The Steel Guitar Forum

We are blessed with some great steele guitar players. Buddy, John, Paul, Jimmy, Tommy, and many others both players and teachers. In my opinion, the #1 player in the world is David Hartley. I have listened to all the greatest players in the world and not only does David play the steele guitar the way we love to hear it, but he shares.....Bob

the #1 player in the world is David Hartley.....Bob

Thats a strong statement..

OK! One vote for David Hartley.

I vote Buddy Emmons.

Actually Buddy is the number one. I think we should be voting for who's number two.

Bob, you sure know how to drop a bomb in among the great steel players. I think your gonna get hit with some of the flack. God! I love the smell of napalm in the morning.

R R, good thought provoking thought; very subjective however . I must put Lloyd & Herby & Doug & Joe & Bobbe up there with the list of those you mentioned, altho I would not go so far as to say the worlds #1. ..
David has just recently become a steelhold word, so to speak, and one of my favorites. Maybe he is just not as busy or sought after as the other greats (yet), and has more time to share. All those others mentioned above, I know, altho they don't know me. And have found they everyone are as sharing with their knowledge as is practical for them to do so, given their time and access.
I have never found a better group of people anywhere at anytime, than steelers.
God Bless 'em all

THERE IS NO ONE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: WHO IS #1

This is a subjective judgment. Why do we insist on elevating one who has shared with us their wonderful gift above others?

(BTW, I vote for Buddy, but that's just my opinion)

Really don't think there is a number one,It's all a matter of opinion,Like myself I would vote for Curly,but again that's [just my opinion ] I realize the GREATNESS of Buddy also.One of my favorites that I listen to more than anybody is Bobbe,I LOVE the way he plays,again just MY opinion. We don't need to get in an argument about who's BEST. Just enjoy all these GREAT pickers and don't compare them to each other. YOU BETCHA, DYK?BC.

Why does everything have to be a competition about who's best? There's hundreds of great players out there, and each has something to set them apart from the others. I've heard some popular players play some things that I thought sucked, and I've heard some no-name players play things that would put them all to shame.

You got that right Rick. Hell I even like your picking. One of my favorites of yours is your arr. of [ASHOKEN FAREWELL.] Be waiting for my check in the mail for this plug. Like the old gal at the VFW told me the other night,I'm cheap,but I AIN'T free. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Charles Davidson wrote:You got that right Rick. Hell I even like your picking.

Charles - Now that's pushing it to the extreme. There's a lot of folks that would consider my music to be "noise", (but don't tell anybody).

Been holding out on me Rick?

Larry Bell wrote:This is a subjective judgment. Why do we insist on elevating one who has shared with us their wonderful gift above others?

They probably think it's a compliment. (Or maybe they just haven't been around too much?)

Unfortunately a 'virtual' career (ie: one created on the internet) is not quite the same as a 'real' career (IE: one created by actually playing with real artists)

I like the expression, "I've never heard better". I've used it a few times refering to different musicians. I don't think that any two play exactly alike and that's the beauty of this instrument. I am always grateful when a fantastic musician shares his knowledge through written instruction and tablature. IMO, David keeps coming up with amazing videos, music, tab and IMO, It doesn't get any better. Let's all enjoy and have a good time!

I've decided not to comment, I tried but it ain't going well...

Don;t forget Lloyd Green. Tommy white And More i Can think of. SONNY.

I agree with Rick!!! There is a world full of steelers. Some, do not play as well as others, but we all create music. Some have fantastic sounds, and some have a simple bare bones sound. So what. Music is in the ears of each individual. I could go on, and on, but I think I made my comment. THERE IS NO #1.

I think David is a good player and a nice guy so he can be Bob's #1.

But, I'll pick my own.

And all this time I thought that I was #1. Dang!
Mitch

Buddy is my #1.
Jerry

THERE IS NO ONE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: WHO IS #1

It's been said before (can't remember by whom): at this level, there's only difference.

Number 1

Yeah Rick,but it's a JOYFUL noise,Was listening to you today,Want to say Rick has some GREAT stuff check him out. I'm known for spreading a lot of BS.BUT I'm serious about this. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

I thought everybody knew that Jerry Garcia was the greatest pedal steel player that ever lived. I read it on the internet.

I think Chet's older brother Moe Atkens is the best steel player I have heard.