Steel Players Wives,are they different?

JAMES BANKS · Post by **JAMES BANKS** » 2 Jun 2004 12:28 pm

My lovely wife of 26 years knew I loved music when we started dating. We dated in high school while I played drums and she played sax in a school stage band. I almost drove her crazy in the beginning years of steel. She suggested I stick with 6 string. WHen I decided to buy a good steel, she actually paid for most of it. I started asking for thinks to add, like a pac a seat, a matchbox etc, she bought most of them After I learned to play a little better, she actually tells me I sound good. She looks forward to the Dallas steel show (probably because so much shopping is near by.) She even gave me a trip to Jeff Newman's top gun class last year. She now has a list of her favorite steel players from the Dallas show. Most of the time, she likes to go along and listen when I play. I am thankful she is so supportive. (I do tag along for a shopping trip now and then as a trade out)

James

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 2 Jun 2004 3:05 pm

I'm a steel players wife of 38 years. We met in High School. How could anyone not be supportive of anyone who can play a steel guitar. It takes a lot of talent to play the steel. It's a God given talent that not everyone has. Even the best guitar players have a hard time learning steel. I think it's just something in their blood. Besides that they look so cute up their on that stage even when the bifocals come along.
You really have to be proud of them.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 2 Jun 2004 8:49 pm

My wife is one in a million...The tings I put her through nad she still loves and supports me. Take this weekend for instance.
GOt up at three am,let me sleep, and drove me four hours to tulsa so I could play a half hour show. stayed up all day chasin me around the hotel hall way set on the front row, took pictures, and at the end of the day smiled all the way home saying it was one of the best days she had in years.I don't know what i would do with out her. probably sit at home and watch a green acres marathon. she keeps me going and is always there for me. Are steel players wives different? No just unique.....God love em!!!!!

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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 3 Jun 2004 11:05 pm

James Hall and Scott, I too have a one-in-a-million wife. We played in the same Gospel group and she fell in love with my playing, got married and would go anywhere with me, shows, jams or whatever and have a great time. She's wonderful and beautiful.

doug jernigan · Post by **doug jernigan** » 4 Jun 2004 2:38 pm

I am the wife of Doug Jernigan. We will be married 8 years in Aug 2004. I don't think being supportive of a husband who plays the steel guitar is any different from being supportive of a husband in any other career field. When you love someone you want to know what they enjoy, and what makes them happy. I can't imagine Doug without a steel guitar! I am a registered nurse and he respects my career as I respect his.
When I work full time it does not allow me to be able to travel much with him, but I do support him to the ultimate. I am in awe of steel guitarists. The talent and coordination is beyond my comprehension.
Even if Doug did not play the guitar as his full time profession I would support his playing. He made me love the sound of the steel guitar. I guess one secret in winning me over was he learned my favorite songs and practiced them on steel. When they met his satisfaction, he played them for me. I love to go into his practice room and have those "mini" concerts.

Jetta Jernigan

Roy Rosetta · Post by **Roy Rosetta** » 4 Jun 2004 2:43 pm

I agree with Scott and Gary. Both have unique and beautiful wives who are very supportive. I witnessed Scott's lovely lady sitting on the front row in Tulsa last weekend smileing and applauding every note Scott played, and play and sing he did !!!
We met Gary's lovely wife in Mesa, Az. last January and she is a joy. I invited her up to play a set for me, but she gracefully declined, maybe next time.
Oh, by the way, I too have one of those beautiful, unique and supportive wives and heck, I'm a piano player...

...Roy

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Music is a "gift" with many wrappings....
....Roy

[This message was edited by Roy Rosetta on 04 June 2004 at 03:47 PM.]

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 4 Jun 2004 7:16 pm

Are Steel players wives different? I don't know. But my wife of 57 years, would be the same whether I played steel or had any other job. She just has always been supportive of me, in my Music.....al

.

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

John Davis · Post by **John Davis** » 4 Jun 2004 11:40 pm

After reading those last few posts,I`m beginning to wish I had`ent started this!!
I know "Tho shalt not covet" etc But Please! send me over one of those type of woman NOW!
(if you`ve got any left!)

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 5 Jun 2004 2:44 am

John tsk tsk tsk, you shoulda gone to the BSGC with me..
there was a room FULL of steel lovin ladies...
[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 05 June 2004 at 03:44 AM.]

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 5 Jun 2004 10:49 am

I've had 2 DIFFERENT wives (and several girlfriends) while being a steel player. Does that count? First one was a singer and very supportive of my playing. My soon to be ex-wife couldn't care less about my steel playing. I actually retired from playing because of her. A new baby and her insecurity of me playing in night clubs convinced me that my family was more important. Of course, now that we are divorcing, I see I made a bad decision.

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Carter D10 9p/10k, NV400

Bob Hayes · Post by **Bob Hayes** » 5 Jun 2004 5:12 pm

I met my Current wife..while I was playing at a club..19 years ago..wife # 2 got tired of my playing..going to listen..and tired of me..#1 got tired of the music PERIOD..#3 is tired of going with me,hearing me practice..but allows me to do it as long as it dosn't jeapordise my health,make me too tired to take care of my yougest grandaughter..or staying out too late..Other than that ..she puts up with me!!
Grouchy

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 5 Jun 2004 11:04 pm

Roy, what a lovely comment you had about my Christine and she really is a Joy. I was reading this and she had already retired for the evening but I insisted she get back up and read your kind remarks and she said "thank you Roy for those words of kindness but meeting you just made it a lot easier to go to the shows."
Jetta, in our conversation with Doug in Mesa, he related your dedicated life and what an inspiration you are to him. The tune "Jetta's Dream" is one of the most beautiful tunes I've ever heard and how you inspired the theme of it. He told of that dream and how timely it was.[This message was edited by Gary Walker on 06 June 2004 at 12:22 AM.]

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 6 Jun 2004 3:33 am

It takes a lot to be a musician s wife!
Esspecially for musicians who are 'in the picture', it takes a lot of love, trust and pain to stand through all the attention from female 'fans'.Always staying friendly, lonely nights, not being sure about new tours, jobs abroad etc. Hard to plan hollidays etc.
Thumbs up for musicians wives!!!
JJ

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 6 Jun 2004 4:46 am

My wife Bonnie, grew up on the bandstand with her Dad, who played a Triple neck Fender Stringmaster. She is totally supportive and even though at times I know she would prefer I be at home or we do something else she understands that I am a player..note I didn't say musician ! She comes with me now and then to gigs but not usually as she has her own business she is running. I spend much of my off time and even some time alloted for practice with her and helping her with her business..and she knows it..so it works both ways. I give her back as much as she gives me. It's a balance.

Now the first wife..I dated her for probably 5 years, she met me on a gig, hung with me on gigs for the whole ride..but not long after we were married she was expecting me to grow up and put down the Guitars, even though I was actively playing and earning a few bucks regularly. She even told the shrink that in her opinion I should have moved on from playing music as I now had a family. He looked at her and believe it or not said " Oh..he's moving on..but not with you"..he then asked her if she tricked me into marrying her by pretending to have an interest in my music.

One time she invites a new girlfriend and her husband over to the house and this is classic, she tells me the husband plays drums in church..I didn't even ask the names..they arrive and it's my buddy who I gig with every few weeks or so ! Ya gotta love it !

Marriage for musicians is not for all musicians, but if you have a good relationship and clear understanding and respect for each other then it compliments.

Larry Lorows · Post by **Larry Lorows** » 6 Jun 2004 6:10 am

My ex-wife loved steel guitar so much, she kept my U12 MCI and five six string guitars. It was worth it though, my new wife loves any type of music I want to play and always goes with me. Larry

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U12 Williams keyless 400
Sessions 400, Line 6 pod xt

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 6 Jun 2004 6:34 am

Wife?......the mother hasn't even been born yet!

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 6 Jun 2004 3:51 pm

My lady of over 24 years.....thinks I'm the best steel player in the world....but just like Reggie said, she's not all that crazy about my practicing....says I'm too loud for the house......she's probably right. Thanks honey for putting up with my second love......

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Be Blessed........HAL
'85 Emmons LeGrande D-10,(8 & 6) Hilton Vol. Pedal, BJS Birthstone bar, Rack w/Evans Pre-amp, Lexicon MPX500; (2)1501-4 BW's in custom built cabs by T.A. Gibson, & a Sound Tech 802 Digital Power Amp.

Wayne Cox · Post by **Wayne Cox** » 6 Jun 2004 5:59 pm

Re: to post..."Steel players wives,are they different" If they love steel guitar and they love you,then yes,they are more beautiful,more compassionate,more patient,more caring,better lovers,better cooks,better housekeepers,better mothers...
Did I leave anything out,HONEY?
~~W.C.~~

Kurt Graber · Post by **Kurt Graber** » 6 Jun 2004 9:59 pm

HA!!! My wife never missed a gig for about 3 months when we were first married. Now, she hasn't seen me play in about 3 years. No biggie, I don't push it on her and that is probably what keeps us together. I would probably prefer a companion on some of my longer road trips but the tradeoff is I can listen to steel music without her complaining about it. "Life is good"

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 7 Jun 2004 4:14 am

Kurt,
she don't mind your pickin...it's that long
haired guitar picker you hang out with. heheheheheheh tell him i said howdy.

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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 7 Jun 2004 6:03 am

Mine is a real keeper. Supports my musical endeavors in every way; encourages me to attend/play S.G. shows and jams; and never complains about me buying new musical toys. And, on top of all that, she's a good looker and great cooker.

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 7 Jun 2004 6:41 am

Ditto to your post, Roy. My wife is very supportive of my big boy musical toys. Steel, keyboards, recording stuff, the jams I've hosted, and so on. Big blessing!

And our daughter thinks I'm the best PSG player in the world....

http://www.rahul.net/thinker/images/jamie_at_psg.jpg

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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?

Jim Hartley · Post by **Jim Hartley** » 7 Jun 2004 8:27 am

Somebody mentioned that it takes a special woman to be a musicians wife. How true!! For this post, I will take the liberty of including us drummers in with the musicians.

I Don't know how, but right from the start my wife just seemed to get it. We were married in Miami Lakes, Fl on a Sunday afternoon, I had played music in Little Rock on Saturday night. I barely made it to the church and she had a really nice surprise for me. We had quite a formal wedding but the service began with a longtime friend of mine sitting on a stool with a flattop singing Ray Price's ROSES AND LOVESONGS.

We had a ten day honeymoon which included me playing golf three days, picking up my son to spend a few days with us and me taking one day to meet someone about a new road job. Plus, I met the band and played a job on the fourth day.

Two years later when our first daughter was born, my son came to live with us and Cindy has been Mom to him ever since.

For the next few years while I was on the road, she always just took care of everything so I didn't have to when I got home.

I could write a book about how supportive she has always been, but I think you get the idea. She doesn't go to alot of shows with me, she's usually too busy working, but she always seems to make things fit around my schedule so it just works.

Recently I mentioned that I might want to go back on the road and without hesitation, she said "if that's what you want." When I asked her if she was sure, she said "you were a picker when I met you and you are still a picker."

Anyway, last week we celebrated our 27th anniversary and she did go with me. Yes, I was playing music. I am a very lucky man.

I should probably send her a copy of this so she'll know how much I appreciate her, but knowing me, I'll probably forget. I think she's already figured it out though.

Thanks everybody for letting me ramble. See ya soon.

Jim[This message was edited by Jim Hartley on 07 June 2004 at 10:33 AM.]

Tony Smart · Post by **Tony Smart** » 7 Jun 2004 11:19 am

I'm sure we are all searching for the ultimate Steel Guitar wife.
- One who carries all the gear!!!!!

Russ Hicks · Post by **Russ Hicks** » 7 Jun 2004 4:59 pm

Doug J.,Roy R. and all you guys with gals who support our music...we're very, very blessed and I think we all over-married.