The Steel Guitar Forum

I was in Calgary Alberta last week to take in the Stampede and of course some country music. I went to "Opry North" on the fair grounds and got to see the Bill Anderson show. Guess what!!!!! Bill Anderson didn't have a steel player on the show with him. In fact I couldn't find a steel player in Calgary at all. Just a lot of really loud bands in the clubs and no traditional country music. Disappointing to say the least in a place that's called cowboy country. Ole Nigel

Bill Anderson didn't have a steel player on the show with him.

Wow. Times must be tough for ol' Bill.

In fact I couldn't find a steel player in Calgary at all.

Nigel, that's just wrong!

Bill Anderson without a steel would be useless!

Or a band that plays real loud..

And here is a band that is out of work and has 5 steelers.[/img]

I wouldn't really miss a steel with Bill because so little of his stuff really featured steel that much. Though he had a lot of great steelers over the years, like Myrick and Garrish, they didn't get much chance to shine, except on the Po' Boys' albums.

At least we (old dudes) still have those to listen to.

What happens next? Do they start singing to tracks like many of the big gospel groups are doing now?

Prolly.

bill had some hot tunes with bitchin steel and cool arrangements during the mike johnson bandleader era.

Back when Sonny & Gregg backed Bill always plenty of steel.

Nigel, a few of us steel players were busy but most of the people that hire us have us for corporate gigs where the public is not invited. I'll admit, Calgary is not a hot-bed of steel guitar despite it's Cowboy image, but that's reflected in a lot of modern cities throughout North America. There are only one or two clubs that feature more trad type music and you probably didn't know about them and they have steel players at them on occasion. It's a conundrum.

Bill's booking agent called me about 2 months ago to book Bill at my Opry. I flat turned him down because he said that he was only using a 3 piece band and no steel guitar. Bill without a steel is like a car with no motor.

I'd go see just about anybody brave enough to play with a three-piece of bass, drums... and steel. Provided the steel player was better than me! It's been tried successfully in little clubs, but it's maybe too scary for a name-brand singer. There's surely steel players good enough.

I'll go with Jack Strayhorn on this one. Gosh!

I've done the three piece (actually 4 with a girl singer) with just drums, bass and steel. Was not fun, didn't sound too bad though, but definitely was lacking in total sound. Was OK for a bar that seated maybe 20 people. But then, I didn't have and out of control guitar playing playing all over me, but I did miss the interaction of playing split intros and solos with the guitar. Fortunately, that gig only lasted a couple of months.

Back on topic, I don't think I would go see Bill Anderson without a steel player. His singing bores me to death, and the steel is the only saving grace. I saw him many many years ago with Garrish and a woman sidekick that I assume was Jan Howard. Didn't know about her at the time.

I am trying to pinpoint the time that I saw them What years was Sonny with Bill?

I've done the three piece (actually 4 with a girl singer) with just drums, bass and steel.

Sorry for the topic drift, but the first time I ever met Jim Loessberg (I had heard him play at the TSGA but never talked to him) it was him, Justin Trevino, and a girl drummer at some small club in a bad part of Austin about 15 years ago. Trust me when I say there was nothing missing!

Hi Nigel, It's too bad you didn't stay for the show before and after Bill. Our band played some traditional country with myself on the pedal steel. Bill was kind enough to take a pic with us after his show and the musicians he had with him were very friendly. The only other steeler playing the Nashville North tent that I am aware of was Mike Bourque (sp?) who also doubled playing lead guitar. Sorry we missed you. I hope to back next year.

DJ I am truly sorry I missed you. I left the Bill Anderson show early and just hung around the grounds till the chuckwagon race and attended that. Would have loved to meet you and say hello. Ole Nigel

I wouldn't go see "Whimpering Bill" even if he DID have a steel!!

There goes your chance to back him up Smiles.