The Steel Guitar Forum

While I struggled through listening to the CMA awards,I was in awe of a steeler in a band ( I can't remember who he was playing behind;or even if he was actually playing!)that was "dancing",so to speak,sitting behind his guitar! I can only speak for my self by saying I sit cold still while I play.I can only think that the PSG was used as a prop! I hope that this is not a new trend. Just having a PSG on stage,I guess makes some of the new people think their playing country! Are we in danger of becoming props?????????

We are a "prop" in some bands, that haven't dropped the steel altogether. I read a review of a Faith Hill show in Kansas City several months ago. The newspaper reviewer made the comment the steel must have been there for show as her stage show was all "pop music".

Lets face it, the current emphasis is on "show" not music. Many of the "new" musicians and singers don't know who Ernest Tubb is or who Little Roy Wiggins or Hank Garland are and could care less. Now, before I get flamed I didn't say "all new musicians".

As far as the CMA show, I've heard before that most of the soundtracks are all done ahead of time and the musicians are just going through the motions.

The only time that I am in danger of NOT playing steel guitar is when it is my own fault. I have joined a six-piece "new country" band with a traditional mix. If I had an attitude that I only would do the old traditional music, me and my Carter would be staying home alone. I now work with a GOOD group of musicians playing in clubs and definitely having fun!!! People are hearing steel guitar LIVE and approaching me to converse about the instrument and the music. Maybe us weekend steel players have an opportunity to keep the steel alive as much as the session and tour players because we play such a variety of music--there are more of us to spread the steels presence in all kinds of music. It's true we no longer play as much in a Brooks and Dunn song "Ain't Nothin' About You" as we did in Buck Owens "Together Again" but when the time comes for me to play that little break, they definitely know it is the STEEL GUITAR!! Joe

When I'm REALY having a good time a good time playing I bounce or weave or keep beat to the music while I'm playing or the lead or fiddle is playing.If I'm bored..I sit stone cold. but I'm rarley bored when trying to play...and believe me..when I play..I'm ALWAYS TRYING..but what the heck..I enjoy what I'm TRYING TO DO..It's my theoropy. What realy irks me...is a BAND like LONESTAR..that started as a 4 piece group..then added steel ,fiddle and I think another guitar and addittional keyboard..but THose Additional guys are left out as when getting the kaduus....cause they are only back up and NOT REALY PART OF THE LONESTAR BAND...Ricoche and the long gone Lttle Texas were ALL part of the Band. Even the ever talented DIXIE CHICKS acknowlege or feature band members on some of the performances I've seen. Shania...for all the bad press she got..was just Part of the band if you have seen her show live (When she was touring).She featured each and every member of the fantstic band. And I have never seen a person interact with an audiance they way she did. George Staight also does it AND Features . Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, The Possum and a few others acknowlege thier band mebers..But on those awards shows...they should also thank..beside the writers ,producers,hair stylist(etc).The musicians and technicians in the studio and on the road that MAKE THEM GOOD......Suzy Bogges was very god at recognizing and giving credit to the musicians...as were the late great Dotty West and the Gatlin Boys.
But some just wnat to "TALK ABOUT ME"!!!!!!
My 2 cents.
Grouchyvet

I'm sorry,I probably should have put this topic under Steel Players.