Steel Guitar Shows, Why?

Richard Gonzales · From: Davidson, NC USA

What is your opinion why there are steel guitar shows and so many?? Not that it is a bad thing, quite the contrary, but I do not hear of other instruments having their shows. They do have recitals, so what is your take on the subject.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

It's a good question. There actually are some "contests" for other instruments, though, for example "fiddle contests", and guitar "flatpicking contests". Perhaps what is so different about "steel guitar shows" is that they are not contests, but characterized by camaraderie and fellowship. Perhaps it's because we are a pretty rare breed, so we like to get together to meet and greet, hear each other, find out what's new, see what Smiley's wearing this year, etc. And remember that the shows started in the '70s, long before Al Gore invented the internet, so there really were very few ways then to interact with other people who shared your rare passion in life (whereas a guitarist could pick 10 people at random off any street and at least 4 of them would play guitar!)

Oh, I'm also aware of an annual World Saxophone Symposium held in Europe each year, that attracts classical saxophonists, also a very rare breed, so maybe the rarity really does have something to do with it.

(Of course the short answer is: Scotty started it and everybody had so much fun they decided to make more!)

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I think one reason we have steel guitar shows is so steel guitarists can get together and play for people and I also think we have steel guitar shows so people who love the beautiful sound of the steel guitar will have places to go to hear the steel guitar's beautiful sound and fellowship with steel guitarists. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

Is there a world Banjo feast or a world Banjo contest somewhere?

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

Richard, i take it that you are not a member of a steel guitar club. I currently belong to three steel clubs, and none of them are in my home state. What would you suggest a bunch of steel players in a club get together and do? It's like having a football team,and never playing football. Why are there so many football games? I cannot stress enough the importance of the steel guitar clubs. If i had my way, it would be mandatory, to be a member of one. I know of at least two clubs up your way. I think the most important thing a new steeler can do, is to join a steel club. Watch and listen to the more experienced players play, and learn from them. Playing this instrument is a constant learning experience. I just can't imagine for the life of me, you hearing too much steel guitar playing. I'm at a loss on this one. I can't get enough of it myself. I eat, and sleep steel guitar. If i can make it to a jam, even if i don't play. I try to support those that do. If a fellow is up there trying to play, i'm behind him 100%. I hope you will be to. If you don't have a steel club close to you, or any steel jams, or friends to share ideas with. Then start a club. You will enjoy it, as much as the three steel clubs i belong to. Good luck, i hope to be at a jam someday to hear you play.

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

It's a great chance for me to get out of Anchorage for a few days and check out the new gear,and make new friends,and see the greats play.I went to the 2000 convention and got to Jam on the Peavey stage with old friends Herb Steiner,Dan Tyack,and two new freinds Lonnie Bennet,and Bob Hoffnar..I also got to see Lloyd Green play live,I'm still droolin' over that! My next will be Mesa in Jan,I'll get to finally meet Chuck Back who built my Desert Rose.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

I live just outside Los Angeles - and we have zero shows and zero clubs. I would venture to guess the proliferation of shows and clubs in certain areas is purely geographical...i.e. located in a lot more "country music" territory than L.A. Unfortunately, that also helps keep the instrument pigeonholed as a country instrument.

L. A. Wunder · From: Lombard, Illinois, USA

When I first fell in love w/ the steel guitar as a kid, I had a hard time even finding information on the instrument, let alone hearing/seeing someone play it live. By accident I saw the St. Louis convention mentioned in an old Guitar Player magazine, and contacted the address listed. The first time I went to the convention, was also the first time I ever met another steel player. These steel shows/Jams have been a Godsend for people like me who would otherwise never had the chance to meet someone else who shared my love for the instrument.

By the way the "National Flute Association" also has a big convention which is held in a different city every year, and I know there's a convention for barbershop singers as well.

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

Steel players are like a brotherhood. There's one thing that brings us all together. STEEL GUITAR. Steel shows are one of the best things that's ever happened to steel guitar. It gives local players a chance to actually sit down and spend a little time with people like John Hughey, Don Helms, Mike Johnson, Joe Wright, Lynn Ousley, Bud Carter and to many more to try to mention. PSG followers are loyal people. It's a lifetime thing for most of us steel pickers. I'm going to have a pic of a PSG engraved on my tombstone whenever that time comes. I'm dedicated 100%!

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

I think some of you are missing the point of Richard's question - he didn't say it was a bad thing, he just asked why it's such an apparently flourishing activity.

I've only been to three in the USA - two ISGCs and to Chattanooga - and, while it is fun to be able to put a face to the name (hasn't this only become an issue since b0b's Forum?), my motivation has been the presence of the very top players. There is no opportunity to hear Buddy Emmons play unless he chooses to do a steel show, and where else can I hear Doug Jernigan?

Don't misinterpret this, but isn't there a slightly 'nerdish' aspect to PSG? There are almost as many tunings/set-ups as there are players, so there's an obsessiveness in our curiosity about how others do it. I think steel shows proliferate for the same reason model train shows do...

As for the principal players, the shows are probably a significant part of their annual income, so I assume that's why they do them, but I'm not sure about the rest of us....

I do know that, much as I'm inspired by a select handful of star-players, three days of it is a bit like having too much chocolate - when I leave, I need to get Donald Fagen's 'Nightfly' back in the CD-player - and quickly!

RR

[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 21 September 2006 at 03:27 AM.]

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

for me it's as much about the SOCIAL get together as much as it is just listening to the players. Keep in mind there are more players who DO NOT PLAY out than there are players who do..for a mulitude of reasons.

There are many great local players and I have yet to meet one who was not willing to share new idea's.

COnsidering there are Pickin Parlors all around, there are Bluegrass Festivals , Receitals of all sorts, there are Rock Concerts there are numerous venues to see other players of other Instruments, but Steel is not one of them.

Although it may be easy to get burned out on a few Steel songs at a show, the social aspect and respect given to a player who may only play in front of people once a year is premium.

t

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TPrior
TPrior Steel Guitar Homesite

Gary Lee Gimble · From: Fredericksburg, VA.

A steel show is also an opportunity for name players and locals to perform as they seem fit, to play as a soloist, not as a team player or hired hand.

Joe Casey · From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)

OK lets go to the worst case scenario. What if there were no steel shows? How would builders display their products besides music stores or Catalog stores? Would the sales now realized by the many builders continue to grow. Would all the new technology and creations be brought forth. Builders don't make every steel show however the ones they target get the infomation of their product displayed in a way that newbies or journeyman can take a test ride first hand with the pros. Steel Shows big or small are the "Custers last stand" of a great musical creation. Unless of course the instrument starts to get the credit it truly deserves these shows continue a forward progress. As long as there are shows there is a possibility of developing more interest . Also it has given the great players a continued income and up front popularity they truly deserve while the music industry around them fails to use the these very talents. Now shows are springing up all over and these could be the minor leagues for someone who has an ambition for the majors and a chance to mingle with the ones who are the "record" holders. Certainly it is helping the instrument to have a continued career. For myself these shows are a link to the past.

[This message was edited by Joe Casey on 21 September 2006 at 10:42 AM.]

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Tony nailed it, at least for me. I go primerily to see friends

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Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

"I do not hear of other instruments having their shows"

-Ive been to several guitar shows, Ive heard of drum expos, mandolin shows...I thought it was fairly common with most instruments, hobbies, sports, etc to have conventions or shows?

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Usually, at the same time the TSGA Jamboree occurs, another hotel in Dallas hosts a rather large accordion festival.

I don't think they're hurting our attendance any, but I can't be sure.

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Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

"I think steel shows proliferate for the same reason model train shows do..."

There are model train shows? Why?
As far as other instrument shows, there are bunch of guitar shows on the west coast, mostly various vintage guitar shows - no name players appearing, just dealers buying/selling.

But I've never heard of any guitar clubs either.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

Well, I saw Rick Derringer at a South Carolina guitar show---Selling little scraps of insulation as R.D. fret protectors, at 20 bucks apiece---But he'd autograph 'em, and if you bought four, the 5th was FREE!!!
But I wondered about the steel show thing, too. Thought back to the "good ol' days" of the bluegrass festivals. Seeing Keith Whitley often enough to get to be friends, hanging out with the big shots, occaisionally (OK, seldom!) blowin' 'em off the stage, seeing the same people in the audience---Shoot, it was fun then, and it's fun NOW! Some more places to jam, and I'm TOTALLY over the edge.
"That's 'Way to Survive' in 'C'?'"

Richard Gonzales · From: Davidson, NC USA

Thank You for your opinions and it is as I presumed they would be.

Don't get me wrong by any means as I love the steel guitar to death and will support its success 110% until the death of me.

I think there are many shows because 80% of steel guitar players are unemployed playing steel for their livelyhood. If we were all employed playing steel, there would be no time for shows. We do enjoy showing what we can do which
challanges us to continue to the next level.

Steel guitar clubs would be great if they would meet at least once a month. Most that I hear about meet quarterly or semi annually and belonging to out of state clubs would not get it done for me. I think to have a good club is to have live participation from its members.

My main point of interest is, how do you get the general public at our steel guitar shows.
I don't know , but willing to bet that attendees are steel players, family and friends. Wouldn't be great to draw people that never heard a steel guitar!

[This message was edited by Richard Gonzales on 21 September 2006 at 03:11 PM.]

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

"As far as other instrument shows, there are bunch of guitar shows on the west coast, mostly various vintage guitar shows - no name players appearing, just dealers buying/selling."

-Maybe the guitarists have big rock star egos that dont allow them to play the fiesta room at the Ramada Inn? Pure speculation on my part but maybe thats a part of it? I do see older cats like the Ventures, occasionally some cheesy metal dude, at these shows, but they are almost always hawking their wares as you said. But guitar is different in that most big names are rich rock stars, not the case with most other instruments.

as for geting people to hear steel, yeah i dont think the shows do that too much. They are already preaching ot the converted. Best way to have more people hear steel is to have it appear in GOOD SONGS. but thats just my opinion...Carpenters "Top of the World" wether you like it or not is a good song...I bet more people heard that song than have attended all steel shows in history.

[This message was edited by Ben Jones on 21 September 2006 at 03:31 PM.]

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Ben - it's not that. The shows are buy/sell/trade shows, not performance shows. you actually do see a few name players wandering around looking at stuff, but not too often anymore - the shows are more for dealers to look for "pigeons" bringing in stuff to sell, not for them to sell anything. So there aren't usually great deals, and the attendees are usually other dealers, people wanting to sell stuff, and lookie-loos. I used to go to every one, and I haven't gone in 2 years they've gotten so bad.

The whole "steel show" thing sounds interesting, but I have no idea even what goes on. It's just not something that happens here. Same thing with clubs, although I don't know who would have time for a club like that between family, work, gigs etc.

Kenny Dail · From: Kinston, N.C. R.I.P.

One other reason they are so popular, the non profressional gets to socialize with the recording artists as well as our heros we were influenced by.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

I think for me, in this part of the country they were a lot more fun and interesting when there were more, if ANY "full time players"..

Now there are just a couple of us, if that, that play every weekend.

The internet too has kind of taken it's toll on the "personality thing", and "no other way to check up on what who has been doing" curiosity.

That and the seeming difficulty of a "back up band", that can even play "Way to Survive", let alone "Deep Water" or any song with a "New I Chord" in the B Section...

I think with anything, or group of people, there is a "shelf life", or a "curve".

Especially when "local music machines" have ground to a virtual halt for most "paid to play" players..

At a certain point "gatherings", like "jam sessions" ceased to be recognised as profitable propositions for club owners, and I'll be more places have turned them into "pay to play" propositions.

I'm pretty burned out on them when they turn that way..

For me, which is what I've always seemed to selfishly think in terms of, branching out into live-gig-guitar again after 30 years, has replaced a "searching for new stuff", that's gotten pretty hard to find in the local "pedal steel guitar scene".

If I miss anything most, from "the good old days", it is The Chaos.

EJL

Pat Burns · From: Branchville, N.J. USA

To answer the question, which was about shows rather than clubs...the primary reason I go to the PSGA show in Norwalk is to hear and see world-class players. I can go to a concert and see a steel player backing a singer...I've seen John Hughey backing Vince Gill, with Hughey out front. It's not the same as seeing what John Hughey is really capable of doing. The common schmuck on the street doesn't even know how great a musician Doug Jernigan is...or Herby Wallace, or Joe Wright, or any of the guys who play these shows. They are world-class musicians. It's no different than going to Lincoln Center to hear Yo Yo Ma. Just less pretentious.

Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

Steel Guitar shows are actually a contest to see how many time you can play "Born To Lose" and "Cold Cold Heart" in one day.

Just kidding. Nobody loves it any more than me!

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