard, Bart - I'm 61 and been playing steel since about 1974 or thereabouts. I've been playing guitar, bass and whatever else I could learn three chords on since I was about 12.

John Wall · Post by **John Wall** » 23 Jun 2004 11:04 am

I'm 49; started steel when I was 19. Played 6 string 7 years prior to that.