Let Me Be The First To Complain

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 3 Jun 2009 6:51 am

I don't know about Faulkner or Hemingway, but these threads usually remind me of Shakespeare:

"Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 3 Jun 2009 1:23 pm

Uhh - wasn't the show called: "George Strait ACM Artist Of The Decade All Star Concert"?

I don't think I read anything saying it was the "Paul Franklin ACM Artist Of The Decade All Star Concert".

I don't think the producers of the show were concerned one bit whether Paul Franklin was even on the planet.

I also think they don't care if a steel player gets pissed because one of his heros didn't get enough camera-time.

And the fans didn't tune in because TV Guide listed it as "George Strait ACM Artist Of The Decade All Star Concert featuring Paul Franklin".

MOST George Strait "fans" (those who would watch the show) would say "who?"

This is a great example of soapbox time devoted to something totally out of context.

I wonder if the same complaints are going on over at the drum forum. On the Telecaster Forum Brent's wife Julie posted an announcement about the show - and the following posts were primarily focused on either the featured performers or some funny quirks Brent had with equipment.

No whiners about "face time". But they seemed to comprehend the fact it was a George Strait show - not a show directed to ensure each sideman got "X" amount of camera time.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 3 Jun 2009 1:48 pm

The networks pay big money to have their shows analyzed. They could save a bunch by just reading this thread. This show has been picked apart in every way possible here.

Can you see it at the producers/sponsers meeting. "I heard a lot of the steel guitar players were not happy that the steel player didn't get much camera." Reply in unison: "Who cares what they think?"

We have to respect Paul, etc... for doing what they were paid to do, doing a good job of it, and let it be.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 3 Jun 2009 2:47 pm

Jim Sliff,

First of all, did you tune in when the show was aired? I'm wondering about that, since you seem to be grabbing at straws. Without double checking, I believe that all the credits were pointed out in the beginning of this thread. Justifiably, making such a clamor over the lack of consideration by the camera work would necessitate identifying the source of the problem. You must be groping for straws, if you believe that the promoters are not aware of Paul's incredible popularity, and he was an important figure in the eyes of the celebrity receiving his award.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 3 Jun 2009 3:01 pm

Jim,

I double checked to see if there was any justification in your erroneous post. Other than opening a new can of fish bait, you could look at the first line of the first page to see that this is no stab in the dark. The lack of camera work is quite visual to those who are star/steel oriented.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 3 Jun 2009 4:36 pm

Nothing personal Bill but regarding this topic I'll donate $5 to the Forum if b0b will close it. Care to join me anyone. Stuart said he'd join in with another $5.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 3 Jun 2009 4:57 pm

$:\$ ! it must really be lonely up there in the far north,

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 3 Jun 2009 5:04 pm

Bo, you ain't get in sht for Christmas

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 3 Jun 2009 5:18 pm

I've been having a hard candy christmas all my life Bo, it won't be nothing new.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 4 Jun 2009 2:45 am

Bo Legg,

It becomes distasteful when humiliation is forced upon an individual with such uncertainties. I know how much you seem to enjoy your opinionated stances, taken on articles of lesser importantance. I should have a better knowledge of what you have stood for through the years. Outbursts comprised of voluntary belittling of others appears a bit shabby from my perspective. This thread has become very rewarding to me, as I make reference to the many knowledgable steel guitarists, whose valuable insights have enlivened the process of deciding right or wrong. I object to your exclamation, by calling for b0b to intervene in an issue where the stability of a strong argument remains intact, by such means as witch-hunts, and probing to annihilate the chances of free speech. No matter, I can't afford to risk losing my perspectives. Those that have placed you in clear view makes a great deal of sense, in light of the most recent tantrums, and rug snatchings.

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 4 Jun 2009 5:39 am

Bill,

What is complaining going to accomplish? The music business is what it is. We either learn how to find our place in it or we don't. Sink or swim, its our choice. NOTHING anyone says in criticism can, or will, help ANY other steel guitarists in the professional world.

If anyone had 20 million or so dollars to throw into this business they might be able to influence its direction towards featuring steel guitars upfront and center. I suspect this would only last until the money ran out.

The problem with the entertainment industry is that the folks buying the product have the final say. The finances usually run out on most new directions without millions of fans to support it, unless it's creating large profits its a doomed idea.

At this present time the pedal steel has NO monetary benefit to network TV simply because it doesn't tweak the interest of the advertisers who sponsor such things such as the various music award shows.

The entertainment business has always looked and is still looking for the next pot of gold. The most we can lure into a live venue at our biggest steel convention is around 2000 people. That is the reality of our instruments popularity. Beyond its orchestrated sound its visual audience is hardly enough to warrant what you are suggesting. Today, Robert Randolph is the only marketable steel guitarist to the average public. He has made all of the "right" decisions to become a star in their eyes. If your looking for a right and wrong on this subject, Robert's success is your answer. He has been featured upfront on numerous metwork shows. All musicians should aim their skills at the right venues.

Paul

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 4 Jun 2009 5:44 am

Metwork/network $:\$ Should have used spell check.

Paul

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 4 Jun 2009 5:54 am

Franklin wrote:
If anyone had 20 million or so dollars

Well if I had that kinda cash floating around I would not use it for any TV promotion . I would be long gone down the highway ! Maybe open my own Country Music club and pay people to come listen to me play once in awhile ! What a switch, give everyone who comes in $5 at the door !

what a life I would have

t

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 4 Jun 2009 6:23 am

Paul,

My great respect for you calls for not another wasted word on the "George Strait Awand Show", that I must review with thoughts of steel guitar digression in mind. I hope to enter into a discussion that is as interesting as this thread has been by changing the subject.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 4 Jun 2009 6:24 am

At this present time the pedal steel has NO monetary benefit to network TV simply because it doesn't tweak the interest of the advertisers who sponsor such things such as the various music award shows.

If only the advertisers knew about Hankey threads.
Then you go and throw a Robert Randolf reference into a Hankey thread...Oh my God!!

Buckle up

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 4 Jun 2009 8:50 am

Bill Hankey

Bo Legg,
It becomes distasteful when humiliation is forced upon an individual with such uncertainties. I know how much you seem to enjoy your opinionated stances, taken on articles of lesser importantance I should have a better knowledge of what you have stood for through the years. Outbursts comprised of voluntary belittling of others appears a bit shabby from my perspective.

. I’d rather think my stance has been one of give and take on the lighter side of any topic and I have said many times that I’m the no. 1 fan of your topics and posts. You managed to get several responses from THE MAN. All I was trying to point out is that THE MAN has spoken so what more is there to discuss.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 4 Jun 2009 9:07 am

Everyone is preaching to the choir here. Because of our interest in steel guitar, we all would like to see more recognition of the players on the TV shows. However, talking about it here won't make it happen. To my knowledge, there's not a member here that has any control whatsoever in how these shows are directed. This frustration is causing too much friction between forum members, for no real reason.

Therefore, because of his excellent mastering of the English language and extensive vocabulary, I recommend that we deligate Bill Hankey to contact the TV producers on behalf of the steel guitar community to make our concerns known.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 4 Jun 2009 9:14 am

Excellent idea. Bill, the ball's in your court ....

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 4 Jun 2009 9:34 am

I think not, you wonderful gentlemen. May your hearts be blessed, and beat through a century of warm sunshine and happiness. We've been blessed with the steel guitar experience. I'll be here working in the interest of all the players, to show my appreciation. B.H.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 4 Jun 2009 10:20 am

Mssr. Hankey, thanks for your gracious refusal to take up Rick Campbell's suggestion, for the good of steel players everywhere.

Bill, I hope you know I have respect for you, enjoy your posts, feel you are a gentleman with a good heart, and probably play the steel guitar pretty well. And I've spoken to fellows who know and like you very much. So please consider my following statements with all that in mind, and that they're my opinions, though others I've talked to concur.

Guys and gals, what I came to realize about Bill... and I believe it's the source of much of the frustration and irritation with him and his posts... is that he enjoys having many Forumites read his writings, trying to decipher them, and reading the attendant commentaries on his posts both positive AND negative. He likes to see large numbers in the "views" column and in the "replies" column (which poster here doesn't, anyway?). He is seeking, and getting, a lot of attention. I, in fact, just got a Facebook question from a Forumite asking "what is up with that Hankey guy?"

What he's NOT into is COMMUNICATION. The object of communication is to clearly convey your ideas and/or questions to the intended readership.

This, Bill generally does not do.

If he were more into actually communicating, he'd ask direct questions or make direct statements in conversational language that the majority of us could understand easily, and without the obscure and unrelated metaphors and overly complicated... and occasionally dubious

... sentence structure he loves to use.

Many of Bill's topics and questions are rhetorical in nature. He's not so much seeking information as he is making a statement in question form and seeking replies. Lots of us do this here. Problem is, his language is frequently so undecipherable that very few, if any, Forumites can answer, or else be willing to "take the bait," as it were. A lot of readers get angry and offended by his posts, which I think is an even greater waste of energy and emotion. Bill often answers the angry posts in even MORE obscure language than brought on the complaint in the first place!!

When I came to the realization that that's what Bill's MAIN movitivation is... attention seeking rather than information sharing... I was able to better enjoy his posts for their entertainment value. I enjoy the English language and in fact have improved my vocabulary by reading Bill's posts, either by looking up words he's used, or by challenging them and having to look up the correct meaning and/or usage of the words.

Lots of us can use Bill's posts to improve our language skills, actually.

Now, as to the idea of Bill getting in touch with TV people, well, I've dealt with business people and decision makers in my newspaper career. Decision-makers are very short on time; they like direct questions and direct answers in language they can understand. If Bill wrote to a TV executive like he writes here, it would be deleted or hit the circular file before the first sentence was finished. Although it may make the rounds of the office email under the title "Can You Believe This!?" before being discarded.

Like I said, Bill, this is my take on your writing style. When you've actually wanted to say something understandably, I've seen you write it that way. Personally, I wish you'd do more of it, because you've got good ideas. And I think your good ideas are being discarded by many, because they can't get through all the other stuff.

And that, my friend, is everyone's loss, not just yours.

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 4 Jun 2009 10:38 am

Bill,

I hope its clear that I meant you no disrespect in my last questions.

Musically, I try to keep myself in a positive state. Negative thoughts and assumptions weigh me down. I see a positive future for talented musicians once they learn HOW the industry works. Playing professionally is a hard business. Knowing there is nothing I can do to change the way gigs happen is an understanding I have had to come to grips with. After I accepted this reality I could relax and work on the one thing I can control, How I play my guitar.

We all chose to play one of the most obscure instruments. Unfortunately, it's not the most widely accepted nor is it popular in every musical genre. Still, I have seen more doors open than close.

Paul

Randy Gilliam · Post by **Randy Gilliam** » 4 Jun 2009 10:50 am

Bill I Enjoy Your Posts. I Dont always understand them but I have learned a lot of new Words, You are a Great writer ,Keep up the great work, Randy G.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 4 Jun 2009 10:56 am

Now, as to the idea of Bill getting in touch with TV people, well, I've dealt with business people and decision makers in my newspaper career. Decision-makers are very short on time; they like direct questions and direct answers in language they can understand. If Bill wrote to a TV executive like he writes here, it would be deleted or hit the circular file before the first sentence was finished. Although it may make the rounds of the office email under the title "Can You Believe This!?" before being discarded.

Herb, although I can't speak for Rick, I took his suggestion, as written, to be very tongue-in-cheek although if Bill really did it, I would pay good money to see their response!

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 4 Jun 2009 10:57 am

Herbster's right on !

i don't get obfuscated by Bill's vocabulary & must admit it helps perfect my english & churn my brain
i often check out what Bill's comin' up with & don't get uptight
at best, i get a few good laughs from Bill & the Fo'bros
this thread's been a bit long but quite enriching

Thanx to all

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 4 Jun 2009 11:37 am

Yeah, tongue in cheek, because we all know that such a request to the TV industry would be a waste of time. But, if it were going to happen, I can't think of anyone more qualified than Bill to do it. He has professional writing and debate skills for sure.

Come on guys, this is a forum. The purpose is to share opinions, vent, praise, critque, joke, etc... We've got a diverse group of people here. That's to our advantage. We're all friends. Nothing is more boring that a thread where someone says, "John Hughey is a good player" and then there's ten pages of people agreeing and saying the same thing over and over.

Let's get back to something with some substance and importance, like "Does a black guitar sound better?"