The Steel Guitar Forum

Earnest Bovine wrote:You could try "I liked the way it ended".

or

"I really dig where you're trying to come from"

or

"You sounded great,can you help me carry my stuff?"

Bo it's a terrible coincidence how every band you play with has an ego problem.
Now I'm not saying you're one of the egos. I'm just saying you always seem to manage to be around the area.

Right on Ransome(Nick)! The most intelligent thing I've read on the forum to date!
Sincerely, Dana

ROTFLMAO!! Donny, whence that wonderful quote?!

One way to curb an ego is by not practicing PSG. As a results you'll have no expectations of improvement nor any allusions that compliments are other than insincere.

"I didn't know such music was possible..."

Seems that folks are getting compliments on some profound statements here. I don't know if they are sincere but I thought maybe i would contribute a profound philosophical reply and get a little of that praise for myself.
Here goes: A cat can have kittens in an oven but that don't make them biscuits.

"your contribution to the art of music cannot be measured..."

chris ivey wrote:loved your post, bo! you're the greatest!

Chris...that was your best post ever...really!...I'm not just saying that...

Me to steel player:
"Hey, man, I'm looking for a substitute steel player to cover some gigs for me...do you know any?"

Substitute instrument of your choice.

Egos...What to do? What to do? Everybody has one (at least that's what Freud said).

When these pesky little buggers run wild with compliments (sincere or not sincere)... even then, the only ego you can tone down is your own. Try this...

When you hear a compliment like:

"On a scale of 1 to 10, you're off the charts, man!"

or
"your contribution to the art of music cannot be measured..."

Say aloud: "Aw shucks, thanks man...I'm not really much,but I'm all I ever think about."

Guaranteed to get you at least 5 minutes of shrunken ego playing time.

Some even post there playing on You Tube! And people tell them they are good and they believe it.

Dude....I've played with a lot of guitar players, and you're one of them!

"Your playing was sloppy but at least your tone sucked."

Is the handsome, clean shaven guy pictured above, named "BO"......., the same olde dude that used to be attired in a snappy looking Tuxedo and hiding behind a vast growth of beard?

Just don't look like the same guy.........
This guy looks so much younger!

I remembered a job I did eons of time ago when I was a "hero". I had to have two replacement people at a last minute notice. I should have cancelled but I didn't. When we were packing up after the job, a couple of guys came by and one said: "Hell of a job fellows". I didn't wonder how he meant it.

I do not have an ego problem! However, many people have told me that they have compared my playing to some of the greatest steel players.

They all tell me...that compared to other steel players, I really stink!

the first time I met a particular pedal steel player I went up after the set to say hi
and said hey, you don't suck

I also subbed one night with a gal who told me she had a golden throat, she also told not to play the strange chord , a diminished, After I got paid I told her I had worked with a lot of good girl singers but she's not one of them.

I was reared, well, to be courteous to people. So, I almost always give a thumbs up or nice job to most people. A lot of times it goes against my grain, but, I can't be derogatory to them. I'm even hesitant to give constructive criticism for fear of insulting them. On the other hand, I don't take praise comfortably. Maybe because I haven't gotten much. I'm not used to it. So, I don't have an over blown ego. And, I can't stand bursting anybody else's. However, I don't mind constructive criticism directed at me.

A guy in a club once said to me... "I see that you guys are trying that new Vince Gill song".

I seem to remember reading that Buddy Emmons used to have card that he would hand to musicians, saying "I really dig that tune you were trying to play."

Ray Montee wrote:Is the handsome, clean shaven guy pictured above, named "BO"......., the same olde dude that used to be attired in a snappy looking Tuxedo and hiding behind a vast growth of beard?

Just don't look like the same guy.........
This guy looks so much younger!

glad you pointed that out I mistakenly put in a picture of President George W Bush. Here is my picture.

Doug Beaumier wrote:Buddy Emmons used to have card that he would hand to musicians, saying "I really dig that tune you were trying to play."

He also used to have cards that said "Turn UP the f*****g Steel Guitar!"

They were made to look like a folded $10 bill on the outside, with the "message" printed inside. I remember one night at Deeman's Den handing one to Paul F. and he kept refusing to take it, thinking that I was tipping him. I finally got him to take it and unfold it, and he nearly fell out of his packaseat upon reading it! (Paul, if you're reading this, do you happen to remember that episode?)

Somewhat of an interesting thread.

Truth being, there's not a person on here, without some form (or other) of an ego. That's plain fact. It's not only in music, but in just as many other areas of life as well.

Could a person really be good at anything, without feeling he was capable of doing his job well? I think not.

I also believe that when compliments are given out, for the most part, they are sincere. Otherwise if a person really feels a person doesn't deserve a compliment, then why say anything at all. Sometimes, saying nothing at all, says it all.

Does anyone on here really feel that the folks on top of their game, regardless of who they are, doesn't feel they are good at what they do? Well, if they do, then according to some, they have an ego problem.

Infact, if they didn't, they wouldn't be worth their salt. The real honesty comes with some of the ones posting as if they had no ego at all, when they know they really do, but try not to admit to it.

One question I have. Does anyone think a person would go to steel guitar shows and get up in front of many of the best players around, and perform if in fact, they didn't feel they were any good at playing? That's nonsense to even think.

So yes, get use to it, whether or not you care to admit to the truth of the matter, and that is that we ALL have an ego, regardless of what field we are in.

Arguments are expected, and welcomed, but fact is fact.