The Steel Guitar Forum

Larry,
I can only surmise that you have not seriously listened to Steve Vai (or Hendrix, for that matter). Not to take anything away from Joe, but COME ON!!!! Those are people who created the electric guitar stylings that Joe draws upon.

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

The only steeler I have heard who comes even into the same basic place as Steve Vai is Dave Ristrim.
But Vai is a amazing guitarist and jumps styles and techniques at lightning speed.

Well, Tony, I guess we'll just have to "agree to disagree". You see, from my point of view, steel <u>has</u> been in rock music...for over 35 years! On the other hand, straight guitar virtually overwhelmed rock music in the 10 year period between 1952 and 1962. People like Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, The Ventures, (and just a few others), took the piano and sax practically <u>out</u> of rock music altogether (as the main lead instruments), and replaced it with the electric guitar. People have been trying the same thing with steel (putting steel guitar up front in their rock music) for over 35 years, and it just hasn't worked!

We've had over <u>35</u> years of "chances", and we're no farther ahead than when Santo and Johnny released "Sleepwalk". Therefore, I ain't buyin' the "give steel a chance" thing. Be happy for what little recognition and popularity we have right now...and don't expect any miracles in the near future.

Maybe it's just hard to look really cool playing the steel. For one thing, you almost have too look at it while you're playing. And you can't jump around the stage with it (although Junior Brown comes close ) But, then again, you can't jump around with a piano, either and look at what Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard did. I say, If a big-time Rock star can play a piano, then he or she sure as H*#$ can play a steel guitar, which just simply sounds cooler. There are some cats here in Texas who are minor "Rock stars" playing the ACCORDIAN. and the only thing less-cool than an accordian is a nose flute

David L. Donald said: "Think entry level... LAPSTEELS!"

Yeah, sure. Let me know when you take your training pedals off !

Oh, and John Lennon DID play a steel. It was a 1938 double 8 Gibson.It's in the John Lennon exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
Unfortunately it was "entry level" .

Chris, actually I am adding levers 8+8
But I still have the Supro 6.

When I say entry level it's not to say the lapsteel is an insignificant instrument technique wise, but just more affordable by a great many more people.

Pink Floyd did a lot for the lapsteel in rock.
it just hasn't been on the big hit cross over tune lately. Jackson Browne's Running On Empty did a lot for slide guitar at the time too.
I've seen it played glass slide and lap too.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 24 June 2003 at 04:41 AM.]</p></FONT>

I have a 22-year-old copy of Tom Bradshaw's "Steel Guitarist" magazine with a cover article featuring a young Paul Franklin. Delish hair-do! In it, he discusses the crossover potential for steel guitar, and makes the point that this crossover might not happen because "the players and the stuff we're recording hasn't changed." The magazine also has an article about "fusion" steel guitarist Gary Morse, who was using fuzztones, echo and other stuff to break the mold. He's now of course playing the best traditional E9th stuff on the planet for Dwight Yoakam. It doesn't seem like much has changed in 22 years. I don't quite know how steel guitar might break through - potentially, some record producer looking for a really different sound could hire BE or Doug Jernigan to fill the keyboard spot on a new hottie's next record. Britney Spears is, like, SO last year's news, so let's hope that avowed steelophiles Sheryl Crow or Norah Jones can see fit to bestow a solo on a poor beleaguered bar-slinger on their next big hit.... Maybe if we all sent Norah Jones an e-mail she'd hire Bob Hoffnar back. http://www.norahjones.com/

I guess since no one mentioned it, I will. Bill Haley used a non-pedal in his band when he recorded "Rock Around the Clock" and many more early R&R songs. Listen closely if you havn't heard it, IT's THERE!!!!!

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SUAS U' PHIOB
Geo

I know a lot of you guys probably don't remember me but I always liked Foster Brooks' playing. Thanks and will see you guys down the road.
Ron Elliott

Tom DeLonge

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 19 July 2003 at 06:44 PM.]</p></FONT>

Donny,

I agree with you.

No ONE person could ever popularize our instrument. It takes alot of players to create a big enough wave to hit the shore. The first wave hit the shore as a Country instrument with so many voices that it kept us spinning in awe.

The second wave is certainly coming. It will be comprised of alot of players like Matt Beck who plays steel with Matchbox Twenty. I found his playing direction last night to be more appropriate for the new pop culture than anything I've heard from the blues or Hendrix crowd of which I also love. He played more like Jeff Beck than a blues guitarist. Very Hip.

In other words alot of different voices need to be heard to create enough interest to give credibility to the instrument in the pop field before the youth is ever going to rush towards it in abundance.

Paul

From earlier posts here on the this Forum, I understood that all of this "mania" stuff was already being created for public consumption by Roert Randolph. Did I miss the point? It's possible.

...Chris, do you know if John Lennon played non-pedal steel on any released recordings?...

Gene. I see Bill C. has no picks and no BAR...
was that because he was de-barred?

I am sure there are some who would "pick" that<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 26 June 2003 at 11:27 PM.]</p></FONT>

Don't forget that nowadays a musician has to look good on MTV to even be considered for "packaging" by managers - only young, tattoo'd and no flab allowed. A lot of young bands these days don't even play together as friends first - a management team holds auditions for people with the right look and then molds them for the market.

Tony,

Much of "country" today is rock, with a "country" front man/woman.

If some of the rhythm grooves were used 30 years ago, no one would have called it country.

Who might cause STEEL MANIA?

Regis Philbin?
Alex Trebec?
Chevy Chase?
Chris Matthews?
Don Imus?
Howard Stern?
Bill Ford - in his attempt to sell the electro car?
ooh ooh... I got it... Rev. Al Sharpton
oh, there's more... lot's more...
Dick Cheney?
AHHHHH Clive Davis!!! THAT'S IT!!
Now I have it... Quincy Jones

We need the youth, so I would say

Brittney Spears.

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom; Sho-Bud LLG; John Pearse bar; Emmons bar; Panther amp

Ray, when I first heard Robert Randolph, I thought he was THE GUY who would do exactly what this post is about. But then I realized that he plays R&B/ funky blues music, which hasn't been mainstream for a long time. But, I believe that, if a major label where to pump a huge budget into his development and image, he could become as big as Eminem or Britney. Of course, he'd have to play crappy, watered-down, over-produced junk. I'd rather listen to him the way he plays now. Oh, and Robert isn't the main singer in his band, which makes it difficult to attain superstar status. (Anybody know how Kenny Wane Sheppard can call his band that when he doesn't sing and he plays just like a certain Texas legend?...sheeesh)<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tony LaCroix on 27 June 2003 at 06:40 AM.]</p></FONT>

According to Mandolin Brothers here in NYC, its gonna take eric clapton paying one to move stock !

Gene's puttin pressure so i can pack it up
Paul jumps in and keeps me from doin'just that
and yes,it's a shame that Quincy Jones did'nt use Steel
Glad to see RobertR carryin'it on
& to all the young whippersnappers who want to take it up
There's Plenty to be Done


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Steel what?

Even though he played lap steel, David Gilmour 's playing I dont see causing it...

I could however see pres.Bush playing one.. after all, he's from texas, and doesnt EVERYBODY in texas either play steel guitar, or fiddle?

I think what it would take would be 'pop' music (not the pop they push off as 'country'), but mainstream pop/alternative music... something in the top 10 with a steel guitar hook line in it... something on the lines of 'Teach Your Children" Right now, I could only think of someone like Dave Matthews would be able to pull that off.

Santa Claus bringing a steel/amp/learning material and someone to crack the whip to every home in the nation is about the only hope.
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ron Whitfield on 28 June 2003 at 03:34 PM.]</p></FONT>

Nicole Kidman.