Robert Randolph playing Mullen & Jackson steel guitars

[Del Ray Grace]

Check out Robert Randolph's performance @ the Black Swamp Arts Festival in Bowling Green, Ohio.
http://youtu.be/8eewMRRSaaY

[Paul King]

I have never been a big fan of his simply because of the style of music he plays. This one I enjoyed and regardless of what he plays Robert is definitely a talented musician.

[Mark Eaton]

Thanks for posting Del Ray - that tune has an infectious groove.

Looked like a great setting for the concert.

[Alan Brookes]

It's good to see more steel guitar being introduced into more and more forms of music. From what I've heard, soul music rarely has a steel in it.

In the country arena, a lot of the audience don't know what a steel guitar is, despite there having been steel guitarists in almost every band they listen to. How does this go with Sacred Steel audiences? Would you say that they're more aware of what steel guitars are, or they just like the music and don't question where it comes from? I see a lot more steel guitarists leading the band and singing in Sacred Steel than in country, so to me they look very conspicuous. Is the answer to a better awareness of the steel guitar for more steel guitarists to lead the band and do the singing? As far as I know, the only person to have led a full band from the steel guitar was Alvino Ray.

[Drew Howard]

Fan here. Love the stand-up pedal steel ! Thanks, Del !

[Mark Eaton]

How does this go with Sacred Steel audiences? Would you say that they're more aware of what steel guitars are, or they just like the music and don't question where it comes from?

Del can answer this better than I can, but I think it has to do with what you mean by the Sacred Steel audience. If one is attending a Robert Randolph concert where Robert and band are the headliners, or perhaps the Lee Boys where they are the headliners and Roosevelt Collier is front and center on steel, or the Campbell Brothers where Darick and Chuck Campbell are out front, then I would assume the audience is well aware of the steel guitar dominance in these groups.

If the same groups are playing a festival scenario with a number of diverse acts on stage that particular day then likely many in the audience will require some education.

When the "audience" is the congregation at a House of God church, pretty much everyone there knows all about the steel player. He or she is the featured instrumentalist in the church band or worship team. Often the young kids start out on other instruments like drums and they aspire one day to be able to sit in the steel guitar seat.

[Alan Brookes]

...Often the young kids start out on other instruments like drums and they aspire one day to be able to sit in the steel guitar seat.

Amen to that one.

[David Rupert]

1st peeve: when I heard he was standing on his Mullen G2. I can't even conceive of doing that to a pedal steel guitar...or any instrument for that matter.

2nd peeve: he recently had in his newsfeed, that he had a 106* fever. I'm calling BS!!! And then he was supposedly playing onstage two days later? hello? Most people don't even live through 106° fevers!

3rd peeve: about four months or so ago, he claimed he was dosed with LSD before a Woodstock concert. never heard a thing after that. Is this guy a BS artist? Or is this just a rhetorical question on my part??

4th peeve: he comes off just a little bit cocky, IMO. He treats his instruments like garbage.

5th peeve: he often talks about getting "high colonics." TMI.

[Del Ray Grace]

Hey David, I'm not sure where this is coming from but sounds like you have some deep seated issues about a man you've probably never even met before.

I'm not here to defend Robert Randolph or hate on him, It was a pleasure meeting him and the Family Band after the concert. His performance was full of energy and love and the multitude of fans that were at the Black Swamp Arts Festival cheered him back on stage for an encore.

You may want to start your own post and put your grocery list of peeves there, I'm sure you will find others on this forum that share your criticisms of this young man.

Settle down, Robert Randolph is an entertainer, Beyond that you are talking to the wrong guy, have a blessed day.

[Matthew Carlin]

Thanks for the video !!! That's a sweet Prince cover.

If you took any more videos please post em'

[Jon Light (deceased)]

1st peeve: when I heard he was standing on his Mullen G2. I can't even conceive of doing that to a pedal steel guitar...or any instrument for that matter.

2nd peeve: he recently had in his newsfeed, that he had a 106* fever. I'm calling BS!!! And then he was supposedly playing onstage two days later? hello? Most people don't even live through 106° fevers!

3rd peeve: about four months or so ago, he claimed he was dosed with LSD before a Woodstock concert. never heard a thing after that. Is this guy a BS artist? Or is this just a rhetorical question on my part??

4th peeve: he comes off just a little bit cocky, IMO. He treats his instruments like garbage.

5th peeve: he often talks about getting "high colonics." TMI.

I hate when people edit their posts and then try to pretend they didn't say stuff. Let's save this one for posterity.

Thanks Del. Go get'em, Robert.

[David Rupert]

1st peeve: when I heard he was standing on his Mullen G2. I can't even conceive of doing that to a pedal steel guitar...or any instrument for that matter.

2nd peeve: he recently had in his newsfeed, that he had a 106* fever. I'm calling BS!!! And then he was supposedly playing onstage two days later? hello? Most people don't even live through 106° fevers!

3rd peeve: about four months or so ago, he claimed he was dosed with LSD before a Woodstock concert. never heard a thing after that. Is this guy a BS artist? Or is this just a rhetorical question on my part??

4th peeve: he comes off just a little bit cocky, IMO. He treats his instruments like garbage.

5th peeve: he often talks about getting "high colonics." TMI.

I hate when people edit their posts and then try to pretend they didn't say stuff. Let's save this one for posterity.

Thanks Del. Go get'em, Robert.

Excuse me, John...where did I EDIT my post????

#1....This is NOT a racist thing, for starters. Just sayin'. No Race Cards accepted here!

I have never met RR, just seen interviews on YouTube. One in particular...was a Rig Rundown. I have, seen him LIVE...3 or 4 times. If not mistaken...he HAS to say something low class, like "farting on my chair." Something to that effect. I'll double-check on that. Anyone saying stuff like that, rubs me wrong!

I was genuinely concerned, when he said he was in the hospital recently...with a 106* fever. Then, says he's playing a show...in 2-3 days?? Most people don't even live through 106* fever!! Either you die...or brain damage.

I love Rusty Young...but, I NEVER was impressed with the stage antics. HE doesn't NEED that...he's a great steel player. RR, is also great...for the style he plays.

Maybe, he is NOT "cocky"...just seems that way.

I did NOT come here, start ANY fueds! Thank you!

[Rick Barnhart]

David, listen to yourself. You brought a caustic tone to this thread unnecessarily. Del Ray was correct to suggest that you should start your own thread if you want to air your pet peeves. This is his post about RR and wants it to remain positive.

John Light quoted your post, not because you edited it, but to prevent you from editing in the future, then pretend you said something else. There was a recent such incident that unfortunately ended up in a SGF member resigning. Nothing personal, but If I was Del Ray, I'd ask the moderator to remove your remarks completely.

[David Rupert]

David, listen to yourself. You brought a caustic tone to this thread unnecessarily. Del Ray was correct to suggest that you should start your own thread if you want to air your pet peeves. This is his post about RR and wants it to remain positive.

John Light quoted your post, not because you edited it, but to prevent you from editing in the future, then pretend you said something else. There was a recent such incident that unfortunately ended up in a SGF member resigning. Nothing personal, but If I was Del Ray, I'd ask the moderator to remove your remarks completely.

Mainly...I have a hard time, hearing about him standing on his NEW Mullen G2. If you cant see why that is upsetting...well, I am sorry. Geez.

[David Rupert]

@ 10:00 motno

FYI - I happen to think RR is gear shelter :'c

[Alan Brookes]

...I have a hard time, hearing about him standing on his NEW Mullen G2...

Well if he damages it, he's the one who will have to pay to get it fixed.

[David Rupert]

...I have a hard time, hearing about him standing on his NEW Mullen G2...

Well if he damages it, he's the one who will have to pay to get it fixed.

Alan, not really. The company will just give him a new one...or fix it.
And another peeve I have, is famous steelers who are given a steel...then REMOVE the brand logo! I don't get that at all.

Honestly, RR is a great player. You can't deny he is very talented. I've always had a thing about musicians, beating up theirs instruments...all for show. To me, an instrument becomes very personal...a part of you. At least it should.

[Joachim Kettner]

Seems the older artists are now playing second on the bill to him. If that's the order of appearance.

[Alan Brookes]

...not really. The company will just give him a new one...

Well if they do, tell him to send the old broken one to me. I'll pay the freight. A broken Mullen will do me fine.

[Alan Brookes]

In all seriousness, I'm a luthier and I've been building instruments for about 50 years. If someone smashed one of my instruments up just for appearances I would be very annoyed. When I hear of people smashing guitars on stage, or in movies, it makes me cringe. They're showing no respect to the builder at all. In fact it's also an insult to the audience. It's says to them, "Look, I'm so important that I can afford to smash up instruments that you can't even afford."

[David Rupert]

In all seriousness, I'm a luthier and I've been building instruments for about 50 years. If someone smashed one of my instruments up just for appearances I would be very annoyed. When I hear of people smashing guitars on stage, or in movies, it makes me cringe. They're showing no respect to the builder at all. In fact it's also an insult to the audience. It's says to them, "Look, I'm so important that I can afford to smash up instruments that you can't even afford."

Alan,

I couldn't agree with your post, more than I do. Thank you!

At first, I thought I was just one of a few, with serious enough money problems...to be without a steel. I'm finding out, that is far from true.

Yeah, if they want to beat up their instruments...I will take it off their hands. You don't need to trash it! Yikes.

Ps - I just woke up around an hour ago...from one of my 18 hour "naps." I can't take much more of my physical problems. I see my doctor on Friday, for a shot & a doctors visit. I need fixed/healed.

[David Rupert]

In all seriousness, I'm a luthier and I've been building instruments for about 50 years. If someone smashed one of my instruments up just for appearances I would be very annoyed. When I hear of people smashing guitars on stage, or in movies, it makes me cringe. They're showing no respect to the builder at all. In fact it's also an insult to the audience. It's says to them, "Look, I'm so important that I can afford to smash up instruments that you can't even afford."

Alan,

I couldn't agree with your post, more than I do. Thank you!

At first, I thought I was just one of a few, with serious enough money problems...to be without a steel. I'm finding out, that is far from true.

Yeah, if they want to beat up their instruments...I will take it off their hands. You don't need to trash it! Yikes.

Ps - I just woke up around an hour ago...from one of my 18 hour "naps." I can't take much more of my physical problems. I see my doctor on Friday, for a shot & a doctors visit. I need fixed/healed.