Are You A Giging Musician?

Bobby Bensley · Post by **Bobby Bensley** » 9 Jul 2002 12:42 pm

Hi, my names Bobby and obviously I am new here. In an effort to get to know all of you and to determine how I can best contribute to this community I will be posing a few questions to the group over the next few days.

First off: How many of the players here are currently working musicians?

If you're working in the Southern California region where and when can I see you play?

Thanks,

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Bobby Bensley -JavaMusic A&R
[This message was edited by Bobby Bensley on 09 July 2002 at 01:44 PM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 9 Jul 2002 2:13 pm

Hey Bobby, welcome aboard. I am a working musician but not as much as many of the other real fine players who hang out here. I gig on a Carter D10 and my 52 RI Telecaster, I have been playing for 35 or 40 years but only started gigging again maybe 4 or 5 months ago from a self imposed layoff.
Have a good time

TP

Bobby Bensley · Post by **Bobby Bensley** » 9 Jul 2002 2:20 pm

Hi Tony, it is a pleasure to meet you. Being a singer songwriter myself I don't know all the model numbers and lingo for the steel.

To me a D-10 is a Martin and of course well a Tele is a Tele

I love the sound and versatility of the Steel though and played around with a borrowed one a little last fall before leaving Colorado. I look forward to learning more and just may have to start watching EBAY for a entry level guitar to continue trying to expand my playing knowledge on.

Peace,

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Bobby Bensley -JavaMusic A&R

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 9 Jul 2002 2:29 pm

Hey Bobby, welcome to the world of loons! I'm new to steel, after nearly 40 years of guitar and Dobro, and play gigs whenever called. I've yet to play a steel gig, that's a few years up the road! But enjoy, there's a lot of good information, and a lot of good folks(like Tony Prior)on here.

Bobby Bensley · Post by **Bobby Bensley** » 9 Jul 2002 2:36 pm

Thanks Stephen, I am really loking forward to the coming education and hope to find away to give to the community while I am at it.

Peace,

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Bobby Bensley -JavaMusic A&R

Cairo Zoots · Post by **Cairo Zoots** » 9 Jul 2002 2:57 pm

Hi Bobby and welcome to The SGF! From what I heard on the "Java Music" site, your music is going to really benefit from the addition of Pedal Steel Guitar, especially ur "Highway" song. That song just begs for a pedal steel. Anyway, U have a nice vocal quality, and a great feel for "The Song". Good luck in ur endeavors!

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ree-00-dee-doo

Bobby Bensley · Post by **Bobby Bensley** » 9 Jul 2002 3:05 pm

Hi Cairo, it is a pleasure to meet you and thanks for taking the time to give my personal stuff a listen.

Anyone who would like to do some Internet collaboration I am open to it.

I am hoping to do a little recording with my dad <a href=http://www.dondeal.org>Don Deal</a> later this year.

Donny Buzzard used to be the pedal player in one of his bands. He is in Branson now so maybe he can pull in a local studio player to add some Steel to some of the stuff.

I am also working at covering some of his old stuff from the 50's. Just waiting on the albums to arrive in the mail.

Peace,

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Bobby Bensley -JavaMusic A&R
[This message was edited by Bobby Bensley on 09 July 2002 at 04:06 PM.]

Marc Friedland · Post by **Marc Friedland** » 9 Jul 2002 8:16 pm

Bobby, Check out the N. CA Steel Jam listed in Events & Anouncements. It's about a 5 hour ride for you if you go up the 5 at a quick speed. It would be a way for you to meet about 15 fellow steelers and get a chance to hear them play and to talk to them in a casual setting. -- Marc

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 9 Jul 2002 8:54 pm

Hi Bobby, I'm a working musician. Have been playing steel guitar for more years than I care to remember, But I LOVE IT!!!!!!!. Thanks for joining and supporting the steel guitar . Jody.

Jeff Watson · Post by **Jeff Watson** » 9 Jul 2002 9:21 pm

Hey Bobby, check out the thread over in the Events and Announcements section titled "PSG in So Calif"

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 10 Jul 2002 8:12 am

Welocome Bobby!

I'm a gigging musician and have played various forms of music over the past 35 years.
I began playing the steel about 21 months ago and moved from bass to steel for performances last October. My band Hickory works about 5-6 gigs per month. Just finished a week long stint at the local Casino and had a blast.

Look forward to hearing more from you.

Tony Orth
Emmons SD-10, Session 400 Limited

Douglas Hudson · Post by **Douglas Hudson** » 10 Jul 2002 10:51 am

Welcome to the forum. I am also a new member although I have been playing steel guitar for some time, I have never been able to really have time to learn, until the last year. I am currently working with a group called Lightning Creek Band. We are Opening act on Friday July the 19th at the route 66 music festival in Joplin Mo. www.lightningcreekband.com www.route66musicfestival.com

Corky Owens · Post by **Corky Owens** » 10 Jul 2002 12:47 pm

Hey Bobby. I have been on and off the road since 1976 when I started playing with Joe Stampley. I' m currently on the road with Gene Watson and don't plan on retiring any time soon. Thanks for supporting the steel. Corky

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Bobby Bensley · Post by **Bobby Bensley** » 10 Jul 2002 12:55 pm

Hey guys thanks for stopping in and replying here. It is great to see such a vibarant and responsive community here.

In fact you all are getting me so charged about the Steel I started browsing Ebay last night looking at Lap Steels to learn on.

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Bobby Bensley -JavaMusic A&R

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 11 Jul 2002 6:30 am

Well.. a lap steel to learn on? Noooooooo!
just joking... it's better than nothing

I'm a gigging musician in the central Texas area. Mostly weekends because I've got a good day job.

BTW...My grandfathers last name was Buzzard. He lived in Oregon until his death in the 70's.

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Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

Bob Farlow · Post by **Bob Farlow** » 11 Jul 2002 6:37 am

Welcome Bobby, someone here on the forum was asking about Don Deal about a month or so ago, but I don't remember who it was.

Bobby Bensley · Post by **Bobby Bensley** » 11 Jul 2002 7:44 am

Steve I would love to get a Pedal to learn on but after pricing them they seem a bit out of my budget for the time being. So I guess I will have to settle for a Lap to start with and work my way up.

Bob, they would have been asking about him for me. I had emailed about 30 members of the forum asking if anyone knew him.

It was my initial introduction to this forum.
Actually Stephen LeBlanc another So. Cal artist who's Dad was a well known Steeler pointed me here in search. The rest as they say is History!

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Bobby Bensley -JavaMusic A&R

Bobby Bensley · Post by **Bobby Bensley** » 11 Jul 2002 7:58 am

Doug, I just went to the Lightning Creek site hoping I would find some music to listen to there

Your bio surprised me with the Marshall Tucker influence. They are one of mine as well.

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Bobby Bensley -JavaMusic A&R

[This message was edited by Bobby Bensley on 11 July 2002 at 09:17 AM.]

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 11 Jul 2002 7:58 am

Yeah Bobby ! start w: a Lap Steel
it'll get you goin' all right.
try an 8 stringer for those 2 x-tras.
(while in the Musik Store, don't neglect gettin' behind a PSG, if there is one)
i'm sure many started w: Laps.
i did + i still play it

i get to gig on certain weekends, w: Friends or Alone
Having read your other Post, looks like
the Forum won a Blessing. that's rare.
Welcome and Enjoy it here

Steelin'France
[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 11 July 2002 at 09:04 AM.]

Bobby Bensley · Post by **Bobby Bensley** » 11 Jul 2002 8:14 am

Thanks CrowBear, I played around a little with a borrowed Lap before I left Colorado. It was an interesting little instrument with 7 strings. I don't remember who made it but know that 7th string really seemed unique.

I saw lots on Ebay with 6,8,10 strings but none with 7

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Bobby Bensley -JavaMusic A&R

Perry Hansen · Post by **Perry Hansen** » 11 Jul 2002 12:31 pm

I work most weekends. Beem working clubs like the Moose, Eagles, VFW. we work all over North Dakota. These people in this country love the GOOD REAL country. Plus, old time waltzes and polkas. The Bass and main singer is Randy Karr. Has a Ray price type voice. I play steel and sing sometimes. I have a dieing calf in a hailstorm kind of voice. But I love to sing. The money's good and the people love us. What more could you ask for.
Perry

Bobby Bensley · Post by **Bobby Bensley** » 11 Jul 2002 1:10 pm

The money's good and the people love us. What more could you ask for.

Is it not ironic that the artist away from the major population centers aka the major markets can not only find regional fame and recognition for excellence in his craft but can also make a living practicing it?

While artists in the major music markets like, LA, Austin and New York are lucky to cover expenses and in actuality often end up loosing money to play a gig.

I find it sad really but know the scenario well. As a working singer songwriter in Colorado I was able to play 4-5 nights a week and make livable money. Keep my bills paid and have something left over at the end of the week.

Here in LA I consider myself lucky if I can earn $30.00 plus tips and CD sales in the occasional Coffeehouse. In LA many of the major clubs on the strip now won't even allow the acts to peddle their CDs from the stage.

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Bobby Bensley -JavaMusic A&R

Larry Gerdeman · Post by **Larry Gerdeman** » 11 Jul 2002 7:34 pm

Hey Bobby; I'm a gigging musician. I play alot of local shows and also do some road work. I've been a member of the forum for a short while and have never posted so this is my first time. Welcome to the forum.

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Bobby Bensley · Post by **Bobby Bensley** » 11 Jul 2002 7:42 pm

Hey thanks and welcome back at you there Larry

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Bobby Bensley -JavaMusic A&R

Rich Currier · Post by **Rich Currier** » 12 Jul 2002 6:27 am

Bobby,

I used to live near you. In the 60's & 70's, I was in Anaheim & Fullerton, 80's & half of the 90's in the Riverside area. Now I'm up the Ute pass west of Colorado Springs. We must have crossed paths on our way to each others state.

I play my Sho~Bud every week at the local haunts along with the Tele. Not much money in it, but I have a day job that pays the bills. There is nothing like having a regular gig. You can't help but improve and stretch your skills. Somebody once said (probably on this forum) 'The only way you're going to get out there and play the steel is to get out there and play the steel'. I have taken it to heart and it is true. I'm much more comfortable on stage now than when I was just woodshedding in the basement.

I'm finding here that there is a definite shortage of steel players and folks can't seem to get enough of it.

I also had a nice chat last week with the guy who got me into steel playing, Rusty Young. Been my inspiration for over 25 years.

Hang in there...

Rich