The Steel Guitar Forum

I forgot just how good this steel player is until I did a gig with him last Monday night. One of the best. Boomer

He's better than that , Boomer! One of the worlds very greatest!

You can say that again Bobbe. Randy is one of the best. I love to hear him play. He is top notch in my book. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by bob drawbaugh on 21 December 2001 at 06:42 AM.]</p></FONT>

You are right on the money Boomer, he is for sure one of the best and I'm proud to call him friend. Nice to see you on here Boomer.
Doyle O.S.G.A.

Fill us in on Randy's career for the last few years. It may be in another post, but a quick update would be nice.

Another Randy Beavers fan here. Nothing ordinary about his playing.

Mel

I think Randy has a drywall business and doing very well with it. It's a shame (even though I'm glad for him) that he can't make enough money to support his family playing steel because he is one of the very best players and a super nice gentleman to boot.
BB

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If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!

I really enjoyed Randy's playing when he was with Larry Boone, who in my opinion is one of the best singer/songwriters in the biz. I had the opportunity to take some lessons from Randy several years ago and he was fantastic. That blue Zum sounded great. IMHO he is one of the best ever....

What Boomer said !!!
Randy has his own licks--not a copy cat and they are slick. Sometimes you can hear a slight influence from the Late GREAT Zane Beck when he plays.
jp
BTW Boomer ain't too shabby for a hair lip

One of the best solos I've ever heard, Randy Beavers on an album by Steven Fromholtz doing a song called Late Night Neon Shadows. Phase shifter and all, it is one of the reasons I play steel guitar to this day!
Dave Ristrim

I saw Randy on a video clip, playing a 'practice board' - he was knockout! Running a drystone-wall business? There ain't no justice!
Has he made any albums?
Tony H.

He made a couple albums in the late 70s. One was called "Vintage Steel". Great album!

Does he still smoke a pipe?

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CJC

Reggie, I recorded his VINTAGE album in my studio and the picture on front is of my steel guitar collection, and yes, Randy is a super and underated steel player!!!!

Ben Jack

Two years ago I had the opportunity to sit in on a jam next to Randy in Missouri. And to the other side of him..Jeff Newman. To the other side of me..several excellent steel players from that area. Needless to say it was a worthwhile, enjoyable AND sobering experience! I talked to Randy briefly and he was very comforting and an inspiring person to talk to and set up next to. He seemed to be a very dedicated family man. You have to admire his talent and his sense of life's priorities. It sounded like he had a successful drywall business.
I think he lurks the forum.
Players like Randy and Lloyd Green, that haven't recorded an instrumental album in years, should do so. We all need more variety of inspiration to listen to.
Dennis <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dennis Detweiler on 26 December 2001 at 05:31 AM.]</p></FONT>

Randy is one of my favorite players as well as a friend. I consider him to be one of the very elite players. He also comes from an absolutely great family and it shows when you are around him for a while. Several of his kin are regular supporters of our Little O' Oprey in Westfork, Ar. They are there every Saturday night. Wonderful people!!
Jerry

Thanks everyone. I'm flattered. An update on what I've been up to. I do have a drywall business that's been good and it's kept me busy for the last 6 to 7 years. Last year just before Christmas, a builder that I work for called to invite my family and I to a Christmas party he was giving for his customers, employees, and sub-contractors. He said there would be a dinner followed by entertainment. When I asked what was the entertainment he said he had a "little" band and they were going to play for us. He then said "I hear you play a little slide guitar or something, don't you?". I said "yea, I used to". He then said, "well we're going to play about a 45 minuite set and after that you're more than welcome to set in with us." Well, let me tell you, when that Saturday night rolled around I was ready. New strings, guitar polished, I even practiced. I had a great time. We played till around 1am. Since then, we get together at the electrician's house every couple weeks and we never quit before midnight. This has reminded me of why I started playing to begin with. It's FUN! These guys all make a living doing something else and they get together just to have fun. We play some private partys and benefits and this has let me get some of my "chops" back.
Like all of you, I didn't get started playing steel guitar to make alot of money with it, but because I fell in love with the sound of the insturment. At this point in life, I'm loving the sound and expresiveness of the insturment more than ever.
My best wishes to all! Randy

I hear you play a little slid guitar. Boy did this guy step in it. You are with out a dought one of the best steel guitar players I have ever heard. I'm glad you and your busness are doing well. It would be nice if the producers in Nashburg would put you to work. They don't know what they are missing. I sure do.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by bob drawbaugh on 27 December 2001 at 05:14 PM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by bob drawbaugh on 28 December 2001 at 06:33 AM.]</p></FONT>

Thanks Bob. I wanted to add that it was my decision to quit playing professionally. I was working in the studios in Nashville for 5 years as my main source of income. While I wasn't doing the "Master" sessions, I did alot of demos and independant label projects. While I had the dream of breaking into the "master" sessions, I also started looking around at the people who had been at the top. They were back at my level doing the demos and custom projects. There is nothing wrong with this, everyone has to make a living. But most of the "top" players only stay on top for 3 to 5 years. Of course there are exceptions, and I believe they are well deserved! We all know who they are. But I wasn't willing to gamble my family's future on if I would even make it to the top, let alone stay there. And don't be mistaken, the peole who play these sessions make a great deal of sacrifice to be there. For example the loss of family time, or just plain ol' free time to do the things we take for granted. Not to many of them go on vacations, coach Little League, or make it to school plays. And while I'm on my "soap box" I'd also like to add, they do not get the respect they deserve. These people are as well trained, not to mention artistic value, as any "professional" there is, including doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc, not to mention pro-athletes. Think of it, if you're one of one-hundred people that can throw a baseball 95mph with some level of control, you can sign a multi-million dollar multi-year contract, or you can apply this to any sport. How many thousands of cardioligist are qualified to do the surgery? You see where I'm goin with this. Now how many pedal steel players are qualified, that have the creativity and talent to play on these "master" sessions? The list gets very small in comparison to other trades, and even other instruments. I may in the future get more active in playing music again. But you can bet on one thing, It will be for the fun of it. If I make a few bucks along the way that will be fine, but that's not my priority. I don't mean to "rant", but I do get asked alot about why I don't play more, and maybe this will help.

Randy,

I support your reasoning for playing for the fun of it. Several years ago, I had a band that played the ballroom circuit in the Iowa area, Western Swing style. We had fun, but we were travelling our butts off and playing 4 nights per week. We also had other jobs, young families etc. I missed a lot of my oldest daughter's childhood. We now play the ballrooms in Iowa but only 2-3 nights per month and having good time doing it. Music, to me is therapy, kinda like a good stiff drink now and then,but too much will kill you. I have been playing steel now for about 2 years and am hooked on it thoroughly. With the help of some great steel players in Iowa, I am slowly getting better. Keep playing to satisfy yourself. Take care.

Kirk<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Kirk P Dighton on 28 December 2001 at 07:49 AM.]</p></FONT>

Good Words, Randy ! I'd rank them right up there with those by Jerry Byrd over in No Peddlers !! It isn't what we'd want but there it is, take it or leave it.

Your comments about new strings, polish and practice reminded me of something Bobby Garrett's wife told me when he was going to St Louis to be inducted into the Hall Of Fame. He was worried because he hadn't played for a long time but she said, when he got up to play, it was just as it had always been: Great !! I'm sure you found it to be that way too !!

One thing I know for sure; you will not be lonely in your new course ! There are a lot of us who have learned or are learning the same lesson !!

Regards, Paul<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 28 December 2001 at 08:46 AM.]</p></FONT>

Randy, well said. Like you my family is first and for most in my life. Not everyone could walk away from what they love to do and their family is the one to suffer. Randy I think you could hold your own in a master session, no question. IMHO

Just before the last O.S.G.A. show at Tulsa, Jerry Roller ask if I knew Randy. I told J.R. that I had visited with Randy both on the phone and by e-mail but had not met him in person. J.R. said, "then I guess you haven't heard him play"? When I said no, J.R. said "Just Wait.....He's a MONSTER on Steel! I promise you won't forget it"!
When the show rolled around, I found myself on stage playing bass ( or maybe I should say "TRYING" to play bass )for this SUPER PICKER on both his Saturday and Sunday sets!
As if J.R.'s words were not enough to have already clued me in, there were plenty of other subtle hints, like Junior Knight walking up to the front row and sitting down in front of Randy "before" his set started..... or like when Randy with his great big grin told the audience that he didn't play much steel anymore...........John Hughey stood up at his booth and said, "Yeah Right"! With all of this said, I think the single thing that I remember most, was the statement Jody Sanders made. "Most folks, when they decide they want to play steel guitar, go out and buy a P.S.G. and start trying to learn the instrument. Randy Beavers is the only person that I know of, that when he decided that he wanted to play steel guitar did just that, he just sat down, started playing, and hasn't quit yet. It was as if he had always known how to play, he didn't have to go through the learning curve."
I consider it "more than a privilege" to call Randy "THE SUPER PICKER" Beavers, my friend!
Bob Dell

Randy, you won't remember me, but I got with you in Watertown several years back for some lessons. This was something Jeff had set up. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed that and also your playing. If my memory serves me, you had just left Larry and were doing some sessions. I have often wondered what you were doing especially every time I listen to one of my Larry Boone CD's with your fantastic playing. Good luck to you and I think it is wonderful that you have not given it up...you are a fantastic picker....by the way I still have the video you made that day..

Randy, I appreciate what you have to say. A lot of the younger guys don't even know who you are. You were on the cutting edge when I first heard you in the late 70's. I tell you guys, he would have no problem doing master sessions! And Randy, your decision to put family before career is noble. I am even to the point that I am home-schooling my kids.
I couldn't be happier about it! Nothing wrong with playing for fun!