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Topic: Steel Guitar Prominence |
Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 4:27 am |
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Much of the steel guitar glory that swept into the 70's, created inroads or vacuums, due to the immense popularity of the instrument. As a result, there appears to be a trending away from the instrument of choice, as we find that a surge of heavy traffic, unrelated to steel guitars, have found an "Achilles heel", in the steel guitar industry. Whomever is showing a diminished concern, for the traditional sounds, that brought country music to where it is today, would do well to rethink what they are missing. Luckily, there are great numbers of country music fans, who have remained faithful to that form of music. Hopefully, they will nurture the true sense of joy, that is felt deep within the hearts of those, who have been drawn to country music.
Bill H.
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 6:42 am
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Bill - I share your feelings about the demise of "real" country music. Out here in Denver, we find that a lot of the older folks are feeling abandoned by the "new country" sounds eminating from Nashville. We have quite a following of them that come out to hear music that stays true to the classic sounds of the 40's - 70's. We're also finding that many of the younger crowd have come to real country music through the "alt-country" genre, or through Johnny Cash, who is a big hero to them. They are discovering the soul and honest feeling, so abundant in the music of of Hank, Lefty, Webb, Buck, et al, and consequently they are discovering the steel guitar as well. I get a lot of excitement from the kids when they see me setting up my steel (and sometimes after I play, too!). Although mainstream classic country music was considered conservative at one time, it is now very anti-establishment, and the kids are embracing it. We have a website for the multitude of Colorado bands playing the real stuff: www.denverbarndance.com . We're keeping it alive for those that care to listen. Too bad Nashville isn't.
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Tim Whitlock
'58 Fender 1000, '56 Fender Stringmaster, '65 Twin Reissue, Niomi lap steel, old Magnatone tube amp.
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Mike Brown
From:
Meridian, Mississippi USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 7:01 am
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| What'd Bill say?????? Just kiddin'. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 8:27 am
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Tim W.,
Thanks for throwing your shoulder against the distasteful trending, and helping to bolster the resistance needed to preserve what we will always believe in. I must say though, that every now and then, artists will come through with a traditional country recording. When I first heard A. Krauss and J. Taylor sing their duet of the Louvin Brothers hit, "How's The World Treating You?", it tore me to pieces. I thought to myself, there is nothing sweeter that has been recorded in recent times. I liked the G. Jones/A. Jackson recording of, "A Good Year For The Roses". Vince Gill and John Hughey share in the accreditations of great country music. Thanks for the Denver information, and to all who share in the support of selections of country music, from 30,40, and 50 years ago.
Bill H. |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 9:18 am
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Yes, and I miss the live Grand Old Opry. I have watched it for so many years, now they even took that away from us. It is not on Direct TV........sad situation....al 
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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
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Bob Wood
From:
Madera, California, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 10:38 am
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Man! You know, it's great to live in a country where we can all have different opinions about things! Or, maybe it's just the area of this great country that I live in, but from my stand-point here on the "West-Coast" I don't see PSG losing any ground what-so-ever! In fact, when you turn on the Country stations around here (There's only two that I'm aware of!), all you hear is Steel. Of course most of everything you hear is Top 40, or mainstream Country. The dominant steeler you hear is Paul Franklin, which I think is just great! Paul has brought something to the Steeler's community that we had lacking for years! Lot's of air-play! Shaina Twain recorded a song, and right now the name of it slips my mind, that had her phrasing a line, and Paul playing a line, her phrasing again, Paul playing again, and on it went. Through the whole "dang" thing! The first time I heard it, I was driving on one of our busy freeways here in the Bay Area, and I almost drove off the road! Man! Goosebumps all over my body like a bad rash! They played it for a while I guess while it was still on the top! And, every once in awhile, I still hear it. I call my mother's doctors office here in 'Ole "Country" San Jose, California, and when they put me on hold they have the local country station on their "elevator" music. Even when I take her to see her doc., they have it playing on the over-head. And, that's not the end of it! I could go on, and on! Huh, b0b? But, I won't Ha! Ha! I also have a music business here which deals with "Heavy Metal", and "Head-banging" music (They may be the same thing. I dunno!). And, some blues too. Now that side of the music which use to be real big around here (San Francisco Bay), seems to be going downhill drastically! Again, I dunno! I don't see PSG, or Country music lacking any audience here! Maybe it's just the area I live in!
Bob
P.S. Most of the bars around here have very little attendance anymore due to the strict "Drinking-and-Driving" laws, so it's hard to gauge the music sucess by bar attendence![This message was edited by Bob Wood on 23 January 2004 at 10:39 AM.] |
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Scott Henderson
From:
Camdenton, Missouri, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 11:31 am
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here in the oxarks it seems like it is either blues or old country, western swing and old bebop(traditional jazz) so i bet you can guess what i am doin and lovin every minute of it. I agree with an earlier post that said we're actually doin ok steel is still there just not as predominent as before. lot of fill work which i can appreciate and besidesany exposure is good....i have played in top forty bands and worked some concerts with new nashville acts. the steelers are there but more for the fluff and not the outfront stuff with the exception of the occasional lead ride but we're in there and thats good. also a good point about the drinkin adn drivin thing hurting us not as many gigs as before and i think that is a big part of it. the youngin don't mind a DUI as much as us old cats!!!heheheheJust keep pickin guys keep the process alive and movin!!!
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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 11:35 am
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| Mike, I think he said something about a vacuum and throwing his shoulder out. Not sure... |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 12:27 pm
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Jim C.,
I reviewed the July 20, 2003 tape of your steel guitar performance in Lee, Massachusetts. The supporting musicians, Buzz Evans, Mike Ihde, and Rick Leab, enhanced your unflagging command in maintaining the ultimate and flawless melody lines. I stared in disbelief, as you appeared to envision the moves of the players behind you. Thank you for sharing your unlimited talent with those in attendance.
Bill H. |
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John Floyd
From:
R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 1:03 pm
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Jim , Does that mean your tone is still adequate?  |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 1:07 pm
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Now that I understood!  Thanks, Bill. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 5:50 pm
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Bob W.,
Thanks for the lively report on happenings in and around California. You had written about Paul Franklin and Shania Twain in your reply. Just for the record, they are both casted into a pedestal of fame, unrivaled by anyone of their peer group. I have several tapes of Shania, which are played on occasion.
Bob, have you heard anything about a large group of RV travelers, and others, meeting in Death Valley to hold jam sessions? A friend was there during one of those meetings. According to her, the pickers played stringed instruments, and played very well. I was surprised to hear that the once dreaded valley, could become a musical scene.
Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 23 January 2004 at 09:50 PM.] |
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Jerry Hedge
From:
Norwood Ohio U.S.A.
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 6:12 pm
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| Bill, I would have to say there's something WRONG with that website! Real country has not died in Cincinnati. We have one of the best Honky Tonk bands in the country,Bobby Mackey and the Big Mac band. If you've been to the Lexington Ky. show you have heard this band featuring their steel player,Chuck Rich. And the first and third sunday of the month, one of the bands I play with,The New Radio Cowboys, plays The Comet,one of the city's Alt Rock Clubs. We play Honky Tonk and Western Swing. We may be down BUT we're NOT out!!! [This message was edited by Jerry Hedge on 23 January 2004 at 06:13 PM.] |
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Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
From:
Southaven, MS, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2004 9:41 pm
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| We attended the Mickey Gilley show tonight at the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, Ms. His featured "act" is, of course, Joey Riley who does well on the steel and the fiddle. His forte, however, is the comic routine between he and Gilley. We've seen the show in Branson many times, and it only gets better. I'm supprised that some sit com has not grabbed Joey: he's a great talent. I've heard that he makes 2$grand per show in Branson: 7 to 8 shows per week in season. He also has several businesses, including a Limosine Service (Riley's) in Springfield, Mo. HJ |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2004 3:46 am
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Dr.Jeffreys,
Can you reconcile with your steel guitar, for affixing you to its stringent modes of captivity? If so, you are fortunate, particularly if during those long studies, it blends harmoniously, with wife and children. For the married man with a family, it's quite impossible to make arrangements, that will over the long haul, be suitable in every respect. The late "Rocky Stone", who passed away in Missouri, recently, was once a Bostonian guitarist, who moved to Texas, to work for Mickey Gilley. He was missed by his fans here in Massachusetts, because of the void that was created by his departure. He was a definite classy example of what fans look for in a musician's character. Gentleman qualities, combined with musical prowess, is foremost in this world of music. The gentleman who is earning a "month's salary" for each performance, is certainly a business minded musician. It's hard to imagine a wife and child, who wouldn't be willing to accept the "Nashville wives" syndrome, which denotes periods of loneliness, for the sake of the extra cash turning up in the family coffers. All of this "unrelated" cacophony, may very well ring true, to the many who suddenly realize, that sacrifices most invariably, become prerequisites in our quest to reach out as musicians.
Bill H.
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Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
From:
Southaven, MS, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2004 7:57 am
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| For Bill H.---If there has been any "captivity," or "spell" which relates my SG to me, it has been the absence of COMMERCIALISM. I have been unaffected by the cacaphony that passes over the radio waves. I have'nt played "cowboy" music since I was 15 (with a group on WREC, Memphis.) I did, however, front an 11-piece Western Swing band at the Eagles Nest in Memphis when I was 22--but that was fun and games: Western Swing still swings in my mind. If the pro musician survives today he/she must abide by the rules of the public: Play what they want to hear, or you're out. CD music sales is an 11 $billion a year industry, however, piracy is alive and well. An inside source told me yesterday that, due to the high level of internet theft, Nashville is no longer paying double and triple scale. Be that as it may, I'm sure there are many players in a sub catagory who are willing to cut a session for less than scale.--and so it goes. HJ |
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Franklin
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Posted 24 Jan 2004 8:14 am
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| Double scale across the board for everyone is still standard pay on major record dates. Triple scale never happened here.....Paul [This message was edited by Franklin on 24 January 2004 at 08:21 AM.] |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2004 11:21 am
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Dr. Jeffreys,
Quite often, simplicity becomes a thorn in the side of a percentage, of disenchanted individuals, when they gaze upon the contentment, derived by folks, who are purely country music oriented. Make no mistake, that certain levels of musical accomplishments, are not reserved for those whose interests have gone adrift from one of America's standards, better known as a good country ballad. Personally, I prefer playing by ear, to better allow my fingers to do the "talking".
Thank you for sharing some of your thoughts in this thread. I look forward to future replies. BTW, your abandonment of country music is not unique. It isn't unheard of, and the uncompromising trend to other musical genres, has much to do with an introduction to musical forms, unrelated to country music.
Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 24 January 2004 at 03:36 PM.] [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 25 January 2004 at 02:44 AM.] |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2004 3:53 pm
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Myron L.
Have you noticed any major trending away from business as usual, in the night spots, where steel guitars once flourished as the major instruments? Your travels would take you to places, where information would be otherwise hard to obtain. Thanks....
Bill H. |
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Bob Wood
From:
Madera, California, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2004 4:27 pm
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Bill H.
Actually, this is off topic, but to reply to you. No! I have never heard of any "Travling RV" group of musicians meeting for musical interludes in the "Death Valley". It wouldn't surprise me though. Now, I have heard of the "Burning Man" gatherings that originated in San Francisco. The event became so large that it had to be moved, and I believe they meet somewhere in the "Nevada Desert". I could be wrong on that! I have friends that attend it every year, and they have brought back photos of it! Looks like a great big party to me. I have however ridden through the Ca/Nev/Ari/ desserts many times by motorcycle. Let me tell you, having that "hot" 135 degree wind during the day hit me in the face at ninty + miles per hour, isn't my idea of "fun". I only did it because I had to. And, I'm sure that it will happen again, probably many more times. Anyway, back to your question, I haven't heard of that following, but my curiosity always gets the best of me. If you have any more info on it, by all means pass it on to me, and I'll do some investigations on it, and report my findings back to you.
Paul, can you put some dollar figures on "standard major record dates" there in Tenn. That would be great if you could. Out here on the central coast of California, we nearly have to play for free just to be able to get out and play in front of a crowd. Which I'm sure you will agree that playing for people is much more heartful than sitting in a studo.
Bob Wood |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2004 3:14 am
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Bob W.,
I will question the individual who recently visited "The Valley", and reported to me about the musical activities there. I'm not certain, if the majority of the attendees were taken there by bus, or other means of transportation. Apparently, from what I gathered, the numbers of stringed instrumentalists, rule out the possibility of meet by chance happenings. More than likely, there has been a concerted effort to meet and entertain visiting vacationers.
I can't imagine playing steel guitar, under the stars in the "Valley".
Bill H. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 25 Jan 2004 5:07 am
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It's a shame that great Country singers such as Alan Jackson can't sell CD's because they are based on traditional Country Music with world class pickers'....I guess if they removed the Steel from Alan's recordings he would sell maybe 50 million CD's..and every new CD he releases would top the charts...all this if he removed the Steel..
Someone should call him and tell him... 
t
[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 25 January 2004 at 10:33 AM.] |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2004 7:59 am
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Tony P.,
Surely you speak in jest! I met Alan Jackson in Lenox, MA in '91. He was going strong at that time, and has never slowed down. I conversed at length with the band's steel guitarist, who I believe played all of Alan's road bookings. I doubt if anyone could make light of his accomplishments. I think Keith Whitley's former steel guitarist - whose last name is Chamberlin, managed the band at that time.
Bill H. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 25 Jan 2004 10:32 am
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Bill..ole' pal..thank you, thats exactly my point..
I find it amazing that Labels and producers may not quite understand the success that a major artist like Alan has had and his continued success..which is based on a very simple Country Music tradition..or maybe they are thinking Alans long term success is a fluke ?
50 million CD's is a fluke ?
I don't get it or understand it..
If I was producing a new act I would stay close to this formula and stick to a traditional format..
Yes of course I jest...
Steel guitar does live..just not in every house and on every record ..but it's early..it's only Sunday..we still have the rest of the week ahead of us !
t
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2004 1:33 pm
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Myron L.,
The 24th Annual "MASSBASH" will be held on August 8th, in Pittsfield, MA. at the ITAM LODGE. Details will be forthcoming around the first week of March. Thanks for the inquiry.
Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 27 January 2004 at 05:28 AM.] |
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