The Steel Guitar Forum

I've been around a little while now and it sure seems like we have had more new members lately than ever before. Wonder if the PSG is gaining popularity or are there just more folks finding the forum? Whatever the reason for all the new members Congrats to b0b on running this great forum and Welcome to all of you new members.

Rick Garrett

Blackie Taylor told me that orders for PSGs are up and, judging from the amount of new members, it seems the instrument's popularity is on the rise. My question is why? Surely not because of country radio! Or maybe, ironically, it is because of country radio--in order to satisfy our desire for the sound we love, we have to produce it ourselves.

I do not want to get a debate going, but I believe that current country radio would be a reason that the steel may be on the rise. Notice I said A reason not THE reason. I have told this story before but, I was playing with lonestar when Amazed hit the radio and went number one on both country and pop charts. We went from playing to average sized crouds of country music fans to playing sold out stadiums of a whole new group of fans. We even headlined a few big pop festivals with acts like Blessed Union of Souls, Splender and Edwin McCain. Now, say what you want about that not being "country music" but I know for a fact that all of the sudden I have dozens of people asking me about my steel guitar. Everyone from the players in the other bands to many new fans. They thaught it was the coolest and many of them said that they had never seen one in person. I can't remember how many times someone wold walk up and ask me, "hey aren't you a little too young to be playing that thing. I thaught only old guys played the steel." No offense anyone, but that was their perception of the instrument. I agree that todays music does not fit into the mold of "traditional (for a lack of a better word) country music" but it is bringing this instrument to a whole new audience. This to me is a great step in the RIGHT direction. I have also noticed more young players coming up recently than I have in the past seven or eight years that I have been playing. Could this exposure be a part of it. Sure, I think so. I also believe that Paul playing with Dire Straits, and playing on MegaDeath albums, and other players playing with artists like Sheryl Crowe, ect. is great. Bring on the Diversification.

Jeremy

One of my favorite guitar shops "Guitar Showcase" in San Jose Ca had a new steel sitting on their floor. It put a smile on my face. They didnt know what I meant by a steel guitar seat so I asked if I could turn a Peavey keyboard amp on its side and sit on it while I played through it. They even brought me a bar but I didnt have patience to sit and bend picks so I said I'll use my fingernails for now. After a few licks lots of heads turned, even the manager seemed keenly interested.

I think hands on exposure like that should catch on and more people want to give it a try.

By the way the nicely affordable Carter Starter that I played did very well and nicely in tune. The Peavey amp sounded fine too even though I was sitting on it--- and it survived my 225 pounds to boot.

Best Regards,
Rick Barber

I have been playing and teaching professionally on regular 6 string for over 15 years now but have always been very intrigued with the steel guitar. This goes back to when I was little and regularly watched Hee-Haw with my parents.

I finally decided to dive in a last month and I really love it. There is not a lot to bring over from the archtop, so I feel like I am starting a new instrument.

I decided to purchase a Carter Starter from Musician’s Friend based on a lot of the positive feedback on this site posted by the pros. Since I live in NYC, I can not go to my local music store to shop and try out different steels so I had to go with public opinion. I am very happy with the Carter Starter, and I’m sure will purchase a pro model or two sometime later on as I am sort of a guitar collector as well.

The reason I like the steel has to do with the actual sound of the instrument more than the actual style of music it is used in. I think it is a great instrument for just about any style of music.

If the steel is getting more popular, I think we can thank the internet, and especially b0b, for a little of the increased popularity. We now have a great way to communicate with each other, and learn more about this wonderful instrument than ever before!

Sure wish we had all this when I started!

Tom Perryman is a well known disc jokey from way back when. He started in Texas and is now back at a local station here in my home town. They play classic country. They play Western Swing. They play some of the coolest old real fine country music you ever heard. Tom told me that their station was going great guns with folks wanting to hear more traditional country stuff. Theres another fellow I just met who's doing the same thing with a station out in west Texas and they're loving it too. Wouldnt it be great if everyone finally caught onto what great music is all about again? Maybe thats what we're seeing now.

Rick Garrett

Well my band had a gig at the Virgin Mega Store in SF, and I played my Sierra on a couple of tunes. Keep in mind that we play pop-rock and etherial rock, but the response was very positve. Those who did not know what to call the instrument still said they really liked the "slide" sound. Our front man says that our band's sound must have the pedal steel in it (at least some of the songs). A lot of people into current rock and alt. country know all about the pedal steel. I think country music should always have a place for our beloved instrument, but rock and pop is where our future lies. Please don't crucify me over that last statement.

One other Comment,

I also believe that it has alot to do with companies like Carter and Sierra making affordable student model guitars that actually play well. They are also in just about every musicians friend type of catalog that I receive. We owe a big thanks to these companies for allowing people to get started without having to take out a second mortgage on their homes.

Jeremy<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jeremy Moyers on 14 March 2002 at 01:39 PM.]</p></FONT>

A couple of weeks ago, Joe Goldmark was hosting a show on KPFA, a local "alternative" radio station. He was highlighting the greats of steel guitar. Hats off to Joe for an excellent show and for putting pedal steel out to the general public.

Yes among the members that keep buying and buying and buying more steel guitars.And for every new steel player another and another goes to the heavenly shore.The answer is we do not have the facts so we chatter and chatter on.If you gain 1 new one and loose more and more is it a loss or a gain???How many buy a steel and then sell it because its just to hard to learn?In my part of the world we have more Elvis sightings then steel players.

Why are you called "Rick GM". What does the GM in your name stand for. Are you some sort of a "GM" general manager of something. I've never seen anyone call theirself a "Rick GM" before. Do any of you other guys know a "Charlie GM", "Fred GM" or even a "b0b GM". Inquiring minds like mine would really like to know. Maybe my good friend John Fabian could come up with a new model called the "Carter GM". It could stand for - good music! Oh crap, I just broke another .011 and it hit me in the eye.

There's probably one reason: Robert Randolph. And if you don't know who he is, ask your kids. Or grandkids.

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www.tyacktunes.com

Is it possible that the listening audience never abandoned the steel? In my 6 month return I have found there is an abundance of available venues to go and listen to Steel players, here in NC there is the NC group out in Fayetteville, The Saluda SC jam and even the Georgia and Tenn clubs hosting jams regularly. I have been fortunate to play a few gigs recently and at each one the folks present where "Hyped" with the steel.
I do attend local jams as well and there are several folks who come just to see and hear the Steel. The Steel did go away when the record producers decided it was "too country" for cross-over but it never left the hearts of the listening audience, so I think the popularity has not died out here ,it was just sort of quiet or dormant. So now it is time to turn those Nashville 1000's up and reel 'em all back in !!

And of couse having this site has allowed this Steel guitar community to regain stature and "band together" once again.

Where else could you see a photo posted of Buddy and John Huey together within a few hours of the photo being taken.

TP ,glad to be back

I have noticed more people looking for a good used psg, also in the last six months I have played more gigs, for more money then in the year before, also have been playing a lot of 3 hr jobs, an getting more money then they paid for 4hr before. Some thing is going on an it seems to be good. Jerry