Why do steel players look So Miserable?

Randy (Fuzzy) Whitener · Post by **Randy (Fuzzy) Whitener** » 12 Feb 2007 6:58 am

George, would you be talking about the local "musicians". The ones that think a scale is the part of the fish you dont eat. The ones that only get there guitar out on Fri. and Sat. nites. When you tell them its a 5 cord and then they play a 4 lets say an a, you tell them no its a b, two half steps up then they proceed to play a c.They also spend all there brakes at the strip joint next door. And you think you deserve any more compensation than those guys. How Dare You

Fuzzy

Kyle Everson · Post by **Kyle Everson** » 12 Feb 2007 9:44 am

After seeing pictures of myself playing, I realized that I do look rather unhappy

. I try to make a conscious effort to look up and smile at a band member when I make a mistake or do a really obvious harmonic or something. It lets the crowd know that I am having fun, despite the apparently intense concentration.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 12 Feb 2007 9:50 am

Why do they call Smiley Roberts Smiley?

Sometimes its hard to Smile when others are laughing.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 12 Feb 2007 10:56 am

I smile a lot when I am playing! So everybody tells me anyway. HOWEVER!!!!!!!!1 I do smile a little less when playing C6th and working on my 8 and 9 pedals. WHen I hit the booyah I have to be carefull or it's BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOyahHHHHHHHHHHHH
Wish they made guitars for bigboys. (or guess I could lose some weight.....(thinking.....thinking.....Nah still wish they would make BIGBOY guitars hehehehehe)

George Plemons · Post by **George Plemons** » 12 Feb 2007 12:04 pm

Ha Fuzz, you've been reading my mail! Oh yeah, I have been meaning to ask you, since you and I both went to Mexia High School, have you taken your DNA test yet to clarify that YOU really are Anna Nicoles offspring?

Patrick Laffrat · Post by **Patrick Laffrat** » 12 Feb 2007 1:49 pm

Smiling as Ralph Mooney needs a very longtime practice ?

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 13 Feb 2007 1:51 am

most of us look miserable cause we ain't got that groucho marx/ smiley roberts nose, glasses & mustache thingy on our face

Simon Stephenson · Post by **Simon Stephenson** » 14 Feb 2007 7:59 am

Try to take a leaf out of the girls' book...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc7syoyf7nc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHyf5uMlP1s

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 14 Feb 2007 3:57 pm

Wow... so what I need are high heels and boobs... NOW I understand why I look miserable!

Wait...

... high heels and boobs HAVE made me miserable... and broke...

Bill Duve · Post by **Bill Duve** » 15 Feb 2007 1:55 pm

Im just so perfect that im above smiling

Ron Kirby · Post by **Ron Kirby** » 15 Feb 2007 2:20 pm

Maybe some steel players look miserable , because they just spent $4000.00 on a new guitar and they have it on stage and the tone is not what they thought it would be.

So the very next day they call the music center to trade back,and find out ,their trade in ,,the one with the great tone has been sold!!

Tony Smart · Post by **Tony Smart** » 15 Feb 2007 4:13 pm

Most Steel Players look miserable because they like to join in with the audience.......

I look miserable because I like to join in with
the Mother In Law....

Mike Wheeler · Post by **Mike Wheeler** » 15 Feb 2007 4:44 pm

Yep, Tony. I'm miserable because I know the audience is listening to ME play and I'm empathising with their pain!

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 15 Feb 2007 11:04 pm

JB didn't always smile. The story goes, one time when someone asked "why don't you smile when you are playing ?"
JB shot back, "Because I'm not selling tooth paste!" Very clever response !

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 16 Feb 2007 4:51 am

I look miserable because I like to join in with
the Mother In Law....

Tony
Do you happen to have her email address - I promise I won't send her your link.

Tony Smart · Post by **Tony Smart** » 17 Feb 2007 1:57 pm

Sorry Ken, the only way you can contact her is through a local Farm.
I managed to get her a nice little job there - frightening the birds away..... The Farmer is very pleased with her, he says she often helps out ploughing - when the horse is ill....

By the way "mother in law" is an anagram of "Woman Hitler"
Says it all .....
( She's OK really)

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 17 Feb 2007 2:45 pm

I dunno - I never thought that just because somebody didn't smile all the time that they were necessarily unhappy. I guess for me, it's a musical performance, not a circus. The converse, as articulated by Bob Dylan:

"You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you"

I read often that Lawrence Welk insisted that his musicians and other performers smile at all times. But I never have believed that is a de rigeur requirement for all performers. Nothing wrong with smiling - but for me, it has to be part of the natural emotional response, and not a plastered-on thing.

"Not selling toothpaste." Yeah, I like that.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 18 Feb 2007 6:21 am

Reece, Bobbe and Buddy all smile frequently when they play live. Maybe they have a smug feeling that many of us mere mortals won't ever get to their standard?

Nah - they're just having a good time.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 18 Feb 2007 3:56 pm

Ken, I want to use this opertunity to let everyone know how well you play, The great clip you sent me was incredible. You are a very tastful player with great tone, execution and modesty. You'd better get a CD out quick before you lose it! Ha! Ha!
This proves that all the great players aren't living in the US.
I am playing it for the steel players in Nashville, br proud of your accomplishments Ken.

Bobbster

Mike Wheeler · Post by **Mike Wheeler** » 18 Feb 2007 4:33 pm

I've seen Reece, Bobbe and Buddy smiling while they're playing also. I always thought it was because when they'd make a mistake, they knew we, mere mortals, would think it was some amazing new lick....and immediately go home and try to copy it!!

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 19 Feb 2007 5:37 am

Bobbe - you are far too kind. I will be working on an album this year and I will be using your incredible tone as a benchmark. You and Tommy White have generously supplied the Forum with information on how you have both recorded your classic albums, and I have taken this on board.

Going back to the topic, it is interesting how the audience perceive steel players. Robert Randolph can project a visually entertaining image while playing (even if some do not like what he plays) and I feel that most of us could do a little more from the 'entertainment' perspective. I am the first to admit that I look immersed while I'm playing, and while I am far from miserable it could look as though I am not enjoying playing. It is difficult to be a showman behind a static instrument like pedal steel without looking a prat.

Ron Kirby · Post by **Ron Kirby** » 19 Feb 2007 7:00 am

Myself and some friends went to Bobbe pick on stage a few weeks ago, and he was picking some fine steel,, plenty of smiles, he looked like he was really enjoying pickin, that was a great show !!

One other thing I may add,, Bobbes Steel Guitar Nashville shop will always let you (test drive) before you buy !!! Its a pleasure to do business with Bobbe !

The Steel Guitar Forum

Why do steel players look So Miserable?

Ken B.