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Topic: Would RR be welcome here? |
Rick Garrett
From:
Tyler, Texas
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 7:26 am |
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For those who'll gripe because we have YET ANOTHER Robert Randolph thread, it IS clearly titled as such so you didn't have to open it. 
With the ever growing popularity of this forum comes the likelyhood that RR will at the very least read this site on ocasion. Other pro musicians are here all the time. Forget for a minute that he's a monster player. He's just another guy like the rest of us and he's into steel guitar just like we all are. We welcome new guys all the time on this site. Would we welcome him? Would he be snubbed and downed because of his particular style or choice of music? If so that would make us a fairly narrow minded bunch.
Personally, I would welcome his participation and I would wait with baited breath to see what I could learn from him first. The stuff we put on these boards will no doubt be searched hundreds if not thousands of times in the future by other folks wanting to learn about steel, RR, or music, etc. Do we really want to be remembered as the stuck up old knotheads that thumbed our collective noses at a young man who is bringing the steel guitar out of the closet and in front of millions?
I think its great that the steel guitar is front and center on each and every show the man does. Hope if he does read here he'll feel welcome.
Rick
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 7:30 am
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| He's VERY welcome as far as I am concerned. |
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Terry VunCannon
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 7:46 am
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He would be very welcome here by myself. I love the work RR is doing, not just with his music, but also with his PR machine pushing PSG & lap steel(Yes he plays lap).
He was in NC over the last year, & drew a good crowd with over 3/4 of the crowd under 25 years old.
One of the blues bands I play in has a 20 year old singer-guitar-lap player, & he waited by the bus after the show to meet RR. RR had such a positive effect on Matt. RR fell in love with an old Oahu that Matt had, & he traded steels with him & dated and autographed the steel that he gave Matt (He keeps a lap steel on the bus to keep his chops up). All Matt could talk about afterwards was how positive & happy RR seemed while talking & signing autographs. He is a good guy...& I don't think he is doing anything but good for steel.
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'49 & '51 National Dynamics, Harmos Model One, Lazy River Weissenborn, Mesa Boogie DC-3, SRV Strat.
http://community.webshots.com/user/keefriff
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Pete Finney
From:
Nashville Tn.
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 7:52 am
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Well, I bet he's at least aware of what goes on here, and I hate to say it but if I were him that would sure keep me from wanting to be a part of it. Some of what's been written on here about him is beyond musical opinion, it's truly hateful and that's before you even get to the occasional truly disgusting racial remarks... I would LOVE to hear his perspectives, he's a truly bright and likeable guy, but I'm ashamed to say that as a GROUP I'm not sure we even deserve his respect or participation, all because of a handful...
Besides he's pretty busy playing and actually making lots of people happy by playing the pedal steel, way more than most of the really negative ones here have ever done (or will ever do). Wouldn't it be a kick to hear somebody talk about what if feels like to front a band as a steel player and have thousands of people going crazy over you every night; is there anyone else that could possibly share THAT perspective?
Of course not everyone will or should like his playing, and within reason it's fine to communicate that. But usually people talk about what they like here; can you name one player that's had one tenth the negative stuff written about him? Resentment over someone else's success is clearly a part of it; that's just an ugly thing, the kind of thing people should keep to themselves and it's sad to see people venting it on a forum about music.
Just my opinion of course...[This message was edited by Pete Finney on 10 January 2006 at 11:14 AM.] |
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Marlin Smoot
From:
Kansas
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 7:58 am
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| Yes, I vote welcome. |
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Mike Winter
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 8:09 am
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"can you name one player that's had one tenth the negative stuff written about him?"
Yes...Jerry. (Sorry)
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Mike
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Blue Moon Highway
(Country Music...and then some.)
www.bluemoonhighway.com
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Pete Finney
From:
Nashville Tn.
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 8:20 am
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Well Mike, ya got me there!
You don't suppose resentment of HIS success has anything to do with it do you?  |
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Sonny Priddy
From:
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 8:24 am
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I Say Bring Him On. SONNY.
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 8:30 am
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Everyone's welcome until they show cause that they shouldn't be.
It would be an Honor to have RR aboard. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 8:34 am
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I certaintly hope so. The way I see the words "Steel Guitar Forum", that includes any and all of these instruments played in any and all fashions by any and all players/interested parties. It would be sad if any members would refuse to welcome Robert into the arena.
[This message was edited by Jerry Overstreet on 10 January 2006 at 09:04 AM.] |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 8:35 am
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Robert is an extremely intelligent and insightful young man; I'd love to see his participation here.
Ricky |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 8:44 am
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I'd love to see him around, as well as other players of the Sacred Steel tradition.
Steinar
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www.gregertsen.com
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 9:08 am
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I know there would be much to learn about the style of playing and the music. Also the way of life.
I also think that people write differently, or more caustiously when they know that the person they're writing about....is actually here.
Welcome?....yes. |
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Bill McCloskey
From:
Nanuet, NY
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 9:20 am
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| Well, I'd like to see RR here as well as the Campbell Brothers and other Sacred Steelers. Chuck used to post and then no more. Maybe he didn't feel welcome. |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 9:25 am
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i'd welcome Robert here & be real happy to see him share w: us
on the other hand he'd probably get attacked in some way, get uncomfortable & split
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 9:28 am
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Good post Pete. I agree 100% with you.
I think there are a lot of people who, like me, don't resent Garcia himself, but rather resent the fact that there are millions of that clueless kids who think he was the world's greatest player, and rank him above people like Buddy and Lloyd etc. |
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Terry Edwards
From:
Florida... livin' on spongecake...
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 9:38 am
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Mike, With all due respect, we shouldn't "resent" kids having opinions. It's OK for a kid who listens to rock music to think "his choice" of steel guitarist is the greatest. It doesn't mean anything.
And it's OK for kids to not have a clue! None of us did.
Terry |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 9:39 am
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We're all enriched here by the presence, insight, and experience of players at all levels of proficiency. I would hope every player could find a home, and a welcome here. We certainly have a lot to enjoy and learn from participation by someone who has had so much success, and is influencing so many people!
There have recently been posts from several folks who have been intimidated or discouraged by other forum members. I hope that anyone visiting the forum can look past the few incidences of negativity in human nature to the larger family here, which seems to be open minded, open-hearted, and very thirsty for knowledge and comaraderie! |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 9:45 am
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Several months ago, I saw RR when he was a guest on a popular "sports" program. He had his steel set-up on the set, and the hosts of the program had never seen or heard of a steel-guitar...one of them exclaiming, "I've never seen a contraption like that".
Robert then patiently described the steel-guitar while playing demonstration passages, and he presented an excellent knowledge and playing expertise on the instrument.
Robert was exceptionally literate and more than capable of playing and demonstrating the steel-guitar.
In summary, Robert would be an important adjunct to the Forum in portraying the many faceted possibilities of the steel guitar.
Come on and join us in the Forum Robert....you may be pleasantly surprised at your reception.
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www.genejones.com
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Mark Metdker
From:
North Central Texas, USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 9:56 am
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I have nothing but respect for RR. He has taken our instrument to another level. He has taken this instrument from the back of the stage to the FRONT of the stage. He is not a sideman, he is the frontman. This guy should be welcomed by all steel players here.
Unfortunately there are many here who are quick to condemn the man for the way he dresses, the way he plays, the way he dances around, the way he shows emotion on stage....in other words...all the reasons I love the guy are all the reasons he will get slammed here.
Besides he's too busy playing arenas and stadiums world wide. (I don't think he plays VFW's and clubs) I'll tell you what's ironic...seems like everyone loves RR except other steel players. What does that say about us?
Ask if forum member James Pennebaker of Big and Rich enjoys the forum as much as he used to. He has taken numerous shots from other forum members condemning his band. Members gave Gary Morse hell over leaving Dierks Bentley and joining Brooks and Dunn?!?....what the heck is that all about? I better shut up. Let me slip this soap box back under the bed.........
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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup thru a Nashville 112
Strats thru a VHT Super 30
Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi
jonchristopherdavis.com
www.lonestarattitude.net
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 10:03 am
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A big YES!
I would sincerely like to see him on this forum, but I think we should understand completely if he doesn't do it. I think it's extremely unusual to have so many great and well-known steel players post here. Do you really expect to see the famous guitar players like Clapton, Page, and Vai posting on the guitar forums? That is, in effect, the type of thing we have here. This is an unusual community of players. |
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David Wren
From:
Placerville, California, USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 10:22 am
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I don't get it. This is an informational web site for steel players (and folks interested in steel guitar). Why in the world would any steel player even need a welcome.... simply put all welcome, all abide by the Forum's simple rules of etiquette.... it's the internet, not a private club.
That said, how exciting it would be to hear RR join the other accomplished steel masters that occassionally weigh in on these topics.
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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com
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Dave White
From:
Fullerton, California USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 10:22 am
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| I would welcome him. I have a lot of respect and admiration for RR's talent and ability. He has also overcome a lot of bad stuff to get where he is now. He has said himself that music saved him from certain death, getting him off the streets and opening his eyes to a better way of life. I don't play his kind of music, but I can enjoy it and learn from it, and from him. |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 10:31 am
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as a new forum member I think you guys and gals are an amazingly generous and knowledgable bunch of genuinely nice people. This forum is MUCH nicer and less intimidating than most I've been on. That said, it is still a group of people and in any group there will be one or two "bad apples"..when you are a player with the notoriety of RR you are front and center target for interaction with these bad apples....and again let me say I think this site has fewer problems than most forums Ive been to, but I have seen some rather unappealing comments in the RR threads. If I were him, I would not post here. Not just because there are one or two people who might say offensive things but because it destroys the "mystique" of the artist and causes you to see his playing in an altered light. certainly tho I would welcome him...that would be amazing!
another thing to consider is some people just do not like to chat on the internet...maybe RR is one of those...Half the time Im posting here I am feeling guilty for not practcing my steel instead. |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 10 Jan 2006 10:33 am
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For myself, I'd welcome any contact with the man. I remember clearly the first time I heard him play, he was doing an interview on NPR and played a few bars that was more Jimmy Hendrix than anything else, boy did that make me suddenly feel like I knew NOTHING about playing the pedal steel guitar. That alone got me to turn up the practice schedule - even though I still don't play anything like that, it done me good to hear something so new to my brain. My understanding is that RR had to make some tough choices to go the direction he has gone and I admire anyone with the courage to go against the grain when they know what they have to do.
quote:
"can you name one player that's had one tenth the negative stuff written about him?"
Yes...Jerry
It seems every society just has to have a dog to kick.
| Quote: |
| Chuck used to post and then no more. Maybe he didn't feel welcome |
Many (if not most?) of us have been personally attacked here on the forum at one time or another - maybe for something we wrote, the brand of volume pedal we use, how we tune our thirds, our playing style, letting our hair grow, how we dress on stage, the list goes on and on. Having occasionally been the recipient of such needless abuse myself I have stayed away from the forum for rather long periods of time but, well, here I am again. Guess if I had as many gigs (and fans) as Chuck or Robert I would probably still be staying away.
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 Dave Grafe - email: dg@pdxaudio.com
Production
Pickin', etc.
1978 ShoBud Pro I E9, Randall Steel Man 500, 1963 Precision Bass, 1954 Gibson LGO, 1897 Washburn Hawaiian Steel Conversion
[This message was edited by Dave Grafe on 10 January 2006 at 10:38 AM.] |
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