The Steel Guitar Forum

Papa Joe Pollick,

You must realize of course that the Rhode Island Red has been subjected to multiple traumas. Many situations would account for the miserable loss of over half of the male bird's feathers. The spurs, which are quite visible, hints of the cruel sport of fights for the benefit of gamblers. They are very protective of the hens, and will engage themselves in battles that have dire consequences. They won't hesitate to tangle with the pertly combative squabblers with long sharp spurs. Bottom line, it smacks of abuse, or he inadvertently flew beyond his range, and landed into a mechanical feather plucker. It's a dreadful illustration of a once colorful yard bird. It reminds me of the time my van broke down loaded with camping equipment near the Connecticut ocean front. I shared the rooster's plight, and looked bedraggled very much the same, after working feverishly in the hot sun for hours trying to rescue my vehicle. I went the whole nine yards at the time, begging for rides to a part store, returning after purchasing the wrong part, etc. Every dog has his day,(rooster)too. I was totally wrapped up in music at the time of the surprise attack, and wild horses couldn't deter my determination to survive. Connecticut is known for its large number of steel guitarists within its borders. Even so, I was totally on my own. I had to walk the walk... alone. Papa Joe, I need an "about face". Please talk steel guitar lingo, and rescue me from this business of shoving me along in directions that will earn me moderator difficulties. Thanks...

Papa Joe, I need an "about face". Please talk steel guitar lingo, and rescue me from this business of shoving me along in directions that will earn me moderator difficulties. Thanks...

What?
Bill, you are asking Papa to speak in steel guitar lingo?

Why?.... You rarely speak in steel guitar lingo.

Gary Lee Gimble,

I am grateful to learn of activities involving you and a circle of steel friends. Controlled temps always make the roundups more satisfying, I've learned. A couple decades ago, I was tempted to join a small group who wanted to hang out, and do some picking. They congregated under a tent in the blazing hot sun. I mean to tell you, it was sweltering under that tent. The weather has much to do with total enjoyment during steel gatherings. The pictures are great. Locating you may prove not the easiest task. On bagels, dieters have awakened the need for a better awareness of caloric intake across the board. It's tough to resist a bagel topped with cream cheese, forgetting weight gain issues for a few fleeting moments of glory. Thanks again for taking me into steel guitar country, and sharing activities among your friends.

Mr. Bill in the last few posts you made you mentioned, Roosters,Hens,Groundhogs,Moose,wolves,Horses,Birds,dogs Buffalo,I realize now where all the manure comes from.By the way am I one of those Sunshine Jokesters you talk about Seem you think we are in for hard times. Maybe you should get one of those bagels LOAD it up with cream cheese,will make feel MUCH better.

Charlie,

My feelings about your obvious hindrances to STATE OF THE ART assemblages, culminating through efforts here on the forum, by an assemblagist combing for steel guitar enthusiasts is for nil, so long as you are permitted to rant and rave. Do me a favor, and practice chilling down for the good of all!

Say What Mr. Bill Are'nt you ashamed of yourself You still insist on using those seventy-five cent words in your post. You KNOW this old illiterate South Alabama country bumpkin that shows a lack of familiarity with the English language,that violates all approved patterns of speaking or writing.You should know by now my vocabulary consists of one syllable words.Do you know any YOU BETCHA.DYK?BC.

Charlie,

It's regretful that you are anti-Bill! I could sure use a spunky, fight for rights personage, such as you to help an old picker forget my mountains, that are looming before me, and seem taller with each passing day.

And the TOPIC is ?

Bill,just what are these tall mountains that seem to be such a struggle for you? Maybe Bamma can give ya a lift.

Papa Joe Pollick,

Many things in life could easily be likened to facing enormous formations, and known only to creative musicians. Scientists deem unimportant many things that we hold dear. (Man, himself, according to a science teacher). Emmons, Byrd, Franklin, Hughey, Chalker, etc., are fine examples of highly creative individuals of the past, present, and forevermore. Their accomplishments will remain historically accessible to posterity throughout future centuries, before great great mountains and passageways. The common picker, who struggles for 60 + years to advance to the peripheries of steel guitar language, slams headlong into the realization that mountains don't move. It becomes an either or situation. Either you have it, or you make up the majorities of intermediary averages and accepting after 60+ years of practice, and that certain premises, can prove to be difficult. The limitations of abilities are well known to the individual who sets his/her sights a bit too high in life's venturesome challenges.

basilh,

I know you you are capable of "monkeying" with factual limitations, even with notable adversaries. The topic should be very clear to your level of intellectual prowess! Putting a chimp in my face is the ultimate sneer! They've proven to be dangerous, and untrustworthy.

I wake up every day, right here, right in Punxsutawney, and it's always February 2nd, and there's nothing I can do about it.

You didn't answer my question Bill.We all can see that you have problems.What I'm tryin' to learn is just what are these mountains that have you so concerned..Tell us about your personal mountains.

Chris perhaps the easiest answer if your not happy is to simply move.. The same answer is simple enough for those who like to charge into anything Bill writes about..But sometimes things that are so simple are hard for some who would rather indulge in Bovine Stool and character asassination..

Papa Joe Pollick,

You can't be serious! Are you part of an elusive contingency of events that occurred while you were dreaming? Are you that good at playing pedal steel to foment arrogant criticism? Somehow, I doubt it.

Just tell me about your mountains please..And I'm a terrible pedal steel player..

Bill,

According to google, an illusive contingency is.....
nah! I can't do it ant more - anyhow I already fessed up!!!!

Papa Joe Pollick,

The term "Mountain" is an universal term spoken worldwide. There are mechanical "mountains" that have become widely recognized throughout the S.G. Industry. One of the most significant mechanical "mountains" associated with players of the pedal steel guitar transpired, when "cabinet drop" baffled the entire industry, including players, and builders of the instruments. Competition is an enormous "mountain" with Northern and Southern musicians. Key Nashville players who were visiting and filling a booking awhile back in time, here in Massachusetts, made that clear to me. Taking things for granted while habitually assuming to suit personal needs is distasteful. I know too many lost and not founds to be taken in at each turn of life's highways.

Joe Casey wrote:Chris perhaps the easiest answer if your not happy is to simply move.. The same answer is simple enough for those who like to charge into anything Bill writes about..But sometimes things that are so simple are hard for some who would rather indulge in Bovine Stool and character asassination..

What fun would that be?

Mr.Bill, what's with all this whining about the mountains in your way? Hell go AROUND them I'm an old geezer 71 years old,Have a couple of slipped dics,emphysema,copd,Most of my colon is gone,insomnia,cramps,pop insulin every day for diabetis,all the sweet young things I used to call sweet thang,Now I'm happy when they bake me sweet thangs.get cramps in my legs,and hands,sometimes my equilibrium almost causes me to fall on my old ass.When I go out picking I could'nt care less about those damn mountains you seem to worry about,have'nt found one yet that old Silver Eagle can't climb. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Rite on target Charlie.......out west here we call it "cowboy'in up"....there ain't no whining, if you can't ride it ,go back to the house... DYK

Charlie,

I doubt if you would hand me a line about health matters. Thanks for the open and candid response. I truly regret the misfortunes that befall fellow steel guitarists. My heart and lungs are holding up at the present time. Weather permitting, I go to the walkway at Lake Pontoosuc. It is there that I can choose my pace according to how chipper I feel. Mornings have proven to be best for steel practice, and trying to catch a few new ideas before they slip away. The steel, as I'm sure you've discovered is inert before the strings are plucked, and the process of depressing pedals quakes the hidden beauties of the instrument. Sometimes I feel as though the instrument plays differently according to electrical currents that fluctuate when special demands from other sources become actuated. Mornings seem to produce the best tones in my neighborhood. I would enjoy reading about your improved health, and how much you regard steel practice as the first line of business.

I NEVER practice,My gear stays in the belly of that old Eagle until the next gig. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.