The Steel Guitar Forum

At 17, I was assigned the position of Forward Observer Baker Battery 965th Field Artillery Battalion, 41st Inf. Division. They said that way I could be up close and see the things explode. They never told me on which side of the 'line' I'd be.

A letter-press operator that transitioned over to off-set lithography, next to become a 'collector' for finance company and major state bank. From here, I became a legal investigator with my own agency-47 years. This allowed me time to operate my own flying school "Portland Flight Training Center" and to play my music as often as the opportunity arose.

Of late, an Engineering Fleet Test Driver for what was Freightliner but now is Daimler Trucks-America. Get to drive the newest proto-type equipment; singles, doubles, 500 miles per day, up and down and round and round Mt.Hood to put those engines to their maximum test.

Would like to get to play MORE MUSIC.

Michael Douchette wrote:I just want to say thank you for all our members that have given a portion of their lives in service to and for our country.

Hey Michael and Benton,

For me, honestly, no "...thank you..." is at all necessary from anyone. But, I do really appreciate the thought and the kind words from both of you. The 60s, 70s, and 80s weren't really too much fun for many, or even most, Service Members, but I wouldn't trade 'em for the world! : -]

Take care,

Johnne Lee

Martin Weenick wrote:100% Combat disabled in Vietnam after 10 years in the Marine Corp. Now I build steel guitars and spoil my little doxie "Gizmo". Also watch "Animal Planet" a lot also.

Hey Marty,

I'd love to see some of the PSGs you've built. Maybe when I get back to "Hurricane Heaven" we can get together! My Dear Wife (due to her employment) will be relocating me in the near future!

My youngest son lives in Bushnell and my oldest son is buried there.

It will be kinda' nice to be able to see some of the family and a few of the old friends a bit more often. (Although, come to think of it - not TOO often!) ; -]

Take care,

Johnne Lee

I work for a company which manufactures filters for air conditioning systems. Before that, at a textile mill for 23 yrs, then NAFTA came along.. Been at present job for almost five years. Our filters are shipped to several states, but the only production facility is here. And, discovered I live only a few miles from Mr. Benton Allen ! I also salute our military, have a nephew in the Air Force now.. Also enjoy songwriting when time permits.

I drive around West Texas wearing out four wheel drive Ford pickups pumping oil wells. Also I try to keep several 30 years old tractors running to keep a 85 year old Dad who loves to plow, plowing. (Contract Pumper, Farmer)

Retired now. Was a union construction electrician since the 11th grade, all commercial, and industrial. Only full time job I had for 46 years. Played country, and bluegrass, since the late fifties, whenever I could. Also drove late model ARCA stock cars, and bowled professionally, for fun, and extra income.

T.V. news photographer.

Casey

I'm retired now, but I spent 36 years working for the worlds largset maker of air conditioning systems. The majority of it was in the quality end of their compressor business. Now I play music for amusement, and I'm the major contractor in the renovation of the cabin my grandpa built back in 1926. John

This is an interesting thread.
For many years I split my time avoiding the "day" job by teaching and playing music and flight instructing.
As time went on, I worked as a banner tow pilot for several years dragging signs up and down the southern CA beaches. I thought I would do that forever until the new FAA and TSA rules about killed that small industry.
Flew charters and had an orchestra job playing french horn (still play horn).
I have also worked for 10 years as an aircraft mechanic and 2 years ago went back to flying full time flying time critical medical specimens at night.
This is by far the best, most challenging and most satisfying job yet. I suppose I'll be here for a while. For a general aviation job, it doesn't get much better.

Front line worker in the MR/DD supported living health care world, guitar instruction one on one. performer with Taylor Made- pedal steel, Jazz Blues guitar with "Sweety" on ocasion, solo "Wall paper" guitar at the Greenbrier Resort when that comes up. Ditto the sentiments of all who responded to our brave men and women in uniform who keep us safe. God bless you! Don D.

My day job is teaching English at a high school, my night job is teaching English at a college, my weekend job is playing pedal steel at churches and clubs.

Lots of different jobs. U.S. Army for 5 years then on to mainframe computer repair to Automated plant manufactoring. Maintenance of facilites off and on. Currently Facilities Engineer and Project Manager for a large valve automation company. Loving it because it gives me weekends and holidays off.

I've been maid for some 24 years.

Worked behind bars all my life.

Third generation professional sideman.
Currently employed in the gaming industry as Composer in Residence/Sound Designer.
Based in Sydney Australia, though around 90% of my work is exported to the USA.
When asked to design an audio dept for my current masters, I was offered studio facilities in Florida, but declined (family is here, home is where the heart is)....so we use an ftp link which runs hot most days.
Between the uplink and the electric telephone, all goes smoothly (usually).

Matthew Prouty: A counter intelligence agent? No s*%t?? Cool.

I've been a producer of big (and small...) budget national TV commercials since 1985. Note to all: Tivo jeopardizes my work! Quit skipping the commercials!!

Over the past few years, I've augmented that work (when I have time...) as a travel photographer, working for a magazine called Cabo Living.

And when I'm not traveling, I play music. Note to steel guitar teach extrordinaire John McClung: Sorry about all the travel...

pp

I own a hearing aid repair lab, we do repairs for dealers in most states, we will repair any forum members aid for 1/2 price, just did one for a member in Colorado,I also have a Doxie & her name is "Untrained Melody"








1994 Mullen D-10 / 2007 Mullen SD-10

I have been a practicing criminal defense attorney for 29 years. One of these days I'll get the hang of it.

Pete Blakeslee

I'm retired from Federal Govt. administration (social programs).....I also ran my own "acoustic shop" part time, repairing/rebuilding violins, banjos' etc. and teaching guitar, banjo,mandolin, & dobro. I have always been a "part-time" musician - started playing in local bands in high school, and have been foolin' them for almost 50 years now. I am still involved in local bluegrass and traditional country groups...playing mostly in "country showcase" type of venues, bluegrass festivals, etc....mostly for the "Q-tip" crowd....you know.... white hair/white sneakers....guess I fit right in!But hey - traditional country & bluegrass is alive & well in my neck of the woods....last count, we have over 45 blugrass bands in the Maritime Provinces playing at over 50 festivals this summer, and there is still lots of good country music events happening year round.

I've done everything from high-rise construction to driving a delivery truck, newspaper writing and photography. Then I went back to school and was a research biologist and teacher. Now I'm a medical research analyst, when I can find the work - they keep trying to retire me. I've played music on the side from time to time, starting with rockabilly sax in junior high school. A checkered past I believe is the usual description.

Going on thirty years (Yikes!) as a clinical psychologist working in everything from community health centers to private practice to community mental health administration (most recently). For the last five years or so, more and more of my work has been corporate and association keynotes and seminars on professional ethics.

Now and then I've supported myself playing music but have never made as much playing full-time as I usually make as a part-time player. Hmmmm.....

Chris...What's your take on steel players: do we have to be a little bit crazy or what?

Bob - Whether on stage, in the studio, or on the forum, I'm always 'off duty'. It's waaaaaaaaaaaaay more comfortable that way!

I am currently the master of my own economic downturn.

I gave the United States Air Force 20 years of my life, working in aircraft maintenance as a reciprocating and jet engine mechanic and aircraft crew chief, then after I retired I have worked in aircraft maintenance as an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic and Inspection Authorization (IA). I'm still doing that, along with a lot of music involvement, now here in OZ. Oh, I play the pedal steel guitar a little, too!!!