The Steel Guitar Forum

I always like to ask this question, because it surprises me at some of the answers and lots of times it introduces me to something new I like. So, here it goes…..

What Steel Guitar Solo got you hooked and made you wanna play? The one ride, that absolutely lit one heck of a fire under you when you heard it, you couldn’t stop thinking about it, and even now if you hear it, you get chills.


For me it’s the ride on Garth’s “Much Too Young”. The moment I heard Bruce come in there sideways on that big Emmons, I about jumped out of my truck seat. I HAD to have a steel guitar at that moment, and 2 days later I bought a Fessenden S-10 & Bruce’s Homespun Tape. Still I listen to that song about 2-3 times a day, Bruce is my hero, biggest inspiration I have.

Now, what’s the one that done it for you?

Buddy Emmons playing the solo on Ray Charles' 'Wichita Lineman'.

I had no idea who Emmons was, but hearing that beautiful melody on steel guitar brought home to me that fact that, contrary to what I'd believed, it was possible to play more complex chords on the instrument. That big Bbmaj9 he played near the top of his solo was all I needed to hear!

(I'm not saying that JayDee Maness didn't light a fire under me with his amazing E9 blocking, but Buddy was who sent me out shopping!)

Buddy Charleton on "Waltz Across Texas" by Ernest Tubb and John Hughey on "Last Date" by Conway Twitty.

There are so many that I love,but those are my favorites.

Andy Jones wrote:Buddy Charleton on "Waltz Across Texas" by Ernest Tubb and John Hughey on "Last Date" by Conway Twitty.

There are so many that I love,but those are my favorites.

Charleton was awesome, what a player!

Oh, PLEASE!! Come on...

"Together Again," by Tom Brumley, Buddy's intro and solo to "Touch My Heart," and Buddy's 4-bar interlude in "The Other Woman." in 1965.

I didn't discover the "Night Life" album until later.

The one that got me thinking was Sneaky Pete's solo on the Burrito Bros. version of "White Line Fever". Started thinking harder when I heard Sneaky's solo on the Jackson Browne version of "Take it Easy".

Hello Mary Lou - New Riders - Live
That classic Buddy Cage ascending Steel Ride really drove me to get a PSG, summer of 10th grade, 1979.
Starting 1min:50sec
https://youtu.be/D-4rGrMM8Ek

Emmons again on Judy Collins' version of Pity The Poor Immigrant (produced by Steve Stills)

Emmons, once more, on Judy Collins' recording of 'Someday Soon'.

Mike Ester wrote:Emmons, once more, on Judy Collins' recording of 'Someday Soon'.

Ooooo yea, that’s a good one. He’s getting a real “dreamy” tone on that one, I always thought it was so cool!

Several for me, but Curly Chalker Shadow of your smile, Buddy Emmons Night Life, Santo and Johnny Sleepwalk and Alvino Ray St Louis Blues.

Poco/Bad Weather/Rusty.
Took me 45 years to follow up on the idea, but I never gave up on it and finally started playing.

John David Call..... "Tears" on Pure Prairie Leagues first album. Well, really the whole album.... and the next 2....

For me, it was the steel solo on "What Do I Know" by country music band Ricochet. The song is featured on their self-titled record, "Ricochet", which was released on Columbia Records and I thought Teddy Carr had played on the song for awhile, then I found out from Ricochet lead singer Heath Wright that the only band member who played on the record was Heath on guitar and they were using studio musicians, so the steel player on the song was Bruce Bouton-he was actually the steel player on the whole record. Teddy played the song while touring with Ricochet in their live shows for five years.

Brett Day wrote:For me, it was the steel solo on "What Do I Know" by country music band Ricochet. The song is featured on their self-titled record, "Ricochet" and I thought Teddy Carr had played on the song for awhile, then I found out from Ricochet lead singer Heath Wright that the only band member who played on the record was Heath on guitar and they were using studio musicians, so the steel player on the song was Bruce Bouton-he was actually the steel player on the whole record. Teddy played the song while touring with Ricochet in their live shows for five years.

Yes!!! I thought I was the only one who listened to Ricochet, they are one of my favorite bands. I’ve never got to see em live, but man Heath is one heck of a singer!

+1 for Someday Soon - same Collins album as Immigrant

well I read this Thread and was not going to respond to it, I was just enjoying it, seeing how many different influences there actually were. Well I started thinking about it and I should add mine as well. The 1st was together Again with Tom Brumley. However I was real young when that came out. But the one that sent me to buy my 1st Steel was with out a doubt "If Not You" by Dr Hook. The steel guitar was played by Doyle Grisham. According to him this version was not supposed to be released. Anyways enjoy, I have included it here: Lead starts about 1:10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJgXHg- ... ab70smusic

Holy Crap I just listened to it again and got shivers...AGAIN!
thanks
Wayne

1968, Buffalo Springfield, Kind Woman, Rusty Young

Moon on Lonesome O'nry and Mean.

What got me started on steel originally was Little Roy Wiggins' steel on Eddy Arnold records.

Pedal lick(s) that hooked me was Bud Isaacs on the Webb Pierce recordings.

The Lord Knows I'm Drinking by Cal Smith with John Hughey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6voAw66Bxko

The whole NRPS “Panama Red” album hit me like a ton of bricks, especially Buddy Cage’s guitar coming in halfway through “You Have Seen Me Running”. I grew up hearing steel guitar in everyday music as I was growing up, but that was the first time I turned my head and listened.

Buddy Emmons on John Sebastian's "Rainbows All Over Your Blues"

Tom Brumley playing Neosho Waltz on the Buckaroo's album America's Most Wanted Band. That really got to me. That was in 1972. It took me two years of working and saving to get the first steel-a wood necked Sho-Bud Maverick, but worth it and I am still a fan of Tom's steel guitar playing.

All the various renditions of Amazing Grace on both lap and psg........started with lap, not 100% satisfied so bought a psg......

Sam