The Steel Guitar Forum

I hope this isn't considered hijacking of a thread but I have a little story that relates somewhat to the headline of the thread. A steel player we both know who is also a monster guitar player came to work for me at the young age of 15.(I believe he was that old ) When I first heard him at a Wallingford Ct. steel show that I did with Jim Smith. Jim Smith had been talking about moving to Texas so I got aquainted with The father of this young player when I found out they were from Western Mass. He was about 13 at that time and it would be a couple of years before would play for me. Of course that player was non other than Jim Roule who worked for me off and on for about 5-6 years..I never knew all those years that he played guitar and better than most of the players I had on the same bandstand,he never said a word.I think about all the times I had 5 piece bands that I could have cut down to 4 with him. I found out by accident how great a guitar player he was when he was working with Leigh Howell. I had asked Leigh who was playing guitar for him and he told me Jimmy Roule I assumed it was Jim senior. Then at a jam session I heard him and was flat out amazed..Rouley and I have worked together often since the last time at one of Frank carusos show.Jimmy still calls me PePey (French for Grandfather) .But in reference now to your question.I have had several diferent Steel guitar players who did not play guitar. Jim Smith use to double ,Peggy Green plays guitar,Chuck Gokey did too although he was a great guitar player and a few song steeler. OK Barry Flame me.

Joe,

Your report accrediting JIM ROULE JR., is as accurate as an arrow shot from Robin Hood's bow. It's a wonderful report to share with guitarists and steel players alike. I have a few recordings with Jimmy jamming with four other players, including the one and only BUZZ EVANS. Can you imagine the excitement those two individuals could stir up?

I played lead guitar for 17 years before I could finally afford a steel. Been on steel for 25 years since then, almost exclusively (with occasional forays on dobro & mandolin) for the past 20 or so.

Emmett,

It's amazing how quickly time slips away when we are enjoying the things we do. I know that music and its many demands on dedication is a leading time-consuming pastime full of enjoyment. The six string guitar, and pedal steel guitar, will keep a student focused on progressions for many years. Thanks for the information.

Joe,

We're rounding the bend in the road at this point in time. From our many experiences in the past, we both know that a "bird in the hand, is worth two in the bush" these days. It's a given, that guitarist/steel players make up a large percentage of those who are in traveling country bands. Six string guitarists are flocking to the pedal steel with unbelievable frequencies.. Expect to hear more comments about former guitarist taking up the pedal steel. The certainties of the pedal steel making its way into other musical directions is likely to occur in the first quarter of this century.

As I've posted before, in other sections:
A few years ago, John BonJovi played a concert at Newark Symphony Hall,NJ, and he had a Pedal Steel player, with him, as did Gretchen Wilson, who was the opener.
Rock steel,
and country rock steel,
in a city of where, Rap and Hip-Hop are King, no one expected this kind of thing !!

Also, I've seen posted, on this forum, that a Pedal Steel was used in concert with the British rock group, "the Pretenders"

I play rock / blues 6 string guitar, but..
my Pedal steel style leans towards country-jazz, and traditional.

BTW: my family is from New England. I'm the one who left, to join the South !

Towny or Toonie, Mr. Bill ??

Rick

Rick,

Each time I see your name on the forum, I wonder if you are the same person who lived in the Albany, N.Y. area, back around 1980. I'm just not sure if you are that same steel player.

I started out at age 11 or 12 playing guitar, By high school I played "lead" and was in bands all thru high school and college.Learned keyboards along the way. When I was 24 I purchased a Sho-Bud Maverick, played it for 16 yrs. and sold it for several reasons.I learned a li'l banjo, mandolin and 4 string bass after that. In the early nineties I bought a Kamaka ukulele and learned that.Slack key also about the same time, as I was interested in "Island" music then.About a year and a half ago I bought a better SHO-BUD and have been teaching myself how to play again. I think it's going better this time around. Unfortunately for the first year back on the steel I rarely touched any of my six string guitars at all!Lately if I play something other than the steel it's one of my Kamaka ukuleles!

Dana,

I was wondering the other day after you said that you play the ukulele, if you ever tried playing a mandolin? Sara Jory from the UK, recorded: "Till Each Tear Becomes A Rose". She played the mandolin and sings. For my pleasure, it's a great switch from her usual steel guitar performances. I could understand the reasons for learning to play a mandolin. Just a thought.. thanks for your comments.

Bill ,I do play the Mandolin a little as it has taken a back seat to the steel lately. I am not that good on it but can chord and pick out a few things.
Good to hear from you,I have enjoyed your posts in the past!

Bill,
I believe we have a case of " mistaken identity' here.
However, I do enjoy your posts, and ideas.
Rick

Rick,

I may have an old letter from a steel player whom I've never met, sent to me over 30 years ago. If I locate the letter, I'll probably find that the mistaken identity is indeed nothing more than a "cloudy" memory on my part. Thanks for bringing me up to date on passing thoughts.

About twenty years I had some money to spent, not a big amount, but there was a Gibson J- 200 that I could buy with that little money, but I bought an ABM (German brand) PSG instead. I sold it later and bought a Sierra.
I sometimes think, that it would be nice to have that Gibson guitar.

Joachim,

Yes, indeed! I've been down that road. The road of regrets. Many have traveled that road. As the saying goes, "If I only knew at the time". Life is full of memories that could have made a huge difference in finances, if we could have read the future years ago. I passed up one particular guitar that is worth thousands of dollars in today's market prices. It was offered to me with a plush-lined case for $200.00. One of my mistakes, happened when I tossed out 3/4 of a ton of NORMAN ROCKWELL paintings on all the covers of magazines published by THE SATURDAY EVENING POST; dating back in the 20's and 30's. I was clearing out an attic for an employer. His dad left them stored in neat bundles, before he passed away.

Played lead guitar for 20 years, started playing steel in 1980,got a 1972 Telecaster that has been in the case now for 30 years, Shorty

Shorty,

I wonder how many Fender advocators lick their lips while looking at your Fender Tele in storage? Just think of the thousands of notes that have been silenced by the slendor of your pedal steel guitar!

Edited.

Barry,

Bill, you can re-edit your posts after-the-fact to twist it anyway you want, but this thread has long out lived it's relevance.

Edited

Barry,Got to hand it to you,you have a sharp eye. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Back to the original subject.

I'm a guitar player. I'm also a steel player who started when some left-hand problems cropped up (since reduced significantly).

What's a "lead guitar player"? When I play 6 string 90% of the time I'm playing backup chords, double stops, little fills - and every once in a while a solo. When I play with ANOTHER guitar player he dos the same thing, but we communicate on stage so we don't step on each other.

I've never seen a "lead guitar" for sale anywhere, so I guess I'm not a "lead guitar player".

Lead guitar, and bass, Mandolin & Banjo Before Pedal & Lap Steel Guitar,(Still Forever Learning!!!).

Thanks, From The Land Of OZ-♫Howie-"The Wizard"♫

OOps Double Post, Sorry