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Topic: A little more appreciation tor the utility player please |
Stuart Legg
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Posted 1 Aug 2017 12:44 pm |
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The use of steel guitar in country bands has declined significantly (for many what ever reasons) over the years as we all mostly agree.
God bless the utility player. It’s pretty much left up to he/she to force the steel into the song list as often as possible to keep the Steel guitar visible, in the mix, in the minds and hearts of the audience.
If you play lead guitar in a band and you can and will play Steel, God bless you and thank you for your efforts. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 2 Aug 2017 1:24 am
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Ha ! I've been gigging on Steel, Guitars, Vocals, pretty much every gig since the early 70's, I never thought of myself as a "utility" player but rather thats just what I do . Still do. I also gig on Guitar/Dobro in a quasi Bluegrass band , just because, I guess.
The one thing that the many players like myself are really missing though , is, when we are on guitar and/or covering a vocal tune, there is NO Steel behind us . To me thats always been a thorn.
But on the bright side, we are probably holding a Telecaster which helps ease the pain! 
But to your point, yes , we are indeed keeping the Steel very active at least in some area's. On each of my gigs we have at least one Steel instrumental in each set. So I am forced to bring a tuner ! 
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Bill L. Wilson
From:
Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 3 Aug 2017 8:56 pm I Never Knew.
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| Never considered myself a utility player, it was just something I did. In our country rock band I really enjoy swapping out from guitar to pedal steel. At my age (70) I'm very fortunate that guys old enough to be my sons want me in their band. They even help me with my equipment and pay me to boot. We all get along good, we take our motorhomes to the lake, fellowship, cookout, and really enjoy gettin' to pick. You Can't Beat That. |
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Stuart Legg
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Posted 4 Aug 2017 10:14 am
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In hindsight perhaps the word "versatile" would have been more appropriate.
I really didn't mean for the word "utility" to be a put down.
I think it's great and puts the person up a few notches when he/she can play more than one instrument well. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 4 Aug 2017 11:16 am
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or maybe "one guy (or gal) does a bunch of things but only gets one share of the pay " !
It's all good for me, kept me busy for over 40 years and I am still busy. Not a bad life. No complaints.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 4 Aug 2017 11:36 am
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| Quote: |
In hindsight perhaps the word "versatile" would have been more appropriate.
I really didn't mean for the word "utility" to be a put down. |
"Utility" and "versatility" have different definitions. I prefer utility since there is not necessarily any extra pay just for being "versatile..." |
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Jonathan Lam
From:
Brooklyn, NY
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Bobby Boggs
From:
Upstate SC.
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Posted 4 Aug 2017 7:26 pm
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| Yes we have some great utility players. Two that come to mind are Milo Deering and Travis Toy. And I'm sure there's some great up and comers I haven't heard. Looks like the wave of the future at least in Country Music. Kinda sad steel is becoming just a utility instrument in the Country field. I was just reading a thread where the youngsters are saying pedal steel is really setting the woods on fire in other types of music. That's good to hear. |
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