How did you become a steel player?

John Parker · Post by **John Parker** » 27 Feb 2007 10:44 pm

For me it was about 1963 when one day, while listening to the radio, I heard Bob Wills say, "And now, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Leon McAuliffe playing the Steel Guitar Rag. Take it away, Leon, take it away." That is when the desire was born. But due to finances when I was a kid and then having my own family to feed, it took until the year 2000 to finally take the plunge.

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 28 Feb 2007 2:50 am

I was a complete failure at any thing else. cc

Mark Edwards · Post by **Mark Edwards** » 28 Feb 2007 4:32 am

Listening as a youngster to country music (not my idea) but my parents/grandparents listened to country music whenever the radio was on. From some unknown reason, the steel caught my attention and I was moved by the balance it brought to the music. I began to really like the music and began to feel the emotion the steel brought to the table.

At the ripe old age of 44 years of age I decided to start taking lessons. Now I couldn't afford even the cheapest priced steel. When I took my first lesson I didn't even own a steel guitar, and I wasn't sure what or how I was going to afford one. I asked my instructor Steve Lamb from Fort Worth, Texas if he knew of anyone that rented or leased steel guitars, he told me he did not. But knowing that I was in the hat making business he told me that he had a little ZB starter. (this ZB was the bottom of the line, it had a red plastic covering over the body of the guitar) but Steve told me that he would trade me that ZB if I made him a hat.

I go back to work and tell my boss what the deal is, I tell him that I had the opportunity to learn to play the steel. I told him he could dock my wages every week for the hat (the hat I was making for Steve retailed for $425.00, it was a cowboy type hat). The boss agreed so I make this hat and still owe Steve 50 bucks for the difference of the price of the guitar.

I had that ZB for about 6 months, I ripped the red plastic off of it and had Steve paint it black, and lacquered it (it turned out real nice). Then I hit a good lick at one of the horse shows we were vendors at (making a nice commission) and was able to upgrade to my current steel. A GFI D-10 Ultra, and the rest is history.

I would have jumped through hoops to learn to play the steel, and to buy my first steel. Unfortunately I sold that little ZB, I guess I should have kept it for sentimental reasons (it was a lot lighter in weight than the GFI) but hindsight is 20/20, and down the road I go.

I love the steel guitar, and still have that love today, I have been playing now for going on about 2 1/2 years, and I still practice about 3 hours a day. I still suck, but at least every now and then some of the stuff that comes out of my guitar sounds like music anyway.

Ron Dodd · Post by **Ron Dodd** » 28 Feb 2007 5:09 am

I remember it well. It was at the 4TH of July celebration in
1994 at Fredericksburg Va. The band was Country Proud
with Mr. Buddy Charleton on steel what a show. Needless
to say I was hooked. After the show I had the great fortune
to meet Buddy and Kaylee. A few weeks later I began taking
lessons from Buddy. I started playing with the Southern Rain
band and stayed with them 13 years prior to moving to
Myrtle Beach

Ricky Thibodeaux · Post by **Ricky Thibodeaux** » 28 Feb 2007 5:15 am

Got my first Sho~Bud 33 years ago at the age of 15 and tried it for a couple of years and got frustrated with it so I started playing drums with several bands over a 25 year span. I have always had this passion to learn steel, now with the internet, this forum and really great guys around the Ft. Worth area to help me out, I have learned more in the past 6 months than I did years ago trying to learn on my own. Wish we would have had the internet way back then.....Ricky

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 28 Feb 2007 5:28 am

My dad built me one in 1963 with the expectation that I could play Bud's Bounce, like Tom Brumley, someday. He's still waiting...

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 28 Feb 2007 6:37 am

The guys in the band say they used to wish they could play steel and now they wish I could....

Dennis Schell · Post by **Dennis Schell** » 28 Feb 2007 7:11 am

Hey, keep the stories coming guys....
This is inspirational for me!
(Maybe 53 isn't too old to embark on a new musical direction after all!)

Dennis

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 28 Feb 2007 7:22 am

Earl Foote's comment about learning "It's such a pretty World..." reminded me of my start playing the steel.

I was a bass player in the mid 70's and around 1980 our band had a steel player sit in and that was it,I had to have one.

About a year later our band was asked to be Wynn Stewarts back up band in Glenn Rose TX and that song was one of several I sweated blood over trying to learn.

Playing the steel has made it possible for me to go places and meet people I would have otherwise never had the opportunity to know.

Kyle Everson · Post by **Kyle Everson** » 28 Feb 2007 7:25 am

When I started writing songs, my rural upbringing began to come out and I really wanted pedal steel on the records. I went everywhere trying to find someone that could lay down the tracks for me with no luck. I became very entrenched with the thought of playing, saved my money and bought a Sho Bud. I haven't looked back since.

Robbie Daniels · Post by **Robbie Daniels** » 28 Feb 2007 7:34 am

Back around 1947 or 48 a representative from the "Honolulu Conservatory of Music" in Oakland, CA was canvassing for people to learn the Hawaiian steel guitar. So, with great excitment, my parents enrolled me and I was given a 3/4 scale acoustic guitar with a raised bridge and what looked like a flat piece of sheet metal and the rest is history. Haven't regretted any of it. The road is sometimes bumpy, but always enjoyable.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 28 Feb 2007 7:50 am

Back in 69, i got myself a lil' Gibson BR6 fer 50 $ in a pawn shop so i could play da blues on it
round 1970 when i went to Nashburg, i got Buddy's black lp & an Emmons steel bar on Broadway
that lp got me hooked but i could'nt afford a psg at the time
later on round 1975, my uncle who had a Musik Store in Gay Paree had a SB Maverick that just would'nt sell
he laid it on me, sayin' that i'd manage to make somethin' out of it
got that Winnie Winston Bible & dabbled at it fer a few years
i found the Mav sounded cheezy & i was'nt enthralled but i did manage to learn the basics
in 2000 i discovered this forum & all the links that b0b had up
then i got myself my first real D10 Sho Bud Professional from SGN
then went on to ZumSteel

that's all he wrote

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 28 Feb 2007 8:11 am

I'll be as brief as possible... my Dad was a big time country DJ back in the '50's and '60's, I used to listen to him. One day he played "Pop a Top" by Jim Ed, and when he got home, I said I wanted to learn how to do "that sound." (I was 8.) Local guitar teacher said I would have to learn regular guitar first... after a month of that, I decided I wanted no part of music.

Fast forward to 1975, I'm doing studio work in Nashville playing rhythm guitar and harmonica. Still really wanting to know more about steel, and now having worked with Buddy, Hal, Weldon, Lloyd, Doug, Sonny, etc., and Lloyd being an artist on Monument (the label Dad worked with), Lloyd gets me a Maverick and gives me his fingerpicks and bar to go with it. (I still have those picks, put up in a little bottle to use as a guide when I need to bend new ones.) After a month, and wanting the guitar to do more, I go see David at Sho-Bud, he tells me the guitar just won't do what I want it to... I trade it for an Emmons student model. THEN... I meet Scotty while we're recording one of John Hughey's early records that I played harp on (the one framed in yellow, can't remember the name of it), and Scotty hooks me up with a rosewood Emmons D-10. Mess with that for a year, and get rid of everything. Spending too much time on that thing, losing my harp and rhythm chops... no more steel for me.

Now, 1980... my (now ex) brother in law calls me on a Sunday, he's Tammy Wynette's bass player/band leader, says Sonny Curtis won't be with them anymore, asks me to come play steel. I tell him, I don't play steel. He says sure you can, c'mon. Monday, I call Paul Franklin, Sr. to see if he has a guitar I can borrow to try out for the Tammy gig with. Tuesday, I go pick up the baby blue SD-10 I still have. Wednesday, I "try out." Thursday, I buy the guitar, we rehearse and leave. Friday, I'm at a high school somewhere with George Hamilton IV, Saturday I'm at Giant Stadium in front of 40,000 people. Suddenly, I'm a steel player...

"Ain't God good?" (Brother Dave Gardner)

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 28 Feb 2007 8:17 am

I started out in Bluegrass playing first mandolin, then banjo and a little Dobro. When I went into the Army in 1958 I played a few chords on a guitar with some lead but I guess I played more lead than the rest of the pickers I was hanging with 'cause I became the lead picker. A couple of years later when I was overseas I got involved in Service Club Show and they wanted some steel guitar. The club has a six string lap steel with a stand so I worked out "Steel Guitar Rag" and "Sleepwalk". Later when I got out of the Army in '63 I started playing full time in the SoCal area. I soon traded a Fender Bassman piggyback amp for a Fender 400 and tried to cop some of the Mooney licks I'd been hearing on the radio. I sort of "doubled" on steel for a good while, eventually getting a Fender 1000 and then a Blanton S-10 which Blackie Taylor and I converted to an 11 string. On my band gigs I usually only played steel two or three songs a set at most. In 1977 I bought a ShoBud S-12 which was my first "modern" steel. I played it part time and got a Monday night job just playing steel only. Later when our full time steel player in my six night a week band left, I was asked to play steel and we hired another lead player. I did this for about six months until a gig with a country rock band came up playing lead guitar and doubling on steel. I did that for a year or so when the steel job at Foothill club in Long Beach (Signal Hill) opened up and I tried out for and got the job there. Since then I've been alternating between all steel, all lead guitar, doubling on both with a lean one way or the other. I like it this was as it's really extended my musical career. I've always tried to look at my steel as an extension of my guitar and vice versa. I try to be able to play anything on one that I can on the other, although sometimes it doesn't work but at least it's fun to try.....JH in Va.

Alan Miller · Post by **Alan Miller** » 28 Feb 2007 8:18 am

MY DAD PLAYED LAP STEEL AND I MUST HAVE HEARD IT IN THE HOUSE WHEN I WAS IN MY MOTHERS WOMB BECAUSE THE SOUND OF STEEL GUITAR MAKES EVERY MOLECULE IN ME BUZZ. I ALWAYS SAID AS A BOY I WOULD GET A PEDAL STEEL WHEN I GREW UP AND COULD AFFORD ONE. I HAVE HAD THREE OVER THE PAST 25 YRS, BUT Y'KNOW AT 50 YRS OLD I STILL HAVN'T GROWN UP.
ONLY LAST WEEK MY WIFE TOLD ME TO GROW UP...SHE COULDNT UNDERSTAND AT ALL, I MEAN I WAS STAMPING MY FEET ON THE FLOOR ,AND BANGING MY HANDS ON THE CHAIR WITH TEARS IN MY EYES SCREAMING "WHY CANT I HAVE A ZUMSTEEL" !!!!

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 2 Mar 2007 9:08 pm

It was 1948 or 49; Hank Sr. had a couple of big hits; and I was still in high school; an older brother had an " F Hole" six string Rythmn Guitar. I asked him if I could raise the bridge, so I could play some of my favorite Jerry Byrd Melodies. My first effort at playing a hawaiin type guitar.
Feb. 1952.I decide to join the U.S. Navy; ended up on a Destroye Mine Sweeper in Charleston, S.C. Prior to leaving my home town, I had seen a little lap steel in a Carvin Guitar Co. catalog. A whopping $ 30.00 dollars would buy it. Talked an older sister into loaning me the bucks ; she ordered it and had it shipped to my ship. I'd sneak down to after-steering, and practice, every chance I had. Six months later, I was roaming the streets of Charleston, spot a music store; Harlin Bros. had started selling their new Multi-Kord Pedal Steel Guitars; Brand new; the purdiest thing I'd ever seen. Asking only $ 199.00 for the case and the guitar. They sold it to me for a small down payment and the balance , so much a month. Our ship left the next week for a six month cruise to the Med. Sea. I was un-aware that another lad from Ill. was a member of the crew; played a D-8 Gibson Steel [ non pedal ]. This guy was great; did a lot of " The Johnny Seibert" Style of picking. Was Carl Smith's steel player." Right off quick, I'd watch this lad and that Gibson do so mighty fine steel Pickin'. Being aboard ship with him for two years, taught me a lot about the Pedal Steel; I was on my way.
Now, after being very active as a steel guitarist for some fifty years; am semi- retired, but still love to hear fellow musicians do their thing on their beautiful Pedal Steels. [ And, naturally, all you non pedal players] You are all No. Ones in my book.. Thanks for this thread.. Bernie

Bill Duve · Post by **Bill Duve** » 5 Mar 2007 5:23 pm

They have a magnetic attraction to some people, Im one of them

Pat Carlson · Post by **Pat Carlson** » 5 Mar 2007 6:31 pm

That sound Boys I have to make that sound.

The intro on ( Big City ) by the Hag had something to do with it.Rodger Blevins at the Baldknobbers and Terry Bethel at the State Fair got it rolling. When I semi-retired at age 52 bought my first steel!

It has been the best hobby ever. Just have to make That Sound

Jim Walker · Post by **Jim Walker** » 6 Mar 2007 1:21 am

WOW! I started this thread simply making a joke of question I had recieved on myspace. Truth is I started out at age 21 as a lead singer in a bar band. I fell in love with the honky tonk and found out we all have a little of it in us. I eventualy learned to play lead guitar, bought a B-Bender Telecaster worked with it for 10 years so the next logical step was Pedal Steel, right?

This is my PSG story as published January 2007 at www.ilovepedalsteel.com

My Pedal Steel Guitar Story

I had been aware of the pedal steel guitar as a musical instrument for years but never had I realized its magic until the summer of 1998 while attending a Vince Gill concert in Turlock, California. About halfway through the show Vince took a pause to introduce John Hughey as the man responsible for making the song "Look At Us" a huge hit. As Mr. Hughey rolled into the intro the entire crowd leaped to their feet with a roar of applause. I continued to stand throughout the entire song, focused on John and the heavenly sound he produced with his pedal steel guitar on that lovely, warm summer evening. It was like the Angels had delivered a sound from the heavens and I was hooked.

Since 1998 I have been a close follower of the Steel Guitar Forum and many other sites of interest about pedal steel guitar across the world wide web. I have owned a few pedal steels but never really took it serious until January of 2006. With true desire, I set out to try and learn to play for real this time. Much to my surprise I am actually learning at a breakneck pace, but not with out it’s ups and downs. Luckily, my 2006 goal has been met and that was to be playing PSG with a working honky tonk band within one year. I still have much learning to do. With help of my friends and my continued perseverance I am sure to enjoy my new found status as a Pedal Steel Guitarist! - Jim Walker

About the only thing I can add to this is that I am truly greatful to the folks here on the forum and members of www.steelguitarchatroom.com for all the support and friendship. There is no way I'd be this far along already with out you.

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 6 Mar 2007 4:30 am

I'm still trying to remember who is responsible for that. I hope I find him while I'm still healthy enough to kick his *%$&.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 6 Mar 2007 6:21 am

I bought one.

Bill Fuentes · Post by **Bill Fuentes** » 6 Mar 2007 10:16 am

Well, technically I'm not a true steeler yet. But I own one and I'm gonna be. I have always known that "no steel, no country".

I actually have a picture of the exact defining moment. It's hard to see all of him in the pic, but it was New Years Eve at Gruene Hall 2003, Robert Earl Keen and The Derailers. I stood up front with my beautiful wife, right in front of the steeler Marty Muse. I watched him play that old Emmons through a Twin Reverb, his feet and knees were flying, I never had noticed before how much work a steeler had to do with his feet and knees! I yelled in my wife's ear over the roar of the steel music "That's it , I gotta have one!". Sure enough I got and old Emmons and already had a Twin, problem was right off the bat I didn't sound like my hero's, and into the corner she wen't.

But I'm back on the horse now, and have even more respect for good steelers

Steel Tryin , I always knew I was a future steelaholic, it just took 30 years to admit it

Glenn Pezzillo · Post by **Glenn Pezzillo** » 6 Mar 2007 10:30 am

I grew up in the Philly area in the 1960s where there was very little steel guitar being played or heard. When I was about ten years old some kids moved into our neighborhood from Colorado and their mom loved country music and played records all the time. She had some old Bob Wills records and I loved them immediately.

Even though I didn't start to learn to play steel until 20 years later I think that was when I first wanted to play. The sound just made me smile every time I heard it.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 6 Mar 2007 10:48 am

Hey Bill, I was playing that show. Cool.

Bill Fuentes · Post by **Bill Fuentes** » 6 Mar 2007 10:57 am

Well Chris then I beg your forgiveness for not mentioning that you were awesome too, last show with the old lineup wasn't it? And by the way, I am learning steel by trying to play a bunch of Derailers, like Bar Exam, Right Place, There Goes the Bride and All the Rage In Paris (now and then I wipe the dust off my steel, I play just to recall how it used to feel) (a tear):)

Hope to meet you someday

The Steel Guitar Forum

How did you become a steel player?

Getting Started In Playing Steel guitar