When Will We Know?

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

When will we know when our bodies are no longer roadworthy? The inability to keep tuned to prevent trials and tribulations, may offer the first clues. Equipment tends to feel much heavier with the passing of time.

Barry Blackwood · Posted 18 Mar 2009 2:35 pm

Possibly when "Asleep at the Wheel" becomes "Asleep at the Steel" ... Laughing

Jeff Garden · From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA

When you don't know where your keys are and can't remember why you're standing in your driveway with an 80 lb steel case.

Steve Feldman · From: Central MA USA

Elevated post count, I think.
_________________
"...An admission of interest in protracted commentary is certainly no reason to capitalize on surmised aberations that do not exist." - BH

Bo Legg · Posted 19 Mar 2009 12:26 pm

Geez Bill, your so depressing.

I just started playing in a rock band.
I've never been more appreciated. It makes me feel young again.
I don't have to carry any of my equipment and these guys think the heaver the better.

It seems that most new country bands don't want an old guy in the band and in an old country band most can't lift anything heaver than a weeks supply of Viagra.

Tommy Shown · From: Denham Springs, La.

You are scaring me,Bill. I'll be 51 in November. I find myself getting confused quite easily these days. And when I get cornfused, I get aggrevated when I can't remember what it is I am talking about. I think the fact that I work the overnight shift at my"Day Job", might have something to do with it. I sleep during the day, while I am at home.lol Tommy

Alan Tanner · From: Near Dayton, Ohio

........and all this time I thought that due to global warming and population increase that the result was a steady increase in the Earth's mass, therefore increasing the gravitational forces, resulting in items seeming to be much harder to move vertically, and a side effect of aching joints and some apparent weight gain. I NEVER realized this was to to advancing age. THANKS for clearing this up...I was REALLY starting to worry about this encroaching phenomenon. Now....what were we talking about???

Bill Myrick · From: Pea Ridge, Ar. (deceased)

One of the better local bands I've heard lately is called "The Hoveround Gang" and aptly so I might add but man they can pick and sing !! - Laughing

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bill,

Birth dates belie images. The percentage of players found in this category of steel guitarists is at an all-time high. Once reaching numbers near and after the 8th decade, it is uncommon to see a player without wheels beneath his equipment. The steel guitar is unique in this current age. The majority of our finest players are approaching the age that will call for making changes in how and where they perform.

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

I turned 63 yesterday and I still play regularly. So far age hasn't hurt my playing any that I can tell except maybe a little loss of hearing. My fingers often get real stiff but if I play hard and regular I'm ok. I use a fold up dolly for my equipment and an easy to load mini van. I don't bounce back from trips like I used to. We sometimes play out of state and even out of country. I plan on playing as long as I can.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Roger,

I'm not sure if there are not at least a few 100 year old pickers in The U.S.A. This thread would take on a colorful and optimistic promise of many happy years ahead, if we could hear from them. The steel has been a popular addition to country music for over 70 + years. "Little" Roy Wiggins and Alvino Rey, as well as dozens of others made happy tracks promoting "straight" steel from the 30's until recent times. Jerry Byrd, moved to Hawaii and remained until his passing. To this day, many pedal steel players can't explain why Jerry avoided the use of pedals and knee levers. Jazzmen and speed pickers such as Emmons and Charleton have stymied the hopes of personal creativity in the average player. I ask who might attempt to hop on their wagon with dreams of matching their skills? Some of their tabbed slow numbers can be attainable (almost), but turn them loose with Leon Rhodes playing jazz oriented musical pieces of melodies, and hopes of emulation goes down the drain. So what does this boil down to? It boils down to individuals who are gifted by intellection, and are physically adept, talented, etc. to a degree far above the average player. Enter finesse into the equation, and move away from jazz, and it becomes an entirely new ball game. There are players of hard core country who can be identified as those possessing that finesse. Originality in creating harmonic passages, and blending with a singer who is voicing sentiments, which are common in country music lyrics, is usually well received.

Tommy Shown · From: Denham Springs, La.

Bill, I have a lot of respect for you guys that still play, regardless of how far in years you have gone. As long as you can still draw breath and function, I say play on brother, play on. I think of ya'll as masters of the craft, when it comes to steel playing. And most of all, I appreciate all of the input and advice from ya'll on the forum.
Tommy Shown

Kenny Martin · Posted 21 Mar 2009 5:16 am

Hey Bill!

That's why i play everything so fast because as age slows me down i'll be at the current speed needed to play! That's the secret!!!

Just kiddin ya!!

It's like Mike Bagwell told me, even cuuting the grass can affect how you play on saturday when you get some years own ya!

I'll be 50 this year and you guys are right about the wheels on equipment. Installed them on my case and already have the amps in road cases. I'm lucky that we have a 4 man road crew that gets there before me and sets everything but my steel up!

On the standing in the driveway with keys and a steel wondering what you are doing, well that happens at the end of the night in the club parking lot. I think its the Crown Royal though!!

km

Gary Lee Gimble · From: Fredericksburg, VA.

Road worthiness, regardless of frequency, may be dictated by thoulst hernia repair job. In my case, the un-pleasantries of an administrating Foley catheter due to anesthesia complications, quickly diminishes a thirst for status quo. Downsizing to split cabs and cases have been a relief, but the thought of Nurse Shaqueta Johnston still malingers around. Yes, standing at six foot six, three hundred and sixty pounds, affixed with fingers the size of baseball bats, has a diminishing affect on ones livelihood.....

Derrick Frank · From: Berkshire, England

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Kenny,

I'm concerned about the muscles that allow for the dexterity that seems to be your forte'. I've been trying a new exercise for a few days to see if I can be a little more musically assertive. Those note patterns that you've worked out so well signifies physiological health in muscularity development. For now, I'll quote Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, when he shouted: "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead." We need to wade through current finesse and expertise to get to the other side.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

When will we know we're done? For sure, when they're shoveling dirt over us. Until then, it's a crap shoot.

I think that general physical fitness and diet has a lot to do with this. I think the time I spend exercising and taking care of my general diet and health is just as critical to my playing as practice time. That may even take on more significance as I get older.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Dave,

You said it! I would stop short of dramatizing certain aspects in your opening statement. I'm totally in agreement with your closing statement. Every detail of how to contribute to a healthier body, inside and out, should be the number one priority, with no exception. Playing Pedal steel guitar, may be recognized eventually as the super ideal, in terms of exercise.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Bo Borland · From: South Jersey -

When they pry the bar from my cold fingers!

I work out almost every day, lifting weights & cardio. No more than 30-40 minutes of weights 4-5 times a week, and cardio on the bike in front of the TV for an hour every other day.
I'm trying to keep my weight down, it's not working cause I like to eat too.
But I can still pick up my D10 and haul it around. When I can't I'll get a split case or maybe one for the legs and rack.

Larry Scott · From: Virginia, USA

When you can no longer tell your Depends are full Confused

Sam Lewis · From: Conway, Arkansas, USA

Hey, gang, I'm just heading out the door for my regular Saturday night gig at Houston Country. Now, I'll not tell my age but I wqas born August 21st, 1930. I have to take both hands to load my SteelKing (after I push it out to the van) but age is mind over matter, you don't mind, it won't matter.
_________________
SL D-10, SL U-12,SL SD-10, Custom Tele w/B bender, Steel King, TC300 Effects, Goodrich H-10K pedal, Fender V/T Pedal, Hilton Pedal Elite seat.

Kenny Martin · Posted 21 Mar 2009 2:22 pm

Well Bill,

All i can say is i'll keep them fingers moving as fast as i can until they start missing notes! At that point i will resort to playin more ballads and drinking alot more Crown Royal! When i have drank enough Crown then i'll go back to playing fast because i won't know how bad it sounds from drinking!

There ya go man!!
Just kiddin again!

I work on playin 4 nights a week and have now steady for the past 3 or 4 years just because i want to stay flexible with speed pickin!!

I also play guitar which helps keep those fingers limber as well! So as the age thing kicks in i'll have to kick it back!!!
At some point it will become like the old bull and the young bull!! Have you heard that story??

The young bull tells the old bull: Let's run down the hill and make love to one of those cows!! The old bull says: Let's walk down there and make love to all of them!!!

Little Jimmy Dickens said his wife told him: Let's run up stairs and make love!! He said: I can't do both. Wink

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bo,

I admire your attention given to health issues. You give a wonderful account of how to maintain a body fit for most of the things that we enjoy doing. If the day ever comes that we lose interest in our music, we'll require some very serious prompting to keep going, like the Energizer Bunny. I saw Leonard Zinn dashing about in 1992 in the Bunny costume. It was followed by two Hula-Hula dancers. They were two major attractions to keep you on track, that is, if you were there.

Alan Miller · From: , England, UK.

"Im just going out, I may be some time".
You then drag your 80lb steel and a session 500 into the blizzard of snow and ice.
Everyone will say " He knew it was the end"

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