Steel Guitar Hall of Fame

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 15 Sep 2009 5:28 pm

Jim Cohen wrote:
John Drury wrote:I don't recall any steel session work by Barbara, and she could hardly be called a steel guitar "road warrior".
Neither of those are necessary criteria for the SGHOF. After all, we have builders in the HOF, and promoters like Tom Bradshaw. It's a matter of one's overall contribution to steel guitar and I daresay Barbara Mandrell put the steel guitar out in front of more millions of people (TV viewers) for many years than some of the other names being passed around. And, yes, she does (or at least did) have the chops to warrant it.

She had a TV show for 2 years, (I was there, it did not feature steel all that much) 1981-1982, never backed anyone one steel, never wrote any tunes for steel.

Out of the 7 items on the form what was it she actually did?

And yes, there is no question she has the chops, never said she didn't. Toy and Garcia had chops too, sold a boatload of records, put steel out in front of everone. They are talked about all the time here on the forum, very seldom hear anything here about Babs though.

It is a legitimate question, what was it she did to warrant the induction? We know how Bud and Rons resumes read, but a pop star that owned a steel or two, whose show that ran 2 years in the 80's? Come on! To me, it just does not add up!

Don Barnhardt · Post by **Don Barnhardt** » 15 Sep 2009 6:28 pm

I hope no one tries to make wine out of these grapes.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 15 Sep 2009 6:29 pm

Sure wish I had her chops on steel,also maybe some that's putting her down would wish the same. Should she be in the HOF ? HELL I don't know.That's above my pay grade. But I'm not gonna lose any sleep over it. Got more important things to do. My kitty [THOMAS KATT] is hungry,got to go feed him. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Jon Irsik · Post by **Jon Irsik** » 15 Sep 2009 6:42 pm

IMHO, being one of (if not the) first ladies to play steel guitar on the world stage gives her a unique qualification that no other HOF member has.

Steel players sure gripe a lot.

Jon

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 15 Sep 2009 6:58 pm

One of the things I enjoy about all the negative attitudes and bitching, that goes on here, is I was able to buy the only D-11 wraparound Emmons off e-bay while everyone was complaining about it.

Jon Irsik · Post by **Jon Irsik** » 15 Sep 2009 7:00 pm

chas smith wrote:One of the things I enjoy about all the negative attitudes and bitching, that goes on here, is I was able to buy the only D-11 wraparound Emmons off e-bay while everyone was complaining about it.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 15 Sep 2009 7:14 pm

John Drury wrote:
Out of the 7 items on the form what was it she actually did?

#7... "expanded public knowledge and acceptance of the instrument"

#3... "influenced others to take up the instrument"

As far as steel guitar Exposure, Barbara was #1 in the 1980s... no one else came close. Even school kids and their parents knew who Barbara Mandrell was. 40 MILLION viewers a week saw her playing her pedal steel guitar (and other instruments) on NBC, every week for 2 years. And whether you like it or not, those kids never heard of Buddy Emmons, sorry. No offense to the Big E.

She also toured the world for years performing on many instruments, including pedal steel guitar.

The fact that she was a multi-instrumentalist, a pop/country superstar... does Not diminish the fact that she did a LOT to expand awareness of the pedal steel guitar. That's why she's in the Hall. She deserves to be there.

In the 1950s and 60s Santo & Johnny brought steel guitar music to the youth of America. Today Robert Randolph does that. I would argue that Barbara Mandrell did that in the 80s. AND she did it by playing Country and steel guitar instrumentals!

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 15 Sep 2009 7:53 pm

I think Ms Mandrell belongs there as much or more than many inductees.

Notwithstanding her having gone through more to just keep living than about any dozen of us after her accident and still performing like a champ. Anybody that says she never put in time as a "road warrior" doesn't even deserve a chuckle. That gal has played more gigs than just about anybody I can think of in her time.

I've never heard a single negative about her or her business dealings.

Can't say that about a good half dozen past inductees.

Besides. She can probably still play better than a dozen or so of 'em.

Good choice.

For once..

Now Where's Bobbe Seymour?

EJL

Glen Derksen · Post by **Glen Derksen** » 15 Sep 2009 9:09 pm

Jeff Evans wrote:
The purpose . . . is "to establish a Hall of Fame and museum through which to support the art, popularity, and prestige of the steel guitar, to honor those musicians and composers who have made significant contributions to the steel guitar world, and to educate the public regarding the steel guitar."

The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame Nominating Form

1. Name and list the notable artists and bands with whom the nominee has performed and recorded, as well as the duration.

2. Describe any touring history of the nominee, the length of that touring, and the names of touring bands or artists that he/she has performed with. If the nominee was primarily a club musician, list the names and locations of those clubs and the years spent in club performing.

3. Describe the influences the nominee may have had on other players, such as projecting an identifiable style of playing and innovative musical executions. Provide examples of his/her professional expertise, playing prowess, dramatic delivery, etc. and explain how these qualities influenced others to take up the instrument.

4. List the nominee's recordings as a side musician with vocal artists and his/her instrumental recordings. Assess those musical productions for their quality, innovation, and what influence such may have had on other steel guitar players. List any compositions that may have become classic recordings (tunes that other players feel compelled to learn and likewise perform).

5. Describe the nominee's efforts as an instructor, innovations in teaching methods and notable students who learned from the nominee and also pursued a professional music career. List all other instructional materials published by the nominee and any other writings that advanced the musical performance and/or contributed to the public knowledge of the steel guitar.

6. If the nominee has been involved in the manufacture of steel guitars, explain any mechanical innovations and craftsmanship examples that he/she brought to the guitar building industry and/or enhanced the performing capabilities of the instrument. How long was the nominee engaged in this activity?

7. List other activities the nominee has engaged in that advanced the instrument, expanded public knowledge and acceptance of the instrument, or aided in its proliferation. Examples of such activities might include promoting and/or conducting concerts, forming steel guitar clubs, organizing promotional events, producing, writing and publishing, etc. List the continuous years the nominee devoted to these various activities.
Source: http://www.scottysmusic.com/abouthof.htm

Does this list require that the inductee meet ANY of the criterion, or ALL of the criterion?

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 15 Sep 2009 9:27 pm

Does this list require that the inductee meet ANY of the criterion, or ALL of the criterion?

I doubt than many HOF members meet ALL of the criteria. The list just inquires about possible contributions that a nominee may have made, in order to "qualify" for consideration. For example, Santo & Johnny are in the HOF... but #5 (instruction and publications) does not apply to them. Eddie Alkire is in the HOF... but #1 and #2 do not apply to him, as far as I know. Barbara Mandrell "qualifies" under #2, #3, and possibly #7, in my opinion, and obviously in the opinion of the board.

Bobby Selover · Post by **Bobby Selover** » 15 Sep 2009 9:36 pm

I seen a you tube video of Barbara on a Jonny Cash Show she knocked me out with her speed I dug it. she is hot....

W. C. Edgar · Post by **W. C. Edgar** » 15 Sep 2009 10:23 pm

One of the years she won the Entertainer of the year award these were the first two people she thanked in this order:
1.God
2.Norman Hamlett

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 16 Sep 2009 3:23 am

I have no problem with Barbara Mandrell being in the HOF. I do feel that there are others who could have been inducted before she was but that is ok. It is nice to see a very lovely lady sitting behind a steel guitar on a national television show which I did watch weekly.

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 16 Sep 2009 5:15 am

O.K. Guys,

This is getting weird, forget I even asked.

Sorry I ruffled so many feathers here. For the record, I think Barbara is probably one of the most talented people on the face of this earth, one of my very favorite vocalists of all time, a decent actress, and yes, her beauty is beyond compare, and I would love to be as proficient as she is on steel.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for her as a person, and her abilities but I just don't think she is is SGHOF material, sorry.

I was one of the couple dozen or so drivers behind her at the scene of the accident she was in, close enough to see the puff of steam shoot up from the radiator on impact. I was slowly directed by the scene with the others and got a good look at the wreck, I could not tell that it was her Jag that I had seen so many times around Hendersonville.

I was very saddened to learn later that evening that it was her and her children in that wreck. I had a real fear that she was about to be taken from us.

It would not be possible to overstate the impact she has had on the world of entertainment, period.

Peace

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 16 Sep 2009 5:53 am

The pic of her on the bronze thing is horrible!!!!! Looks like a man with a wig on.

As a player....next to Jerry Byrd and Julian Tharpe and the others.....she does not deserve to be there, but maybe that is not why she was inducted.

Stephen Gregory · Post by **Stephen Gregory** » 16 Sep 2009 5:59 am

Bill Hatcher wrote:The pic of her on the bronze thing is horrible!!!!! Looks like a man with a wig on.

As a player....next to Jerry Byrd and Julian Tharpe and the others.....she does not deserve to be there, but maybe that is not why she was inducted.

I agree in principle, but then about half the current inductees, at least, shouldn't be members. In fact, if Byrd, Emmons, and Tharpe are the benchmarks, there should be less than a dozen or so deserving.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 16 Sep 2009 7:01 am

Stephen Gregory wrote:
Bill Hatcher wrote:The pic of her on the bronze thing is horrible!!!!! Looks like a man with a wig on.

As a player....next to Jerry Byrd and Julian Tharpe and the others.....she does not deserve to be there, but maybe that is not why she was inducted.
I agree in principle, but then about half the current inductees, at least, shouldn't be members. In fact, if Byrd, Emmons, and Tharpe are the benchmarks, there should be less than a dozen or so deserving.

That would make it a REAL Hall of Fame.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 16 Sep 2009 8:21 am

Bobby Selover wrote:I seen a you tube video of Barbara on a Jonny Cash Show she knocked me out with her speed I dug it. she is hot....

And you can bet she didn't need to play the steel to get the spot on Cash's show. She could have sang her latest hit, her next pending release and sang a duet with Johnny.

She never turned her back on the instrument and was there last year to see Norm Hamlet inducted.

The reason The HOF Board takes on the thankless task, is that we could never all agree on the "next" inductee. If the goal is to honor the instrument and those who contribute to its acceptance, then it sure doesn't hurt to have some otherwise famous inductees.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 16 Sep 2009 10:12 am

b0b wrote:

The insinuation that someone could buy their way into the SGHOF is an insult to our friends who sit on the board.
I know every one of these men, and their reputations are beyond reproach. There is no way in hell that they could be bought or bribed.

I could have written that, and endorse every word.
Every year we go thru this. It's disgusting.

My thanks to the Board for a job well done.

I haven't agreed with all their choices, but respect their knowledge, and integrity.

FWIW, I agree with Mrs. Mandrell's selection.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 16 Sep 2009 11:19 am

Agree or not agree, you might as well accept it, get over it, and move on. If you don't like the way the board does things, you can complain, but there's nothing you can do about it. It's not a club, or a member governed organization, and as a steel guitar player or admired, you have no say in it whatsoever. Read the rules on the website. It's not like our government where you can vote against someone if you don't like the way they perform their job. Except for the chairman and the board, everyone else is on the outside looking in. To me it seems more of a private fraterity, but it's cetainly an honor to be recognized by your peers. I'm happy for all the HOF members and respect their talents.

Maybe someday there will be a National or International Steel Guitar Association, and the members will be able to vote for their choice for induction into their HOF. This would provide a chance for everyone that wanted to be involved to do so. It could also have separate sections for players, builders, promoters, etc... Until then, you take what you get.

I'm not complaining, just making an observation. I think the HOF has done a decent job in the selection of their members. There's some great players honored by the HOF, but there's some great players that may never be there. Mentioning names is no good because everyone has a favorite person that they'd like to see recognized. I'm proud of anyone that has mastered the steel guitar beyond the point of sounding awful.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 16 Sep 2009 2:40 pm

Rick Campbell wrote:Maybe someday there will be a National or International Steel Guitar Association, and the members will be able to vote for their choice for induction into their HOF.

I've been a member of the PSGA for decades. www.psga.org

I believe it's the largest formal steel guitar organization in the world. They don't have a Hall Of Fame, though, and I doubt that they would want to compete with the SGHOF in St. Louis.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 16 Sep 2009 3:15 pm

b0b wrote:
Rick Campbell wrote:Maybe someday there will be a National or International Steel Guitar Association, and the members will be able to vote for their choice for induction into their HOF.
I've been a member of the PSGA for decades. www.psga.org

I believe it's the largest formal steel guitar organization in the world. They don't have a Hall Of Fame, though, and I doubt that they would want to compete with the SGHOF in St. Louis.

b0b,

Thanks. I didn't even know there is such a thing as the PSGA. You should promote it more on the forum. The possibilities are endless. Looks like the Steel Guitar Forum has about four times as many members as the PSGA.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 16 Sep 2009 3:48 pm

I thought everyone knew about the PSGA.

Their monthly newsletter was the primary news outlet for the steel community before the internet came along. It's still really good!

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 16 Sep 2009 7:09 pm

I didn't know there was anywhere to get steel guitar information until the Internet came along. I wasn't exposed to steel other than listening to people play.

I grew up pretty far back in the country. We didn't get the Grand Ole Opry until Sunday morning.

Seriously, the closest music store was an hour away across the mountain, and I didn't get to go much as a kid. Our drug store in town carried Black Diamond guitar strings. They'd also get a card with picks every now and then. If you didn't get there quickly, all that would be left would be a few thin triangle shaped guitar picks and a couple of metal thumb picks. I made a lot out of milk jugs. I also learned to piece strings together, and even put them on a different tuning peg if they wouldn't reach the right one. I'm sure a lot of you know about that stuff.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 16 Sep 2009 7:18 pm

I've been a member of the PSGA for decades.

Me too, since the 1970s. My membership number is 39!

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