The Steel Guitar Forum

It was Buddy Cage's sound that hooked me...

If you haven't seen this already, here's a good video of the band and Buddy's technique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZWw87UgrwI

Buddy Cage and the band walked into the a club where I was playing my first public pedal steel appearance in 1973. Boy was I embarrassed. I talked to him on the break and he was super nice and supportive.

Man,
where have I been, thanks for posting the video link. Absolutely loved it,

Dano

For any newer players that have trouble grasping Palm blocking, this is about
as good a shot as you'll ever see, done by a master!

Nice stuff. Buddy and I when we were teenagers used set up our steels in my mom and dad's living room and played for hours. Really ticked off my brothers and sisters. We didn't care though, we were having fun.

James Leaman wrote:For any newer players that have trouble grasping Palm blocking, this is about
as good a shot as you'll ever see, done by a master!

I can comment on this because its exactly what I do.. Buddy has always had a lot of up and down movement in his hand when he plays.. He palm blocks very well of course, and it is actually what defines his particular sound..
However, that exaggerated up and down movement of the hand that Buddy has[ me as well!] is probably something a modern steel player should try to avoid.. David Hartley is a palm blocker, but there isn't a millimeter of wasted motion in his hand or fingers.. Wish I could do it, but I learned listening to Buddy, and my palm blocking became similar to his.. No flames please, Buddy is now and always has been a hero to me, and its the NRPS album "Home Home on the Road" that started the intense burning to learn pedal steel.. As soon as I got my Maverick, I bought every single NRPS album, ad started copying Buddy, 10 hours a day every day..
However, after decades of seeing other great players, I feel that palm blocking should be performed with a lot less movement.. It seems to make the playing too percussive sounding, almost choppy.. Still, as I wrote earlier.. that long picking stroke is Buddy's playing trademark and defines his sound.... bob

Bob, got your tickets for August 8th yet? Or are you just having them play over at your place?

Don R Brown wrote:Bob, got your tickets for August 8th yet? Or are you just having them play over at your place?

lol..
Actually, its all of about 3 miles away, and they have played there every single year for years, and I have never been there to see them.. For whatever reason, its never advertised much locally, and I always miss it! Should have gone to the NRPS website I guess.. To be honest Don, I have extremely bad tinnitus, and must avoid loud music, so a New Riders concert is probably not a good idea at this point... Oh well, their music is all over YT, and I still listen to it... a lot... bob

Bob, if they play at the same volume as was common "back then", 3 miles away should be just about right for hearing them without leaving your front porch!

Great find, Pete - Thanks for sharing!

Glad ya'll enjoyed it,

Buddy inspired me to pick up the PSG.
I get the feeling though he doesn't like to play those licks anymore. Damn shame, I love the stuff.
Anyone else observe that?

Jim Pitman wrote:Buddy inspired me to pick up the PSG.
I get the feeling though he doesn't like to play those licks anymore. Damn shame, I love the stuff.
Anyone else observe that?

He seems to have slowed down a bit.. He's no kid anymore.. it happens to even the very best musicians/performers... bob

I think Buddy is getting up there in age. I will be 70 in July, I think he might be one year older than me.