The Steel Guitar Forum

Maybe it is just me but it really seems that Robert Randolph is not quiet welcome in the Pedal Steel family. Why is this? I was talking to a buddy of mine and we both seem to be on the same page here. I can't think of anyone in a long time that has done so much for the intsrument as Robert Randolph and I am speaking of in current times guy's! His type of music may not be my type but I got to give "props" to the man!

And AWAAAY we go!!!

turbines to speed, 3 pages on this for sure.

AHHHHH. (Pops the top off a beer, pulls up a chair and waits for the action to begin.)

I was thinking..."A.J. seems to post quite a bit, surely he is a long-timer here, how could this whole thing have gotten past him?"

So A.J., I looked up your profile, and indeed you are a prolific poster-but you joined up a year ago last week.

Perhaps by the time you read my post you have already dipped into the archives and have figured out what all the fuss is about...

Rock, I'll agree with you - time to Pop a Top and wait for the show.

For the record, I like RR and his sacred steel colleagues. Any of them are welcome here anytime, as far as I'm concerned, and I think lots and lots of others agree. Maybe some others are less enthusiastic, but that's probably true about most any steel player, except perhaps Buddy Emmons. Can I have a "YEAH" and let's leave it at that, before someone has to trot out the dead horse?

O.K. guys,I'm not afraid to jump in here.I've asked the same question on several other posts about Robert,Like him or not,can anyone name just ONE artist or group that has put the steel FRONT AND CENTER,IN YOUR FACE ALL NIGHT LONG exposing it to thousands that did'nt have a clue what it was before seeing him.Is that bad? I have heard some right here whine about our instrument not getting enough exposer.Well he's DOING it.

Fearless Charlie, vangard of the redundant!

I get the impression Robert is welcome in the Steel guitar family. But I may be wrong in all of this. Number one Robert is a major rock star he plays on the same stage as Eric Clapton. He is not a forum member as far as I know at least not in his true and correct name. I kinda get the impression that he is keeping his distance from all of us professionally and not being seen as a country music redneck steel player. I am sure Robert may be facinated by everything that was ever associated with the pedal steel guitar and it's place in music and it's evolution as an instrument. But he may be advised by professional publicity people not to draw close to the country music scene in order for him to be seen as unique to the audience that buy's his records and goes to his concert's...Robert stands alone as his own man that way..Right now Robert is a hot act and his time is valuable so why would he waste it by hanging around with goat ropers like us here on the forum..So Robert need's to strike now while the iron is hot for him cause one day the rock star trip will be over and he may have some time in his schedule then to hang out with his family members in the steel guitar world.....oh and btw I do believe Robert knows how to play country music on E9 pedal steel...LOL

You got that right Ron,One definition of redundant is [out of work] That's me and I'm to lazy to look.But Robert's getting plenty.

Mark your detective work payed off! I have been playing for awhile but I didn't join the forum for some time, I would say at times I am prolific as well. Thank You

I really think RR has brought much needed attention to the PSG, honestly I can't think of anyone that has done this in a long time. Maybe dedicate the month of March to RR!

Uhh...Robert has his own chatroom, so I wouldn't look for him here.

Actually Robert's style evolved from the African American sacred steel playing from years ago,since the 1930's,Some of the pioneers of this style were Willie Eason,Sonny Treadway,Lorenzo Harrison,Henry Nelson and Aubrey Ghent,Robert is just keeping an art form alive that most never knew was there.This style was being played long before a lot of us here on the forum was born.

But he's no Jerry. (Pouring another one and getting out of the way.)

He's also no Curly,Buddy,Bobbe,Paul,etc.etc.but what's the point.

It works both ways A.J. Robert has had some choice comments about steel players in Nashville also. He knows he is welcomed here ANY time, as are any of the Sacred Steel players. Just don't tell us like the media that he is the greatest steel guitar player in the world, because he isn't. People speak their opinions here. You have to be able to accept differences of opinion participating on this forum. It sometimes gets controversial and Robert having the exposure that he has may not want to participate. I hear that he is a great guy and I believe it.

That's cruel Jim,You are sentenced to playing 20 verses of WILD FIRE on the banjo.

Kevin I do not claim that RR is the greatest player of all time,that is for another thread. I don't intend this to be controversial. If he said some things I don't know about this, All I am saying is that the guy has brought much needed attention to our instrument would you not agree with this. I for one think he should have a pat on the back.

Jim you fed that horse recalled pet food!

Well AJ, I think he has gotten a pat on the back. I think that he is well recognized by the steel community for what he does. I also think that he is excellent and outstanding in his performances.

RR is welcome at ANY steel show I go to.
Or his show, or well he's just welcome.

If a new generation of steelers arrives because of him
then more power too him in ANY style he wants to play.

I tend not to shoot dead horses,
it's a waste of ammo.
But sometimes I like to retest my sites,
as Elvis Costello sang, My Aim Is True.

If you think RR is good, you should check out his mentor, Chuck Campbell on pedal steel and his brother Darrick on lap steel. The Campbell Brothers CDs are great, and their live shows are something you will never forget.

I wasn't going to post on this thread but since someone mentioned Darick Campbell, I chimed in. Darick is amazing, especially his use of bass strings and his way of arranging solos. My favorite SS player, one of the top 5 lap steelers on my list.