Dave Easley at ISGC 07

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 4 Sep 2007 6:23 am

Well, for anyone who missed Dave Easley in the Jazz room this year (2007) you truly missed something special. I had only heard bits and pieces of Dave on various jazz projects, but this was a full on dose we got in the Jazz room the other day. Holy cow, it really floored everyone there. He's got such a unique take on steel which is always refreshing. He explored all kinds of wild sonic and harmonic territory as he build the intro to the Byrd's "8 Miles High". His "Black Orpheus" was also beautiful and fantastic. He also tore up, and I mean tore up Coltrane's "Giant Steps".

Dave is a players' player for sure. His guitar was a sight to be seen. Probably the most "played" looking push-pull I've ever seen. All oxidized, missing the top silver strip, duct tape holding the pickups down, faded stickers, etc. He apparently only likes levers on his right leg, so for a 3rd pull he's got a loop of twine tied straight to a finger (E to F on the C6 neck I think). He then pulls the loop of twine all the way around his left steel leg and then puts his left leg thru the loop and is able to make that pull with his left knee moving to the right. It's quite a sight. Playing thru a few pedals and a Boogie tube amp head with a healthy dose of quick delay, he gets a real warm, very vocal sounding, very psychedelic steel sound. And man he just tears it up. You can find him simply ripping in a bebop kind of way, then getting very pretty and emotive, then sounding like an Indian sitar or surbuhar player, then a little rock and roll, just nuts. I noticed that pretty much everywhere Dave walked at the show he was surrounded by crowds of steel players just gushing at how cool his jam was.

I doubt that there's anyone who saw him play who doesn't think he should be on the big stage next year. Maybe Jim Stalhut can put together that same fantastic Jazz rhythm section along with himself and Mr. Easley and then Scotty can put them up there for all to see and hear. Steel shows always benefit from variety, and when the mix on the big stage includes unique stuff of this caliber, it's simply going to be a treat for everyone.

So thanks Dave for inspiring us this past weekend, and thanks Jim for putting it all together. Wow!!!

Brad

Gabriel Stutz · Post by **Gabriel Stutz** » 4 Sep 2007 10:39 am

I didn't make it to St. Louis, but I second Dave being on the big stage. I don't think enough people know what a singular and talented musician he is. I've seen him twice and was completely floored both times.

Gabriel

Jeff Bradshaw · Post by **Jeff Bradshaw** » 4 Sep 2007 7:31 pm

Dave Easley was a real treat to hear & see...he is a very unique & highly skilled musician. I also hope that he is featured at the show in the future. ...jeff

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 5 Sep 2007 1:31 am

No doubt Brad, and also as humble as a guy can be.

After listening to Dave play and sing the Byrds tune "8 Miles High" I came home with a whole new set of eyes when looking at our Instrument.

Dave if you are reading, thanks for the new vision...

rock on dude...

tp

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 5 Sep 2007 4:09 am

So much for the latest and greatest guitar with 10 and 10 or hot roded amp or fancy fx units and gizmos.
$:\$ $:\$ $:\$
Larry Behm
Still a gear head and loving it.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 5 Sep 2007 2:52 pm

As I said in another post, It ain't in the equipment, it's in the HANDS and BRAINS. This guy blew me away, especially when he hooked up his "knee string". I had heard him on Jim's CD, but that was not like seeing him in person. WOW, WOW, WOW. I too would like to see him on the main stage, but the die hard country fans would probably all walk out.

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 5 Sep 2007 4:28 pm

The steel community needs to learn that there is more to pedal steel than old country from 1952. With David and Joe Wright, Dan Tyack, Wally Murphy, Robert Randalf (sp) Buzz Evans, Mike Smith, and Dave E there is a whole lot of good stuff going on.

My band plays 50% country rock, if I had to Buck and Merle for 5 hrs a night I would have to give it up. I love Buck and I love Merle but a little Long Train Running blows my skirt up.

Larry Behm

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 5 Sep 2007 5:44 pm

oops,

duplicate posting

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 5 Sep 2007 5:44 pm

I don't know about that Darvin. If Dave carved out a balanced set, I bet people, or most people, would just love it. Dave can play very pretty and accessable stuff too. He is a bit outside the box, but in my opinion that's what the steel shows need, more variety at that high level of talent. Maybe you're right, but I think that with 3 days full of extremely similar styles of playing, however great, a fresh perspective would be most welcome. I know I'd be right there in front sitting right next to you with our jaws dropped.

Brad

Jeff Evans · Post by **Jeff Evans** » 5 Sep 2007 6:09 pm

Brad:

Thanks for the insightful, comprehensive review.

Dirk B · Post by **Dirk B** » 5 Sep 2007 9:45 pm

Yes Brad, you nailed it; couldn't have put it better.

I think Dave could do a "balanced" set, but then again part of what makes him who he is seems to be that he follows his own drummer, so to speak, so who knows... there could be protest from some in the big hall, but players like Dave are what we need to keep shows happening. The great steelers that came of age touring with country stars in the 1960s and 70s are not getting any younger; steel is used less and less on the so-called "new" country and there seems to be a pretty small pool of seasoned players under age 50, or even under 60, for that matter (by "seasoned players" I mean the real monster players!).

Clyde Bloodworth · Post by **Clyde Bloodworth** » 5 Sep 2007 11:22 pm

Dave Easley is the most phenomenal player that I have heard in the last twenty years. He is also extremely nice,humble,and unassuming. I believe that his playing is too advanced to be understood by most convention attendees,and,therefore, he would not be well received on the main program. I would be delighted to hear him on the main stage,or anywhere for that matter. I purchased several of his CDs in the Jazz Room and I really like them. I hope he gets the national acclaim that he most certainly deserves.

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 5 Sep 2007 11:41 pm

Never mind the main stage; just leave it as it is. What's needed is a bigger jazz room. I wish I could have been there.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 6 Sep 2007 8:40 am

The Jazz room is the only reason I've been to ISGC the last two years. I was getting really tired of spending $1000 to hear the same old shuffles etc. that I had heard hundreds of times by the same players. This Jazz room addition to the convention was a breath of fresh air to me, and I'll probably keep coming as long it continues. You can bet I'll be there for sure if Dave Easley comes back.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 6 Sep 2007 9:08 am

He'll be back. He left his steel at the hotel.

T. C. Furlong · Post by **T. C. Furlong** » 8 Sep 2007 11:20 am

I have known Dave Easley for almost 30 years. A nicer human being you will never meet. As Brad points out, Dave is a player's player. Dave used to come out when my band played at the Lazy J Saloon in Bloomington, IL. in the late '70's. I could tell way back then that Dave was a very unique and special talent. Here is a photo for those wondering about the recipent of "coolest push/pull" award.

And a photo of the coolest push pull player.

I think you can see the LKR around the rear left leg "string lever" that Dave uses for the more rock oriented stuff.

I also might add that Dave reminded me that I sold him that push/pull 25 years ago and as I recall it was in pristine condition. HA!
TC

Bill Simmons · Post by **Bill Simmons** » 8 Sep 2007 12:57 pm

I agree with my friends Larry B; Darvin W; Clyde B...Dave was refreshing in that he broke out of the tradional country-swing musical genre which is still nice to hear but...

I've heard over the past 4 years a number of steelers who are now thinking twice before shelling out the hard earned money for more of the same. They were not complaining but wished newer, fresh players would rise up at the steel shows to keep their interest as most steel shows feature the same great players.

However, I think it is slowly happening when you begin to think of the Robert Randouph players who get bashed for their style of steel playing. It is tricky trying to add these out of the box players to a basically country/swing audience without losing the present attendees...just a thought.

I'd love to hear Al Perkins...Buddy Cage...Dan Dugmore's and others who approached the steel different years ago. Well in any case, I'm looking forward to hearing the younger generation of players take us into the future of our great instrument...

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 8 Sep 2007 1:32 pm

Very different but refreshing. I've seen him play some of the country stuff on C6th. His style of C6th riffs and licks is totally amazing, especially if it's the very first time a person has seen him. His guitar speaks well of the builder, Emmons. It's still going! Somebody ought to give him one just for the advertisement. He's a great player that's taking PSG to another level, as some others are.

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 8 Sep 2007 4:44 pm

I loved Dave's set on Steel Radio. Very original and cool. His steel fits him well. I don't think Dave will be posting about how to polish end plates or mica repair.

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 9 Sep 2007 2:36 pm

Just a follow up on what a truly humble and unassuming guy Dave is , I just got a call from him asking me to cover some local gigs for him in New Orleans , and I mentioned to him :
" Dave , word on the forum is you really knocked the folks out in St. Louis."
Dave sez : "Really ? ... Do you think they liked it ?..."
I honestly believe he has no idea how much you guys enjoyed his show. A really nice , genuinely humble guy.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 9 Sep 2007 2:54 pm

3 days full of extremely similar styles of playing

Accurate description.

Dave was scheduled to play my town this weekend. I was away playing at Wheatland and missed him. I'll try to get a gig report from someone.

Al Collinsworth · Post by **Al Collinsworth** » 9 Sep 2007 3:28 pm

Jim Meiring · Post by **Jim Meiring** » 12 Sep 2007 1:25 pm

You just gotta love Dave Easley. I sat right in front and was totally wowed! Go Dave.

Buck Grantham R.I.P. · Post by **Buck Grantham R.I.P.** » 12 Sep 2007 7:25 pm

Dave can scare you to death with that old Emmons . And a real friendly person too. Buck Grantham

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 13 Sep 2007 4:12 am

You do understand, while we're posting and reading, he's off practicing?

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Dave Easley at ISGC 07

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