The Steel Guitar Forum

Chris Walke wrote:Wow. Degraded into another example of the kind folks and the jerks displaying their "discussion" talents on the forum.

75 responses in 3 days, some of them very thoughtful and lengthy. Is that degradation?

I do wonder how Buddy would have answered the question if it had been asked of him directly in an interview. I’m guessing with a laugh, get up and walk away.

I remember Buddy having a column in Guitar Player Magazine, that I never paid attention to. I had given up lap steel for guitar in 1959, and his column didn’t interest me at all. However, fast forward to Jan. ‘74, I bought my first pedal steel. Still didn’t pay any attention to Emmons, but Jerry Garcia, Pete Drake, and Weldon Myrick were who I tried to emulate. Today I’m a better player than I was back then, but Buddy didn’t have much to do with it. He did set the bar along with the players I mentioned for steel guitar as we know it. Even after all these years I don’t play like or anything close to any one of these men, but still enjoy getting to play and make a little extra spending money. Buddy Emmons was and still is an icon in our community.

Frank Freniere wrote:

Chris Walke wrote:Wow. Degraded into another example of the kind folks and the jerks displaying their "discussion" talents on the forum.

Good description of what you just did.

Folks I'm talking about were singling out the OP. I didn't name anyone, but if you know who I'm referring to then I guess I'm not wrong. If you don't, re-read.

Fred Treece wrote:

Chris Walke wrote:Wow. Degraded into another example of the kind folks and the jerks displaying their "discussion" talents on the forum.

75 responses in 3 days, some of them very thoughtful and lengthy. Is that degradation?

I do wonder how Buddy would have answered the question if it had been asked of him directly in an interview. I’m guessing with a laugh, get up and walk away.

I mentioned the kind folks. Can you tell the difference?

Chris Walke wrote:

Fred Treece wrote:

Chris Walke wrote:Wow. Degraded into another example of the kind folks and the jerks displaying their "discussion" talents on the forum.

75 responses in 3 days, some of them very thoughtful and lengthy. Is that degradation?

I do wonder how Buddy would have answered the question if it had been asked of him directly in an interview. I’m guessing with a laugh, get up and walk away.

I mentioned the kind folks. Can you tell the difference?

Hehe, that’s funny!
Chris, this was yet another case of me misreading or misunderstanding someone’s post, even after a proof reading. Apologies. This discussion is indeed exactly as you describe.

Buddy Emmons? Who's Buddy Emmons?

I think he's related to this guy:

Fred Treece wrote:

Chris Walke wrote:Wow. Degraded into another example of the kind folks and the jerks displaying their "discussion" talents on the forum.

75 responses in 3 days, some of them very thoughtful and lengthy. Is that degradation?

Agreed - this was a good one! If I were Buddy - and spent so much of my life developing the instrument - I'd enjoy reading people putting even a small fraction of critical thought into my work as I had put into it.

And to be honest, I don't read this as being so much provocative towards Buddy Emmons as I do it being provocative towards the rest of us. He didn't put himself on the throne - we did.

Curt Trisko wrote:

Fred Treece wrote:

Chris Walke wrote:Wow. Degraded into another example of the kind folks and the jerks displaying their "discussion" talents on the forum.

75 responses in 3 days, some of them very thoughtful and lengthy. Is that degradation?

Agreed - this was a good one! If I were Buddy - and spent so much of my life developing the instrument - I'd enjoy reading people putting even a small fraction of critical thought into my work as I had put into it.

And to be honest, I don't read this as being so much provocative towards Buddy Emmons as I do it being provocative towards the rest of us. He didn't put himself on the throne - we did.

That's what I mean. Some folks were acting like the Tim insulted their wives or mothers.

that's it statement made, opened discussion, everyone has chance to voice opinion! Everyone gets chance to respond......this is America ladies and gentlemen you get to voice your opinion and you have the right to have an opinion!
GOD BLESS AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE!

Dennis Brion wrote:that's it statement made, opened discussion, everyone has chance to voice opinion! Everyone gets chance to respond......this is America ladies and gentlemen you get to voice your opinion and you have the right to have an opinion!
GOD BLESS AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE!

Here Here!

Please close.

Pete Burak wrote:Please close.

Why??

Buddy inspired Multi-Kord players the world over.

Ohhh Boy... Eric West reincarnated

I know nothing but have big opinions.

I confess that the majority of Emmons’ playing I’ve heard leaves me cold (despite understanding he helped define the instrument).

But then this particular clip. I’ve watched approx 9000 times over the last couple months and think it’s such an astounding musical performance. Total genius.

But I haven’t found much that feels similar to me.

https://youtu.be/qnEMOQTh27s

It would seem be to me that Buddy Emmons doesn't deserved to be singled out like this.

Now if you were to have titled it (Did Nashville ruin the Pedal Steel?) that would make for some more interesting discussions.

Chris,
Yes, especially when he isn't here to defend himself.
Erv

Paul McEvoy wrote:I know nothing but have big opinions.

I confess that the majority of Emmons’ playing I’ve heard leaves me cold (despite understanding he helped define the instrument).

But then this particular clip. I’ve watched approx 9000 times over the last couple months and think it’s such an astounding musical performance. Total genius.

But I haven’t found much that feels similar to me.

https://youtu.be/qnEMOQTh27s

I doubt that you're alone. But keep in mind for those players not enamored with Buddy Emmons, the body of pedal steel music that you are enamored with is probably derivative of his work.

I remember having a similar conversation with a coworker about Prince after he died. I was surprised by the outpouring and to learn just how famous and well-respected he actually was. In my mind, he was an artifact of the 80s whose music and style didn't especially stand out from other artists I knew. The coworker, who is a generation older than me, pointed out that the reason it didn't stand out was because so many subsequent artists were either inspired by him or just plain copied him.

Bringing this thought back full-circle, steel guitar didn't begin or end with Buddy Emmons. Getting in that mindset is the path to irrelevance - but on the flip-side, being aware of the roots tells you which way is forward as opposed to just going sideways.

For the record I have just come to terms with not appreciating things that I’m supposed to I don’t doubt their genius but it’s meaningless to me. And saying it is sort of ridiculous but the list is long.

Beethoven
Mozart
99% of Brahms
Prince (I feel likewise)

Those are some big ones. I’m probably not worthy to eat their leftover sandwiches but I’m too dumb to realize it.

People have commented about this Prince solo being especially notable. And it’s cool.

https://youtu.be/6SFNW5F8K9Y

Paul McEvoy wrote:I know nothing but have big opinions.

I confess that the majority of Emmons’ playing I’ve heard leaves me cold (despite understanding he helped define the instrument).

But then this particular clip. I’ve watched approx 9000 times over the last couple months and think it’s such an astounding musical performance. Total genius.

But I haven’t found much that feels similar to me.

https://youtu.be/qnEMOQTh27s

That's a great clip! What was Ernest shouting about Shot Jackson in the middle of Buddy's solo? Couldn't quite catch it.

Buddy always looked so relaxed as he pulled out those incredible licks - pickin' and grinnin'. His stage presence was something that few players could pull off. Like Jeff Newman or Joe Wright, he was a showman. Most steel players are expressionless until the end of the song, like Jimmy Day.

b0b wrote:

Paul McEvoy wrote:I know nothing but have big opinions.

I confess that the majority of Emmons’ playing I’ve heard leaves me cold (despite understanding he helped define the instrument).

But then this particular clip. I’ve watched approx 9000 times over the last couple months and think it’s such an astounding musical performance. Total genius.

But I haven’t found much that feels similar to me.

https://youtu.be/qnEMOQTh27s

That's a great clip! What was Ernest shouting about Shot Jackson in the middle of Buddy's solo? Couldn't quite catch it.

Buddy always looked so relaxed as he pulled out those incredible licks - pickin' and grinnin'. His stage presence was something that few players could pull off. Like Jeff Newman or Joe Wright, he was a showman. Most steel players are expressionless until the end of the song, like Jimmy Day.

I know but why can’t I find more stuff like that? It’s so amazing.

Someone commented before he’s saying something about a “shot Jackson lick” but I can’t here it totally.

It’s truly a remarkable performance. You could create a BE fan if you could point me towards some more like that.

Of you want to be impressed go to playpedalsteel.com and watch buddy on the players videos page in a top hat....you talk about lightning....and free style this video is incredible sorry I don't know how to post it here. Really hope everyone checks this video out! If so.done can post it here everyone will enjoy watching!

That ain't no top hat - it's a bowler.

https://www.fashionablehats.com/top-hat-vs-bowler/