The Steel Guitar Forum

Does anyone know if Doug Livingston, who played steel for the country rock band Fool's Gold, is still at it? They were Dan Fogelberg's original backup band, and they put out a couple of albums in the mid 70s. Great band and killer steel player!

Doug's around, participates actively in the Forum under the name Earnest Bovine.

I found his name on Sneaky Pete's Legend and Legacy listed as keyboard player.

Here I am in Los Angeles (Studio City), wasting time on the internet, thinking about practicing or finishing up some work, probably too lazy for that, must save up energy for big gig at Viva Cantina in Burbank tonight.

EB did bang-up steel on "Fool's Gold".

One of my fav cuts off that album is "I Will Run".

Great work EB on the entire LP; but it sure took awhile for you to "come out of the closet" about your true identity.

I think I posted about "Fool's Gold" back in 1998 or 1999.

I think I was asking if anyone knew about Doug Livingstone. I think it was at least a year later when the final truth came out.

I think I was pleasantly tricked.

If you've ever heard the one about the steel player being the most heavy duty musician in the band, that's Doug (Earnest)! He's one of the most musical guys I've ever met! He's a true Bach scholar(on PSG no less), a keyboard monster, and he plays most wind instruments....even tuba! We're lucky to have him out here on the left coast, and we're all lucky to have his wit and wisdom here on the steel forum!

I second what Rick said. Quite right!
Chuck

Absolutely...one of my musical heroes.
He even plays bassoon...with a special mute.

...and he plays most wind instruments....even tuba!

Earnest, should that be corrected to Sousaphone?

So, who is this this guy?

How many instruments can one house in any limited dwelling? HUH?

A few years ago my wife and I went to see Doug play in a jazz band (he alternated between steel and keyboards) at a restaurant that served scorpions, ants, crickets, and worms.

I wimped out and had chicken, but Laurie had the fried ants.

Oh yeah, Doug played great.

Mike Perlowin wrote: at a restaurant that served scorpions, ants, crickets, and worms.

The joint got busted last month in a sting operation, for serving illegal whale meat.

Here is 50% of Fools Gold, the Gaping Huggers (power trio), in 1968 or 1969, maybe at Bonaparte's Retreat in Carbondale.

Earnest Bovine wrote:

Mike Perlowin wrote: at a restaurant that served scorpions, ants, crickets, and worms.

The joint got busted last month in a sting operation, for serving illegal whale meat.

Sounds like the joint WAS a sting operation.

Doug is one of my very favorite musicians, whatever instrument he chooses to play. Now if he only had a sense of humor.......

I STILL need a legit copy of "Two Graduated Jiggers".

So, what's the story behind the EB moniker?

YEAH!

Expiring minds want to know. Durn it!

Yep, I still have my button! I am from Charleston Illinois. I used to go listen to the Gaping Huggers when I was 12 or so. I was already playing both electric and upright bass. The Huggers were a great band and could actually play and sing; unusual for that area. Very talented. I made a career in music. I remember my brother drove me up to Pekin, Ill. (Golden Voice Studios, Jerry Milam) to play on sessions (bass). Irving Azoff used to sit up (yes, up) in the control room and switch player lineups to look for "the right sound". I was too young to drive, but I played on many, many recordings. I worked in LA with Tom Kelly on various projects. I am still playing today. Say Hi to Rick Smith. Rick played on an instrumental album "Special Treatment" back in the late 70s. He was featured on a couple of my tunes. See my web site

www.stephenranderson.com

Yep, I still have my button! I am from Charleston Illinois. I used to go listen to the Gaping Huggers when I was 12 or so. I was alredy playing both electric and upright bass. The Huggers were a great band and could actually play and sing; unusual for that area. Very talented. I made a career in music. I remember my brother drove me up to Pekin, Ill. (Golden Voice Studios, Jerry Milam) to play on sessions (bass). Irving Azoff used to sit up (yes, up) in the control room and switch player lineups to look for "the right sound". I was too young to drive, but I played on many many recordings. I worked in LA with Tom Kelly on various projects. I am still playing today. Say Hi to Rick Smith. Rick played on an instrumental album "Special Treatment" back in the late 70s. He was featured on a couple of my tunes. See my web site

www.stephenranderson.com

Doug on youtube, one of my favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyv4HEsHYkU
beautiful playing!

What has become of Severed Head In A Bag?

BDBassett
Rimrock AZ

Unfortunately, I believe the band hasn't played for quite a while. But this clip Doug playing earnestly proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Doug was the best steel player to play in that band.

(I should know, I was the original)

that steel tuned straight up? or to the alphabet?