Attracting New Players

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 5 Sep 2012 9:07 am

"It isn't possible to predict the future developments that may or may not create a surge of interest among musicians who are constantly looking for new challenges."

Perhaps, but it isn't too difficult to recognize the end of era.

Interest in playing music among most young people comes from their own heros and the possibility of enhancing their relationship with the opposite sex.

There just isn't enough popular music featuring steel guitar (like there used to be) to jump start any hero worship. As far as attracting the babes....I know Jim gets his share but few teenagers have his charisma.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 5 Sep 2012 9:32 am

Bill McCloskey wrote: Interest in playing music among most young people comes from ... the possibility of enhancing their relationship with the opposite sex.

That's why music evolved in the first place, in birds, humans, and other species.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 5 Sep 2012 9:34 am

Put lap steels in the kids' hands. They'll find their way.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 5 Sep 2012 9:36 am

"among musicians who are constantly looking for new challenges"

By the way: Are musicians really looking for "new challenges"?

that is usually what someone says when they got fired.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 5 Sep 2012 9:39 am

"Put lap steels in the kids' hands. They'll find their way."

Over the years, I've put my fair share of lap steels in kid's hands. It never took though.

People like David Lindley are rare breeds.

There will always be rare breeds. Who was interested in dobro before Jerry Douglas? But rare breeds do not a movement make.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 5 Sep 2012 9:42 am

I don't think kids today are really attracted to that Lindley style of playing. They seem to be into a more ambient kind of thing.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 5 Sep 2012 9:50 am

You mean the Kaki King type of loop stuff?

Could be.

I don't know what anyone is into anymore.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 5 Sep 2012 9:54 am

The most incredible firing of an awesomely proficient musician occurred when the late CHET ATKINS was fired in a working band; I believe somewhere west of the Mississippi River. I wonder what that individual who took it upon himself to fire Chet was thinking when Chet's executive abilities began to surface? Chet was one of the most knowledgeable musicians in all creation. From what I gather, the firing developed because of tuning problems pointed out by Chet amongst other band members.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 5 Sep 2012 10:09 am

He must have been using a capo.

Actually I just read about his firing: he was fired multiple times over a 4 year period, not because of tuning issues, but because the audience, according to Chet, was not sophisticated enough to understand what he was doing. In other words, he was too smart for the room.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 5 Sep 2012 11:45 am

Bill M.,

You may agree that most successful musicians were lucky in a sense, due to the extreme odds of working with TEAM PLAYERS. Atkins' method of dealing with fellow musicians with tuning problems (later in his career) was by not pointing them out, but keeping them out of the mix in recording sessions. He didn't appreciate being called a country musician, although he had no problem playing the bulk of country instrumentals.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 5 Sep 2012 11:57 am

Bill Hankey threads: the crack cocaine of the Steel Guitar Forum. You know it's bad for you, but you just... can't...

Firstly, the "lack of any good new steel music on the radio" meme. This doesn't matter, because the radio is completely irrelevant to "the kids" who are taking up instruments. If you listen to the radio waiting for something worth listening to shows up - it's a waste of time. And if you want to parrot the "downloading is ruining sales!" meme as spread by the dying dinosaur big labels, you have to ignore the fact that CD sales remained quite constant from 1990 to 2008, only dropping the last few years. Bands sell their own CD's. How many CD's from steel players have you bought from big labels Warner's, Sony BMG etc.? NONE...

And I strongly suspect that Ben Harper is a more popular steel player than Robert Randolph, especially if you include the foreign markets. But they are way outsold by Derek Trucks, who has somehow become one of the most popular guitarists on the planet -

Oftentimes, it isn't unusual to see a wanna-be publicly giving the steel a bad name with one of those "glass" slides played on a Spanish guitar. Those ridiculous things contribute nothing but detrimental noise to the listening public. I seriously doubt if the ultimate finesse would alter the poor excuse for the sound of the pedal steel guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N65cP52N ... re=related

There just isn't enough popular music featuring steel guitar (like there used to be) to jump start any hero worship.

I just have to question: Popular among whom? As this thread is about attracting younger players, it would seem useful to find out what is popular among them, not just popular among +50-year-old pedal steel players. This comment by Mr. Perlowin caught my eye:

...and players who will work up tunes by Lady Gaga and others her age. (BTW unlike a lot of other pop stars, Lady Gaga writes her own songs, actually sings in tune, and plays keyboards quite well.

I don't see much coming from a steel guitarist playing covers of today's pop music, as has been typical of "steel guitar albums" to this day. Which brings up a good point - Why can't steel guitarists write their own music? I don't mean one or two songs, I mean a whole CD or live set of completely original music with the steel guitar as the primary instrumental voice.* I suspect that the person who answers that will BE the Next Big Steel player; and I suspect he'll come out of nowhere, at least in regards to this forum (and our myriad opinionating!) Regarding Robert Randolph, there has been a gradual shift here from wanting to kneecap him towards leg-humping, so we may hope that if some kid does blast off the festival stages with a steel, he may eventually be grudgingly accepted. Here.

*(Sonny Landreth just released an all-instrumental CD with some really strong writing and arranging that favors his ridiculous, detrimental, noisy "glass slide." On the typical CD from a steel guitarist the sole effort at arranging is to determine how many solos the fiddle, piano and bassist get to take - and we deserve to be marginalized, if that's the best we can do.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byhsiNAj ... ults_video

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 5 Sep 2012 1:46 pm

David,

Actually, I detest the thought of living on the same planet with harmful drugs. If I had a choice it would never happen. It's amazing when you stop to think about whirling around in space; a space that has no bearing on a specified location in the universe. Equally baffling is the problem of who's who in the world of music. Unless I should be granted the privilege to examine the action, and height of the bridges, I'm convinced that the GLASS SLIDE technique is just another failure to produce the soothing musical melody lines heard in other strung instruments. What a musical waste of talented fingers! The pedal steel guitar offers everything except minimum bulk for the glass slide artist. Until someone explains the advantages of a glass slide over a traditional lap or pedal steel, I've concluded that players with JUNIOR BROWN'S artistic abilities are not taking a back seat to any
of the suggested performers that you've pointed out.

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 5 Sep 2012 2:32 pm

David Mason wrote:If you listen to the radio waiting for something worth listening to shows up - it's a waste of time.

That's why I quit listening to the radio.

David Mason wrote:Why can't steel guitarists write their own music?

Good point. And the nice thing about writing your own music is that you can play whatever you want to play on your instrument without worrying about 'breaking the rules'.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 5 Sep 2012 2:59 pm

"the soothing musical melody lines heard in other strung instruments. What a musical waste of talented fingers! The pedal steel guitar offers everything except minimum bulk for the glass slide artist. Until someone explains the advantages of a glass slide over a traditional lap or pedal steel, "

Bill, I know I'll never convince you otherwise but it is those "soothing musical melody lines" that put some of our teeth on edge. I'll take Sonny and Derek over most any musical act working today, let alone pedal steel players.

Some people like Johnny Winter and some people like Laurence Welk.

Enjoy what you enjoy.

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 5 Sep 2012 3:51 pm

Bill Hankey wrote:Until someone explains the advantages of a glass slide over a traditional lap or pedal steel

How about fame? Money? Recognition? Groupies? How famous was Duane Allman? Do you believe in the Free Market?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 5 Sep 2012 3:58 pm

Nothing is more misleading than the novelty of new performances. The hottest jazz guitarists in the land have been viewed trying to best the BIG "E" or the late CURLY CHALKER in concerts. No dice! It has never been done. THUMBS CARLLILE, BUDDY EMMONS, DOUG JERNIGAN, and HERBY WALLACE, played in performance centers, continuously throughout their heydays. As I've stated, the newness of hearing performances for the first time is misleading. It's something like practicing a lick over and over. It must stand the test of time, after the mind ferrets out little inconsistencies that escaped notice, the first time around.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 5 Sep 2012 4:27 pm

Well, then. God bless you, Bill.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 5 Sep 2012 4:34 pm

As long as steel players are being nominated for CMA's & ACM's because of steel being on artist cd's the players will be inspired to pick up the instrument. Believe me the steel is being heard in all genres of music.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 5 Sep 2012 5:22 pm

Theresa,

I seldom mention PAUL FRANKLIN, but that doesn't prevent me from regarding him as one of the most influential players of our times. I usually tune in and watch the TIME JUMPERS videos, where PAUL can be seen. His appreciation for the vocalists at the new location in NASHVILLE is very commendable. PAUL'S music appreciation can be seen while DAWN SEARS sings her video; "IF You're Gonna Do Me Wrong, Do It Right". Listen to PAUL'S classic rendition on the pedal steel guitar, during the break!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 6 Sep 2012 7:20 am

I'm a bit surprised to learn that trivia on this forum triggers more responses than matters of importance. The average writer tends to be more comedic, rather than settle into a discussion that pertains to factual events concerning the steel guitar. There are 99 million ways to earn a living. The pedal steel guitar is only one of those jobs. Some writers tend to be guarded on matters that point directly to attaining employment as a steel guitarist. What on earth for? Just look around in various entertainment centers. There are large numbers of band leaders hiring steel players. I believe there is room for all to be employed.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 6 Sep 2012 7:57 am

"Just look around in various entertainment centers. There are large numbers of band leaders hiring steel players. I believe there is room for all to be employed."

Which entertainment centers would those be, Bill.

I think you might be a little far removed from the realities of making a living playing steel guitar.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 6 Sep 2012 8:00 am

I do have a suggestion for you Bill.

As an experiment, why don't you try and make your sole living as a pedal steel guitar player, for (I don't know), how about 6 months. Just bank all your other income and only live on what you can make as a steel guitarist. Use some of those "99 million ways".

Let us know how you do.

Is that a fair experiment?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 6 Sep 2012 9:46 am

Bill McCloskey,

Finding the ideal niche is the hardest part of job hunting. The country is jam-packed with every niche imaginable. Some employers do a lot of hiring and firing to the point where it gets to be habitual. I've worked for some overzealous managers in my younger years. It didn't take me too long to start scoping out how they got to be bosses in the first place. Then it dawned on me! Self-employment! Who needs to be shuffled from job to job due to poor management? There must be millions of different ways to earn a living doing work that others find to be a little too troublesome. It's still a land of opportunities. Some steel guitarists are in big demand. They can work as much as they want to. Keeping the cash registers ringing will nine times out of ten, will open new doors as a steel guitarist.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 6 Sep 2012 4:34 pm

I've revised a portion of my last reply. Haste makes waste. It should be more legible after a few changes were made.

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 7 Sep 2012 2:43 am

I think we are kiddin' ourselves here. WHERE are these young folks?? I see a VERY small number at steel guitar shows. Almost everyone, players, crowd, vendors, wives, girlfriends, etc are 50 or over. Thousands of music stores in thousands of towns across America, and not a steel guitar in sight. No lessons offered. No string sets. No volume pedals. No music or tab books that support steel guitar. No effects specifically meant for steel guitar and no playing accoutrements like playing bars. A youngster can purchase a NEW guitar and amp for a fraction of what a used steel guitar goes for. Let alone the trouble of trying to get it set up and/or working correctly, and then finding some sort of instruction or help. Irregardless of a small number of folks that put steel guitar in rock bands that we see on TV and here and there, the average young person is NOT going to care. ALL of our so called idols and master's are getting long in the tooth. It's a fact of life. A young person can buy a guitar and with a few simple trys, can gain the satisfaction of playing a tune immediately. There are steel guitar folks who have been playing for years that still can't pick much at all. However, thousands of garage bands abound and not one of those young folks would take a steel guitar if it were FREE, and wouldn't know what to do with it if he did. They are heavy, bulky, take time to set up and tune, and not very versatile. It's GREAT if you see a young person take up the steel guitar, but most folks view the steel guitar as a classic country instrument at this time. Many folks dont even know what it is, or could name a single steel guitar player ever. A lot of so called country bands no longer even carry a steel player as in days of yore. In the last 30 years or so I have NEVER seen a young person show any interest in the steel players in the various bands I have worked in. And now, I never see too many young folks at all at the venues either. But the KARAOKE joints ore FULL.........