The Steel Guitar Forum

In my last day job I worked for a company that was very much involved with the audio portion of the American Idol show.

Let me start by saying that I am not trying to sound like a "smarty-pants", but as we all know this is live TV, and the sound mixers (even though they get a rehearsal)have to mix IEM's for all these different singers, who all have different mic technique (or lack thereof), and all want different in ear mixes, or don't even know what to ASK for in an IEM mix. It's a real challenge. So with regard to the pitch issue, yeah - some of these guys and gals just plain have pitch issues, and any pitch issues the other folks might have are further complicated when their IEM mix is not what they want/need.

That being said, it IS a competition to see who will be the next "American Idol", and a professional singer has to go out and throw down even when the IEM mix sucks.

Regarding Danny Gokey...I remember hearing him last year, and I don't recall him having pitch issues. I think he's a great guy who has rose above some difficult life challenges and managed to earn himself a recording and performing career. I think he looked a little "jacked up" the other night, but I agree that it was probably the "rush" of the moment. I'm sure it was kinda like coming home for him.

I loved seeing a steel player up there. I don't think I woulda had the huevos to get up there in front of several million people...sheesh!

getting off his soapbox <----------

Was there ever a steel guitar player on the Ted Mack Amatuer . Joe

This is a tough room.I would hope none of these young steel players lurk around this forum. They'd be totally discouraged. Reminds me of the old days on the forum when everyone slagged Shania and Garth in spite of the fact that they took steel guitars all over the world. There is only one Paul Franklin , Buddy or Lloyd. The rest of us are wannabe"sThe reason these kids get these gigs is because they have the balls to go for it. Enough said!

If I lived out west, I'd of gone to great lengths to mash my AB pedals on American Idol.

Bruce Bouton wrote:This is a tough room.I would hope none of these young steel players lurk around this forum. They'd be totally discouraged. Reminds me of the old days on the forum when everyone slagged Shania and Garth in spite of the fact that they took steel guitars all over the world. There is only one Paul Franklin , Buddy or Lloyd. The rest of us are wannabe"sThe reason these kids get these gigs is because they have the balls to go for it. Enough said!

You said it all,Bruce. What is it with some of the steel players on this forum? Give the young player all the support you can. Are you afraid they're going take away your playing job you don't have? I thought American Idol was a amatuer show some are good ,some are not so good,so what.
Bruce, you have been promoting the steel guitar for years, thank you. Joe

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