The Steel Guitar Forum

Who is that steel playin fool from the Derailers? Do they hire someone out or do they have a permanent man? I think they are awesome and their steel player is excellent!
Also, I don't know if I posted about Don Pawlak, but he is the steel player for past Souvenirs. He moved to Austin, TX recently. I hope he is doing well. Anyone ever heard him?
Melinda Dauley

I think there have been several steel players on the Derailers recordings. One of the earlier CD's credits Scott Walls.
Full Western Dress has Marty Muse on the recording and He has toured some with them also...I have yet to pick-up their latest, so don't know about that one.
Great band! One of my favorites ever.

They are sure some strange-lookin' dudes, though

Dons presence is missed around here. I've met lucky from the souvenirs a few times, but never did get to see don play with them... I do like the cd. what is your favorite track? I like the classic sound on track six. seems like he played with tons of people around here.

I see Don almost every night...ah...ha. as he is a very good friend of mine and a great steel guitar player and we sit in on each others steel frequently.
Yes he sat in with the Derailers as also I have and Mike Daily and Chris S....and Pete F..and the list goes on and on.
The Derailers use who ever is avaliable...and I believe Don is taking my job with Dale Watson....ah..ha...as Dale is gunna do alot more touring this year than I'm able to do...seeing that I teach Golf..and compete golf...and Restore Old Steel guitars...and play and record steel guitar with various projects...So I know of no other that can take the lead on Steel in the Dale Watson band except for my Friend Don.....so lets wish him good luck and go get'um.
Ricky
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 14 February 2003 at 01:35 AM.]</p></FONT>

Hey Ricky!
Can´t you please ask Don if he´s coming back to the Furuvik Country Festival in Sweden with Danni Leigh this coming august?
Also please ask him to tab out his Jerry Lee Lewis style "piano" solo high up on the neck with a broke off drum stick instead of a steel bar. It´s about time that Don takes part of the Forum now, and that would fit well as a first contribution, wouldn´t it?

Stå på!
Anders

I think that Don should start posting on here. Don sounds like you made a lot of great friends in Austin already. We miss you here!!! Come and chat!
Melinda

Melinda I have a picture of Don from Philidelphia 3/2000 if you are interested.
That was an east coast run with BR549.



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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

I remember a few years ago at the "Culver Saloon" when the "Souvenirs" played and met Don and his beautiful birdseye Sho-Bud. What a sweet sound and a very fine picker, howdy Don if by chance you are reading this..

Geez...how can I pick a favourite track from the King of Heartache? I like them all...I think my LEAST favourite is the Farin Young tune. I really like 1,000 miles away. My band, The Lucky Devilz, we cover that and for being the punks we are, I think we do a good job.
Melinda

I met Don in San Fransisco about 5 or 6 years ago. He was on tour with the Souviniers and our band was opening. We both had the exact same setup! Sho-Bud Super-Pro and a Webb 6-14E amp. Nice guy, great picker.

Dave Z

I recently met Don while he was pckin' with Danni Leigh. They were opening the show for us (The Kevin Fowler Band) at the Coupland Dancehall. Everything y'all have said about Don is absolutely true. The man is an awesome picker and an all-around nice guy. Ricky, next time you see Don tell 'em I said howdy!

As far as posting on the Forum. It would be great to have him participate with all of us but, alas, he told me he does not have access to the internet, yet.

One other note. For all y'all that aren't familiar with Danni Leigh and her band or her music: Watch Out! She's kick'n @ss and takin' names!

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Melinda;
Where I come from, it really isn't friendly to call someone a fool. Pedal steel players, in my experience, are intelligent, logical, and anything but a fool. Why do you use such inflammatory language?

Do any of you know if Don ever lived in Nashville for a little while in the early 1990's. His name rings a bell and the guy I am thinking of played a Sho-Bud Super Pro, it had a natural finish. If it is, it is good to hear that he is doing well, he was a nice guy and a fine steel player.

Richard-
You gotta remember I'm a youngin' and our slang is a lot different than other generations.
I'm sorry if it offended you but I would offer advice to not be so sensitive to what other people say.
It is and was obvious that I really enjoy/enjoyed what the guys from the Derailers do. If you didn't get that from my original post, I'm sorry.
Melinda

Hey Bob; yes it is the Same Don....
and still has the natural Super Pro.
Ricky

Melinda I just read what you said to Richard. I DON'T CARE what generation you are from being rude to people and making STUPID uncalled for comments is out of the question here. Try to be a little more understanding or at least try to curb your tongue it is going to give you and the band you play for a bad reputation.

Richard, my generation's understanding of the use of "fool" in the context that Melinda used it is the same as her generation's. If I call someone a "fiddle-playing fool" it is meant to suggest that the individual in question is an ardent fiddle enthusiast. Someone who has given their heart to the fiddle. Just as, in any number of country songs, the hopelessly-in-love individual is a "fool" for the person they love. So that use of the word is not in any way derogatory.

I knew exactly what Melinda meant by "steel playin' fool". I've used that term many times, in a complimentary way. Geesh guys, lighten up. Hey, maybe she was talking about me. I play with those guys alot.

Chris- If any of them recordings were you or if you ever played in Seattle with them, you are AWESOME and I bow down to you!!!
Hope to see you with them sometime soon!
Melinda

Ricky, thanks for answering my question. Tell Don I wish him luck with the Dale Watson gig. He might not remember me ( tell him I the guy who played the old Sho-Bud Professional ). I will be looking foreward to seeing him if they are gigging in my area. Take Care!
Bob

I'm amazed at the path Don has cut. That steel-playin' fool. I met him when a band I played with in Seattle was on the same bill as the Souvenirs. I had been playing steel for only two years, and he was just the nicest guy -- and modest as all get out. His tone was/is the best I'd ever heard in person. He gave me a lot of tips, and is the one who persisted that I learn the C6th tuning on the lap steel, which I am forever thankful for. Don -- THANKS, and I'm so glad your talents are taking you places. Dale Watson is my favorite contemporary "country" singer.

Melinda -- you steel-playin' fool, thanks for starting this thread.

Al Terhune<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Al Terhune on 20 February 2003 at 06:52 PM.]</p></FONT>

This talk about fools makes me think of the Ernest Tubb song "Big Fool Of The Year". Hey Melinda, if you get a chance to listen to that one, you´ll hear some VERY tasteful steel backup by the great Buddy Charleton. But be careful, it might get you hooked, as happened to me.
(Just remembering, you recently asked for suggestions what to listen to.)

Regards, Joe H.

I like Ernest Tubb...I'll be sure to check out that song! Thanks!
Melinda

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Just remember: Bi-valves can't play steel. And if they ask, just say no.

don is a great player. i was fortunate enough to have played in a couple of bands with him in the seattle area and first met him when he lived in missoula mt and he played with some mutual friends over there. i used him on several sessions i produced and love his classic sound. i hope austin pans out for him and when he gets e-mail i hope he'll join us here and we can find wassup with him. (and maybe we could get him to post his most excellent jambalaya recipie!) <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Orville Johnson on 06 March 2003 at 08:55 PM.]</p></FONT>