One Horse Town Steel Guitarists

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 25 May 2011 3:21 pm

Barry .I'm sure I have never heard your playing nor does it matter if you actually can...I have heard Bills playing while I can assure you he is no Emmons he is more than what you challenge him to be... Post your playing and I will post Bills playing..Bill is no weaky nor is he a bragart..

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 25 May 2011 3:36 pm

To defend Barry,I have asked Bill MANY times to post a little clip,Told him I would post mine,[still on Tillys site] I did, he did'nt,ANYTHING you ask him he will change the subject.

YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 25 May 2011 3:49 pm

now boys...to defend bill, i never post my playing because i suck compared to what i'd like to sound like. 'also' ..the wheel deal bill brings up. yes, the wheel was a handy invention...too bad there was no patent option at the time. now...compare the stone wheel to the modern application of a computer disc.

my point is....uh..i forget!

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 25 May 2011 3:51 pm

Joe, I didn't challenge Bill to anything, I only mentioned that (even after numerous requests,) I never heard him play. Now since you asked, a friend sent me a Youtube clip a couple of weeks ago that I didn't even know existed, and although it's not a very good example, it's me gigging with a band at a house party, circa 1987. If I had more computer savvy, I might try to post something better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT4djDPoeMk

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 25 May 2011 4:14 pm

barry...that's some real good s**t....how come you aren't out there kickin' now? i bet you spent time in san jose.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 25 May 2011 4:51 pm

barry...that's some real good s**t....how come you aren't out there kickin' now? i bet you spent time in san jose.

I was in SJ from 1973 to 1990. Thanks, Chris. If there was something to kick, I'd kick it, but a whole lot has changed since then.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 26 May 2011 2:45 am

Barry,

Talent is strewn thoughout society in large numbers. It has become apparent to those who have become involved in becoming adept professionally in the world of entertainment. Your nonexplicit terminology makes me a bit wary. In this world of musical activities, it's a matter of YES or NO. No hemming or hawing about who can get the job done, and those who leave much to be desired in working arrangements. Talent, when appropriately identified in an individual, reminds me of one of the very perplexing riddles cast upon society by our maker. For that reason, our levels of musical performances in relation to one another, becomes irrelevant. Stiff competitive examples have become widespread, particularly in such challenges involving the pedal steel guitar. If by chance, any notable player should advance beyond the abilities of a Chalker, Emmons, White, etc., it would electrify those who have proclaimed that it isn't possible to do so. Human nature is clambering to pinpoint individuals who possess the highest levels of proficiency in musical renditions.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 26 May 2011 4:45 am

If someone chooses not to post their playing, that's entirely their call.

In many cases I suspect it's because they know they can never be close to the level set by the upper 0.001% of our Steel Universe. That's their call.

In other cases, such as mine, I accept this fact, and post clips anyway, doing the best I can and forever working to improve.

There's no right or wrong, and I don't see how it changes the value of their opinion on any subject.

There are several great builders and innovators that are not good players. Leo Fender changed the world.

BTW, I've heard Bill play, and seen some of his inventions. He's good.

Ronnie Riley · Post by **Ronnie Riley** » 26 May 2011 5:35 am

I was fortunate enough to hear Barry when he was kicking it. He was one of my heroes but I never told him.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 26 May 2011 7:13 am

Thanks, Ron.
If I may, I'd like to steer this back to where Bill was offering to produce an "artistic drawing" of his "foolproof" changer system. In the past, as most of us know, Bill has been reluctant to provide proof of his claims about his playing. When I brought this up in my previous post, I was expressing my skepticism that like the issue with his playing, we would never see the changer drawing as well. Honestly, I don't care much about any of it, but I think Bill should stop offering to do something, and then reneging on it. Now may we see the drawing, Bill?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 26 May 2011 9:08 am

Barry,

All kidding aside, I was very sincere when I produced the proof of a fretless steel guitar. As usual you were the least impressed, to be sure, choosing to pursue your disdainful mockeries, even with the only fretless steel guitar staring you in the face. Was I moved by such blatant disregard? Not on your life! The pleasure is all mine. I wouldn't be tempted to revert back to the lesser of the two. You can take that to the bank, and feel secure in doing so. Crumpled attitudes would never appreciate my best efforts to establish a trust by applying a sincere example for useful changes.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 26 May 2011 9:21 am

I live in an area that used to have several steel guitar players within a few miles of each other. Now, those guys have either moved away or play their axes hidden away in their basements because there is no longer a venue for them up here. I am still “fairly” busy (my last year at it) only because I play multiple instruments.

Our band plays take off segments of the likes of Hank Williams Sr. Eddy Arnold and Rex Allen and/or classic country so that’s what keeps me busy with a non-pedal steel. Fifty percent of my playing at a gig however, I am on bass, some lead guitar, twin fiddles, lead harmonica, bass harmonica and pan flute. If I relied only on my steel guitar to get gig work; I would be playing alone in my basement with the rest of the vanishing steelers up here. There are no new steel guitar trends in this area.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 26 May 2011 12:05 pm

Barry,

All kidding aside, I was very sincere when I produced the proof of a fretless steel guitar. As usual you were the least impressed, to be sure, choosing to pursue your disdainful mockeries, even with the only fretless steel guitar staring you in the face. Was I moved by such blatant disregard? Not on your life! The pleasure is all mine. I wouldn't be tempted to revert back to the lesser of the two. You can take that to the bank, and feel secure in doing so. Crumpled attitudes would never appreciate my best efforts to establish a trust by applying a sincere example for useful changes.

Is this your answer to my question, "Now may we see the drawing Bill?" If so, you have just proved the point I was making in my previous post.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 26 May 2011 1:31 pm

Barry,

It's obvious at this point that breaking through your argumentative barriers and barricades would require too much disturbing claiming of who's right or wrong. From what I gather, you have made many friends along the way. I'll accept that you are a tough adversary, once you set your sights on special demands. It has been a long winter, and I want to do some fishing, and other activities out in the fresh air and sunshine. I'm finished with this abandonment of goodwill.

Archie Nicol · Post by **Archie Nicol** » 26 May 2011 2:17 pm

Bill; You must hold the record for the most `closed` topics. I love reading as it descends into almost personal insults. I've given up contributing, but still enjoy the voyeurism. Keep it up. That goes for the rest of yooze, too!

Arch.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 26 May 2011 5:29 pm

Excuse me while I ……

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 26 May 2011 8:56 pm

Barry,Barry, Barry,Don't you know under NO circumstance will you EVER get a straight ans.from this poster.It's so ludicrous it's laughable,Got more excuses than a red-bone hound has fleas.This is the first time I've heard the going fishing one

Well I have something much MORE important to do than this,THOMAS KATT just had a big one ,Come on THOMAS KATT I got to clean your latrine it's aroma is analogous to this thread,then we can settle back and watch animal planet I think [You must love cats ]is coming on.

YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 27 May 2011 2:22 pm

Bill, let's not forget John Macy. John, orignally from Lubbock, Texas, played all over the Boston/Cape Cod/East Coast scene for about 4-5 years. He was with a group called John Lincoln Wright & The Sourmash Boys.

Clearly, at the time (early '70s), the BEST country/swing band going. 7 pieces, if I remember correctly.

John showed me a lot of stuff and turned me on to the likes of Buddy, Curly, and his favorite, Doug Jernigan.

John then moved to Denver, and the rest is history.

...and Barry, I dug your YouTube. You got the chops, pal. Don't quit now. [I know, sleasier said than done] $:\$

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 27 May 2011 3:41 pm

Chip,

For some reason, I associate the band with HARRY GUFFEE. Harry had a music store, (I think in Meriden, Ct. I remember Harry playing at an early "MASSBASH" at the BONNY RIGG establishment, in Becket, MA. I had a LP record of John Lincoln Wright, and the Sourmash Boys, some time ago. I think their steel player tipped his steel forward to accomodate his playing style. Thanks for the wakeup call!

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 27 May 2011 4:20 pm

Bill you are indubitably the carte blanche of avant-garde bona fide fait accompli in infinitesimal ostentatiousness. The quintessential quid pro quo déjà vu in endless cascaded Freudian slips, all nonetheless undeniably charismatic in unnecessary wordiness.
However I seem uncontrollably enamored of it all.

Ted Solesky · Post by **Ted Solesky** » 28 May 2011 1:34 am

I almost was in the same boat. We had a few pickers where I lived but I had to travel to visit. In my hometown, I think I was the only one steel picker. It was hard learning new licks or changes there. I learned by listening to records. But I'm proud of what little I taught myself. I am on UTube. You may critize my mistakes.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 May 2011 2:55 am

Bo Legg,

As for wordiness, who would know better than you? I do poorly translating foreign lingo to familiar English terminology. I do regret skipping over Latin, although I've managed to memorize a few interesting translations, including the Latin term for grizzly bear (ursus arctos horribilis). At times, there is a limited amount of regret for not speaking more than one language, although the different dialects, such as those in Italy, for example, make it an impossibility to communicate clearly throughout that entire country. Everyone, from the highest ranking intellectuals down to subaverages can be corrected for one reason or another, either for spelling or grammatical errors. Incorrect pronunciation is a good place to start, particularly in opposition to negative forum witch-hunters. I was tempted to relive the excitement of RALPH MOONEY'S "CRAZY ARMS" by playing it instrumentally, using a new technique of harmonics, and five string grab melody lines. After watching PATTY LOVELESS strum her guitar, and present her MONA LISA smile, while singing the song (possibly the best) I've heard to date, I was moved by her true sense of country interpretation. I may just proceed by submitting my affiliation with five chord country music, and my CM affinty, by dressing up CRAZY ARMS just a wee bit apart from past recordings.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 28 May 2011 6:25 am

I do regret skipping over Latin, although I've managed to memorize a few interesting translations, including the Latin term for grizzly bear (ursus arctos horribilis).

Bill, here's some words to live by.
Tendo servo is brevis.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 28 May 2011 1:11 pm

Seems one should be communicative in one language [maybe English ?] before learning another one. Does this sound familiar ? A poster here that is simply saying [I have a friend with COPD ,instead he will say I have a friend with [pneuaionoultramicroscopisilicouolcanokoniosis].Why would someone do this except to draw attention. I'm still trying to figure out the relationship between ursus arctos horribilis and the steel guitar.

Maybe my felis catus can explain it to me,he's pretty smart.YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 May 2011 1:35 pm

Charles,

Your druggist has been educated to a certain degree. Yes, I know. When was the last time you requested information from your pharmacist about certain medications? Your information was no doubt, "Go talk to your doctor." Still thousands of directives in magazines tell you to talk to your doctor or phamacist. If you haven't caught on to this "passing the buck" service, we have nothing to discuss. Why do you suppose presciptions are written in Latin? Perhaps Barry could explain the reasons. Wellness is linked to individual dedication in practice sessions. It's all part of advancing age.

The Steel Guitar Forum

One Horse Town Steel Guitarists

The Proof Is In The Pickin