Am I the only one that hates playing steel shows?

David Griffin · Post by **David Griffin** » 15 Mar 2015 7:44 pm

I've only played a few shows & I have to say that I don't like doing it. Been playing 40 yrs & I can play a bar gig or show AND do sessions w/out a problem. But, I still hate being the center of attention. I just want to make a good singer sound better, that's all. I might play a cliched' instrumental ( the RAG

Bud's Bounce or Last Date) once in a blue moon,but that's it, other than swingin' a break tune. Just wondering if I'm alone.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 15 Mar 2015 8:57 pm

I agree! I've been playing for 45 years and used to play several instrumentals a night in New England. When I moved to Texas almost all of the instrumentals are fiddle tunes. I've either forgotten or am very rusty at all of the instrumentals I used to do.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 15 Mar 2015 8:58 pm

I do like it but it is still quite unsettling for me even after 7 times at SWSGA in Phoenix. Nothing ever goes right and I can never remember afterwards what happened. I wish it could be as easy as playing in a Mexican restaurant.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » 16 Mar 2015 12:50 am

Saw Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley at a Mexican restaurant in Felton, CA; I've never been to a steel show.

Ian

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 16 Mar 2015 4:19 am

I don't know how anyone summons up the nerve to do them. I'm fairly relieved that I've never been invited to play at one.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 16 Mar 2015 4:31 am

Our main job is backing up and making the singer sound good. Most of us go along with that.

I've played on a couple of local shows and on a Steel Guitar Hall of Fame show that our club sponsored but the HOF show was only because I was the club President.

It can be intimidating playing solos in front of a room full of steel guitar players.

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 16 Mar 2015 6:58 am

I'm not 'steel show caliber' by any means, but around Austin, it happens a lot that there may be steel players in the audience and I hate that, really makes me nervous.

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 16 Mar 2015 7:01 am

The best of both worlds is sitting in on a friend's set at a steel show.
The pressure is on him and if you do it as a spur of the moment thing, you don't have to worry about it for 6 months before the show.
Yet you get to play for the greatest crowd in the world....
So, thank you Bob Blair and Dan Tyack for letting me play with you at the Phoenix show this year

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 16 Mar 2015 7:18 am

That is something about which I'll never know. I just don't have the cojones to play in front of 70+ steelers.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 16 Mar 2015 7:20 am

Bill Terry wrote:I'm not 'steel show caliber' by any means, but around Austin, it happens a lot that there may be steel players in the audience and I hate that, really makes me nervous.

I don't see why, they're just there to cop your licks. Steel players need entertainment too.

Mike Archer · Post by **Mike Archer** » 16 Mar 2015 7:22 am

ive played a few to be honest ive worked with

several Nashville acts and playing steel shows is way more stressful to me then big shows where im a sideman

we have small jams here in town and that's ok

I see your point for sure....

mike

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 16 Mar 2015 8:42 am

I could never do it either. I am not a big fan of playing instrumentals, though I have played my fair share over the years. I don't know how a room full of steel players would affect me. I'm also not good enough to play them. Heck, I've never even been to one. I typically don't get real nervous playing in front of other steel players. The worst was when I had only been playing maybe 5 years or so, Bob Hempker walked into the club I was playing at in Fremont California after he did a Loretta Lynn show at the Oakland Coliseum. But since then, I have played numerous times in front of, and actually on stage next to, Bobby Black, and Barry Blackwood. I got a little shaky in 1983, when my band was in Nashville for a week. We heard of this club that we were arranged to go play at, where Jim Murphy and several other road musicians gathered to play. That was a little un-nerving, but he was the nicest guy. There have been several others over the years.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 16 Mar 2015 8:58 am

same here. i don't think i qualify as an accomplished show-off. love to back people up in any situation, though.
after attending a june jam one year and hearing hal, tommy, paul, john, randy, lloyd, jeff..etc. playing the same 'way over my head' stuff all day pretty much made me lose interest.

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 16 Mar 2015 8:59 am

When I was first offered a slot at playing the PSGA show, I was at a complete loss as to what to play. I've always played the bars and dances, where, I didn't play any instrumentals, just backed up the singer and worked as a member of the band. I had to learn instrumentals and try to play them perfectly. It was and still is, a whole lot of pressure. I guess it has to do with playing for your piers and trying to be the best you can.
The other stumbling block I've found is that, it takes me several tunes to warm up and on a show, it's all over before I feel loose enough to play comfortably. I envy guys, who, can right out of the box play spot on. It's a talent I don't have. The shows are still fun even if they are tedious to do. If I'm asked, I'll still play them even though the butterflies still take time to fly away.

Ray Harrison · Post by **Ray Harrison** » 16 Mar 2015 9:08 am

Most of the guys who are just starting out use a singer on their sets. After a couple of vocals, it is easier to go into an instrumental. Some of the Nerves have settled down.
I've sang with a lot of first timers and watched their left hand quiver on the first two songs of the set and then they settle right into their music.
The Big E was always nervous before a show.

John Limbach · Post by **John Limbach** » 16 Mar 2015 9:26 am

Not pedal, but done perfectly!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv4XrNr9AnI

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 16 Mar 2015 10:49 am

The Big E was always nervous before a show.

That's hard for me to fathom - on many levels.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 16 Mar 2015 11:04 am

Chances are good he just didn't show it.

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 16 Mar 2015 11:48 am

I've never played one but I'd hate it if I did.

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 16 Mar 2015 3:37 pm

I use to love to play them until they got so political.
It use to be about the instrument and the advancement of it. It wasn't about how good you were but your love for the Steel. Shows changed when they found out there is money to be made. I sometimes drove for 3 hrs to get to play a half an hour for free. It was fun to do, and to see old friends and make new ones. One show I promoted for years who changed board members told me I wasn't good enough to play their show, that it was just for the pro's. Needless to say I won't be doing that show any longer without an apology, Which I think I deserve. It kinda knocked the wind out as far as doing any more.

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 16 Mar 2015 3:57 pm

Playing in front of your peers, 20 Steel Players listening, playing in front of an audience, I wonder what might be thought of the players who belong to the Forum and play for you all here every week, is that not what they are doing?

James.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 16 Mar 2015 4:01 pm

Bill Dobkins wrote: Shows changed when they found out there is money to be made.

There is? Somebody better tell Joe Wright that pretty quick before he quits forever...

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 16 Mar 2015 4:06 pm

Joe is the highlight of any show but I understand his frustration. I do hope he doesn't quit.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 16 Mar 2015 4:24 pm

bill, that's a shame about the board member problem. you deserve an apology.
kinda like the pro baseball team owners firing the winning coach cause they think they're more important than the people who make it happen.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 16 Mar 2015 4:27 pm

Shows changed when they found out there is money to be made.

Most steel shows are lucky to break even. Many don't.