The Steel Guitar Forum

So I'm curious. I love Brent Mason's playing, and of course Paul Franklin. As noted in the Alan Jackson thread, some folks just don't like AJ's new record, cause there's no twang, and no (pedal) steel on there. So are we getting jaded? Do we expect all the new stuff coming out of Nashville to be loaded with Brent's Tele, and Paul's steel?
And how well would a CD of Paul and Brent sell, ALL country, no jazz---But no vocals?
And I'm talking about the general public, here---Not just those few thousand of us who know the instrumentalists and would buy their stuff anyway?

I like Alan's new album more with each listening. The production job by Alison Krauss, and the lap steel and dobro playing by Jerry Douglas are outstanding, as to be expected.

Would I purchase a CD by Brent and Paul.
Of course. In a New York minute!

Would the general public buy enough to warrant a major release? Probably not, I'm sorry to say. That's why all the specialty steel albums are sold on the artist's website or here on the Forum.

I think the reason Jerry Douglas finally got his due as a great picker and has won the CMA Musician of the Year twice, for an instrument like the dobro, which is still obviously not a household word-is that he joined Union Station as a full time member in 1998, and has achieved a lot more visibility than being strictly a studio specialist or a "sideman."

Now to stay on the CMA award for a minute: No pedal steeler has ever won the thing as Musician of the Year, and the award began decades ago. No award to Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, Hal Rugg, or Paul Franklin? For the instrument that generally defines the sound of country music?

So this travesty translates for me that an instrumental album on a major label by Brent/Paul probably ain't gonna happen-though I would be first in line to buy it if it did.

Now if these fellas recorded an album, and went out on an extended tour-it might have a chance at some level of success. But they couldn't just play 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville once in awhile-it would have to be an extensive national tour.

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Mark
<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 05 October 2006 at 10:41 AM.]</p></FONT>

Instrumental CDs of any genre don't make commercial pop status. Recording industry suits ain't gonna promote it.

I don't think they would even promote a "Ventures" reunion project much less a tele/steel twang fest!!

So sad. But the good news is we don't need commercial releases. Independent works for me. I just bought Jazz by Jernigan right here on the forum and it's better than anything you could find at Wal Mart!!!

Terry

Stephen, Brent and I just finished an album of 11 songs (8 of which we wrote)and we do sing 4 of those. It is a mix of jazz,swing, country. It will be out as soon as we get them in from pressing. Aubrey Haney
and Paul Hollowell guest on it. Brad Albin is playing upright bass on it. It is called
"SMOKIN' SECTION".

Ask and ye shall receive! (well-almost)

Thanks for the heads up, Randy. I will be looking for this one on the day of its release!



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Mark

Stephen, do you have "The Players" which came out in the late 90's?

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Mark

If Paul and Brent put out a CD of the big hits of Alan Jackson and George Strait, you will all have to get behind me to get one. I have advocated that be done for several years now.

"Hot Wired"

Brent Mason Solo CD.

Features Paul Franklin Jr on Steel.

It is one of my favorites.

Sugarfoot Rag smokes!

Hey Guys, hope everyone is doing great,

The Cd "Smokin Section" Randy mentioned is done and ready for download.
I just downloaded it today and have already wore it out!

Very different from "Hotwired" but in many ways, better... Very Raw and different Tones than we're used to hearing from Brent.

Randy, you ARE brill' man, great job!!!

You can download it from my link if you like, Click Here

ENJOY, I did!
~Doug Seven


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Guitars better than women,
they don't get mad at you for making them CRY...
~Doug Seven
Tele Chicken Picker
http://www.sizzlingguitarlicks.com/Intro-Movie.html

Hey Randy, I just downloaded the album from Brent's site. The drums sound great. I'm about to go practice C6th with it! Great job.

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Kyle Everson
Sho-Bud Pro-II
Fender Twin Reverb
Goodrich 120

Instantly I hear Django, Wes, and Chet of course.
And echos of Joe Pass, Lenny Breu and Jim Hall a bit.
And of course Texas's best swing players.

Fine effort by all involved.

On his site I like the Tele with a early Les Paulk style pick up.
That explains a few things.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 25 October 2006 at 04:38 AM.]</p></FONT>

Randy

Is this going to be available as an actual CD? If so, I want one ASAP, please!

I asked Brent some years ago about 'Hot Wired', and whether another CD was in the pipeline. He said words to the effect that the experiment was unlikely to be repeated as it had only sold 20,000 (I bet some steel players would like to sell that many!), but I'm very happy that he's changed his mind.

I would have to say that 'Hot Wired' and Donald Fagan's 'Nightfly' get more rotation than anything else in my collection; I have a spare 'Nightfly', but Brent's CD is a little harder to come by these days - I hope my copy doesn't 'fail' ....

RR

Roger, Yes. We ordered the cds last friday. Brent and I have had to do everything on our own on this project. We recorded it in my garage, and we mixed it ourselves. It's been delayed a few times because we both are new at doing this all by ourselves. (art work to mechanics) They will be ready to buy as soon they arrive. We will sign them too Brent said if you want. Randy

Brent's "Hot Wired" may have only sold 20,000 units (hard to accept as this is one of the best CD's on the planet) but its a true classic and I feel it will only keep increasing in price and interest among players from all kinds of musical backgrounds.

Of course it has Brent and PF playing on it but Chet and Jerry Douglas too along with Matt Rollings on keys and a host of other great players. No vocals. I've seen it sell on Amazon.com for over $75 dollars. I'm told it's out of print. I thank my lucky stars I have 2 copies.

To say I'm looking forward to the new CD is an understatment. I'm looking forward to hearing Brent sing too. I've heard some of his singing in the past and he has a better than "great" voice, better than a LOT of the country artist on the charts today.

Randy, if you guys recorded this in a garage,

well, BRAVO fine job!!!

I am going out and drive around the island
in the truck just to listen to it all day.

'Nothing Too It', should be a standard.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 26 October 2006 at 05:38 AM.]</p></FONT>