The Steel Guitar Forum

Rick says,

I answer hundreds of emails a year ... fix many folks steels and pickups (for no fee or just the cost of parts) ... try to answer questions posted here to the best of my ability ... and spend countless hours trying to "make better tools".

Gerald and I try to get people involved in HSGA ... young or old ... Pacific Islander or Norwegian ... male or female

And it is greatly appreciated

New blood will always be needed to perpetuate keeping the steel guitar alive and well and to keep the Steel Guitar Associations ongoing and active.

I try to introduce as many young people to the steel guitar as I come into significant contact with. When in Hawaii I have always talked with young people there and let them know about the HSGA and steel teachers.

I introduced a young 14 year old here in Vancouver Washington to the steel guitar recently, showed him some techniques of playing and he loved it. I let him play on my steel and he went wild. He started going to the internet to find and listen to Hawaiian music. He came back saying he really liked it. He has some musical background in piano and trumpet and so may be a promising candidate. He is looking into buying a beginners steel.

I do maintain there is a certain percentage of young people who will fall in love with the sound of the steel guitar once they are exposed to it.

Aloha,
Don

[quote="Don Kona Woods"]

New blood will always be needed to perpetuate keeping the steel guitar alive and well and to keep the Steel Guitar Associations ongoing and active.

Thanks Don-You are right-and I enjoy hearing you playing your Magnatone D-8

Paul Warnik wrote:Gerald and Rick-I meant NO DISRESPECT to the HSGA ....

Lets lighten up and have some fun thats what I was looking foreward to-PW

Ron Whitfield wrote:let's leave it on a sweeter note than getting defensive and putting up the dukes.

My initial responses couldn't have been more "light hearted" ...

1) A quote from SpongeBob ...

2) A note from my one year old ...

3) A "tale" of partying with Keith Richards ...

Gerald made his point crystal clear ...

Gerald Ross wrote:Thanks Paul - I know your heart is in the right place, and thanks for supporting and attending so many Joliet conventions over the years. But let me elaborate a bit on what you had to say about the age of many HSGA members. This is not about your comments Paul - but about a general perceived notion about the HSGA.

So please, don't "pin" any discord on Gerald or I here on this thread.

My reason for listing what I've been up to for the last few years ... was to point out ...

I'm HSGA ...

Gerald is HSGA ...

Ron Simpson is HSGA ...

Dave Giegerich is HSGA ...

Bill Leff is HSGA ...

Chris Kennison is HSGA ...

Howard R. is HSGA ...

Harry Dietrich is HSGA

Jeff Strouse is HSGA ...

Mike Neer is HSGA ...

Bill Wynne is HSGA ...

Etc, Etc, Etc ...

We all are working hard to advance the Hawaiian Steel Guitar ... in his or her own way ...

Looks like a very fun bunch to "hang with" ... hence using my "one and only" vacation of the year ... to attend the Joliet Convention.

I'll go as far as to say ... the best "non family" times I've had in years and years ... have been in Joliet.

Come to Joliet this year ... hang with us ... and you'll see

Paul,

You said nothing wrong. Look at what I wrote in my first paragraph regarding your comments:

Thanks Paul - I know your heart is in the right place, and thanks for supporting and attending so many Joliet conventions over the years. But let me elaborate a bit on what you had to say about the age of many HSGA members. This is not about your comments Paul - but about a general perceived notion about the HSGA.

Paul, you've been a consistent supporter of the HSGA and your presence at the conventions has always been positive, and you a great guy to hang out with.

~~~~
I appologize if I used your post as a launching point to this discussion.

In support of the HSGA, it's not a perfect operation, but what organization is? It's tough to get and keep people to run it, like it requires. All the little things that aren't perfect seem to be unimportant when the gang is together at the Joliet bash. Steel guitar music and friendship overcomes all the nit-picky stuff, and the HSGA is a most-friendly outfit. Those that haven't been to the convention just don't know what they are missing I'm not gonna get there this year, but not because I don't want to. (too much on my plate this year) We have a good group running it right now, an that's why it seems to be getting better.

In support of the HSGA, it's not a perfect operation, but what organization is? It's tough to get and keep people to run it, like it requires.

Why is it not perfect? Because human beings are involved without "godlike" qualities.

Why is it tough to get and keep people to run it? Because it is all done on a voluntary basis. Additionally, because the by-laws only allow persons to serve 3 year terms and 6 years consecutively. No one can keep serving in a leadership position on a continual basis because of the by-laws. Therefore new people will be needed as replacements and that will be ongoing.

I am thankful for all who are willing to pitch in and be a part of something quite as wonderful as HSGA. It is always easy to see fault when you are viewing it from the outside, but when you have the responsibility it is quite another thing. I always put people who complain in charge and then they can feel what it is like.

Aloha,
Don

An HSGA Board member can only serve three two year terms consecutively for a total of six years. A board member is elected to the post by a general membership election.

This past July I began my fifth year as a board member. I will be leaving the HSGA Board on July 1, 2008 but will remain on as the HSGA Webmaster.

I will still be on the various forums promoting the HSGA.

Not desiring to blow my own steam, but just for the record, I have been an HSGA member since Day 1, even when it had a much longer name which I have since long forgotten. I was on the original Board in the days when Jerry, Lorene and the rest of the Board "met" via semi-annual telephone conferance calls involving Hawai'i, the mainland US, and Canada...(long before e-mail came along).
Although I no longer attend the Conventions, this does not diminish my strong support for HSGA and all for which it stands.
I agree with Don ... HSGA will only survive if newer, younger blood become invoved, which I am confident is happening.

HAWAIIAN MUSIC and the STEEL GUITAR ARE CONTAGIOUS....THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE !

As I said in my posts, I am a NEWBIE here. I know nothing about the HGSA and have nothing for or against the HGSA. All I know about this group is from what you guys post. I was just commenting on how the initial posts came across TO ME. They seemed to be saying contradictory things (welcoming, yet at the same time ridiculing), which confused me. Gerald has since posted a clarification, which I greatly appreciate. I have no desire to demean any of the work done by anyone in the HGSA, and now regret even opening my mouth to say something...

However since I did, can I ask another question? I go to many Uke/Hawaiian music festivals. The age range/cultural makeup at those events seems very diverse. Don't they basically play the same music as the HGSA?

Gerald Ross wrote:And yes, if a bus load of 20 year old steel guitar fanatics (or one 20 year old) showed up at the Joliet convention they would be welcomed with open arms. In fact they would most likely be showered with gifts of LP's, picks, strings etc. from the "older" members who want to see the art form continue and would be overjoyed that young people are interested.

LPs? What are those?

Darrell,

All is cool. Relax. You are cool.

Being a newbie in the Non Pedal side of this forum you don't know the history of these discussions, the usual suspects involved and the "hot fuse topics".

If you hang around here long enough you will come to know the issues and many times be amused by the opinions. And I do hope you hang around, new blood is always welcome.

Here's a quick way to get in "good" with the established crowd here. You might want to post this question... "Is Jerry Byrd's steel playing really Hawaiian?" ....kidding! don't touch that one!

Want to see some knife throwing? - search the forum on Jerry Byrd Hawaiian.

Darrell, hop on a plane two weeks from now and come to Joliet. You'll have a blast and make a lot of new friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In answer to your question regarding - are the demographics and music played at a Hawaiian steel convention the same as at a ukulele convention.

I will say no. I too attend and perform at many ukulele festivals and conventions. The ukulele does attract an "older" crowd (Baby Boomer and up) but it also attracts many of the under 30 crowd. The ukulele is enjoying a revival due to the fact that it is so easy to get started on. With no former musical training you can be playing a song on the uke in less than five minutes. I've heard Heavy Metal played on the uke in addition to the typical Tin Pan Alley and Hawaiian tunes. This fact alone attracts people of all ages to the uke.

Learning to play the steel... the first 20 years are the hardest, then you start to get the hang of it.

I had a great time at last year's Joliet show. The crowd was very supportive of all of the players, and I relished the music. The Joliet show should not be a well-kept secret. There are some great players and music to be heard!
Chuck

I believe most of us who have the gift of music in our lives are young at heart, regardless what our birth certificates say.

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you
If you’re young at heart
For it’s hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind
If you’re young at heart

You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
And life gets more exciting with each passing day
And love is either in your heart or on it’s way

Don’t you know that it’s worth every treasure on earth
To be young at heart
For as rich as you are it’s much better by far
To be young at heart

And if you should survive to 105
Look at all you’ll derive out of being alive
Then here is the best part
You have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart

And if you should survive to 105
Look at all you’ll derive out of being alive
Then here is the best part
You have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart

Lyrics by 50 (Per)Cent?

Gerald Ross wrote:

... the first 20 years are the hardest, then you start to get the hang of it.

Amen to that.

Gerald-I greatly appreciate your sincere apology my friend-and I also apologize to You-I apparently pushed a button that opened a can of worms-something that hit home for you on a scale larger than I imagined-That was not my intent-You and Rick have asked me to look again at what you wrote-And that is the whole point of my post with the comment about "but"-When you say "This is not about your comments Paul-BUT" That sounds to me like it really IS about my comments-Perhaps that is where my viewpoint became a defensive one-I really did not know that the age thing is seemingly an issue that you have dealt with in being on the Board Of Directors-That is evident from Rick posting the short list of alternate demented acronyms of HSGA which I have not heard before HE posted them-and I need not quote them-So again Gerald I apologize too-
Chuck Lettes-your segment of the Joliet HSGA show last year was a highlight for me and it was good chatting with you at Scotty's show
I am leaving this thread behind me now-
O Wau No Me Ka Mahalo
PW
Did I say that right?

Paul,

It's hard to accurately get one's point across in writing. That's why we have smiley emoticons and professional writers.

Hope to see you in a few weeks,
Let's have a drink together.

GBR

I'm with Don, I think people will take up the steel if they are exposed to it, and if it speaks to their heart. Problem is, it's sort of non-existent on the airwaves and in videos. Perhaps the new iBoob-Tube web sites will help a little?

Why do people what to play an instrument anyway? What's the payoff? When I was 12 I wanted to play the guitar to impress girls and get dates... it was during that period of time in the dark past that Gerald lovingly refers to as the 'folk scare' Then it was 60's rock and roll guitar to impress girls and get dates. When I finally got laid, then I started to worry less about being cool and I started to listen to music!

I found the steel later in life. I joined HSGA in my 40's, I was a real newbie - but everyone made me feel welcome, especially Mr. Ross and Doug Smith. I've come to know many other HSGA folks and consider them friends - it's a wonderful event and I hope ya'all come. Learning steel has been an incredible journey for me and I hope to continue for many years.

I'd like to hear more than just Hawaiian tunes at HSGA too. Not pedal steel, there are other shows that cover that. But I love to hear some great blues, jazz, country etc. , there's so much good stuff the non-pedal instrument is capable of. Last year I think we had a country and bluegrass jam one evening, it was great.

I try and promote steel locally as best I can. I play pedal steel in a few bands, and lap steel in a couple of bands, and teach when needed. When the younger folks see and hear it they love it! I rarely get students from the younger generation however - don't know why. It's still not hip (or hip hop) I guess? But mostly, because it's not audible, or visible.

So, I also do a local radio show on our non-profit public radio station called "Steel Guitar Jam" (www.krfcfm.org) every week. I play all kinds of steel music: pedal, lap, Hawaiian, C&W, rock, jazz, and other nouns and adjectives as well! Check it out online. More info at www.myspace.com/steelguitarjam
Last week I played my bakelite on the air live! I talk history and try and educate the listeners as well as play kick ass steel that will grab their interest. Doing it since '04.

An interesting note about learning steel: I've been to the last 3 or 4 Hawaiian HSGA events in HNL. I used to live there and have some Hawaiian buddies. One local friend is trying to learn steel. He's had a really hard time trying to find a teacher! His feeling is that nobody wants to teach him because they'll generate competition, and add another player to the pool, therefore could loose there gig. There are not that many steel gigs there - or anywhere for that matter. If there were I'd be living on Kauai. (And I'd probably be the gig-less haole steel guy Sound familiar? Slack Key faced a similar cultural blockade until the 70's. Early steelers on the mainland used to not share their tunings for fear of loosing a gig - Joaquine Murphy would de-tune his steel on breaks! More data - I know a pedal player in Germany who works at the Rattlesnake Saloon in Munich - they only get $100 a nite per man over there! So it's the same all over the world. Nobody's getting rich at playing steel, so why not share the knowledge! If it got more popular, perhaps we'd all get higher wages on the bandstand!

Every little thing helps I think.

c u in Joliet,
chris

Chris, check your personal messages.

Any steel guitarist regardless of their taste in music is welcome to join the HSGA. Country, Rap, Blues, Celtic, Flamenco, Mariachi, Antarctic etc. etc. If you play the steel guitar you are a welcome addition to our club.

We can all learn from each other.

The Hawaiian music culture gleaned the best of the world's music to create what we now know as Hawaiian music.

Look at where Hawaii is located - smack dab in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. For the past 300 years any ship crossing the Pacific had to dock in Hawaii for fresh food, water and fuel. Musicians from around the world were on those ships. Musicians always "borrow" musical ideas from each other.

I would love to create HSGA web pages featuring non-Hawaiian non-pedal music from our members.

All I wanna know is: who's taking that open slot? Man, it's gettin' hard to scour this thread trying to locate the answer!

Gerald-I would like to be the one who buys you a drink! Perhaps we could get Rick in too and have a toast to the HSGA!

Sailor Jerry and pineapple juice for me ...

But no need to buy, I'll have a few gallons in my room ...

If the open slot is still avail. , I'll take it.

I gave mine up last month so Wally could book in someone who hasn't been for a while. If there is a slot, and nobody wants it, count me in. But if someone wants it that is a new visitor to the event, or returning after a long absense, by all means grab it. I'll just enjoy the music and jams. If you want to leave it open for a while - we can fill it Thur. morning.

oh yeah - I don't think HSGA is in danger of loosing the Hawaiian focus. We can have fun with the blues, and still play 'Harbor Lights' . Hey, Sol Hoopii did a pretty nice 12th street rag! Should we have limited him to just playing old Hawaiian tunes if he showed up at HSGA? Most of the stuff I play is "Hawaiian", meaning - it's hapa/tinpanalley/jazz stuff that the Hawaiian musicians have played for years. I also am learning some meles for backing Hula - but that's because I'm lucky to have friends locally that are teaching me when we have them dance with us. The steels the deal to me. And studying the Hawaiian catalog is a key elemet in learning to play steel I think, but I don't want to get stuck there. If you want to learn to dance, use Ipu Heke, Puili sticks, you can attend one of the Aloha Music Camps like the one Keola Beamer does - that's a cultural focus that's really good. Owana Salazar will be doing some steel instruction in '08 I hear.


mahalo,
Chris

Just spoke with Wally Pfeifer...

Chris Kennison has the open slot on Thursday at 3:35 PM!