The Steel Guitar Forum

Vocalist, recording artists, from the very beginning of their fledgeling career must have or soon develop a strong, self-centered image of themselves. They have to fight to get the gigs, and hopefully, that covetted recording contract on a BIG LABEL. But then, they also have to be able to demand the best in musicianship for their records if they're going to get a MILLION SELLER.

But in the process, how many of those fine vocalists, actually appreciate, support and promote any of their fine musicians beyond the actual gig?

I'm dealing here strictly with steel guitar players.
The first that comes to my mind is EDDY ARNOLD and Roy Wiggins. Roy was one of the first recognizeable
steel players I ever heard. I rushed out to buy every new release of Arnold just so I could get to hear more of Roy. How many of you share that perspective? Arnold had no idea I was buying HIS records just to hear his signature sounding steel player. How many others, I wonder?

John Hughey with Conway Twitty for what, 28 years?
Loretta Lynn with Hal Rugg? How many years?
Porter Waggoner and his long time steel player?

To many of these one record stars.............a sideman is....ONLY a sideman and NEVER a part of the vocalist SOUND.

Manny K Fernandez springs to mind.

Don Helms and Hank Williams. Of course Uncle Don was not the first with Hank Williams, Jerry Byrd, Don Davis and others recorded with and were with Hank before him, but his sound became the trademark for the HW sound. Even today, steel players are often asked to play some Don Helms licks when it comes to do a HW song.

Kind Regards, Walter

Ray Price with either Jimmy Day or Buddy Emmons.
Ernest /tubb with either Buddy

I bought alot of recordings through the years just to hear the steel. Alot of artist I like, but never bought their recording because they never used steel. I was happy when they finally started giving the artist credit on the backs of albums.
One time I heard Ray Prices "You done me Wrong", I stopped at the music store going home from school. Put it in the glove compartmet so it would not get broke. Pulled up in front of the house, reached in and pulled it out as fast as I could to get in there to play it. And snapped it right into. Drove back and got another.

You have play the steel because you love it. Love music because you love it. You're always gonna be a side man. Until you break out of that mold anyway. This or that classic intro is only really great becuase of the singer/ song that follows it. Context is everything . This is pop music we play. There's way more pressure on the frontman/woman/singer/ songwriter than most of us steel guys will ever feel. Looking good and sounding good, talking to people after the show... All that stuff. We have the luxury of scowling over our fretboards having a bad or amazing gig and then packing our stuff up at the end of the show. We don't always have to be 'on'. Most people don't know. Do what you do because you love it.

But in the process, how many of those fine vocalists, actually appreciate, support and promote any of their fine musicians beyond the actual gig?

The really famous ones? None...these days, anyway. Back decades ago, though, it was pretty common for the singers' bands to do their own albums. Those old albums by the Troubadors, the Buckaroos, and the 'Po boys are priceless. We'll never see the likes of that again.

Pity.

I was recently at a concert of Jo Dee Macina's and My good buddy Dave Spires was on steel along with the rest of the great band.I sat through the whole show waiting for her to introduce her band,I am still waiting.On the other hand Joe Diffie went from picker to picker and made sure they got to play something of there own flavor and introduced them proudly.Being a picker himself he knows the time and practice it takes to do a show like that.
Once at a Vince Gill Concert The people setting next to me were trying to figure out what that "hitchamabobber" thing that guy was playing that sounded so good with vince.They had never seen a Steel guitar played. Well they got there chance that night John had smokin!Vince gave them all a super introduction.

Weldon with Connie and Hal with Loretta were very recognizable for several years, and continue to be, for that matter.

Let's not forget about Charley Pride & Lloyd Green and Buck Owens & Tom Brumley.

Kind Regards, Walter

Bob mentioned Vince Gill and John Hughey. From what I've heard and seen, Vince showed John the respect that's due such a huge talent. Even writing and performing a song about him in tribute after John's passing. If I'm not mistaken, Vince was even on hand when John was inducted into the SGHOF in St. Louis during the convention that year.

I must have to agree with Donny.
Jay Y.

I think almost all of the top vocalists knew that the band, or certain musicians in their band were a major part of their success.
Maybe some of them didn't realize that people were buying their records solely to listen to those individual musicians though.....but again maybe some did realize that they could have two audiences.
Which vocalists didnt appreciate their steel guitarists ...lets start naming the offenders.

yes there are many singers ive bought the records
because of the steel player and or other players
being a side man is great the only problem I have with it is working for some ( not all) stars
they tend to treat the steel players like
dirt and they get away with it
ive worked for several stars and most were very kind to me but one or two were not
so if your a young player just be aware of that
A good atitude will get you a lot further
in your job then being a knowitall so it works both ways just my thoughts Mike

Lem: Have you heard the story about Vince loading John's steel on the bus ? He picked it up to carry and load and John said here let me have that, you're Vince Gill and Vince replied no, I'll take it, You're John Hughey.

Hi Bill,
Yes, I remember hearing something about that before. I also remember Vince performing a song on TV, I think it was "I just destroyed the world" and he had John front and center in the spotlight and really featured him during the solo.

When I was a kid in the fifties and on into the early sixties the only game in town was Ralph Mooney! Ralph played on records by Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Wynn Stewart, Bobby Austin, Johnny & Jonie Mosby and a bunch of others. Ralph'll always be the one who turned me on to steel guitar as he was "The Man"..........JH in Va

So Jerry thats who we can blame for it eh...

Keith Whitley a true vocalist star!

Carrot Cake!

John Hughey played steel for Conway for 20 years and he played steel for Vince for 12 years.

Brett

Vince was indeed st ISGC the year John Hughey was inducted.....with John playing, he sang 'Look at Us' and then grabbed his guitar and sat in with the band for the rest of the session.

Then just a few years ago, he was appearing in the 'general area' on ISGC weekend, and just dropped in to see John. I have been to only one Vince Gill concert but I cannot imagine him ever neglecting to introduce the man sitting behind the Double 10 as well as all of the others in the band. It is the classy thing to do and he is.