Steel guitar forgotten with classic artists

[Ron Hogan]

Last night I went to my Daughter's rehearsal dinner here in NASHVILLE where we live. She is marrying a guitar player here in town. Naturally most of the attendees were Musician here in town, ages 25 to 35.

Because they knew I was a steel player and the oldest of this gathering (63), we sat around a campfire talking about music. They asked me who I have played for, including on the Grand Ole Opry so I went over the list, not bragging.

Little Jimmy Dickens
Freddie Hart
Faron Young
Mel McDaniel
Cal Smith
Johnny Cash
Billy Walker
Darrell McCall and so on.

They only knew Johnny Cash. That made me sad that they didn't know the history of some great artists. They are the current crop of new players/Singers. None of them worked with a steel player in their bands.

They mentioned that they felt Jason Aldean would be considered "Country Rock".

Anyway, I'm hoping STEEL GUITAR makes a comeback!!!

[Larry Dering]

Sad. My grandson is 22 and knows most all of the older artists. Even worse, he's not a musician. Of course my son and I probably have some influence on that. Music history is no longer necessary with today's generation. Is there an app for that? Unless it's in a badly written movie script, with the drug an alcohol addition, they won't have a clue.

[Dave Hopping]

We don't remember history,so we'll repeat it!

[Bruce Blackburn]

Ron,
I know exactly where you are coming from. As you already know and have witnessed first hand, I, like you, value the history of the genre. I believe that in order to present the present properly, it must pay homage to the past. I am proud to say that my son, touring guitarist, can tell you more about the history than most. It was a prerequisite in my home. We learned the songs of each age, who wrote them, who recorded them and who covered them. We sometimes will disagree about which recording we personally prefer, but we always made it a point to talk about the roots. We owe it to those that come after us to ensure we instill in them an appreciation for the history.

[Donny Hinson]

Young people seem to be attracted more by style than by sheer talent. Trends and genres aside, the garish and wild are what is always more remembered. Elton John and Jerry Lee Lewis never took back seat to guys like Van Cliburn and Glenn Gould. Jimmy Bryant could never outsell Roy Clark, Hal Rugg could never outsell Robert Randolph, and John Berry is a footnote while Johnny Cash still rakes in the millions. Well....you get the idea.

Style sells.

[Darrell Criswell]

I have talked with quite a few young non-country musicians and I am surprised how many of the classic country artists they know and how much they know about them. However when I talk with the younger country musicians on Broadway they seem to have no knowledge of them by and large.

[Fred Treece]

I’m your age, Ron. You have obviously accomplished far more in your professional career than many of us here, including me. My hat is off to you in respect for that. But....As a fan and former player of classic country music, I have to say there are a couple names on your list that have me stumped.

In their defense, a lot of the music younger people are accused of being ignorant of is older than we are. When I was 25-35 and “discovered” stuff from before I was born, it was ancient history to me. For pickers who are that age now, that would mean music by artists like Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou, Waylon, etc. I might find it disturbing that they were unaware of members of that particular goldmine. But if they don’t know Faron Young or Jimmy Bryant or Tex Whoever, I’m willing to give them a break. At least they’re playing real instruments, and at least they’re showing an interest in the career path of a 63 year old.

[Darrell Criswell]

I’m your age, Ron. You have obviously accomplished far more in your professional career than many of us here, including me. My hat is off to you in respect for that. But....As a fan and former player of classic country music, I have to say there are a couple names on your list that have me stumped.

In their defense, a lot of the music younger people are accused of being ignorant of is older than we are. When I was 25-35 and “discovered” stuff from before I was born, it was ancient history to me. For pickers who are that age now, that would mean music by artists like Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou, Waylon, etc. I might find it disturbing that they were unaware of members of that particular goldmine. But if they don’t know Faron Young or Jimmy Bryant or Tex Whoever, I’m willing to give them a break. At least they’re playing real instruments, and at least they’re showing an interest in the career path of a 63 year old.

Fred: Which ones stumped you?

[Floyd Lowery]

I may be wrong, but I believe the steel guitar will make a come back. It will not be in Nashville. It will be from Texas. Some folks out there are playing mighty fine music.

[Ron Hogan]

Another funny thing. They mentioned that GEORGE STRAIT was old country.

[Fred Treece]

Darrel, I don’t know Billy Walker, Darrell McCall, or Freddie Hart. I’m sure I missed something by not knowing their music, but I simply was not exposed to it. Now that I’m aware, maybe I will seek them out.

George Strait’s first album came out in 1981. There’s no getting around the fact that 1981 was almost 40 years ago. Yep, a 25-year-old is going to consider that “Old Country”. When I was 25 (38 years ago) Bob Wills was Old Country. Hell, when I was 25, Buck Owens was old. Age has a lot to do with a person’s historical perspective.

[Ron Hogan]

Darrel, I don’t know Billy Walker, Darrell McCall, or Freddie Hart. I’m sure I missed something by not knowing their music, but I simply was not exposed to it. Now that I’m aware, maybe I will seek them out.

George Strait’s first album came out in 1981. There’s no getting around the fact that 1981 was almost 40 years ago. Yep, a 25-year-old is going to consider that “Old Country”. When I was 25 (38 years ago) Bob Wills was Old Country. Hell, when I was 25, Buck Owens was old. Age has a lot to do with a person’s historical perspective.

Fred, a lot of what you say makes sense.

Freddie Hart had CMA number one song two years in a row and was televised. Plus other hits. Llyod Green play on many of his tunes.

If you like Buddy Emmons, listen to a lot of Darrell McCall’s stuff.

[Luke Morell]

We went and seen Bill Anderson a couple years ago,he had no steel guitar in his band,I was never so disappointed in a singer in my life than I was that night!!

[Donny Hinson]

We went and seen Bill Anderson a couple years ago,he had no steel guitar in his band,I was never so disappointed in a singer in my life than I was that night!!

Funny, I don't really associate Bill's music with steel guitar. I can recall only a couple of his songs that featured significant steel work ("Wild Weekend" and "I Get The Fever"). His song "Five Little Fingers" also had some nice harmonics. But other than that, I don't recall any. Of course, this is all off the top of my head. Like many of us here, I grew up in that era, and it's all still stuck in my memory.

[Steve Hinson]

We went and seen Bill Anderson a couple years ago,he had no steel guitar in his band,I was never so disappointed in a singer in my life than I was that night!!

Funny, I don't really associate Bill's music with steel guitar. I can recall only a couple of his songs that featured significant steel work ("Wild Weekend" and "I Get The Fever"). His song "Five Little Fingers" also had some nice harmonics. But other than that, I don't recall any. Of course, this is all off the top of my head. Like many of us here, I grew up in that era, and it's all still stuck in my memory.

BA ALWAYS had a great steel player,and there was always much more steel on the live show than on the records...

[Donny Hinson]

BA ALWAYS had a great steel player,and there was always much more steel on the live show than on the records...

Steve, I'm well aware of that, having seen Bill several times when his stuff was on the charts. I'm also very familiar with his band, The Po' Boys, and their albums. I enjoyed the presence of players like Weldon Myrick and Sonny Garrish playing on these albums, and I sure appreciate that Sonny had such a long tenure with the band. (I was lucky enough to see them whenever they were in the area.)

Still, why the disconnect with Bill's recordings and his personal appearance sound? I just never understood why it was okay for steel to be a prominent part of the "show", but it faded into the background on their recordings. This wasn't unique to Bill, it was the same way with many other stars, too. (Notable exceptions were Ernest Tubb, Connie Smith, Buck Owens, and early Ray Price.) Everyone wanted a steel upfront on the stage. But on many records, it just faded related to the background.

Go figure.

[Steve Hinson]

BA ALWAYS had a great steel player,and there was always much more steel on the live show than on the records...

Steve, I'm well aware of that, having seen Bill several times when his stuff was on the charts. I'm also very familiar with his band, The Po' Boys, and their albums. I enjoyed the presence of players like Weldon Myrick and Sonny Garrish playing on these albums, and I sure appreciate that Sonny had such a long tenure with the band. (I was lucky enough to see them whenever they were in the area.)

Still, why the disconnect with Bill's recordings and his personal appearance sound? I just never understood why it was okay for steel to be a prominent part of the "show", but it faded into the background on their recordings. This wasn't unique to Bill, it was the same way with many other stars, too. (Notable exceptions were Ernest Tubb, Connie Smith, Buck Owens, and early Ray Price.) Everyone wanted a steel upfront on the stage. But on many records, it just faded related to the background.

Go figure.

Why?

The"Nashville Sound"...

We both know there have been"steel-free"periods in the history of country music...usually followed by a strong comeback...don't know if we'll see that again...

I'm just glad that some artists chose to have a steel player and let him play,regardless of whether there was any steel on their records or not...

[Donny Hinson]

Why?

The"Nashville Sound"...

We both know there have been"steel-free"periods in the history of country music...usually followed by a strong comeback...don't know if we'll see that again...

I'm just glad that some artists chose to have a steel player and let him play,regardless of whether there was any steel on their records or not...

Yeah, me too. I'm also glad that some, like ET and Buck Owens, managed to avoid the schmaltz brought about by the likes of Atkins, Bradley, and Sholes.

[Steve Hinson]

Why?

The"Nashville Sound"...

We both know there have been"steel-free"periods in the history of country music...usually followed by a strong comeback...don't know if we'll see that again...

I'm just glad that some artists chose to have a steel player and let him play,regardless of whether there was any steel on their records or not...

Yeah, me too. I'm also glad that some, like ET and Buck Owens, managed to avoid the schmaltz brought about by the likes of Atkins, Bradley, and Sholes.

I've heard stories(from someone who was there)about OB
giving Charleton a hard time on ET sessions-but then you hear Loretta Lynn records where Rugg was going nuts...and then there's the Twitty stuff OB produced...not sure how guilty of"steel hating"Mr.Bradley was,compared to Chet,Sholes,etc...

[Donny Hinson]

Maybe Rugg and Hughey were his personal friends? It wouldn't be the first time a musician was on the record, not for his expertise, but because he knew and made friends with the right people. Stu Basore once told me that non-musical things (like playing golf) can do wonders for your career!

[Steve Hinson]

Maybe Rugg and Hughey were his personal friends? It wouldn't be the first time a musician was on the record, not for his expertise, but because he knew and made friends with the right people. Stu Basore once told me that non-musical things (like playing golf) can do wonders for your career!

No,I don't think so...I don't believe either one of those cats needed to do"non-musical things"to get on a record,do you?I wasn't best friends with either John or Hal,but I knew then well enough that I can tell you they weren't"game players"...

[Mitch Ellis]

I wasn't best friends with either John or Hal,but I knew then well enough that I can tell you they weren't"game players"...

Steve, could you tell us what you knew about them that gave you that opinion of them. It sounds like you know some great stories. It would be interesting to hear them. I have met them both and really enjoyed being around them. I met you when the band that I was playing steel for opened for Randy Travis. My friend took our picture and it is hanging on the wall of my music room now along with other notable steel players. You also autographed my steel seat. It was a pleasure meeting and talking with you at the show that night.

[Mike Christensen]

I believe there are around 19,000 members in this forum. I think thats a pretty doggone large gathering. Steel builders are way more numerous than ever and surviving, Same is true of reso builders and the numbers being sold and available. Reso guitars were hard to find in the 60's. I am 67 and have a firm root in the past but I think the future is in good hands as far as the steel world goes. And it seems to methe younger players are taking it to the next level. My .02
Happy Trails Mike C.

[Steve Hinson]

I wasn't best friends with either John or Hal,but I knew then well enough that I can tell you they weren't"game players"...

Steve, could you tell us what you knew about them that gave you that opinion of them. It sounds like you know some great stories. It would be interesting to hear them. I have met them both and really enjoyed being around them. I met you when the band that I was playing steel for opened for Randy Travis. My friend took our picture and it is hanging on the wall of my music room now along with other notable steel players. You also autographed my steel seat. It was a pleasure meeting and talking with you at the show that night.

Hey Mitch!I remember meeting you-I flew in just in time for soundcheck with the road manager-our kids graduated high school together the night before in Hendersonville,TN!

John Hughey and Hal Rugg were both great musicians-they were both real nice cats,but they were confident in their abilities,too-they weren't gonna be fishing or golfing with anybody to get work...they didn't need to!I always hear people saying"if you do this or that"you'll get more work...well,the cats I knew didn't do it-they didn't have to...shoot,I ain't anybody and I didn't have to!

Thanks for your kindness to me!Hope you are well,Mitch!Great to hear from you!

SH

[Glenn Suchan]

We went and seen Bill Anderson a couple years ago,he had no steel guitar in his band,I was never so disappointed in a singer in my life than I was that night!!

Funny, I don't really associate Bill's music with steel guitar....

Here's a great example of steel guitar in a song written and performed by Bill Anderson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hamWDjgZk6M

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn