Something I Thought I'd Never See

billy tam · Post by **billy tam** » 14 Jun 2006 7:23 am

It was a first in my steel playing career. Walked into a restaurant and the dinner music was supplied by a solo steel player. It was none other than forumite Hal Higgins on his Carter playing thru a Webb amp along with his own custom tracks. Hal played superbly, great licks, great tone and touch. On top of that he was a real pleasure to visit with. OK I knew he was gonna be there, but imagine if I hadn't known, maybe he can open up new venues for the instrument.
thanks
Billy Tam

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 14 Jun 2006 7:29 am

Piano players and solo guitar players have been doing this for years. Why not the pedal or lap guitar players?!? Good for him!

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 14 Jun 2006 11:02 am

Billy.....I've seen other instruments do that with midi tracks, etc., so I thought....why not...and besides that desperate times call for desperate measures (I needed some income) lol. Billy, I'm so glad you came in and listened awhile.....and glad you enjoyed it...I'll be there Tuesdays from 5-9 PM....come by anytime.....thanks for the compliments. HAL

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Be Blessed........HAL
'03 Carter D-10,(8 & 5) 95 Carter 9 & 7 Hilton Vol. Pedal, BJS Birthstone bar, 2 Racks w/Evans Pre-amps, Lexicon MPX500 & MPX550; (1) Nashville 400, (1) Webb 6-14 E Amp(2)1501-4 BW's in custom built cabs by T.A. Gibson, & Sound Tech PL802 Digital Power Amp; Steelers Choice seat with back rest and side-kick. Walker Seat w/o Backrest
Hal Higgins....Be blessed and "Keep Steelin'.....

Loy B Moore · Post by **Loy B Moore** » 14 Jun 2006 1:52 pm

Hal,
I get to Baton Rouge fairly often. Can you name the restaurant?

Robert Thomas · Post by **Robert Thomas** » 14 Jun 2006 3:45 pm

I'll put my two cents in for whatever it is worth. I have been doing solo for about 8 years now. The bulk of my playing is for nursing homes and Alzheimer units.
I play a HWP Mullen D-10, 8+4 and use a Peavey Amp MP-600 head, along with two Dan-Echo units connected in series, a Korg KR-55 for my rhythm section, a Mutron Bi-Phase and a Audio-technica PRO8HEx Microphone to sing through. My speaker is one cabinet with 4-12" Jensen speakers. I have been quite successful and well received. I can truthfully say I have never enjoyed playing so much. I know that everyone of you who read this could also do it and have a ball. You might be surprised how well received the PSG is when played by itself.

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 14 Jun 2006 4:00 pm

Loy....the restaurant is "LA Roadhouse" on Magnolia Bridge Rd in Denham Springs, just off of Hwy 16 in the Broadway Plaza. Would love for you to come by when you're down this way.........HAL

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Be Blessed........HAL
'03 Carter D-10,(8 & 5) 95 Carter 9 & 7 Hilton Vol. Pedal, BJS Birthstone bar, 2 Racks w/Evans Pre-amps, Lexicon MPX500 & MPX550; (1) Nashville 400, (1) Webb 6-14 E Amp(2)1501-4 BW's in custom built cabs by T.A. Gibson, & Sound Tech PL802 Digital Power Amp; Steelers Choice seat with back rest and side-kick. Walker Seat w/o Backrest
Hal Higgins....Be blessed and "Keep Steelin'.....

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 14 Jun 2006 4:39 pm

great news,wish I can see and hear that.Hal,you are the man.

Db

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"Promat"
~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 14 Jun 2006 4:43 pm

That has been my idea for some years, but haven't gotten around to doing it yet, and now in Mexico it might be harder to find somewhere to do it.... but with some luck, the steel will be getting more publicity here soon.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 14 Jun 2006 6:53 pm

Billy-glad to her that, I hope more guys will do that. there is a lot of work for a solo player or duo in restaurants, etc. Good money too.

I remember back in the early days, many times I played solo in restaurants and Hotels, dinner music with no backup at all.
so it is another way of getting jobs if you know and play melody and a lot of tunes.
There is a group around here that has been playing at Burger King and Mcdonalds. So if things are slow with the regular jobs, go for it...al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

C. Christofferson · Post by **C. Christofferson** » 14 Jun 2006 10:26 pm

Sorry to jump topic billy - Al, your history and your site are just abbout as classic as classic gets. Congradulations - more than just inspiring..!

A couple of times I pictured myself playing chrismas carols at the mall with maybe a bass player - but at the moment it's still wishful thinking>

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 15 Jun 2006 3:27 am

Well, here's what I witnessed just two nights ago; a locar live music bar ( focusing on "house", roots, reggae, hip hop and what have you ) here was having an official opening "gala" and a friend had an extra invitation and asked me to join him. Free drinks and great food was served, a tv camera, newspaper writers and celebrity faces were also invited. But it was the background music that amazed me the most, the DJ was playing cuts from Buddy Emmons' Sings Bob Wills Lp, not just one song, but pretty much half of the album. Not bad...

Bill Mayville · Post by **Bill Mayville** » 15 Jun 2006 5:03 am

To Hal.I am familiar with the satisfaction one gets while dueing a solo on steel with some tracks.I'll bet you sound terrific!
To Jim Plelps.Down their,you'll go over good.I used to play in San Diego at swap Meets.Very small stage,backup music and big pockets.The Latino's could not stop filling up my pockets.They never saw a steel before,and couldn't donate fast enough.
Bill,,, Jackson incoming

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 15 Jun 2006 5:57 am

Hey Hal, I got your message - thanks a lot for helping me find the LDR!

Paul Norman · Post by **Paul Norman** » 15 Jun 2006 6:01 pm

Hal, did you use tracks?

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 15 Jun 2006 7:18 pm

Hey Chris....glad I could help you out, you should be getting it by early next week.....

Paul....yes....I play with tracks, some of mine and some of others......thanks for asking......HAL

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Be Blessed........HAL
'03 Carter D-10,(8 & 5) 95 Carter 9 & 7 Hilton Vol. Pedal, BJS Birthstone bar, 2 Racks w/Evans Pre-amps, Lexicon MPX500 & MPX550; (1) Nashville 400, (1) Webb 6-14 E Amp(2)1501-4 BW's in custom built cabs by T.A. Gibson, & Sound Tech PL802 Digital Power Amp; Steelers Choice seat with back rest and side-kick. Walker Seat w/o Backrest
Hal Higgins....Be blessed and "Keep Steelin'.....