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Topic: new guy here |
Steve Robinson
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Posted 2 Jan 2005 12:12 am |
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Howdy All,
I have finally joined, after reading the Forum for about 6 months, and gaining a huge respect for both this instrument and the amazingly knowledgable, experienced, opinionated, generous, and funny community of steelers here.
In my checkered past, there are almost 30 years of playing stuff with 4 strings (bass, mando), 5 strings (you-know-what), and six, so I thought it was about time I graduated to 20! Actually, I've been fascinated with the pedal steel sound since the mid-70's, when I was trying to play a hideous little mottled-blue lap steel in a "country-rock" band. Man, I just couldn't make it sound like those Linda Ronstandt records (esp. "Silver Threads and Golden Needles") no matter how I slanted the bar. It wasn't until I was working as a radio dj that I figured out that the steel guitar set up like a little table had extra stuff like pedals and levers!
On the radio in the 70's, I sometimes played a (now old) Cal Hand record, which had some beautiful steel. And when I heard Lloyd Maines on Joe Ely's "Honky Tonk Masquerade" album, well, my conversion to a psg wannabe was complete. I gave away the lap steel. Lloyd's solo in "Because of the Wind" remains one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have heard. In fact, it was some years before I figured out that the ripping rock/blues lead on "Boxcars" was ALSO pedal steel.
Soooo, in October '04, I became the guy that bought the beautiful old Ricky-Davis-rebuilt Marlen D-10 that has passed through the hands of Messr's Cohen, Besic, Morehead, and certainly more. Mr. Morehead was a fine gentleman to do business with - an excellent ambassador for my first impressions of the community.
And speaking of amazing dudes, Ricky Davis picked up the Marlen from James, set it up for me, and spent a couple hours with me in his home showing me the ropes, as if he had nothing better in the world to do. Man of the Year, fer certain ..ah..ha!!
So take it from a new and struggling steeler, many thanks for the wealth of knowledge, sense of community, and the deep musical spirit you folks display.
Steve
(and I hope I never write another post this long!)
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Walter Stettner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 2 Jan 2005 1:00 am
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Hi Steve!
Welcome to the 8/10/20-string club! Good to have you on board!
Looks like you have quite a few stories to tell, so don't ever hesitate to give 'em to us!
Kind Regards, Walter
www.lloydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 2 Jan 2005 12:27 pm
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Welcome to you also from over here.
Ricky is the best for sure.
I would be deep in a pit with out his advice.
I have personally met 3 of the guys on your list too.
Ricky, Jim, and Damir.
All tops on my list of fine people in this steel world.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 02 January 2005 at 12:28 PM.] |
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Steve Robinson
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Posted 3 Jan 2005 3:15 pm
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Thanks for the global welcome, Walter, David, and JW!!
BTW, anyone else remember Cal Hand's steel work in the 70's?
Steve |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 3 Jan 2005 7:38 pm
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And welcome from South Texas. It's almost like living in another country down here!
Lee |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 3 Jan 2005 8:41 pm
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Steve; Welcome to the Forum and glad your diggin' the "Spirit Steel" Marlen(is what we call it..ha.)
Ricky |
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Billy McCoy
From:
Ft. Worth, Texas, USA
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Posted 3 Jan 2005 9:14 pm
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Hey Steve,
Welcome to the family. 
b
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MSA Millennium D10, Walker Stereo Steel, Stone Tree Custom Tele, LINE 6 Vetta II and POD XT PRO
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Mark Metdker
From:
North Central Texas, USA
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 4 Jan 2005 4:32 am
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Welcome to the forum Steve. I'll be monitoring all threads to enforce the no comedy mandate. 
Yes on Cal Hand...."The Wylie Butler" was the name of the album if I recall correctly. A beautifully different steel lp. Lots of dobro on there also.
Is he still with us today, and if so, is he playing? |
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