The Steel Guitar Forum

Even though he didn't play on stage, his playing at the Carter booth (and the Sierra room) was the highlight of the convention for me.
Thanks Ann & John Fabian for bringing this amazing player to play for us.
The technique and passion in his playing is truly inspiring!!

(oops..meant to post ISGC not ISGA)<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tony Palmer on 02 September 2001 at 07:13 PM.]</p></FONT>

Amen to that, Tony, I was at both of those places when he played his very unique style of pedal steel guitar. First time in a while that the hair on the back of my neck stood up while listening to something different on steel, different to me anyhow. Never seen a bar move as fast as his did with so much deadly accuracy.I would loved to have heard him with a band. Rave on, Chuck !!

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"Steel is the real deal"

I was looking forward to hearing Chuck for the first time. I was not disappointed. I sat an arm's lenght away as he and Joe Wright jammed!

CC is a true gentleman. He let us try his guitar, explained the setup, described it as "an autoharp" approach (different pedals for different chords).

He was very humble and emphized the great respect he and other Scared Steelers have for Lloyd G, Jimmy C, and other mainstream steelers.

Chuck, I know you're reading this, say hi to the forum!

God Bless ya man,



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<img align=left src="http://www.pedalsteel.tv/img/joey.jpg" >
-j0e-
www.pedalsteel.tv

Elaine and I enjoyed your company, Tony. I was impressed with Joe Goldmark.I knew he would be playing a unique steel style; therefore I was expecting a distorted sound. He played witha hell-of-a-lot of energy and nice tone.

Hearing Chuck in action was definitely the highlight of the convention, it was much better than if he had been playing on a program. For those of you who weren't there (or were at the convention and somehow missed it), this is what the scene was like. Mostly Chuck just started playing his guitar (either after the jam at the Sierra booth or at the Carter booth). Within 5 minutes steel players started gathering like moths to a flame.

Chuck was definitely on a mission at the convention (and missed a good part of a very important church assembly to go). First, he wanted to show us 'traditional' steel players the Sacred Steel tuning and playing styles. There has been a lot of misinformation about this style (e.g. it's a slide guitar type of style, it's primative). Chuck blew some minds showing the chordal possibilities of the style (especially the very funky rhythm capabilities), and also the hot single note style that Chuck pioneered that players like Robert Randolph are bringing to mass audiences. And especially the sweet single note 'vocal like' traditional Sacred Steel style that brought many a smile to listeners faces (one of my favortie moments was when Tommy White was so moved by Chuck's playing on Amazing Grace that he walked up to him, shook his hand, and told him 'that was some of the best steel playing I have ever heard').

But more important, Chuck was also on a mission to connect with us 'country' players. He wanted to let us know that the Sacred Steel players not only appreciate the masters like Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, and all the rest, but that they also have listened to them and learned from them, not in terms of imitating the style, but in terms of adapting what's there to their style. The Opry was on the radio in many a Sacred Steel household, because where else could they listen to great steel guitar. Another of my favorite moments was when Chuck played a song for Jeff Newman (with Jeff sitting a couple of feet a way with a huge grin on his face) that he had learned from a Jeff Newman course. There has been a lot of misunderstanding from country play regarding the Sacred Steel community, with some people thinking that it is a threat to the traditional styles, or that somehow the Sacred Steel players don't respect the greats. Chuck definitely got the message of respect through to anybody who heard him, and it was great to see the bonds develop between Chuck and all the steel players who heard him, including hall of famers like Lloyd Green, Billy Robinson, Jeff Newman, and many others.

This was the most uplifting convention I have been to.

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www.tyacktunes.com

It was so nice to finally meet Chuck, he came to the Franklin booth and introduced himself. He is so nice, warm and humble.
Dad and I then went to the Carter booth to hear him play. WOW! I regret him not being on the main stage with his band. He plays with soul and brings you in.
It's so refreshing to hear what he's doing for the young players, getting them drawn in!
Thanks Chuck, Theresa

That reminds me,
Theresa brought a "Sitar Bar" that Paul Sr. made over to the Carter Booth for Chuck to try. Of course Chuck sounded great with it. It was the last "Sitar Bar" Paul had at the show. Now it's mine!

-j0e-

I just added a picture Buddy sent me from Chris Templeton of Chuck and Buddy from the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York.
Buddy and Chuck

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My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com

Joe,
Chuck ended up buying that sitar bar. Dad had one left at the booth and you got it! Chuck can start selling for us Theresa<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Theresa Galbraith on 03 September 2001 at 04:01 PM.]</p></FONT>

Tommy White as in "White Hot" walked up to Chuck Campbell shook his hand and said that it was some of the best steel playing he has ever heard. i concur.

When he played Amazing Grace in the Sierra room it sent a chill down my spine. I have never heard a steel sound more like the human voice than on that song. Awesome. It was like a full gospel choir had walked into the room.

I concur with all the above and was present when Jeff was checking Chuck out as well as earlier in the day when Chuck was at the Carter booth.He was playing some NICE R&B changes and very interesting funky vamps,blusey licks and had a thumb strumming style I haven't seen before.He also demonstrated how his tuning was capable of copping the E9 Nashville style quite well.He explained his copedant and the reasons behind it and invited me to sit down and check it out - which I did.He had some changes,especially on the lower strings,which I'm definately gonna study and perhaps try to integrate into my tuning.Thanks Chuck. -MJ-

Meeting Chuck and having him put his tuning through the paces was a highlight of the convention for me. It was also a real thrill for me to watch him play for Lloyd Green (who he has a whole lot of respect for). Chuck is a monster player, and has a lot to teach us.

Chuck sat up in the Sierra Demo Room with Joe, Pete and myself, can't put it in words how I felt about his playing just WOW, would love to send more time with him, I LOVE blues and could learn a new slant on it from him..
Thank's from all of us At Sierra for takeing the time to let us hear you, Hope to see you soon....

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Sierra S-12 9&7
Peavey-2000-PX-300

Hearing and meeting Chuck was one of the many highlights of the convention. This man is taking the steel guitar in a new and very exciting direction. Regards Bob

Watching Chuck play gave me the same little chill that I got around 30 years that made me buy a steel. I have not felt this excited about playing in many years...

Also, getting to know him as the fine human that he is was also wonderful. His balance between his faith and his playing is nothing short of extraordinary. Hopefully, we are heading into some recording together, and man, does that ever please me.

Just curious: have any of the sacred steel players been invited to perform at the ISGC yet? Given that this amazing music has been an open secret for four years now (let's hear a big round of thanks for Bob Stone), it seems a terrible omission if they haven't.

Yes! To all of the above comments. I enjoyed Chuck's variety of songs. I especially liked his arrangement of "Summertime."
His skills are fantastic and his willingness to teach and explain put him in the topmost group of musicians anywhere.
Thanks again to Ann and John Fabian for bringing him to the convention.
Chuck, it was really nice to meet you, thanks for sharing your skills.
Blake

In response to Ian's question, to the best of my knowledge no sacred steeler has ever been invited to play "on the program" at the ISGC. I've heard from several sources that after Lonnie Bennett's appearance in 2001 some top-ranking Nashville steelers strongly urged Scotty to book some sacred steel for 2001, but nothing became of it.

I applaude Lonnie and Chuck for the musicianship and diplomacy they presented at the ISGC in 2000 and 2001.

Thanks for your kind words Ian. My work in documenting and presenting sacred steel is a labor of love. Great music, a fascinating tradition and most of all, great folks. The work has enriched my life. I've learned a lot.

All the best,

Bob