Why Do you play Steel ?

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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Darvin Willhoite
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Post by Darvin Willhoite »

Because I needed a big black hole to throw all my money into. :(
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, as well as some older MSAs, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Recently added a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored blue Rose, named the "Blue Bird" to the herd. Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic again that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also added a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks.
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David Mason
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Post by David Mason »

Besides the standard reasons so impeccably summarized above, I think it's also because I like too many different kinds of music? I went all doodlebrained for Duane Allman's slide guitar playing when I was 13 years old, but I also love Indian music - which is played one note at a time, so far so good. But, I also loved jazz, and classical, and progressive rock - hmmm, what's wrong with this numbnut slide? Where ARE all those NOTES.... :?
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Bo Legg
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Post by Bo Legg »

Why do I play steel? I wanted to take up something that wouldn't cause me to lose my Insignificants.
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Jim Sliff
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Post by Jim Sliff »

After decades of playing Stringbender Tele in everything from blues-rock to blues to country rock bands and developing a serious left-hand arthritis/tendonitis problem, it just seemed like a more melodic choice than drums so I could keep playing *something*.
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
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Mike Neer
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Post by Mike Neer »

You know, I've been asking myself the same question and you know what? I don't know why. I don't think I'm going to play it any longer.
Shorty Smith
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Post by Shorty Smith »

I played lead guitar for 25 years, then went to the pedal steel, been there now for 20 years. The pedal steel makes country music and the challenge to learn more will always exist. What a great musical instrument. By the way, dont thing I heard one steel guitar run on the CMA awards show. Thats sad in my opinion
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Bill Dobkins
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Post by Bill Dobkins »

I didn't get to see the CMA awards show.
From what I've heard I didn't miss much.
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Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy.
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Shannon Cooke
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why do I play

Post by Shannon Cooke »

DEFINATELY SEX APPEAL!!!!!!!
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Larry Jamieson
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Post by Larry Jamieson »

Its the tens of dollars that I make...

Because it doesn't make your fingers sore...

You can be almost famous in a local country band...

and like Darvin, I have to spend my money on SOMETHING...

Larry J.
Tommy Allison
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Post by Tommy Allison »

Why not?
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Charley Wilder
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Post by Charley Wilder »

From playing Dobro. And playing Dobro comes from Josh Graves.
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Steve Norman
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Post by Steve Norman »

Shorty, what does the CMA have to do with country music? Isnt that the adult contemporary, soft rock, bad R&B wanna be knock off awards show?
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Steve Stallings
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Post by Steve Stallings »

Because of the incredible joy and sense of fun it brings me.
Steve Stallings
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Antolina
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Post by Antolina »

Gurls, Gurls Gurls :roll:
The only thing better than doing what you love is having someone that loves you enough to let you do it.

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RC Antolina
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Charley Wilder
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Post by Charley Wilder »

Steve N.,I Know your post wasn't aimed at me but that's never stopped me from commenting before!
The answer to your first question is; NOTHING!
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Alan Brookes
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Post by Alan Brookes »

Because I wanted to take on an impossible task. :eek:
Ernie Pollock
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Well, ah, lets see

Post by Ernie Pollock »

# 1. Because I am totally nuts [crazy]
# 2. Everyone that new me as a standard guitar player said I was just too damned dumb of a musician to ever learn to play steel guitar.
# 3. My dog [at that time] made funny noises when I played up real high on the neck! [a little sadistic on my part, don't you think?]
# 4. I just love spending money on stuff to make me sound better [ha ha, that jokes on me]
# 5. The folks at chruch just love the sound of it.
# 6. People quit asking me to play the saxophone

I am sure there are more reasons, but I am running out of time!!

Ernie ;-)
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b0b
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Post by b0b »

I was simply compelled to play steel. I don't know why. It's part of who I am.

Either that or Jerry Garcia put a spell on me. >:-)
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Mickey Adams
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Inspiration

Post by Mickey Adams »

I began because of a guy named Johnny Pepel. He was a great player and a great pilot...I wanted to be just like him. I already had all the girls, the money, but no fame...LOL...Now I cant find a girl, all my money is spent on more steels, and no fame.....Im still ahead of the game...Peace!..Mickey
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Ernest Cawby
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why

Post by Ernest Cawby »

When little I wanted to play
trombone like Tommy Dorsy, The band leader ask me what I wanted to play in the bandTrombone I said he told me my arms was to short I cound not reach the 7th position, He failed to tell me I would never have to use it un less I wanted to. I said I would
wait till I was big enough, I did not want to play any other band instrument.
So years later I took guitar lessons till I was big enough. Played trombone in high school and National Guard band then in the 31st division army band. In 1972 I bought a Sho=Bud Professional and it all started to happen . At 77 this month I am still Trying to learn it.

thet is my story and i am sticking to it.

ernie
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Stu Schulman
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Post by Stu Schulman »

Because Wal-Mart wouldn't hire me as a greeter. :lol: :lol:
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Alan Brookes
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Post by Alan Brookes »

...it's the hot women with those bacon sandwiches. :D
Duane Reese
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Post by Duane Reese »

The kind of guy I am, and the kind of thingy it is... It was just inevitable.
Edward Meisse
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Post by Edward Meisse »

b0b... :lol: :lol: :lol: I have never laughed that hard at any post..... :lol: :lol: :lol: I can't remember why I started playing. But now I can't stop.
Amor vincit omnia
Steve Hamill
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Post by Steve Hamill »

Because of Garcia's phrasing and that haunting ZB tone.
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