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Posted: 17 Mar 2022 5:16 pm
by Jack Hanson
Awesome belated response!
I couldn't pick a Bon Jovi tune out of three songs unless I already knew the other two. And I will be the first to admit that I wasn't crazy about the clip in the original post.
Nevertheless, shocking as it may seem to some, there are lots of us who would rather not listen to Way To Survive or Night Life for the ten-thousandth time, played exactly the same way for the ninety-nine hundredth time. And I'm one of 'em.
Posted: 17 Mar 2022 6:39 pm
by Michael Sawyer
Well im gonna jump in.
Our band covers Dead or Alive.
I play steel on it.
It works,even with me and my limited skills hacking on it.
I learned something playing rythym guitar, long before i ever took up steel;it ain't about what i want to play.
I have found as a 5 year steel player,it actually has made me get better,playing stuff that i would not have picked for the setlist;i will find a way to play something that compliments the song,have some fun,sometimes purposely not touching the AB pedals.
Songs that didnt have steel in the original,are often wide open for putting a little twang in 'em.
3 chords and the truth is always gonna be my foundation,but i also grew up playing Skynyrd covers...
I admire Kurt and everybody else who has stepped out of the country comfort zone with a pedal steel.
Posted: 18 Mar 2022 7:45 pm
by Bill Cunningham
I have known Kurt a few years since he moved to Georgia and have played a few gigs with him. He is a friend and I am a better musician from having shared a stage with him. He played keyboard on the steel guitar cruise and did a top notch job supporting Jernigan, Russ, Buck and we mere mortals.
His steel playing is incredibly musical and chops are top notch. Have any of you listened to the swing tuned he composed, sang and played as an ad for the new Emmons guitar? It’s a barn burner.
I never talked to him about working with Bon Jovi and have listened to a couple of cuts. BUT let’s assume he didn’t really enjoy it (which I doubt). Then all we have here is a working pro musician with a steady high profile gig, probably making good money, and exposing steel guitar to a broader audience. What’s not to like?
I imagine all pros don’t love everything they do but it’s part of the profession. One hall of famer told me “never turn down a gig!”
Go Kurt! Love you man and hope to hear you on your new Emmons Resound. 65 soon and looking forward to any time we can work together.