The Steel Guitar Forum

We have several thousand members here on the forum and I have rarely seen any posts from a female member.
I only know of two Ladies who play steel,
Sarah Jory and Barbara Mandrell,I do'nt think Barbara is playing any more.
Sarah is certainly amongst the top steelers of this world,I saw her recently and would give my right arm just to play like her, she can play the socks off many Male players so this proves that girls can play.
Where are the Ladies ?
Best regards to all
Billy

How about Joan Cox, Donna Hammitt, Delores Hancock - great players!

Kind Regards, Walter
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

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Walter there is a nice lady steeler much closer to you Karen Adolf in Germany. I think she plays an old EMCI.
I met her in England and she is a steel nut like us all.
And she introduced me to Albert Lee, so I gotta like the lady for sure.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 05 June 2004 at 03:38 AM.]</p></FONT>

Here's a lady steeler in Massachusetts! The pedal steel sure doesn't know the difference. I fly airplanes, and I can tell you that the airplane can't tell if there's a guy or a gal at the controls! Playing an instrument is a physical activity, and hauling around a doubleneck sure will test the strength, but a ladies' touch never hurts the music any!

One of my favorites is Janet Lynn's Alter Call - beautiful project!! Great Lady - and she and her husband, Jim are a terrific couple!!<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Donna Dodd on 05 June 2004 at 06:49 AM.]</p></FONT>

Let us not forget Janice Zilm, Margie Mays and Ausan Alcorn.

Cindy Cashdollar.Awesome Steelplayer.

Wanda Vick???? Bobbe should know..I think (??) a multi instrumentalist...check out the Gaither videos.

David,

Wow, never heard about her! Where in Germany does she live? I know a lot of players from the southern parts of Germany, not too many from the north.

Kind Regards, Walter
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

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I'd say about the only thing a woman probably shouldnt do is play PSG with alot of knee levers in a short skirt.

Other than that, and maybe lifting some of the older steels (like my Dekley 12...ouch) there's no difference in inherent musical ability at all. Remember the muses are usually portrayed as women.

Sandy I sure agree with you 100%. I guess I am just one that thinks a female should be able to do anything she is qualified for. From being President to climbing a telephone. And I can't think of a single thing that a woman's touch has ever been bad for. I have seen some fantastic female musicians including Wanda Vick. I wish there were more female pedal steel players around here that I could see and hear. Joan Cox is right up there amongst the best of pickers but she done moved to Texas. Anyway Sandy I say you just keep on picking.
Gere

Evidence is emerging that there is an inherent difference in musicality, or should I say aural perception, between men and women, with the ladies having an advantage. As to why fewer women choose to play instruments nowadays when there is equality of opportunity, this has always puzzled me. Years ago it was explainable by the prejudice they had to contend with.

Nice to see the ladies' names coming out of the woodwork. I figured there had to be quite a few female PSG players around.

Refering to Rick's post a few above mine, in fairness, I'd say the same is true for any guys playing PSG.

Bob P.

There's Jan Nolie from Sullivan Missouri...Carrol Bibb from St. Louis, plus the girls from Indy Steel Club, Sharon Denny & Pat Brunnemer plus a few others. I'm terrible with names!
Don

Walter, Karen is up in Wedel, I think thaty is pretty north.
She is not bad, I have her cd compilation of various recordings.
And as I said above she is very nice.

MARIAN HALL
BLANCHE EMERSON

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<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 07 June 2004 at 01:07 AM.]</p></FONT>

Hey Smiley, I'm glad you mentioned Marion Hall. She was a top notch player in Los Angeles in the 50's, 60's, and early 70's most notably on the great Town Hall Party TV show. I have a CD of live performances from THP which feature Marion on steel and Joe Maphis on guitar. That was a good 'un.. Do you know if she's still living and active? Have a great day,....JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jerry Hayes on 07 June 2004 at 05:26 AM.]</p></FONT>

Linda Riley of Indianapolis (AKA "Linda Lou") played excellent non-pedal steel. Last I heard of her she was in Vegas. Anyone know where she might be now?

I remember Tom Bradshaw did a whole article on women Steel players about 25 years ago. I don't recall their names, but I would be curious if they are still playing.

Hey! What about me? Am I a potted plant?

Just kidding. Wanted to put my two cents worth in.

Barb

Sonja Mohan, Campbell River, BC, Canada

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They're all over the place....maybe the gals are just not as freaky over the instrument as the guys?
A couple that haven't been mentioned: Diana Keene... and remember Lisa Spears that used to play for Porter? Whatever happened to her?
The defunct SGW used to have a column by Janice Zilm called Lace and Steel. I think Janice has just recently become a forumite and can probably tell us more.

And, Oh Yeah....Lorene Ruymar....Very nice lady. Got to take the shuttle to the ariport w/her a few years back. I believe she played the ISGC that year?
Also, the Winchester Ind. Hawaiian club used to have many members of the fairer sex.

Here in Austin, Connie Hancock of the Texana Dames. And of course the aforementioned Cindymeister.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

In Santa Cruz Ca. You got the great Patty Maxine (sounds like two thirds of the Andrew Sisters) She's been playin real deal Western Swing since the Fittys.