Lee Ann Womack

Norma Jean Lucas · From: siloam springs ar

I got to see Lee Ann Friday nite at the Amp in Fayetteville, Ar. Everyone is right she doesn't travel with a steel guitar but I have to say as much as I love steel guitar, it was still a great show. Her keyboard and lead guitar players were very talented. They both did a good job of backing her with backup vocals and playing. She was a little surprised when the drummer who is a Arkie did the famous Razorback Hog Call. She is better in person than on recording which is usually the other way. Now my brother who has passed away would differ with me as he would not listen to any singer or band who didn't have a steel player. I guess it's getting down that you have to play more than one instrument and be able to do a lot of switching fast! Anyway I would go see her again. She is a great vocalist!

Larry Robbins · From: Fort Edward, New York

I agree Norma Jean, I got to see her a while back and although she did not have a steeler with her, I really enjoyed the show.What a great voice for sure. I would go to see her again as well.Would be nice if she brought a steeler along!

Barry Blackwood · Posted 5 Sep 2005 6:17 am

My take on any artist using steel on their recordings but not live - you won't see me at your show.

Norma Jean Lucas · From: siloam springs ar

Barry, I know a lot of songs need the steel but I would have missed seeing Conway Twitty if I hadn't gone knowing that John Huey was his steel player on recordings but Conway had to downsize at the last also. I have seen John with Vince Gill at the St. Louis show when he was inducted but now Vince doesn't have steel most of the time except on recordings and at the Grand Old Opery which you might as well not have one there because you never hear it, let alone barely
seeing it. I think every instrument is important and I bet most entertainers wish they could have everyone of them on tour with them but financially it just isn't possible. Some people feel the same about not having a fiddle when it was on the recording also.

Barry Blackwood · Posted 5 Sep 2005 3:53 pm

No excuses, especially financial ones. Sorry, Norma Jean ....

Norma Jean Lucas · From: siloam springs ar

No excuses Barry, just stating facts. Sorry!

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

At the prices for concerts and what the "gross" take is for a show, there is no "financial" excuse for not having an instrument - steel or whatever - in the road band.

Most want the live sound to be like the recorded sound and the only way to do that is with a band that has what was used on the recording session.

I realize there is a lot of "overhead" for a show but again that should not be an excuse for an "incomplete" band.

Barry Blackwood · Posted 6 Sep 2005 11:24 am

Norma Jean, what Jack said. Using your logic, management should just eliminate ALL the musicians and have the 'star' standing alone on stage singing their hit(s) to pre-recorded tracks. Think of the piles of cash they could save!!

[This message was edited by Barry Blackwood on 06 September 2005 at 02:50 PM.]

Norma Jean Lucas · From: siloam springs ar

Guys, I didn't want to start anything but I still stand that Lee Ann put on a very good show singing and the backup band sounded great. I hear Merle Haggard is going to be at Country Land in Springdale Thursday using the warm up band that opened for Lee Ann and there's no steel. That says something is wrong financially with touring groups. It was only a 4-piece band which included lead guitar, bass, drums and a fiddle. Personally I'd rather have the steel before the fiddle.
At the Amp Theater tickets are $15.00 to $30.00. Since most of the stars don't sign autograph the lesser is just as good. Don't get me wrong I love the steel guitar. Get to work with Bill Myrick at Country Your Way. Usually the stars use studio musicians so they won't sound the same live. They can get it close but it's not the same.

Brett Anderson · From: Arizona, USA

I always say "if you are going to be a bear, be a Grizzly." I feel that if you are gonna be a country singer, you need to carry a steel player. I love Lee Ann but for crying out loud she has sold plenty of albums and the added expense of a steeler shouldn't be a huge financial burden.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I think that there are a lot of points of view on this.

For a major artist in a major venue, I think Barry and Jack are correct. The amount saved by eliminating any single instrument pales in comparison to the other overhead, which is astronomical for a really large show.

But for non-major artists or smaller venues, I'm not so sure. Remember this quote from the steeler traveling with Heather Myles, on this thread,
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/010114.html

Brett Anderson · From: Arizona, USA

And another thing I'm sure there are plenty of utility type pickers she could hire to play other instruments when steel is not called for. But most of her big hits have steel on them. I'm with Barry, finances shouldn't be an excuse with the cost of tickets and such.

Brett Anderson · From: Arizona, USA

I'll never forget the first time I saw Ricky Skaggs in concert in 1985. His band sounded just like the records. Every instrument accounted for. I thought that was the coolest thing and still do.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Yeah, Brett - I meant to mention that third alternative of hiring a utility player who plays steel and one or two other instruments. There are a lot of ways to skin a cat if they want to do it.

BTW, Merle is one of my exceptions. I've seen him with and without steel. At some place like the Bottom Line in NYC (yeah, I know it's closed) or something like that, I understand why he might not have steel. I've seen some great singers come out and do a killer show solo. It's a different thing, and legitimate artistically, IMO.

But on a big high-dollar show where a well known country act is pumpin' out the hits, I want to hear the steel that belongs there. No B-bender or crunchy Marshall-driven lead guitar substitute, thank you. If it's not there, I'm not goin'.

Barry Blackwood · Posted 6 Sep 2005 1:53 pm

Dave, agreed.

Sidney Malone · From: Buna, TX

As far as the Merle Haggard shows go, if Norm is physically able to be there, I believe he will be there! Norm just went through bypass surgery and might not be touring at the moment because of that.

I've seen Merle many times and Norm Hamlett has always been there. Merle also introduces him as the band leader.

I don't know the situation with Lee Ann and why she has no steel on the road when she has had steel in the past, but I believe if more singers would stand their ground instead of conceding to the authorities, a lot would change!!

Jack Therrell · From: Conroe, Texas, USA

I think I know why these touring singers do not have a steeler, they don't really want one. When will those of us who think it is not real without steel accept it is a new day. We are so in the minority that our failure to attend concerts is not going to matter much.I am listening to Bobbe's streaming audio as I type, so you should know I not only play steel but also listen every chance I get. But, I am a realist if the steel thrives it will be in a new venue Jack the opionated one.

Barry Blackwood · Posted 8 Sep 2005 4:00 pm

Jack, if the artist doesn't want steel, then they shouldn't have one on their recording(s) to begin with .... Can one safely assume that after some sixty years now that steel, despite the notable efforts of it's best players, is not going to make major inroads in other styles of music? Hell, it's barely surviving in country....

[This message was edited by Barry Blackwood on 08 September 2005 at 07:53 PM.]