Inaccurate Per Se Ratings

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Unquestionably, common practices nowadays, includes placing steel guitarists in different levels of playing abilities. Underestimating capabilities may occur at any time or place. I remember a club owner saying to me after playing a fast song, "Run that by me one more time." Such a clever remark is difficult to fully understand as a band member. Was he being critical or complimentary? Ratings are subject to inaccuracies. Underestimation of anyone's abilities may come back to haunt you.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

"Run that by me one more time"

if it comes from the club owner or a fellow musician , I suspect it's positive..

if it comes from your wife..well..maybe not Sad

isn't the English language great !

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

When the big "E" kicks it up a notch, lightning strikes! Time to reconsider an elusive dream to overtake the cheetah of the steel guitars. It just won't happen! Multiple categories of hopefuls practice for hours, days, weeks, and years only to learn that progress is slow in the upper ranges of expertise. Various claims of greatness are spontaneous amongst gatherings or shows. Equally important is lining up the constituency with some degree of accuracy.How many times have you heard someone say, " He or she plays like so and so?" Bringing out the magnifying glass to examine such claims requires very little effort. The top pros of the upper echelon possess a special finesse that conforms to an exclusive style of playing, that is very difficult to emulate. I'm aware that there is more than enough enjoyment to be realized through one's own playing skills. Why suffer the frustrations of emulation, when regular practice could very well yield to a player's determination to develop individual stylization. Music is a very sensitive means of expressing the joys of living as we see them. Sharing musical expressions for others to enjoy, are the rewards of practice sessions. Every musical instrument has its musical expressions locked within. There is a world of enjoyment to be found should we be so inclined to enter the labyrinth of an instrument's potentiality.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

Bil, your whimsical, nonsensical posts are almost always woth a chuckle Laughing

. But are you saying there's no need to practice-----
OR ARE YOU SAYING ANYTHING AT ALL?????

A. J. Schobert · From: Cincinnati, Ohio,

Bill try to look ahead and there will you find your success.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

News Flash! I found my success years ago. I spend my time cultivating that success. I couldn't be happier playing my homemade steel, homemade Dobro/guitar, and Spanish guitar. I'm at the point of appreciating having arrived! Hours of practice has netted the original dream of getting a good comfortable handle on my favorite instrument. The Dobro has been sidelining me of late, but the necessity of moving the bar more frequently to obtain notes is excellent practice to gain control. When I speak of success, it's a little facetious, for having realized all of the good things in life that money can't buy. Music is by far a very important part of my life. Without it, I would gradually develop a strong yearning for its return.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Stephen G.,

I miss your strong willed cagey wit. How about a few samples of what you deem relevant to issues of greater importance in this active column? I've stressed practice from day one. What possesses you to suggest that I would discourage the basic fundamentals of learning? Nothing could be further from the truth.

Joe Savage · From: St. Paul, MN

I've yet to reply to one of your (Bill's) posts, for fear of sounding illiterate. This time wading through the "labyrinth of language" has netted an idea I've wondered about many times. As a steel player who has suffered the "frustration of emulation", I've decided that the ultimate goal of this endeavor is to bring out the best in me, not to try to replicate what someone else has already said, musically. Surely we are all influenced and affected by what we've heard from the "Greats", but isn't the real reward being able to say something that's your own? That's when the instrument and the soul connect. BTW, Bill, I enjoy your posts.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Joe Savage,

Please don't ever hesitate to write and share your thoughts about practicing on our favorite instrument. I sense a great amount of logic in what you've written. Isn't the steel guitar a great way to get our thinking processes revved up? I know of a very few things that come close to the pleasures derived from playing the steel guitar. Originally, I always enjoyed hearing those steel parts in early recordings. At that time, my forte' was centered around the Spanish guitar. The miracle of chance blew down my door one day, when a friend insisted that I should receive his Multi-Kord steel, and learn to play it. The price was $ 75.00, and he didn't give a hoot about collecting what was owed to him. A friend of his did the sales pitch by bringing the steel to my door. Only a fool could resist such generosity. I thank my lucky stars for not resisting the offer, by quickly deciding that it would be worth a try at getting acquainted with the intimidating instrument. Perhaps, that is what is meant by the trite saying: " Don't ever look a gift horse in the mouth." I made a wise decision by taking that time worn saying to heart. Thanks again Joe, for your interesting reply.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Donny H.,

I agree! That's what I've been writing about. It's the careless and reckless terms that are adapted overnight; such as, "He's an awesome player." If that is true, then it would be safe to say that the country has countless "awesome" players throughout the land. It's humorous to hear a nonplayer of the steel guitar attempting to convince a proficient player, that "John Doe" is "awesome." Of course, the speaker is no doubt a person who enjoys good country music. Therefore, the transmission of such under or overstated comments sheds light on still another phase of ignorance. That would be the classic outbursts of someone simulating a do-do bird by stating that they hate country music. It becomes a bit irritating to learn that most of that assorted group have no musical preferences. In other words, such deleterious behavior signifies exposure ignorance. A sort of, "How are "gonna" keep "em" down on the farm, after they've seen Paris" situation. The strength of country music is concentrated amongst "true" country fans, who have enjoyed the artists of country music for most of their lives.

Joe Savage · From: St. Paul, MN

I'm aware that there is more than enough enjoyment to be realized through one's own playing skills. Why suffer the frustrations of emulation, when regular practice could very well yield to a player's determination to develop individual stylization.

Thanks Bill. This is the thought I was responding to. Somewhat "off topic" it seems.

Carroll Hale · From: EastTexas, USA

I concur 110%......if you get enjoyment and satisfaction from playing ...any instrument...then you are a success......and the more you play the better you will sound and your enjoyment will be even greater........great comments from
......Mr Midwest Country-Joe Savage....

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Donny H.,

Can you think of someone who used the Spanish guitar as an image of playing ability, for the sake of gullible viewers? He would sing and move his body to the delight of ladies, and his successful career speaks for itself. I noticed the other day while a well known duo were part of a discussion on the tube, that good rhythm guitarists are far and few between. The gist of the conversation was pointing out that they had never won an award. Their harmony is excellent, and I thought that one of the brothers deserves an award for his strumming. So much for awards! The C.M.A. Awards has a long standing record of being remiss in the instrumentalists selection. There is no reasonable explanation for the exclusion of steel guitarists. Simply put, it's a matter of remiss. How perfectly rediculous,
handing out awards year after year, while one of the cornerstones of country music was ignored. I expect that something will trigger the realization amongst the C.M.A. officials, that their scant emphasis of steel guitarists, will remain as a thorn in their coffers for quite some time. My apologies to the readership, for my going on topic with assertive dramatization.

Mark Edwards · From: Weatherford,Texas, USA

.....?

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Mark,

Does the question mark signify a profound lack of awareness on your part, of the consecutive "winners" groups at the yearly C.M.A. Awards presentations?

Mark Edwards · From: Weatherford,Texas, USA

Uh Sure

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Mark,

There is a publication called: Definitive Country, The Ultimate Encyclopedia Of Country Music and Its Performers, by Barry McCloud and contributing writers sold at leading book stores. Its contents will surprise you. The awards are listed, and R.I A.A. (Recording Industry Association Of America, Inc.) listings from 1958 on. If you are not aware of the publication, here's your chance to brush up on pertinent issues, as they relate to steel guitarists.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

The A.C.M. awards (Academy of Country Music) is about the only place you'll find awards made to steelers, as they have categories for all instruments. The last time I checked, J.D. Maness was the leader by far, having won the annual award 14 times in the past 37 years.

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

With all respect to the ACM and to JD (who deserves all the awards and more), the ACM awards were pretty parochial in terms of awards for years, leaning very heavily towards LA players. I think Paul Franklin is the only steel player who has won the award who doesn't have some sort of LA connection (Buddy first one it when he was living there). For years this award went largely to players who either played for Buck or Merle or who were in the house band at the Palomino.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Impropriety can at times (depending on the source} cause resentment, if it involves slighting someone. It's even worse when there is an awareness of improper acts and nothing is done to make changes that would right a wrongdoing. I'm at a loss to comprehend the reasoning of the recipients of the C.M.A. awards, who could have strived for recognition of the steel guitarists. The records show that steel guitarists were left out of the running.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

In this world of steel guitars, ordinary efforts do not appear to be linked to winning the favor of the average listeners. Gimmicks, contrivances, twists, and hooks do very little to establish a public following, known as music appreciation. Deep seated interests of unrelated activities undoubtedly assure the failure of attention grabbing performances. Typical responses range from casual mention to a lack of awareness of a steel guitarist's accomplishments. I would also risk to deem that categorically, the preponderance of the multiples of various sources of entertainment, regulate popularity standards. Public fascination is woeful, if the subject is steel guitars.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Joe Savage · From: St. Paul, MN

So what about "different" and "musically good"?..... It also has to do with being connected to whatever controls the market, don't you think? I'd say Pete was pretty well "hooked up".
The steel has enjoyed enormous popularity at times, if the stories I've been told are true. What about Oahu and door to door steel salesmen? What other instrument could boast that popularity. Multi-Kord? Didn't they have a similar approach?
It's true that most people don't know a pedal steel from a zither. Even some pro musicians view it has some mysterious contraption that will eat your brain. I think it's kinda fun to play an instrument that people are afraid of. More work for me!!!! Very Happy

Also, steel players in general are not big self promoters or showmen (with a few exceptions). Those that are, do, or have done well, I believe. As far as lamenting the state of country music, there seems to be more steel now than there was in the 80's. Alabama never had any steel. Kenny Rogers? Not. To me, those were the "dark days" of country. Besides, I don't think the pedal steel is going to become a "household word" being a "country" instrument. And sometimes, I resent being "pigeonholed" like that because I play pedal steel. To me, that's more bothersome than someone not knowing what it is.
As for me, I've got plenty of work and don't pay much attention to modern country, so I have no complaints!! Very Happy

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