The Steel Guitar Forum

For quite some time, I've tried to determine a rough figure, or ballpark estimation of New York's steel guitar players. If anyone has "tallied" by some means, that I'm not aware of, this could become an interesting thread. Is this a reasonable inquiry?

Perhaps a few preliminary checks with individuals who are spread out and knowledgeable, may help me to become better informed. I have one astute gentleman in mind, from sunny California whom I will contact sans delay.

I'm from New York, Bill.

I live in the East Village of Manhattan.

Bill

Hey Bill, I beleive it is a reasonable inquiry.
I play steel, but more importantly it would be nice to get the boys from New York together and form a more local club. I also would love to see the steel shows come to NY. I know or about 4 steel players in the north country of NY. Great thread Bill. Thanks

There are three here in Walton, NY.

Thanks Bill McCloskey and Chuck Morel for your assistance. Years ago George and Cherry Schacher of the "Aged In The Hills Band" would tell me about Randy Rollman, the ultimate steel guitarist from the Glens Falls area. Bandleader, George Schacher the multitalented instrumentalist from Ballston Spa, made no bones about filling me in on Randy's prowess. When I finally made a one on one contact with Randy, I prevailed upon one of his students who came to visit on occasion to keep Randy informed about our "MASSBASH" activities. Lady luck smiled on me, when word came back that he would attend our next show. What a triumph over struggles to find the very best to participate in a show featuring top knowledgeable players. Thanks George, for your participation on a many occasions, and the many words of advice. Through the years, I've had the pleasure of meeting an impressive number of players from New York State. If only I can peel back the pages, to focus on some of those players, this thread will move in the right direction. I believe that a great many players are within the state of New York.

Bernie,

Years ago, I met a guitarist/sreel guitarist who was living in the Ilion, N.Y. area. He came out to West Stockbridge, MA, after I met him near Herkimer, N.Y. I've hoped to hear from him someday. I heard that his name is Arnold Edwards, but prefers to use a different name. A singer from that area came here to work in a music store at the Lanesboro, MA mall. He said that he uses the name Eddie Edwards on stages. His playing interested me, after hearing him play steel licks on his guitar. I haven't a clue where he is at this time. Thanks Bernie for the info...

I was raised about 50 miles north of Syracuse in the small town of Sandy Creek. Played mostly around Watertown and Syracuse in the mid to late 70's and moved to Nashville in 1982. I try to get up and visit my Dad (James) a couple times a year who also used to play alot in that area. It's still home even though I haven't lived there in almost 30 years.

I live in the small town of Walton, NY, in Delaware County. In Walton there are Roy Sawyer, Bobby Hulse,
Bob Bird and myself. Another active player, Bobby Utter lives close by.
I have looked at the players listed in NY State on the Online Steelers website and there are more than you might think.
Larry J.

DOUG SEYMOUR , and of coarse BOBBE was from NYS.
BOB CARLUCCI & WAYNE SWARTWOOD from ITHACA area and a couple more near Binghamton .
DON JAMES from SYRACUSE area .

There are exactly 77 steel players in New York...according to onlinesteelers.com. I wager there's a few more than that. I doubt that even manufacturers, dealers, the forum and eBay could get withing a hundred of the answer by comparing records.

If anyone knows how to ascertain this figure, it's a man whose name begins with "B", and ends with "obbe Seymour".

I'd bet that 77 ain't even close.....not even with another 100 added to it

An absolute must do, is to acknowledge the breaking away from other activities by forum members to assist in matters that provide topics of interest. Each member who has in the past, or is currently actively engaged in filling in a position of a band, could for certain, provide other members with a variety of circumstances that create ambitions on a wide scale, such as examining new techniques that may have been given too little attention in the past. The language depicting methologies of becoming a "bandworthy" steel player has been muchly presented by numerous influential and authoritative experts on the fundamentals of becoming a recognized player. I wanted to ask Larry Jamieson if he may have had relatives in Great Barrinton, MA? Years ago a family lived on Main Street, in that town. I wish to thank Larry Robbins, Buck Reid, Larry Jamieson, Bob Vantine, Duane Reese, among others who visit this thread with information that will promote a much wider range of interests, in advancing musically on the steel guitar. I saw TOM BATH who's family may have lived in Utica, N.Y., play on one occasion. His name has not appeared as of late in fliers, or notifications that I've seen. After hearing him play, I tried to contact him by calling and mailing when I needed to augment a "BASH" by channeling through the Utica address. Needless to say, disappointment was the understatement at the time. Unfortunately, perhaps through unforeseen circumstances, he could have been traveling elsewhere at the time. He's a tough act to follow in a show. He is a very capable individual seated at the pedal steel. Any news concerning Tom would be interesting.

Lowell Smith in Ithaca has been playing in bands for decades. He's a great bass player also. Larry

How about use to be's Bill.
I left about 16 years ago. I believe John King now living here was from upstate.

There's another guy named Johnny Dugan (spelling?), whom I thought was around the Utica area in the 70's. He was a fine player. Anyone know what became of him?

Jack Dougherty,

While contemplating low altitude incentives to play steel in Florida, and the thoughts of escaping the harsh wintry weather here in Berkshire County, where temps can drop far below zero in midwinter, the emotions become flooded with anticipated regrets of leaving the northern mountain ranges behind. Florida's violent lightning strikes, and wind swept shorelines combine to negate the urge to pack up the pedal steel guitar and head south. What have you to say about such thoughts, as a former New York State citizen? I'm able to sight the highest point in Massachusetts from Pittsfield, which would be Mt. Greylock, at 3,487' above sea level. It's peak is capped with frost or snow as cooler weather hastens the approach of winter in late November.

Buck Ried,

Do you live anywhere within shouting distance of Smiley Roberts? If you should see him out and about, please say "Hi" to him for me. He's one of the best!

Gerald Menke and I live 1 block from each other in Brooklyn

Gordon Hartin

Hi Buck, I heard that Johnny Dugan, had some kind of disease and I'm not sure he's even with us anymore. I'll try to find out. Larry

OK! OK!, I'll admit it. But, I'm from the south. The south of NY, that is. On an island, to boot.

John De Maille,

It's good to see your name in print. A little while ago, two very nice gentlemen whom I've met at shows came to mind. Brad Higgins is a real gentleman, through and through. Brad resides in N.Y. state and he has unlimited abilities in building instruments, and plays steel at a professional level. He does it all, as they say. Rick Anderson, steel guitarist, who lives in Schenectady, N.Y. has offered many times to be of assistance. Both are good friends of super picker, Randy Rollman who plays a Sierra, equipped with 14 strings. John, I hope to hear you play again in some future shows. There are so many things that we could enjoy, if time would SLOW down. Thanks for the cheerful input.

I have met three NY pedal steel players recently, and have gotten emails from maybe six or seven more. Probably there are about 300 in New York (city and state) but that is purely a guess.

Still more moose and bears than pedal heads per square mile around here, though...