The Steel Guitar Forum

And then I woke up . why do people always have to take offense at ones thoughts on a subject? The Opry is a great place and there are those that would give a gallon of blood to play it.To many it's a Job,extra money to some it's not the money it's the tradition (I don't know anyone who ever gave back the check tho)There have been the greatest of greats that have played it.Up and comers and going nowheres also..There has been music people liked and some people didn't like but that doesn't make it bad just a matter of taste.The Opry has survived it didn't fall apart when the staff band was changed. as to the performers luckily some have managed to outstay their talent.But it isn't wrong for new and up and comers to throw their hat in the ring after all as the old Possum once said "whose gonna fill their shoes" Maybe now it's more of " whose gonna fill the seats" I still would rather hear traditional Country over Country and Disposable but except for county fairs a few honky tonks and the Grand ole Opry there isn't much of a choice.The Artist are not coming from the same area as before.But they are still driving to the same place.In newer(better?) Cars.

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CJC

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Joe Casey on 24 January 2002 at 10:30 AM.]</p></FONT>

Tony,
in the words spoken on a famous TV show "come on down!"
Be glad to talk with and show you what I use.
I think you'll dig the Opry. You'll get a different perspective when you're there as compared to the TV Show. You see more steel guitar, more steel guitar players, and more "Tommy White!"
One drawback however will be that we should be back at he "Big House" instead of the Ryman. It could be a good thing or bad thing depending on your personally feelings about heritage/tradition.
I look forward to seeing ya!

Dave

Joe Miraglia,
I extend the same invitation to you as Tony.
Maybe you'll get a different perpective by being there. No hard feelings, best wishes!

Dave<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dave Robbins on 24 January 2002 at 08:34 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hey Dave, yes I will contact you ahead of time and see if it is possible to meet . My wife and I are coming down strictly for a music get away..We are coming in on Friday around noon, gonna hang out go downtown whatever, hope to catch some quality players, then Saturday we are going to go over and meet Bobbe Seymore at his store and say hey. Sat night the Opry and then probably some more live clubs somewhere till we go home Sunday at noon..I look forward to meeting you...thanks for the ok . We are hoping Connie Smith will be there as my wifes Dad backed her up on Steel way way back when she was just a very young sweet thang !
Tony<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 24 January 2002 at 01:06 PM.]</p></FONT>

The latest rating, WSM (Opry Station) came in thirteenth in the Nashville Market.
My son who works at the Wild Horse Saloon, owned by the Gaylord Company, says that none of the house bands use steel players. He said the Charlie Daniels band used a steel when they played there.

Wild Horse Saloon? Isn't that a "young crowd" line-dance place? Shucks, all they need is bass, drums, and a fuzz guitar (all very loud).

Waste of time! Theresa

There are only three types of Opry Steel players, those that play there, those that want to play there and those that never will !
TP

Tony, I think your types two and three are usually one and the same.

Well Dave I dont say who is the best or the worst but Tommy Morrell works with a local band every weekend.NOW GO FIGURE THAT!There are steel guitarist all over that play great too, they dont have to be on the OPRY.Just because someone plays the OPRY does not make them a great player,I have heard people on the OPRY that were not great players but I wont mention any names.

Dave I will take your challenge and I dont think you will "Clean My Plow".In fact it just might be the other way around!Just name the time and place I am always up for a challenge!I will be in Nashville the first week of March to record again.

Rusty,

Yes, Tom Morrell is great . You'll get no argument from me about him. I have some Tom Morrell stuff here in my collection, too. By the way, Bobby Black and Jay Dee Maness are "great" players too, but I don't consider either of them "local yocals," but rather fellow "professionals." I beleive that Morrell would also fall into that catagory.

Perhaps you should try "re-reading" my posting. This time be sure you read it real "s-l-o-w" so you'll understand it. At no time was my posting in any response to "you or at you". Perhaps you are taking up a "fight" you weren't even a participant in.

Rusty, I don't think I even know you or have ever heard you play. Like most everyone, I have heard of Tom Morrell and familiar with his talent. However, I haven't heard of "you" and haven't heard you play. If you are a good player, "Great!" More power to you. My response was not aimed at full time "professional" players, but rather a response to part time weekend warriors who haven't put the time, blood, sweat, and tears, into their playing like those who compete for an opportunity to get to play on the Grand Ol' Opry. And "no," playing the Opry doesn't make one great, however, I think you will have to agree that those I mentioned in my earlier posting definitely qualify. Do they not?

As for accepting my "challenge", I don't recall thowing a challenge to "you" personally! I'm easy to find, though. I'm in the Union book (are you?). "Come on down!" Oh, and don't forget to "file" your recording session with the Union while you're here. That is if you are a union player. You are aren't you?

Rusty,Concerning your recording(s), I find it interesting that you care to take offence at my defending the Opry players, yet you refer to your being "here" (Nashville) in March to record "again". Surely someone of you apparent ability/stature wouldn't need "Nashville" to record? How come you aren't recording there at home so you could show us "Opry players" just how great a local player is! By the way, just where can I find one of your albums? You said you were going to be here to record "again," didn't you? I would love to hear your previous recording(s). I value listening to any "good" steel player! As a matter of fact, if you are as good as you claim, I might even have room for your album in my collection, maybe somewhere between Emmons and Chalker, possibly.

If it is your intent to try to prove some point by trying to "outplay" us "Opry" players by trying to take "me" on, well come on and bring your lunch. But remember, there's a whole lot more after me. Like I said in the other posting, if you are up to it you can start with me and after me the others can have ya! Reread the names in my other posting. Are you sure you're up to that? If you like I can give Tommy, Hughey, or Big Murph, and some of the others a call and have them standing by in the wings so when (and "if") you get through me you can continue on with them. I'm sure they will get a big kick out of your trying to "dazzle" them.

"You can't have a battle of wits with an unarmed man!"

Dave (just another no-playin' Opry picker!)

Tony and Jim,
I'm inclined to agree with you!

Dave

Hey B Cole,, I'm in catagory 3, but that doesn't stop me from listening to the BIG E daily and striving for perfection. Absolutly in agreement with you. The written statement was more intended to cool some heels from previous posts and for humor as well. With my luck I would be invited
( right ) to play with a group doing the Opry Live and that segment would be deleted from the TV broadcast and I would have no proof I was ever there ! Anyway, I prefer the American legion hall, where else can you get all the free beer and second hand smoke you could ever desire at the same time !

Dave, would you mind emailing me so that when I come to town I can learn how to visit with you ? I'll be visiting the Opry in April, I'll be playing Steel in my mind from the first row center ! If you think about it thats pretty close to the stage ! Hey, maybe you'll be playing, get a phone call during your peformance, have to leave the stage , and maybe I'll be called to run up there and fill in for 2 or 3 minutes ! Stranger things have happened ! You know the routine.." Is there a Steel Player in the House " ! This would certainly qualify for one of those TV Famous Opry Flashbacks, ya think !

Tony <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 07 February 2002 at 03:27 AM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 07 February 2002 at 03:30 AM.]</p></FONT>

Dave you may not have heard me play but the ones you mentioned have such as Tommy White, Big Jim,Tommy Morrell,Buddy Emmons,Jimmy Day,Lynn Owsley, Mike Johnson ,and Bobbe Seymour and I can name a lot more if you need have heard me play for many years. Yes I will in town and I dont need to bring a lunch cause it wont take me long with you.I will put the artist That I CAN PROVE I WORKED WITH OR BACKEDUP AGAINIST YOURS ANYDAY.Now put your picks and bar where your mouth are.

Rusty,
hummm, that's funny, I don't beleive I've ever heard any of those people mention your name. By the way, I'm still looking for your album.
Oh yeah, I always have my picks and bar, I keep them close to my wallet.

It seems it is always those who have the least amount of respect for the Grand Ol' Opry (and the musicians who play it) that "bitch" the most about it.

Tony,
I'll be in touch. I think I am probably through with responding to this topic (and maybe this forum). Unless some other wise a** golf pro, auto mechanic, brick layin' or whatever, no-playin' weekend warrior, non-professional musician type wants to take another shot at the Opry or those who play it. (yeah, I'm p****d!)

Long live Tommy White!

Later, I'm out a here!
Dave<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dave Robbins on 07 February 2002 at 06:45 AM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dave Robbins on 07 February 2002 at 06:56 AM.]</p></FONT>

Rusty,
Gregg really enjoyed playing on your CD. Give us a call in March Theresa