The Steel Guitar Forum

Just wondering how many have quit playing
Steel form other reason and got back into
It and into a band. I quit playing for a while but got back into it .thoughts on this. Let here from you all

In '02, I had to take a few weeks off from playing because I had bruised my left hip, but started again after it healed, then in 2017, after an accident where I bruised my left hand, I had to stop playing for a little while, but after my left hand healed, I started playing again.

Brett
Emmons S-10, Jackson Blackjack Custom SD-10, Gretsch G9210 Boxcar Dobro, Gold Tone Paul Beard Signature Series Deluxe Dobro

yea, I stopped playing for a few years. I was on a Carter Starter in a few bands and played some gigs around town. I was working a difficult day job, drinking heavily and just drifted away from it.Now I am retired and have the time and clarity of mind to do this again. I was also playing drums and bass in Metal bands while living very hard and fast. Now after being over two years sober the steel guitar bug has returned once again. A couple of months ago I started back up with the old acoustic guitar,mandolin and upright bass which lead me to pull the dobro and lap steel out of storage as well. I have the Carter Starter tuned up to C6 no pedals or knees. After I get some chops back and re-gain some confidence then I will pull the GFI Ultra DBL out and dig back into that can of worms. If'n I can get back some of what I lost then will try to pick up where I left off...it's like riding a bike or a horse right? a little jittery but it's coming back to me.Maybe spend a year or so practicing,studying and then look around for a band or even try to form one.
I also want to tip my hat to Bob and all the great pickers here on the forum. Y'all are special unique folks and I much appreciate the sweetness and warmth of steel guitar bringing with it the kindness and intelligence of the players that are attracted to it. I am returning to a fantastic community. Thank you all! Aaron

I played in the 80s and stopped somewhere along the line. Just got too busy, and had lots of banjo gigs.
Started back up 2010 or so.

Dave

After a 23-year pro career, I stopped playing for 10 years when I went overseas to live and work. Sure, I really missed the feeling of sitting behind the steel. On retrospect, though, that long break gave me some "distance" from the instrument.

I did a lot of mental practice during that time. When started to play again in 1999, it was twice as fun!

Also I ordered a new Carter SD 12 to reward myself for the long hiatus.

Me, several times.

It's hard to come back when you leave it but it's also a great way to shed bad habits. I stopped playing for almost 15 years and the last 5 have been very bittersweet, it's surprising how much muscle memory remains but the knowledge in my head is on a delayed signal to my hands sometimes. The final bonus is just the realization that I genuinely love this instrument so I'll take whatever I can get out of it. I wish I knew what Johnny Cox knows...LOL !

I stopped about 20 years ago due to family and job issues and just started back a month or so ago. Thank GOD for this forum and it's awesome members!

I quit playing around 2013 then just started back up again in around Feburary of this year. Just playing in the house but I am loving every minute of it. The pedal steel guitar is an incredible instrument.

I stopped playing professionally 10 years ago and I started playing again 5 years ago.

I'm currently on a break, but I am determined to return. Was in a car accident in December and broke my left ankle and right foot. Just started PT on the ankle so I hope to return to the steel soon. But I'll have to give that volume pedal a rest!

I quit for 15 years. Then started up again 8 years ago.

Started in 76. After Berklee and back to NYC area in 84 basically stopped playing and, needing money, put up for sale. Brought to a gig where I was meeting to sell. Band after me invited me to play it with them. I did their set, boss of my band loved it so much he paid me to keep it! I then joined the band I had sat in with, the Surreal McCoys as guitar/steeler. Fast fwd several years, McCoys eventually disbanded. Steel sat in closet unused. Went to Woodstock to do record and artist said "hey, you play steel. How about putting down on a couple?" Eek, haven't played in so long but ok. I kinda sucked but made the record. Week after I was there some guy named Mutt called the studio asking if there was a NYC guy that played steel. By virtue of just being there with one, they gave my number. Somehow got the gig. Well, let's say since that day in 1995 I've put a little time in to try to improve. Still trying...

I feel as though I've stopped - my last work (a 12-week run of the 'Patsy...' show) ended on 12/1/19!

At that point two factors conspired to stop me playing - one was the onset of Covid and the havoc it wrought on professional theatre, and the other was my ill-fated move back to Britain. My steel (and tons of other stuff) was collected by the shipping agents in April so I had no instrument at hand.

I next saw my Emmons in late-August of '19 but, having newly arrived in the UK, had no amp (their power is 240v) so, once again, I couldn't play. It soon became clear for a number of reasons that the move had been 'ill-advised' and, by January, 2020, all my belongings were once again in the clutches of the shipping-agents! This time I was without my stuff from Jan, '20 until that April, when it all arrived back at my Florida home.

Work by this time was coming back, theoretically at least, but I'd had no calls when the real blow fell - my kidneys gave up the fight and I had to submit to hemodialysis three times a week. I've been having that treatment now for nine months and I have to say that it leaves me feeling quite rough. My steel (and guitar) 'practice', such as it is, is unfocussed and aimless - the instrument feels like a stranger. I need some incentive to apply myself again but I'm not sure where it'll come from.

It's sobering to think that I actually may never play another show but, on the other hand, I've had a wonderful time of it for the last sixty-odd years.

Roger Rettig wrote:I feel as though I've stopped - my last work (a 12-week run of the 'Patsy...' show) ended on 12/1/19!

At that point two factors conspired to stop me playing - one was the onset of Covid and the havoc it wrought on professional theatre, and the other was my ill-fated move back to Britain. My steel (and tons of other stuff) was collected by the shipping agents in April so I had no instrument at hand.

I next saw my Emmons in late-August of '19 but, having newly arrived in the UK, had no amp (their power is 240v) so, once again, I couldn't play. It soon became clear for a number of reasons that the move had been 'ill-advised' and, by January, 2020, all my belongings were once again in the clutches of the shipping-agents! This time I was without my stuff from Jan, '20 until that April, when it all arrived back at my Florida home.

Work by this time was coming back, theoretically at least, but I'd had no calls when the real blow fell - my kidneys gave up the fight and I had to submit to hemodialysis three times a week. I've been having that treatment now for nine months and I have to say that it leaves me feeling quite rough. My steel (and guitar) 'practice', such as it is, is unfocussed and aimless - the instrument feels like a stranger. I need some incentive to apply myself again but I'm not sure where it'll come from.

It's sobering to think that I actually may never play another show but, on the other hand, I've had a wonderful time of it for the last sixty-odd years.

roger,
thats a hell of a story!!! i hope you get better and return to playing your steel your a great player...

p.w

TTT

A few times but it doesn't last. We moved to Florida where a lot of people like to spend their vacations. Now I can't go anywhere because we get a lot of booking's. No money but we do get to sleep in our own beds and the weather is pretty nice!

I played a lot after I got my first steel. Then wound up at a University and married. I was offered a guitar job, so took that and did not play steel for several years. Then, a guy came in to my music store wanting to start a country band, so I dug out the steel and had to learn all over again.

I began playing steel in the late 60’s and continued throughout mid to late 70’s. I juggled playing steel and college and continued playing full time for about a year following graduation. Then, I traded playing steel guitar for a career as an engineer with CSX. Afterward, I continued as an FRA certified locomotive instructor. Whenever, I retired in the 90’s, I began playing again. During the hiatus, I was so busy with work (12 hrs per day, 6 and 7 days a week) steel guitar rarely crossed my mind.

It’s always been an on and off thing for me. Many conflicting interests and responsibilities.

I have played very few gigs in the past three years and they were on the decline before that. Regarding practice, I have peaks and valleys. I go through periods of obsession when I work hard on new things, sometimes a couple of hours a night for maybe a month. And then I have periods of 2-4 weeks when I have absolutely no motivation to touch an instrument.

I feel like I am making little progress and probably declining to the point of no return and losing whatever capabilities I ever had.

That sounds familiar, Bill!

I stopped playing for 25 years then heard a band with a steel guitar, I got the steel out of the attic and didn't think I was going to be able to put it together.

I did.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... 70#3069770

After my stroke in 2011 I didn't play for 8 months,I had to relearn how to play again...didn't want to quit,but nothing was happening with my playing...then one day I sat down at my guitar and started playing again for real.

I went on a hiatus for about 2 years back in 88-90 in order to build my house in the country. I had been playing 3-5 nights a week for 10 years, plus, a day job. The time off was sought of hollow in a way. I didn't , couldn't, listen to music with a steel in it. The act of it made me laconic. I finally realized that a piece of my heart and soul was missing. I immediately acquired a playing job. And, when I started to play again, I started to feel better overall. Of course the weighty schedule I had before wasn't there, at least I was plating again. Which, was good for me.
In 2011, I retired and my wife and I moved to our house in upstate, rural NYS. I thought and accepted the fact that my playing career was probably over, except for personal happiness. However, I was lucky enough to land a local playing job and was back in the saddle again. I now work in two bands, playing sporadically, but, at least I'm playing again. I don't know how much further I'll go, but, I'll keep plugging along as long as I can keep it up.