I have no idea what I'm doing but here goes...

Herb Music · Post by **Herb Music** » 8 Oct 2014 6:34 pm

I'm a rank amateur with pedal steel but I've been playing with it some here lately and have really taken an interest. I have one of Hal Rugg's old guitars and it's in rough shape and seems hard to play. Doesn't stay in tune well. But here's a few classic country songs my dad ask me to record for his listening. I recorded and played (sang) all the parts to these songs here in my home studio including the attempt at the pedal steel. I lurk on this forum very often and appreciate all the help I've picked up from you guys. Just wanted to say thanks.

Herbie

https://soundcloud.com/herb-music/sets/ ... ics-record

Carl Kilmer · Post by **Carl Kilmer** » 8 Oct 2014 7:13 pm

WOW! Herbie that's super good. I had to listen to the other ones.
Did you get your steel from Bobby Reed. I know he had one of Hal's.
Carl "Lucky" Kilmer

Herb Music · Post by **Herb Music** » 9 Oct 2014 6:00 am

Thanks, Carl. No I bought the guitar off a local here in the Cincinnati area. It's probably more of a collector piece than a player. I'm going to invest in a good steel soon. Thanks for listening!

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 9 Oct 2014 8:38 am

I disagree with your thread title 100%. You do know exactly what you're doing, and it's very good. I'm impressed.

RC

John Davis · Post by **John Davis** » 9 Oct 2014 9:10 am

Herbie that's great stuff really enjoyed it, you would go down a storm on my side of the pond!
I have the Steel guitar and the P.A. C'mon over

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 9 Oct 2014 10:44 am

I would not have guessed from the recording that you're a "rank amateur". I liked the song and the presentation. You've got a good voice.

Ron Pruter · Post by **Ron Pruter** » 9 Oct 2014 10:53 am

Wow! What a nice surprise. Well done.

Roger Dillingham · Post by **Roger Dillingham** » 9 Oct 2014 5:32 pm

Hey Herbie! Just wanted you to know from a fellow Kentuckian that I thought your efforts were great! I have played and sang (past tense) for a long time and I think I know talent when I see/hear it. Although I am several years your senior, I am proud to know that there is still some real talent out there, especially when it comes from another Kentucky brother. I live in Western Kentucky but wish you were closer so that we could get together and pick some. I found your style to be simple, smooth, and unpretentious; this is something I really admire, especially in younger folks. Keep up the great work..I feel it can only get better if you maintain the path you've chosen!! Would like to hear more; Thank you for the post! Roger

Herb Music · Post by **Herb Music** » 10 Oct 2014 2:54 am

Thanks again for the compliments everyone. Sadly, the thread title is true, lol. I honestly don't know what I'm doing. Especially when it comes to pedal steel. I've only been trying to make noise with a steel for a few months now. I play everything by ear and can't read a note of music. It all looks like German to me

. Wish I could read music or at least had some basic training in music theory, but I regress.

I honestly don't think I have my steel even tuned correctly. I just kinna fumble around until something starts sounding right, and then try to remember where it's at.

I'm pretty busy with work and family usually and don't get much time to practice anything. I'm a Construction Superintendent for a Heavy Highway contractor and I build interstate highways so in the winter I have more free time. This coming winter, I plan on digging into pedal steel and trying to learn all I can. There's something about the steel that really draws me in.

I'm also looking for a good guitar so if you guys have any suggestions, I'd be much appreciative.

Thanks for listening guys, really. I never play out or anything, just sit down here in my basement and play and record, so it's nice to get some feedback on my music.

Herbie

Rick Johnson · Post by **Rick Johnson** » 10 Oct 2014 4:12 am

Nice job....

Rick

www.rickjohnsoncabinets.com

Johnne Lee Ables · Post by **Johnne Lee Ables** » 10 Oct 2014 5:31 am

[quote="Herb Music"]...can't read a note of music. It all looks like German to me

. Wish I could read music or at least had some basic training in music theory, but I regress...."

Nice stuff, Herb. Obtain Mike Perlowin's book on theory...everything you need...and easy to use.

j

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 10 Oct 2014 8:49 am

Just a really good job. It sounds real country to me. I like it. Nice singing too.

Steve Perry · Post by **Steve Perry** » 10 Oct 2014 9:03 am

Herb Music wrote:I have one of Hal Rugg's old guitars and it's in rough shape and seems hard to play. Doesn't stay in tune well.

Nice, nice job! What kind of guitar is it? If it's one of Hal Rugg's old guitars, then I would assume that it IS a professional model. You might want to look into giving it a rebuild.

Herb Music · Post by **Herb Music** » 10 Oct 2014 9:52 am

Steve Perry wrote:
Herb Music wrote:I have one of Hal Rugg's old guitars and it's in rough shape and seems hard to play. Doesn't stay in tune well.
Nice, nice job! What kind of guitar is it? If it's one of Hal Rugg's old guitars, then I would assume that it IS a professional model. You might want to look into giving it a rebuild.

Hi, Steve. I'll try to post a pic or two when I get home. I actually love the sound of the guitar. It has that old school thick tone. The linkage has so much slop on A,B and C that's it's near impossible to be repeatable with it. At least for me being a beginner. A lot of cabinet drop too. It's probably worth rebuilding the undercarriage though just for the tone. Any recommendations on a repair tech around Northern Ky?

BTW, I coach a youth baseball team and we make a trip to Elizibethtown once a year to play at your awesome baseball complex. It's 2 hours and 30 minutes from me to you. Maybe we could get together and pick sometime.

Tommy Wallace · Post by **Tommy Wallace** » 10 Oct 2014 9:54 am

Hey Herbie, Great job. Where do you live in Kentucky?

Herb Music · Post by **Herb Music** » 10 Oct 2014 9:57 am

Tommy Wallace wrote:Hey Herbie, Great job. Where do you live in Kentucky?

Hi Tommy.

I live in Florence, Ky.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 10 Oct 2014 9:59 am

Johnne Lee Ables wrote:...Obtain Mike Perlowin's book on theory...everything you need...and easy to use.

I don't know about that. Playing by ear seems to have worked out well for you. Training could ruin it.

Imagine they'd sent Hank Williams to an opera tutor. It would have ruined his style.

Herbie, after listening to "Would These Arms Be In Your Way?" I just left it on, and it continued to play through a whole bunch of your recordings. They were great entertainment. You sound a bit like a cross between Merle Haggard and Marty Robbins.

Herb Music · Post by **Herb Music** » 10 Oct 2014 10:22 am

Alan

That's a pretty good ear you've got and it's kinna funny you say that because my dad's two favorite singers is Merle and Marty. From the time I could crawl all I heard in our house was Haggard and Robbins on vinyl. When I was old enough to start listening to music for myself, I stayed with those two and others fr that time. My ear has always been drawn to classic country and still is.

I write a lot of my own songs these days with more of a contemporary folk influence but my first love is classic country.

If you guys haven't heard him yet, you can check out a friend and fellow Ky boy who is staying true to our roots and is breaking into the mainstream with it even as we speak. His name is Sturgill Simpson. He's the real deal. Do a google search when you get time.

Herbie

Eddie Harper · Post by **Eddie Harper** » 11 Oct 2014 10:09 am

Hey Herbie, You have the best steel guitar Tech in the Tri-State in your backyard. His name is Gary Trego. Don't know how busy he is at the moment. Eddie

Eddie Harper · Post by **Eddie Harper** » 11 Oct 2014 10:09 am

Hey Herbie, You have the best steel guitar Tech in the Tri-State in your backyard. His name is Gary Trego. Don't know how busy he is at the moment. Eddie

Eddie Harper · Post by **Eddie Harper** » 11 Oct 2014 10:27 am

Hi Herbie, Send me a PM or email with your phone number.. Just talked with Gary and he said to contact him.....Eddie

Herb Music · Post by **Herb Music** » 11 Oct 2014 1:54 pm

Hey Eddie, Thanks! PM on the way.

Herb Music · Post by **Herb Music** » 11 Oct 2014 4:33 pm

Here's some pics of my guitar. It's stamped on the cabinet ( Custom Bilt For Hal Rugg Grand Ole Opry WSM) Seriel # is0538

Eddie Harper · Post by **Eddie Harper** » 12 Oct 2014 12:55 pm

Hey Herbie, Sent you a PM.....Eddie

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 12 Oct 2014 3:17 pm

neat old one of a kind sho-bud.
fitting for a man with an interesting family name, mr. music!

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