Is It Possible To Get Carried Away By The Steel Guitar?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Mar 2010 4:22 am

What is reasonable in musical studies that involves the steel guitar? Do you ever stop to consider the big shift away from other activities?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Mar 2010 5:00 am

There are other activities?

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 17 Mar 2010 5:03 am

Not just steel guitar, any instrument (or any hobby for that matter) can take up incredible amounts of time.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 17 Mar 2010 5:15 am

Like the internet ...

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Mar 2010 5:24 am

Jim, nothing is more effective in stalling me away from other endeavors, than a new "lick" on the steel. I miss hearing your great performances. I hope to see you again sometime in the future.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Mar 2010 5:42 am

Theresa, the ladies who offer a special touch to the threads, are always appreciated. I was hoping to see more input from Miss Georgette Jones. - It became a real treat by keeping up the steel oriented momentum on the forum. Donna H. and Sarah J., so outstanding in the art of playing steel, have apparently escaped somewhat, the steel's unbelievable attraction. As Jim C. has suggested, "There are other activities."

Barry Hyman · Post by **Barry Hyman** » 17 Mar 2010 5:47 am

The only thing more important than studying the pedal steel is performing/recording with it. In my life, nothing else comes even close to those two priorities.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Mar 2010 6:07 am

Barry Hyman wrote:The only thing more important than studying the pedal steel is performing/recording with it. In my life, nothing else comes even close to those two priorities.

Uh-oh. Sounds like an intervention is needed...

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Mar 2010 7:01 am

Barry H.,

Please stay close by. Your activities are of great interest in nearby New York State. I enjoy reading more about what I've been missing just over the state line. Have you ever heard of a of steel player from Vermont, who's stage name is "Eddie" Edwards? Actually, there were two using that stage name. One from N.Y., and the other from Vermont? One thing is for sure, it gets harder to check as time slips away.

Louie Hallford · Post by **Louie Hallford** » 17 Mar 2010 8:12 am

My conscious takes a real beating when I think of all the hours I have taken away from my two children,grand children and my wife of ,soon to be fifty years of marriage. They have zero interest in steel guitar

Example: Going to TSGA show last Thursday and leaving Sunday afternoon,then getting up at 4:30 AM Monday morning and driving 200 miles to play at an all day Jam with a group of 12 or so other steel players, most who were also at TSGA show. Friday this week I am driving over 200 miles up in Oklahoma to play at a one night show and returning Saturday.

My wedding anniversary is Aug. 30 which often includes Scotty's St Louis show. Last year was my first time to miss it in 30 years..

I am a hobby player never had a paying gig except for helping a friend out when he was sick,one when his wife died. Most of the time I give them the money if it is for that reason.

I must qualify as the worlds most selfish steel guitar player.

Just for the record I have provided well for my family---no thanks however to steel guitar. Man, how I have enjoyed it, and the people I have met because of it.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Mar 2010 8:15 am

Louie, Louie... (where have I heard that before?)

Truth be told, I think your story's pretty common. At least you're in good company, for what it's worth.

Yer Pal,
J'beaux

Louie Hallford · Post by **Louie Hallford** » 17 Mar 2010 8:20 am

Jimbo,you one of those super people I have met because of steel guitar. Love you Bro.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 17 Mar 2010 8:55 am

Just for the record I have provided well for my family---no thanks however to steel guitar.

Louie, you said a mouthful.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 17 Mar 2010 9:50 am

Louie my friend you have told the life story of so many people with your post...including me. For almost 30 years 2 things have mattered in my life. My family and my music. I have turned down major opportunities in my music because I wanted to stay home and take care of my family. At the same time a lot of my family's special events have been comprimized because I was off "making a living until 2am. It's a very hard road to hoe and will mess with your mind. (That conscience thing will but pounds on your belly and lines on your forhead) What should have, could have, and what I have done are three seperate beasts. Finally after all these years I am starting to get them seperated. Music is now fun, convenient, and enjoyable or it isn't done. That's a good thing. see you soon buddy!

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 17 Mar 2010 10:05 am

I'm sure others have been in situations similar to mine. I have done "day jobs" since college but there were many times when a layoff or business closing caused me to depend on my steel for a living. I was an engineer for Johns-Manville, Union Carbide and three different companies that supported the bottling industry in Fla. J-M made asbestos products, U-C killed 20,00 people in India in 1984 and the three conveyor/elevator co.'s were poorly managed.
I never got rich picking steel but I made a living. I retired in '07 and am back to picking for my income. I've thought about packing it in but there is something about a steel guitar that's addictive. I will admit when I had to play for a living it wasn't nearly as much fun as it is now.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Mar 2010 11:44 am

I think it would be safe to say that the pedal steel is by far one of the most representative of habit forming activities. The more a player progresses, the more he puts other ambitions aside. Self- discipline cannot be relied upon. The urge to get back to those favorite chops becomes an overpowering force that grows with each new discovery.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 17 Mar 2010 1:16 pm

Is It Possible To Get Carried Away By The Steel Guitar?
No I don't think a Steel Guitar can pick you up and carry you away.
But you can get carried away with the steel guitar and thrown out together.

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 17 Mar 2010 1:33 pm

Few things hurt as much, when they land on you, as a Sho~Bud Crossover! That darn frame is heavy, and pointy! I try to play well, but Bo, sometimes it just doesn't work out...WHAM...right out on the sidewalk; guitar, seat, amp and me in one fell swoop

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 17 Mar 2010 1:38 pm

...but on a serious note (Bb) my poor wife really doesn't understand my steel guitar habit. I'll go on and on about some aspect of it, she just gets this look, eventually, and I know I should cease, or commence to cease (I trick her by saying "I'm winding this up) my coffee fueled sermon.

Mike Schwartzman · Post by **Mike Schwartzman** » 17 Mar 2010 2:29 pm

Ha, ha...It's worse than I thought, Bill. I was warned a couple of years ago when I first started: My friend (a fellow steeler) said point blank, "It's addictive"!

Well...it takes quite some time to get the bare bones basics going...all the large & more subtle things that give a beginner some foundation to begin practice and playing.

Then...last week I had a CD backing track going with random country songs...some very traditional, and some jazzier too, employing a wide variety of chords within a given scale. I looked up and down the neck and thought about the mechanics and I said to myself, "My God, the possibilities are infinite".

And heck...I've only got one neck on my guitar. The addiction continues.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Mar 2010 3:36 pm

Hi Mike, I don't know your friend; the one who told you that you would be drawn to the steel, to use his word "addictive". He wasn't kidding around, as you've gone on and soon learned on your own. It's a tough call! I learned that practice sessions can be very time consuming. Nothing else seems to matter when the player discovers something new on the steel.

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 17 Mar 2010 5:04 pm

Bill you just nailed it. When you learn something new it opens up the thought process. What else is there on here that I haven't found yet? For me that begins an uncoordinated dance on the pedals, knee levers and strings.
The shows we'll be doing this year include a few songs that the Time Jumpers do. Try as I might, I can't always duplicate what Papa John and Paul do. I know that I don't have some of the mechanical changes they have but their special "touch" is something that's impossible to duplicate.
On the other hand some of the things that the "Big Guys" play is very simple and tasty. If and when I finally figure it out I'm amazed at how easy it is to find the notes. That doesn't make it easy to catch the feel but at least it's a good direction to follow.

Kenny Martin · Post by **Kenny Martin** » 17 Mar 2010 5:29 pm

Since i was 9 here's how it has been:

Get up, go to school, come home, do homework, eat, play steel and go to bed.

Then after school, i went to work, come home, eat, took a shower, play steel and go to bed.

Today, i get up, go to work, come home, eat, play steel, stay up late and watch music shows and go to bed.

Every other weekend i play out and or do studio work in other towns or states!

I guess what i'm saying is, it has been a part of growing up and is like brushing my teeth or washing what hair i have left! I'm suppose to play but the best part is i have always, always wanted to play every chance i get and I have never been at a point i didn't want to! Even if i couldn't play a Tommy White lick i was still happy to work on it!

Back in the early 80's i was offered a good many times to hit the road, so i played alot of shows but never quit the day job because of kids!

I love the Lord, my family and playing steel! I do other things but steel is my main joy! I play golf and have a 2 handicap but it doesn't get me pumped like playing steel live!

I will say one thing Bill that Daddy told me about steel and that is, to never put a soul on it or put it above anything because it can be taken away from you in a blink!

well there ya go, thats my spill for the night!

Andy Jones · Post by **Andy Jones** » 17 Mar 2010 7:41 pm

When I started this steel guitar endeavor,I prayed that it would not control me and become a stumbling block between me and the Lord.I asked the Lord to take it away from me if it was becoming between us.Don't get me wrong,I love playing the steel and it's exciting when I figure out a lick or discover something new.I had intentions of being a strictly country player,but I have gravitated toward Gospel music.Most of my playing is now in church.

Many of you probably won't understand this position,but that's the way it is.God comes first,period.

I can understand how the steel guitar can become an obsession,as it's very habit forming and extremely time consuming if one wants to be a great player.However,in my case,I would drop it in a minute if it interfered with my spiritual walk.

Andy

Barry Hyman · Post by **Barry Hyman** » 18 Mar 2010 6:51 am

I am lucky -- I teach private music lessons for a living, so I get to play steel many times each day. When giving a guitar lesson, if the student is practicing lead guitar, I'll play rhythm guitar. But when it comes time for the student to play rhythm, I slide over to the steel! Same for keyboard, banjo, bass, and mandolin students.

And if a student doesn't show up or if I have an hour between lessons, PSG Party Time!

That way I get my steel practice in during the daylight hours and am able to spend many of the evenings with my wife. If I had a non-musical day job and had to practice at night, both the steel playing and the marriage would suffer; I can sure understand and sympathize with that.

With gigs I am out of the house one or two nights a week, and more in the summer. But my wife and I have been together 25 years; she knows I am too old and grey now to do much successful flirting, and too respectful of the troopers to do too much drinking before driving, so she doesn't worry. (As long as I bring home some money!)

One other thing: I refuse to drive more than an hour each way for anything. I miss plenty of higher-paying big city gigs that way, and have given up on the idea of fame and fortune for the quiet life in the woods near my garden. But driving less means I am home with the wife (and the psg!) more -- I wouldn't even consider driving a few hundred miles for a gig or a concert or a session unless the money and the situation were extraordinary. I get plenty of fun and thrills playing smalltime local gigs.

As for religion, I was raised with no religion and I remain that way, but if I ever do join a church or a religion, it would be one that understands that playing music is an act of worship!

Bill H -- I'm afraid I don't know Eddie Edwards. Hope to meet you one of these days -- most of my gigs are withing 45 minutes of where you live. Email me when you have a gig in the area?

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