The Steel Guitar Forum

Don't worry Lane ! I know you love Jerry!

Dashawn, the point you have made here has of course, enormous historical background to support it. You play banjo and steel.The historical roots of banjo go back to Africa and was popularized by descendants of Scots-Irish immigrants.Steel goes back to the Hawaiian islands and Portugal.Many American jazz pioneers were much influenced by European composers.Part of Jimi Hendrix' development as a player included a year in Nashville.Listen to his version of "Like a Rolling' Stone" from Monterey.What Miles Davis called "hillbilly country music" shows up unpredictably in "Little Wing",especially live versions. American cross cultural strains manifested themselves through music precisely because of musicians respecting each other and your point can't be overstated.

Thank You Jon, IMO,you have nailed the ORIGINAL subject quite precisely.Different doesn't mean better or worse , it simply means different.If one doesn't care for the ,style,genre,variations,rearrangement,whatever..it doesn't mean it's inferior, ..it's just DIFFERENT. You don't have to like it but if u are a fairly competent musician then u should be able to appreciate any WELL PLAYED music.

Actually Jon, not to split hairs my brother but from what I've been led to believe, the banjo came from China, then to Africa, and so on. Same with spaghetti and firecrackers. It's all good my brother!
And we all know what the banjo is good for.
Roasting marshmallows, as a tire jack, many uses.

Bud, I think I've read or heard that myself and the information is appreciated. That would further support Dashawn's point.

It sure would Jon !
Here's a really neat book if you're interested, blew my mind, seriously. http://www.gavinmenzies.net/
Hope it's OK to post a link like this.

Okay just this once, Bud, but let's not get into ancient history unless it pertains to steel guitar, okay?

Right!

Well said everyone!! Awesome!!

Dashawn, I totally agree, and thanks for writing.

I like Robert Randolph, Sacred Steel, banjo, Jerry Garcia (both his steel playing and otherwise), Willie Nelson's lead playing, and Eric Heywood's steel playing with his slightly-overdriven tube amp sounds. Almost all of that has plenty of vocal detractors here that can make some of us who are relatively newer to this community feel unwelcome.

In fact, I often hide my opinions because of those folks and don't comment on a thread that I otherwise would. I feel like I've been to confession now that I've finally gotten that off of my chest.

Of course, there is a room for differences in opinion and taste, but I agree that any comments about the musicians should not be so vicious as it can get at times. The good news is that there are plenty of other folks who don't all necessarily think the same way on here, too. To me, it was enough to see Paul Franklin comment in response and in support of you, but this thread has definitely shown that not everyone feels that way.

Been there, done that, John..