The Steel Guitar Forum

Folks, I have been presented with a great opportunity for all of us and need your input. I work with the guys who write/edit Guitar Digest, when they heard I am trying to play the stringed monster they offered me an opportunity to include a steel guitar article every issue if I want to. This magazine has a circulation of about 9000 all over the country and would be a great vehicle for "spreading the gospel"of steel guitar. Any ideas? I was thinking of starting with an article about the steel guitar Hall of Fame and the international steel guitar show. Let me know what you think.

Dave Z.

Sounds great. I'd suggest catching their interest with something a little less traditional. How about:

"Steel Guitar: It Isn't Just for Country Music Anymore"

Then you can write about country (briefly since that's the part they'll already be most familiar with) and then go into guys like Emmons and Jernigan on jazz, Franklin with Dire Straits, Maness with lots of rock players, BJ Cole with Elton John, Greg Leisz, David Lindley, and Campbell Brothers and Robert Randolph in sacred steel, Susan Alcorn and Chas Smith, etc., etc. THAT ought to be an eye- (and ear-) opening article! It would also be cool to find a place to put sound clips and put the links in your article so people could go listen to them right away! <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 08 November 2005 at 08:49 AM.]</p></FONT>

I think that you should start out in the traditional vein, because that's what people know and are comfortable with.

Once you have their attention and interest, you can then segue into new territory, new music, and modern players in modern times.

Before you know it, they'll be arguing about Robert Randolph, Gerry Garcia, JI vs ET, D10 vs U12, and all of the good things that would lead to fisticuffs if distance were not a factor.....

Don't forget to include a picture of Joe Wright that shows his hair exploding and the look on his face as if he is lifting a 500 lbs bar-bell. That would make any guitar picker think he was really missing something. (It did for me)... ha ha

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Rick
Kline E9th/S-12, Session 500, Goodrich L-10k

Dave
Im proud of ya buddy you have came along way with your steel guitar interest!
i say go for it, anytime you get a chance like this, I say take it!
Mike

Given the cosmopolitanality of views I've seen since following this forum, I'd say introduce yourself and give them an overview of the scope steel guitar has gained for itself. With this, you open up all the doors, rather than pigeonhole yourself.

Good luck, and enjoy the ride!

Dave,

If you solicit opinions, you'll never be able to decide which "influence" to use in the communication. If you were asked to write the article, the individual who asked you KNEW that you were the man for the job. Gathering of ideas is part of the research. And the Lord knows yoy'll leave this forum with a vast array of subject matters. I wrote technical papers in my past. We always had limited space to TELL everyone of our most recent progress. If there is one "common variable" pertaining to the steel guitar, it boils down to its unique sound. In every style, whether through a solid state amp, tube amp, ACME PSG vs. acme2 PSG, there is a unique sound that is all in itself. You can listen to Jim Cohen emmulate some terrific brass section licks in his jazz, Paul F. Jr. and his diverse styles, LG doing what only he can do, BE doing BE, Joe Wright doing whatever he wants, John Hughey, Weldon Myrick, Bobbe Seymore, Hal Rugg, Julian Tharpe and the list goes on and on. BUT, we can usually tell who's playing without looking at the credits. But how do you describe the UNIQUE sound of a pedal steel? I can't think of any musical style where the PSG wouldn't work. OK, it can't replace bagpipes (I'm sure this is possible as well). Heck, when someone hears me play, they can recognize the instrument. Ultimately, it seems you want to communicate the versatility of the instrument; the unique beauty in the sound of the PSG. How much could the PSG, regardless of technique, technology, or genre of music, add in listening pleasure? Good luck on this project. I hope you have fun. I hope that whatever you decide to write has a positive outcome. I'm sure it will. PLEASE, let us know when the article is published. Just a quick reminder on the forum would be great. Thanks!

That is great news David. All I can say is just do us proud.

I don't have an opinion as to how excactly
you should go about doing the article, but I will say you should do it. It would be alot more exposure for our beloved pedal steel guitar.

Dave, I would suggest a couple of color photos of some really great looking D10's (Sho~Bud's maybe?) to accompany the article. That would certainly help draw the readers attention. Good luck and congrats on the opportunity!

It's a great idea Dave, just don't mention how much they cost. We don't want them fainting before they read the end of your article. ha ha Larry

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U12 Williams keyless 400
Evans SE 150, Nashville 112, Line 6 pod xt

This is great Dave. Congratulations. I really like Jim's suggestions, and Ricks too. Naturally we'd hope to see a link to this Forum in the article too. I think it's a great place for unenlightened folks to snoop around and learn all about PSG, and the folks that have dared to take the plunge.
Gotta say Hi to my buddy Tim Bridges while I'm on here. Hey Tim.
Best of luck. We'll all be looking forward to reading this when it comes out.
BD

Actually, I think Jim has a really great suggestion. Most of the "normal" guitarists who are interested in steel guitar from a country perspective are already familiar with the icons and past masters of country steelin', and probably even aware of the steel forum. (I know that's the case with country-leaning guitarists around here.) The vast majority of guitarists have probably heard Robert Randolph, but are most likely unaware of the huge range of stylistic choices and recordings beyond "country". I think an article pointing out those connections would really open some 6-string eyes, and broaden the general awareness of steel as an instrument rather than a country instrument. Follow-ups pointing people toward more "traditional" stylists might just suck 'em all in. Witness the many members here who profess developing interest in Emmons, Chalker, Green,
Western Swing, etc. only after initial exposure to Poco, Garcia, Cage...

Maybe you should start with steelers that have big hooters, then work towards music.

I'm seeing this work with a lot of things here in Los Angeles.
Jordan

David,
I agree with a lot of the above, so to avoid repeating, the only thing I would add is that, unfortunately, you need a gimmick to interest readers. So in addition to pics of steels, get pics of some of the colorful steelers, and whacky anecdotes--like the ones on Bobbe's site.

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"Elmore James kept playing the same licks over and over, but I get the feeling he meant it." Frank Zappa

<SMALL>"Steel Guitar: It Isn't Just for Country Music Anymore"</SMALL>

I'm agreeing with Jim and Mark. Such an approach allows starting with country, the necessity for the mother of invention--discussing the development of the instrument. And yes, lots of pictures.

My take: the instrument in its infancy was used to replace horn sections (ala Jim C.) and string sections, in order to reduce the size of ensembles.
The rest is history.
Don't leave out Chas Smith and the 'ambient' movement.

<SMALL>the instrument in its infancy was used to replace horn sections (ala Jim C.)</SMALL>

Are you saying I have an infantile approach to steel guitar? Well! (Maybe you're right...)

IMHO, if you even <u>mention</u> "country", you're screwed. The Hall Of Fame means little to most steelers, so it will mean zippo to lead players. The ISGC, as a spectacle, is interesting, but as most of the playing there is country, pop, or Hawaiian oriented, that ain't gonna sell very well, either.

Yes, mention Paul and Dire Straits.

Yes, big mention for Robert Randolph, too.

Some mention of strictly rock-oriented steelers would be okay (Garcia), but the emphasis has to be on youth to grab the young readers. Older lead players are all too familiar with the pedal steel, and it's "usual" sounds. A jazz article might interest a few, but schmaltzy pop stuff and country are a death-knell for attracting the younger musicians.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 20 November 2005 at 08:00 AM.]</p></FONT>

<SMALL>I have been presented with a great opportunity </SMALL>

David that is a great news,I think you should do what you feel is right and write the way you feel, about steel guitars.I wish you a success with your new hobby.

Db

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"Promat"
~when tone matters~
http://hometown.aol.com/damirzanne2/PROMAT.html

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Damir Besic on 20 November 2005 at 08:36 AM.]</p></FONT>