Could'nt really think of a better title for this thread.
Have You ever admired a player You have seen or heard on clips/Cd's or the like and after meeting Him/Her in person had the feeling that their personality does not match their ability.
I have!
I will refrain from naming the player since this is not meant to be read as Me miscalling someone, I am expressing MY opinion only.
Perhaps the player did not like My personality,I can't understand this though because I am a really really nice guy
Im the only one who has let me down thus far Billy.
I've been really amazed at how outgoing, friendly and supportive THE best players in the game have been. Its not like this in other musical endeavors to my knowledge, not in the guitar world at least. Slash never offered me his phone number.
That said, in any group theres gonna be a few "personalities". Dont take it personally. This person must be unhappy about something in their life.
Wayne,
Thanks for the boost.
Ann says Hi and hopes You will be at Commonwealth Corner again this March.
Look forward to seeing You again.
Ben,In My several visits to the U.S. I have met many top players who have been absolute gems in every way,I have(many times)asked a guitarist how He did a particular lick or how He got a tone etc., and more often than not the reply has been vague.
When I have asked a steelplayer similar questions they go above and beyond to help.
As You say The Steel World is unique.
Thanks for replying.
I have met many great players, a few on their bad days. Some of these, I crossed paths with again and they were as nice and accomodating as could be.
You can't know what other factors are at play. I
have had circumstances where I wanted to talk to a
fellow steeler, but was absolutely rushed to the point of having no options. Sometimes people come up and want to chat while you are under pressure to clear the stage for the next act, or you simply have only a minute or two to get tuned up.
We have to cut our heros a little slack.
LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro
In answer to your question - only one and while I would not describe him as great, he is very competent. He is from England and has an ego the size of the Blackpool tower. I would not even waste my breath trying to converse with him again.
All of the great players that I have personally met from the USA are without exception, very civil, approachable and easy going. Not one has been egotistical, and every one of them has found time to talk to me.
Hopefully I will get to meet even more in April when I go to Texas and Tennessee for 3 weeks.
Ken
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E,
Back when I first moved to Nashville in 1972 I called a very well known Steel Picker and introduced myself and he said "are you in the Union?" I said no and he said " call me when you are!" and hung up the phone. Well that was disappointing. That's okay cause I never joined the Union and i've worked with several major artists all this time. Another disappointment was at a show in Austin...another well known Steel Picker came off the stage and I reached my hand out and he just stared at me, I figured he just was having a bad day so, he had another show and I gave him another chance and he snubbed me again. If I told you his name you would say I was wrong cause everyone i've told this to said they can't believe he did that. I've never been rude to anyone all these years and i'll talk to anyone as long as they want.
Billy Murdoch wrote:Have You ever admired a player You have seen or heard on clips/Cd's or the like and after meeting Him/Her in person had the feeling that their personality does not match their ability.
That wouldn't bother me, probably because I don't form preconceived ideas about a player's personality based on their playing.
Well you are talking about meeting a steel player and being turned off by his personality. It might depend what context you met the guy. Was he scrambling to get set-up before the show or get his stuff off stage as others were coming on. Maybe he got in late the day before, barely got any sleep, it’s crowded and hard to concentrate, etc. If it is one meeting maybe give a benefit of a doubt. If everyone else is saying the guy is a jerk, well maybe he is, but that doesn’t mean that he is always going to be a jerk toward you or won’t eventually lighten up if you each eventually get to know each other. It’s not like you have to marry the guy.
I have a coworker who can be a royal jerk. The guy will deliberately go out of his way to get people angry and be non-cooperative as a way to put them in what he considers is their “place”. He still baits certain people and deliberately pushes their buttons when he feels they haven’t earned the credentials to direct him to help. We about came to blows one day, but somehow we eventually got through that and get along fine today.
I'm 49 and have been playin since 9 years old and in all my years i have never met a pro that wouldn't take the time even when they are busy!
At a Skaggs show way back i wanted to meet Bruce Bouton!! After the show i hung around and climbed over the balcony to see if i could catch him before he left.
Bruce saw me and told me to come on stage pass the guard. What an awesome guy! He told me to get him and Ray Flack a beer and he would have one with us!
He took me on stage and let me play his black Emmons and showed me Hwy 40 Blues!
I will never foget it!
I have been blown off on myspace by a few players but these guys haven't reached the top yet! I'm sure they get a ton of questions so its all good that they don't reply!
I'll stop if i can and show anybody the time and the 5 licks i know if they want! I'm always learning and looking for the next lick so i don't mind talking and showing the ones i learned from anybody!
The forum is an awesome things for mem as a new member because all you guys are cool to talk with.
So if you see me anywhere holler man and would love to talk with ya!
If I can give an example,
The first time I met the late John Hughey I offerd My hand and asked if He could understand My Scottish accent,John spoke to Me for quite some time and made ME feel as if I were the celebrity.
When I met player X I offered My hand and introduced Myself and He said "Oh Yeah" and turned away,He was not set up for playing or tuning and had no other visible pressing issues.
Personality is probably the wrong word,perhaps I should have used "manners"
I'd like to take a different twist on this subject and ask how many have laid out good money for a C D , only to be majorly disappointed ? I have several and have started giving them away. Back on topic.....yes , quite a few...way too many BUT they are in the minority.
Billy, perhaps you caught him at a good time. The last time I talked to him, he was quite curt and "businesslike" - not rude, but not exactly outgoing either. I didn't hold it against him because I don't think we should form opinions on people based on a single meeting, or even two. Everyone has good days and bad days, as well as problems and distractions which may not be obvious to us.
Dinnae fash yersel.
Accept people for what they are, not for what you expect them to be, and you'll gain new insights on their true personality.
All the steel players I have known were great guys ,two I would like to mention here in my home town are Neil Owens and Shorty Smith,both forum members and will help anyone,any time GREAT guys, BUT I remember one that was a self centered,arrogant,sob.Many moons ago I worked with him a lot I always loved the steel and asked if he could show me a few things to get me started,he said,Charlie,the steel is too complicated for you,that's when I decided come hell or high water,I was going to play steel,so maybe I will thank the old Sob if I ever see him again[he has,nt been around for years. DYKBC.
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !
I met one of my idols once and he had just gotten home from a few months in Europe and I asked him a few questions and he told me that he was really tired maybe some other time,I was a little bummed,The next time I met him he was rested up and the nicest guy in the world...Not that he wasn't nice the first time just beat up from the road.If someone is arrogant to you when meeting them remember that you still have to admire their talent,but as a person they have a long way to go.
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.
I wish i could sleep. Been watching snooker. Still up at 1.02am. Thats another 22 hour day. Why cant I sleep. Perhaps its my altitude. 36feet above sea level in suffolk.
Bad spelling, I guess. I never was much of a speller.
Have you never heard the expression or are you just makeing fun of me? While we're talking about expressions, have you heard the one about payback making for a bad day? hehehe?
David
I watched the snooker too. Wrong result for me, so I'm off to bed with some Monteverdi in the cans.
Barry
p.s. Did you hear about the steel player who said he'd give his left arm to be ambidexterous. ! !
Last edited by Barry Gaskell on 18 Jan 2009 5:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
While we're talking about expressions, have you heard the one about payback making for a bad day? hehehe?
Pretty isn't it? Who wouldn't want one of those around?
