The Steel Guitar Forum

Because I needed a big black hole to throw all my money into.

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....

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

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*.

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.

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

I didn't get to see the CMA awards show.
From what I've heard I didn't miss much.

DEFINATELY SEX APPEAL!!!!!!!

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.

Why not?

From playing Dobro. And playing Dobro comes from Josh Graves.

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?

Because of the incredible joy and sense of fun it brings me.

Gurls, Gurls Gurls

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!

Because I wanted to take on an impossible task.

# 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

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.

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

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

Because Wal-Mart wouldn't hire me as a greeter.

...it's the hot women with those bacon sandwiches.

The kind of guy I am, and the kind of thingy it is... It was just inevitable.

b0b... I have never laughed that hard at any post..... I can't remember why I started playing. But now I can't stop.

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