Steel Players / Band Leaders

Jim Walker · Post by **Jim Walker** » 12 Jun 2007 12:09 pm

If I'm not mistaken Norm Hamlet has served as band leader for the "Strangers" for quite some time. I have been recently appointed band leader for the guys I am working with. Simply because I have the most experience. Yes I'm the old guy in the band at the ripe old age of 38.

Out of curiosity I am asking the question how many steel players also serve as band leaders in the outfits they work with?

JW

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 12 Jun 2007 12:52 pm

Tommy Hannum was Ricky Van Shelton's bandleader for awhile.

Brett

Robert Jones · Post by **Robert Jones** » 12 Jun 2007 1:25 pm

I serve as band leader where I play at. Got some good pickers to go along with it. Makes my job real easy.

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 12 Jun 2007 1:33 pm

I wouldn't be the band leader if I was in a one man band !!!

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 12 Jun 2007 2:05 pm

Gaylon is a "very" smart guy! Well said!

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 12 Jun 2007 3:04 pm

I'm with Gaylon...I can do without the drama!

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 12 Jun 2007 4:02 pm

I AM the band !

(I've always wanted to say that and now I can)
Baz

Les Green · Post by **Les Green** » 12 Jun 2007 5:44 pm

If I remember correctly, Buddy Charleton was band leader for the Troubadours.

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 12 Jun 2007 5:57 pm

I'm with Gaylon & Co. No aspirations to admin, thank you very much.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 12 Jun 2007 6:26 pm

Does making a band do what you want through manipulation, intimidation, deception, or sheer antagonism count?

EJL

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 12 Jun 2007 7:11 pm

Tried it one time,that was one to many,ever tried to tell a guitar player anything?

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 12 Jun 2007 7:17 pm

Bama charlie,
Yer rite!! You can allways tell a guitar player,, just can't tell em much!

Larry

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 12 Jun 2007 7:57 pm

Been there, done that years ago. No thanks!

John McGuire · Post by **John McGuire** » 13 Jun 2007 6:46 am

I am the band leader in our band. i am luckcy 2 guys my drummer and my guitar picker have played for over 25 years together in the same band, me i am brand new, after they sat for 6 years when their old band quit, they are really helpful to me and have givin me some valuable advice and support,,,,, but it still SUCKS!!!! lol.

Shorty Smith · Post by **Shorty Smith** » 13 Jun 2007 12:54 pm

I have been the band leader in the past but no more, I just love playing my steel guitar, minding my own business, doing my part to make the band sound better and taking care of little old steel picker me. Shorty, John D. come see us

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 13 Jun 2007 4:02 pm

"Does making a band do what you want through manipulation, intimidation, deception, or sheer antagonism count?"

Eric, of course. These are all prerequisites .....

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 13 Jun 2007 4:02 pm

Right on Shorty,you make that old crazy Donnie sound good.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 13 Jun 2007 4:05 pm

Barry,all that you said don't work on guitar players,I know I was ONE for about 40 years.

Rockne Riddlebarger · Post by **Rockne Riddlebarger** » 13 Jun 2007 4:11 pm

In respnce to the original question, I have fronted several bands over the last couple of decades, all of which were built around my lapsteel and dobro playing. I love being the guy up front , singing and rippin' on the steel but I am really burned out on the duties of finding bandmates, preparing and maintaining 40 song set lists, hauling and operating the PA, find and book gigs and deal with the bar or venue managers. I am currently the steel and dobro player for Mark Utley and Magnolia Mountain. It is so easy to just have to learn the music rather than all of that other stuff!...Rockne

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 13 Jun 2007 4:49 pm

Yeah, I do.

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 13 Jun 2007 6:49 pm

I am the band leader for the Little O' Oprey band in West Fork, AR. We play every Saturday night. That bunch of guys is a pleasure to play with and being band leader is not much of a problem. We have played together so long we just about read each others minds and they are all very bandwise as far as knowing when to play and when to back out.
Jerry

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 13 Jun 2007 7:36 pm

Charlie, that was a quote from Eric. I was just adding to it .....

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 14 Jun 2007 5:58 am

That's ok Barry,still true,as I said I was a sixstring picker for about 40 years,finnaly matured enough to become a steeler,I try to keep it a secret[don't want Bob to kick me off the forum]used to be a banjo picker to.

Shorty Smith · Post by **Shorty Smith** » 16 Jun 2007 3:24 pm

Charlie I know you were a great guitar picker and a dear friend. I was a guitar picker to 25 years ago and once I started to play the steel I forgot about the guitar. Still got my 1970 Tele and its been in the case for 25 years, looks like new. I'm sorry to say it but you just can't control lead guitar pickers, they have to be heard and they like to override the steel, hehe, Shorty

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 16 Jun 2007 10:54 pm

Eric West wrote:Does making a band do what you want through manipulation, intimidation, deception, or sheer antagonism count?

Is there any other way ? Maybe you could whack 'em with that Telecaster of yours !