The Steel Guitar Forum

Bill,

If I realized monetary gains for stressing my beliefs, you'd be my bread and butter. I never bite the hand that feeds.

Ok train wreck fans, how many more posts till yet another Bill Hankey thread gets closed?

SS

Bill, Are you saying now that anyone that does'nt buy into your BS[which you can spread thicker and deeper than a 1000 acre Alabama cattle ranch] is not only a buffoon but a pinhead as well.tsk,tsk,YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

The brain is known to be more receptive to suggestions in its youthful years. Once we pass through a specified age, learning and retaining information, slows down to the point where more rehearsals are necessary to retain the gained knowledge. The accomplished steel guitarists originally reached a point of mastering the pedal steel guitar, long before the first gray hair appeared along their temples. The best example of correctness in such notions, is to pull up BUDDY EMMONS playing "4 WHEEL DRIVE", at age 18 years in his youth. Instruction materials by EMMONS, NEWMAN, FRANKLIN, JERNIGAN, BEAUMIER, and many others, have cut through much of the red tape of learning techniques, by offering their gained knowledge in tablature form, for very minimal fees.

...members of our society who go off on a ridiculous tangent, harping and carrying on interminably... That sort of behavior usually is witnessed in out of the way places, where they can rail to their heart's content, with no social penalties.

I agree completely Bill, you've really hit on something. People seem to do that on the internet all the time...

People will often act like experts about things they have no actual experience or first-hand knowledge of, and even when it becomes obvious to everyone that they don't really know what they're talking about, it doesn't even seem to matter to them...!

They'll just change the subject, and keep writing random crap with an air of expertise and absolute authority, as if everyone were just waiting to hear their wisdom on whatever subject they just made up. And if someone takes the trouble to point out things they might disagree with or things that just make no sense, they just change the subject again... They don’t have to ever show even the minimal respect of just acknowledging anyone else’s arguments or ideas, just make up more crazy stuff and ignore or ridicule anybody that might actually try to engage them in an honest discussion.

Then they can repeat the whole process, for thousand of posts if they want... why not? As if it's "just the internet" and not interaction with real people that deserve at least a minimal effort at honest communication, and some respect for their opinions.

You seem to somehow have a real understanding of this phenomenon; thanks for pointing this out.

Your right about those folks who think they know everything and let me tell you it is getting pretty aggravating having to spend so much of my valuable time having to get on here and straighten you folks out on the facts everyday.

Yep! Stuart sarcasm is always a good way to put your foot in other folks mouth.

Why are we spending so much time trying to make PSG music more attractive?

We need to spend some time making all these old crotchety double ugly PSG players more attractive

Pete.............it is called "sittin' on the fence and crowin'"......

Pete,

I really hesitate to assume a degree of levelheadedness after your classic lecturing with your haranguing temperament. In your own mind you've suggested that you possess values that are not familiar to the simpleton that you have alluded to. Keep in mind the fact that everyone including you can be taken to class. The only thing we have in common, is our dedication to the pedal steel guitar.

From Bill to Pete Finney,[The ONLY thing we have in common is our dedication to the pedal steel guitar]Congrates Bill after all the BS and nonsensible filbustering from you ,you have made a RATIONAL statement. [WHICH IS VERRRRRY RARE FOR YOU]I have seen Pete play in person and on tv many times, Really don't think you two have very much in common. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Ah, the judges have awarded a coveted second Golden Keyboard award in this thread to the inimitable word smithing of Pete Finney. Not only a very fine steel guitarist (Love the work on Sleepless Nigths.....say hi to Emory from me) but an author of magnitude and gravitas.

Well done, sir, well done.

S

I've spent too much time trying to find a Pete Finney video that places him in an instrumental piece on the pedal steel, up front with no other band clutter in front of him. That's all I have to say about that! Show me how to access Pete playing with the "DIXIE CHICKS". I've read that he once played in their group. Show me! Two of the CHICKS are originally from Pittsfield, MA where I make my home.

I've spent too much time trying to find a Bill Hankey video that places him in an instrumental piece on the pedal steel. That's all I have to say about that.

Well, maybe not two much time, cause I know there is nothing that exists that has Bill Hankey playing, video or audio.

S

I think we have a lot of evidence here on the forum to support my theory that a person can play good PSG and be dumb as a box of rocks.

Stephen,Don't expect to see or hear from Bill.Over the years several have asked him to post something, he ALLWAYS has some bogus excuse.Some have even offered to help him make a tape or vidio of his playing,each time he will change the subject.It's so easy to post your playing on Charles Tilly's site,MANY of us have done it.For him to critique Pete's playing is ridiculous,laughable,just ludicrous.YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Stephen,

Those statements that you made about me not going public with my music are LUDICROUS! They are simply untrue! Music happens to be one of the most reliable means of assisting another with an attitude problem. I regret that you, as far as I know, are unfamiliar with musical activities here in New England. I think Pete F. may have circulated here on occasion, (as a road musician). Some of the credits shown on the computer, reports that he once played for BOBBY BARE. If that is so, it's possible that he could have shown up at The HINSDALE HOME CLUB where I held yearly "MASSBASHES" during that time period. I was allowed to climb into BOBBY'S bus that evening to meet him during intermission. That location is just a short drive from my home. A wondrous occasion would be realized if some of the roadbands so afflicted, with that familiar air of supremacy, would cut back on boastful demeanors.

Bo wrote:

"I think we have a lot of evidence here on the forum to support my theory that a person can play good PSG and be dumb as a box of rocks."

Here, here... Lets hear it for the rocks!!!

Bo, ya kill... Best one of this thread! Ya nailed me!

Bill,just because you were allowed on Bobby's bus [what's the big deal about that] does NOT even remotely place you in the same class as Pete.By reading the assine remarks and BS you are making about this man only shows how ignorant you are about his career.Pete has toured and done sessions with artist such as Trace Adkins,Dixie Chicks,Vince Gill,Patty Loveless,Reba.Pam Tillis etc,How much time on the road or in the studio with top acts have you logged in Bill? And again Bill where is that vidio or soundbite of you playing so it can be compared to Petes. I checked Mr. Tilly's site to see if you have the cojones to post something,nothing yet.[NOTICE this is where Bill will change the subject.YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Never in my wildest childhood dreams would I have imagined carrying my musical interest to the point of conversing with Chet Atkins, Buddy Emmons, Bobbe Seymour, John Hughey, "Little" Roy Wiggins, Buzz Evans, and many others. I've put a cap on reaching out to the best in the business of playing standard and pedal steel guitars. Furthermore I'm not that concerned with run-of-the-mill musical experiences at this time. I'm satisfied that I've acquired a few tricks worth two of that on the pedal steel guitar. When you feel that your music reaches a level of satisfaction after hours of practice, in the things you've been striving for, all is well on the home front.

SEE WHAT I MEAN,THE SUBJECT CHANGED AS FAST AS A CHICKEN ON A JUNE BUG.SO PATHEIC.WHAT'S WITH ALL THE NAME DROPPING Does that mean anything ? YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

New players have to be ask to play on the main stage. Everybody needs a start. Any age, but you have to be open to give someone a chance to be heard.

Theresa,

One thing that we can wish for in our lifetime, is that everyone gets their comeuppance; that is the just deserts for playing by the rules. Like a stream wending its way through the path of least resistance, steel guitarists are quite similar to the ways of nature. They start out like a budding flower, then develop into a great display of "color". Some players become more colorful than others, which by the way has nothing to do with the degree of desire to do so. It's simply called talent. Just deserts seem to fall by the wayside during the sessions of some enthusiastic students, while others through personalities and intuitiveness, begin by moving quickly through the learning process. Generally speaking, those who are void of musical talent, would never be seen trying to make heads or tails of the pedal steel guitar.

I don't know what this thread is talking about right now, but to go back to the original subject:

I'd consider myself a young player- I'm 27. Since I've started playing, young friends and people that hear me play are really interested. A lot are confused.

I think a lot of the interest comes from the music you're listening to, and most young people aren't exposed to a huge range of music beyond what is force fed to them. So, I think it takes some level of musical curiosity and commitment to get people into PSG.

It'd be cool if more young people played PSG and brought it to new musical avenues.

Donald B.,

It appears that you're moving right along on the steel guitar. It's nice to know that you've created some interest among the young audiences wherever you are performing on the instrument.

Radio stations are known to play everything under the sun between advertising everything from soup to nuts. If the people band together, and let local stations know that it's because of you their listening audience, determinations are made as to whether or not their broadcasts are able to continue as an entity in a specified locale, changes may be forthcoming.

I'm not aware of the percentages of country music fans in different parts of our land. Many of those who love country music are part native Americans in their bloodlines. I'd say there is a bit of irony to be found in the reality of such statements. I do know that it can prove to be difficult trying to satisfy different musical tastes.

Bill,you keep dodgeing questions as usual,You were insulting a first class pro picker,when you were asked about your accomplishments as compared to his all of a sudden there comes some jibberish about native americans. Still waiting to see your contribution to Mr Tilly's site. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.