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Topic: Steel: Full-Time Jobs? |
David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 3:13 am |
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| How many people in Nashville, elsewhere and on the road actually make their living playing steel guitar? I guess we can count those who teach, sell products, and play other instruments to round out a session, but not guitar players who "dabble" in steel. Benevolent wives and sig-ots count, selling herbal products out of your trunk to supplement your once-a-week gig does not. |
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Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 3:25 am
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| I'll get you started. I do. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 5:41 am
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I do, too, but I can't claim that it keeps me in the lap of luxury!
Still, it's more fun than actually working for a living....
RR |
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Scott Henderson
From:
Camdenton, Missouri, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 6:53 am
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six nights a week in the ozarks!!!
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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 7:03 am
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I make a living playing the steel. Strange as it might seem I have a place to live and eat food on a regular basis.
Bob |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 8:24 am
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| Moved to 'Steel Players' section. Good topic! |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 9:15 am
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| VERY few. |
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Ben Lawson
From:
Brooksville Florida
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 10:33 am
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| I can't say that I only play steel for a living because I have a day job. I do make more money playing than I do working and my boss knows that I take off when I have to play. I took off all of Jan. & Feb for the past two years to do plays and musicals. We also have occasional road gigs. |
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Eric West
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 10:48 am
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It's a real balancing act.
Looking at MANY other trades, even ones that "unions" are taking money for "representing", very few "purists" can "make it" without another form of supplimental income. I only know about 1 or two in five "construction" or "factory workers" that don't have "other jobs".
I found in the 80s, as I am again that the "stress" aspect, except for a fortunate few is much higher in the music business than in more "physical" trades.
I honestly feel better after hauling a 30 ton trac hoe successfully around a metro area, or delivering 200 tons of paving mix, 32 tons at a time, and making 150-300$ doing it to be more satisfying, than hacking my way through a gig where the lead instruments are actually forced to be the rythym section, the checks have to be held for a week, but no longer than two, and when you get home, you can't go to sleep until you "unwind". The latter for sometimes as low as 10 bucks an hour for something I've been doing for 25-6 years..
Also, there is in my SS readout a 7 year string of goose eggs that was an added "minus" in my period of "only playing music".
Funny that I often played more when I had a full time job. I was in better shape, and under less "stress" and was able to do it.
Very seldom do "single trade" people go through life without terrible "down periods".
Ask any truck driver, or Computer/Chip tech worker.
Herbal Suppliments?
I think more than one Portland cop has been doing that "MLM" thing.... with varying degrees of success..
EJL |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 10:51 am
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| Between my teaching, music store, and playing I did it totally for about 45 years out of the last 65 years of my working life....al . |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 12:36 pm
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I know that I stated above that I got my living from playing steel, but I've just won $20 in 'Texas Scramble' at the golf club...
Does this supplementary bonus disqualify me as a full-time pro?
Seriously, I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to keep a roof over my head just from music - it may not be a lavish existance, but I'm proud of the fact just the same. It's been a good life up to now ...
RR |
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Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 12:47 pm
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I`ve done it for almost 15 years,but now I play on weekends and have fun like never before.Don`t care how much we make in tips,I`m a FedEx contractor with my own brand new 2004 model,"International" straight truck and make more money that I`ve ever seen as a steel player before.It was a good ride,but it`s time for a change.One day I will have 2-3 drivers and then I may go back playing music while someone else is working.Way to go for me.
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Reggie Duncan
From:
Mississippi
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 10:05 pm
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I am in music full-time. I play steel 2-4 times per week and have a student. The other time is spent in my recording "room" making soundtracks for songwriters and complete albums for others. I guess I dabble in all necessary instruments to complete this task.
I love it!
I also manage the talent for 98 concerts per year at a Christian Supper Club in South Louisiana. Yep, this is full-time! |
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ESnow
From:
Berryville AR USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2003 11:41 pm
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| 6 nights a week in Eureka Springs,Ar |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Jun 2003 12:45 am
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I mostly only play at home, anymore, and pay myself for doing it! Figure that one out! Help! I think eventually I'll end up 'Broke'!
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“Big John” wknsg®
Franklin, D–10 w/9 & 8
Peavey, Classic 50 – 212
Enhancer, E–LG
Ibanez, AD–9 http://community.webtv.net/KeoniNui/BigJohnBechtels
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 22 Jun 2003 5:06 am
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| [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 19 July 2003 at 06:42 PM.] |
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Ernie Renn
From:
Brainerd, Minnesota USA
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Posted 22 Jun 2003 5:32 am
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I do...
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My best,
Ernie
The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 22 Jun 2003 5:53 am
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I used to play full time back in the early 70's. I guess you could say I am now too, but only because I got laid off from my day job.  |
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Whip Lashaway
From:
Monterey, Tenn, USA
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Posted 2 Jul 2003 7:36 am
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I do since I retired from the Air Force. I'm working with 5 different bands and several small studios. If things work out with the Country Gospel group, we're taking it on the road. I'm in the unique position of not having to worry to much about the money. I'm making real good money playing but I just love playing. I'm living a dream. Doesn't get any better than this!!!
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Whip Lashaway
Sierra E9/B6 12 string
Sierra E9/B6 14 string
78' Emmons D10 P/P
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