The Steel Player Poem

Chuck Cusimano · Post by **Chuck Cusimano** » 22 Nov 2004 7:46 pm

I wrote this poem for my good friend Gary carpenter in 1986 when we used to work together quite a bit. It IS copyrighted, but if you want to print it out and pass it around you have my permission, All I ask is Credit as the writer.

The Steel Player

Well, I was warned, can't say I was not.
but look at this stuff I just bought.
A new Amp, and Steel,
a Flight case with wheels
an effects rack that's full to the top.

I practice all day, and all night,
Just getting one Kick-off right.
My wife thinks I'm Nutts,
but she ain't got no guts,
she went home to her Mother last night.

In two weeks I got me a job,
didn't ask if I'd get paid or robbed.
If it's Country, or Jazz,
Blues or Bluegrass,
I'm tryin' out all of these KNOBBS!

In my Ford I drove off, I was pleased.
Then what happened I could not believe!
My radio knob, turned my reverb off,
and my dimmer switch raised my "E's"

when I mashed down on the gas,
I got louder but did not go fast,
my old Ford car was a Steel Guitar,
and my brain was a thing of the past!

Copyright 1986 by Chuck Cusimano
All rights reserved.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Chuck Cusimano on 22 November 2004 at 07:48 PM.]</p></FONT>

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 23 Nov 2004 1:20 am

That is beautiful.

Emmett Roch · Post by **Emmett Roch** » 23 Nov 2004 2:55 am

Deep, very deep.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 23 Nov 2004 8:18 am

Of all the poems I've ever read...that is certainly one of them!

Chuck Cusimano · Post by **Chuck Cusimano** » 4 May 2009 1:53 pm

I've been asked a bunch of times recently to make a copy of this poem for folks who "Get It".

I had a lot of trouble tracking it down, but thought it would be easier than re-typing it...I think it's about 50/50. I hope you steel players and fans enjoy it.

Chuck Cusimano · Post by **Chuck Cusimano** » 4 May 2009 1:54 pm

Well ok, It wound up at the bottom of the page.

Thanks everybody, Chuck

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 9 May 2009 7:28 am

Great poem Chuck.
Donny Hinson

all the poems I've ever read...that is certainly one of them!

Boy I can't wait to use that line as in “Of all the bass players I've ever heard...you are certainly one of them!” love it.

Greg Wisecup · Post by **Greg Wisecup** » 11 May 2009 8:11 am

........that one always makes me cry............

Mark Edwards · Post by **Mark Edwards** » 11 May 2009 9:35 am

Chuck Always the consummate wordsmith. Good poem Chuck.

Chuck Cusimano · Post by **Chuck Cusimano** » 13 May 2009 3:31 pm

Thanks Mark!

As a reminder to the younger generation, When I wrote this poem, there were still a lot of vehicles that had the DIMMER SWITCH on the floor, and you used it by stepping on it with your left foot.

I had to clear that up. and I still remember making my turn signals by sticking my arm out the window.
..........But then, I'm OLD.

dlayne · Post by **dlayne** » 13 May 2009 5:31 pm

anyone else have some more good poems?

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 13 May 2009 6:43 pm

I think your poem is great, Chuck!

Regarding Donny's "that's one of them" line, there is a variation that my buddy says to musicians in the studio:

"Chris.....of all the musicians I've worked with, you're the most recent."

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 13 May 2009 7:09 pm

Chris LeDrew wrote:I think your poem is great, Chuck!

Regarding Donny's "that's one of them" line, there is a variation that my buddy says to musicians in the studio:

"Chris.....of all the musicians I've worked with, you're the most recent."

The variant I know (and have used) is at the end of a gig: "Well, guys, of all the gigs I've ever played, this was one of 'em!"

Rick Nicklas · Post by **Rick Nicklas** » 14 May 2009 3:28 am

Hey, playing the steel is "Poetry In Motion".

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