How many of us get started with Winnie's book?

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 16 Mar 2004 11:16 am

Yup, still got it and still go through it every once in a while. I gave my first one away to a new player and went and bought me another one. You got to have it.

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 16 Mar 2004 11:25 am

It provided a resource and data base that just wasn't available up to that point. Somewhere along the way I loaned it to a student and never saw it again(along with a few other things). -MJ-

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 16 Mar 2004 11:33 am

Yup, 1978. I wish it had said, don't take apart and tighten up all that stuff under the Emmons single neck if you don't know what you're doing.....

Frank Estes · Post by **Frank Estes** » 16 Mar 2004 11:40 am

It was the first book I purchased (1981). Great Job, Winnie!

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

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 16 Mar 2004 11:41 am

Yeah, '78, Winnie + Bill's book and Mike Idhe. Winnie inspired the late great luthier J.R. Zeidler to build a keyless S-12, and he did an amazing job- incredible birdseye body.

Bill told me he's not playing steel anymore- a shame, he did some great work.

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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff.

[This message was edited by John McGann on 16 March 2004 at 11:42 AM.]

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 16 Mar 2004 11:43 am

Me too. Winnie's book, my Pro I and Sonny Miller. Thanks Winnie and Sonny (Hope you see this, Sonny. and thanks for the Joe Wright stuff. Hope I actually get to it someday.)

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Marrs D-10, Webb 6-14E[This message was edited by Michael Haselman on 16 March 2004 at 11:48 AM.]

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 16 Mar 2004 12:13 pm

I did. I still have it right next to my Steel at home, still use it and still read it. I think that the articles about how to play, what to look for are the reason that sets the book apart from other "regular" courses.

You might as well call it the "bible" for Steel Players.

Kind Regards, Walter
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

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Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 16 Mar 2004 12:20 pm

Bought the book before I bought a steel. Helped me to order my 1st axe and helped me to hit the ground running when it arrived.

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 16 Mar 2004 12:45 pm

I wish it was around when I started!!! I spent the 1st year watching who ever was playing steel on "Town Hall" party on local LA TV, just hoping for a shot of the players hands to try and figure out what was going on! When this book entered my playing life, it just opened up so many doors.
Like a few others have already posted, my copy grew legs and left with a student who was "just going to borrow it until his next lesson". He never came back and neither did my book!
JE:-)>

Patrick Hattic · Post by **Patrick Hattic** » 16 Mar 2004 1:18 pm

Me too. This book answered so many questions for me. It was great to see all the tunings of the great players. I really loved that book!

Harry Williams · Post by **Harry Williams** » 16 Mar 2004 2:13 pm

Winnie's book has been really helpful to me as well - as much the background material as the tablature. I love the arrangement of "A Mighty Fortress" as well as "Streets of Laredo" (especially that ascending bass line in the ending).

A couple notes: Standard notation above the music is helpful for beginners, and would be good if Oak ever re-prints the book. Also I wonder if Bill Keith, who did some of the great arrangements, still plays steel guitar???

[This message was edited by Harry Williams on 16 March 2004 at 02:14 PM.][This message was edited by Harry Williams on 16 March 2004 at 02:15 PM.]

Dan Farrell · Post by **Dan Farrell** » 16 Mar 2004 3:28 pm

I went out to Blackie Taylor's shop in Riverside CA in 1999, and he still had a copy of the book (with the vinyl record in it too!). Blackie recommended it as a starter, self-instructional book. It worked out great because Riverside was too far to drive from Anaheim for lessons.

Dan Farrell
'97 Carter D-10
Nashville 1000

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 16 Mar 2004 4:19 pm

That and the Neil Flanz Sho-Bud record were the first instructional material I had. My sister-in-law once told me that she would kill me if she ever heard "Greensleeves" again. I lent my copy of it to a friend over twenty years ago, he still has it and says he will get it back to me sometime.

George Plemons · Post by **George Plemons** » 16 Mar 2004 7:08 pm

I was a victim of the WW book as well..playing an old Blanton I bought from David Farenhtold...

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 16 Mar 2004 7:32 pm

believe it or not there was one in Zagreb and I learned my first steps on the steel from it.Lots of fun looking at those pictures too.Thank you Mr.Winston.

Winston student,Damir

Michael Dene · Post by **Michael Dene** » 16 Mar 2004 9:09 pm

Yep... both me and my son.

I sometimes wonder if he (WW) has any idea how much he has given to those of us, who at the time, had no-one else to get us started.

Aways back I sent him an email to say thanks but it all seems quite inadequate!!

Michael
Emmons LeGrande II D10
'75 Fender Artist S10
Peavey Session 500

Winnie Winston · Post by **Winnie Winston** » 16 Mar 2004 9:56 pm

I am overwhelmed and awed by the response. There is not enough I can do to say "thank you."
The whole story of how the book happened is on my web-site at http://julianwinston.com. Of course I think back and wish I had done this or that-- a music lead line would have been great, but I got permission to use "Crazy Arms" ONLY because there was going to be no music lead line! I also missed out on the opportunity to introduce a better way of tabbing-- which Jimmy Crawford finally got to with "The Manual of Style" in 1980 or so.
I've asked Oak about making changes, but they don't want to bother with the expense.
I should really thank Jeff Newman for it -- I wanted to use some of his tab and just write around the edges, and he convinced me to do it all.
Keith's arrangements are a bit complex for the beginner-- if I was doing it again I'd add about 10 pages of more basic stuff. But it sure is a handful and mindful. I still keep going back to it and re-learning stuff.
Thanks again for your affection.
You got a place to stay if you ever visit New Zealand-- but don't all come at once!

Best!

JW
(ever humbled by the accolades)

Don Lorusso · Post by **Don Lorusso** » 17 Mar 2004 7:45 am

I started with Winnie's book and record I must say it really helped me.

DJ Sillito · Post by **DJ Sillito** » 17 Mar 2004 8:11 am

It was my first book,I was 13 years old (1982) and owned a MSA sidekick. My first song I played in public was "Crazy Arms" ,I still play the "Londonderry Aire"(sp?) versions and "Nashville to Bakersfield".
I plan on keeping the book for a long time.

Greg Wine · Post by **Greg Wine** » 17 Mar 2004 9:08 am

Count me in, too. I transfered the vinyl to CD first thing. Still refer to the book.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 17 Mar 2004 11:11 am

One Saturday in 1975 I heard E's version of "Wichita Lineman", bought a Maverick from a guy who's turned out to be a life-long pal, went to a music store and got Winnie's book, and joined a band, all before 2pm. That day changed my life for sure, and that wonderful book has been a part of it ever since. I remember slowly working through "A Mighty Fortress" and being stunned by the possibilities- studying the players' copedants over and over and gradually getting why they were different- figuring out slants to cover what my one lever Maverick wouldn't- NOT being afraid to tackle re-rodding my first pro guitar because of the troubleshooting guide- buying numerous copies for students who wouldn't believe me when I told them they HAD to have it... We all hope in some way to leave something of value behind us. Something wonderful and insightful that helps thousands of people to get closer to their dreams of self-expression and creative potential is almost too much to wish for as a legacy. Winnie, I hope from all these posts you see that you hit this one out of the park. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Jason Stillwell · Post by **Jason Stillwell** » 17 Mar 2004 11:42 am

I've had this book and 2 of Scotty's books for nearly 10 years now, and have never seen or heard the records that came with them. Does anyone know where I could buy just the record (or tape or CD)? Thanks in advance. --Jason

Virgil Pittman · Post by **Virgil Pittman** » 17 Mar 2004 12:22 pm

Me to.Got a copy somewhere in the 70's and I still have it.Thanks winnie!

Larry Lorows · Post by **Larry Lorows** » 17 Mar 2004 4:09 pm

I started on WW's book bacck in '75. The copedents in the back were always one of my favorites. I still love his C6th work in it. Larry

Frank Estes · Post by **Frank Estes** » 13 Jun 2005 8:23 am

R.I.P.