Grammy's, just now!

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 8 Feb 2004 7:18 pm

Well... I gotta wonder... anybody see "Robert Randolph" and the blue steel screamin' rock and roll on the Grammy's just now? Wonder how that might help our instrument?

Mikey D...

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 8 Feb 2004 7:28 pm

Me and my wife saw it as did tens of millions of others.

He really rocks and someone out there is noticing.

------------------
Regards, Craig

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 8 Feb 2004 7:33 pm

I waited for two and a half hours and it was a short performance but the guitar and the man was out front and going where steel guitar hasn't been before. He was anounced as the new Steel Guitar God. Not bad to be on the Grammys and have an intro like that. What kind of guitar was that?

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 8 Feb 2004 7:33 pm

hey Michael... me 'n' the wife just watched it...

all I can say is "GO ROBERT!" a rising tide floats all boats... if like the "hippie steelers" discussed in another thread, he inspires even a few young'n's to seek out and play the instrument then that's great.

some will say "shoulda been player "X" getting that attention", but Robert is the one who is getting it, and more power to him...

and when was the last time you heard the phrase "new Pedal Steel Guitar god" on national LIVE TV???

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 8 Feb 2004 7:45 pm

... or even just "pedal steel"!?

You go, Robert!

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 8 Feb 2004 7:53 pm

Here we go again........

Wonder how that might help our instrument?

Now why do I get the feeling that "our" is the keyword here, and not "instrument"?
RR is bringing his own vision to an instrument which he obviously loves very much,- he's using the PSG to express HIS emotions and visions, and quite frankly,- it is nobody's business whether he does it in this or that fashion.

I'm so tired of reading post after post about the PSG 'dying' and then when somebody comes along who actually brings fresh blood to the instrument, some of you guys start complaining about that too?!

You may not like his music or his style, and that's fine,- we all have our different tastes and personally I don't think RR is the greatest songwriter to hit the planet.
But PLEASE give him some credit for bringing the PSG up front again, and proving that it's not a Casio synth with pedals (or whatever the general public might think it is).

Me,- I grew up on Hendrix and wall-to-wall distorted guitars, that never stopped me from learning to appreciate the greatness of Chet Atkins. It was Lindley and Harper who got me interested in lap steel, that didn't stop me from learning to love the beauty of the original Hawaiian masters like Sol Hoopi'i and Dick McIntyre (among others).

Is it really that hard to imagine RR having the same impact on the younger players that discover the PSG through his playing?
Come on,- a little positivity goes a long way.......

Steinar

------------------
www.gregertsen.com

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 8 Feb 2004 8:20 pm

Great to see Robert holding his own with my old fave EWF and the new Outcast in the funk department...

Great to see the blue Fessenden onstage at the Grammys, too

.

You go, Robert!

Dan Dowd · Post by **Dan Dowd** » 8 Feb 2004 8:37 pm

Frank,the guitar that RR played was a Fessenden. How do I know this?? Because I saw a picture of the guitar after Jerry Fessenden stopped everything after recieving the guitar on Tuesday of this week and was asked to change the color from the original green formica to the blue you saw tonight. Jerry also had the lettering done and changed 2 pedals to allow Robert to stand up and play. Jerry put a lot of extra hours in order to acomadate Roberts request. The guitar was Fed-Exed on Thursday overnite so he would have it on time for the Gramy Awards. What is really disappointing to me is, that Robert removed the Fessenden logo so that all the folks that we think Robert is promoting the steel guitar to on national TV, that could have been made aware of this great instrument are wondering who makes them. The names of all the other instruments were on piano's , drums and guitars so I don't think it was a request from the producers of the show. I am really disappointed by his lack of thanks for Jerry working so hard to make his performance great. I have lost a lot of respect for RR for this. Tommy White does not hide the fact that he plays a Fessenden on the Opery. This was a bad move RR.

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 8 Feb 2004 8:37 pm

Steinar, dood... take a chill pill. I don't believe I mentioned either "dying" or "complaining about fresh blood." I just thought it was terrific exposure.

Man... I haven't ducked in here for a long time... guess I'll duck back out for a while.

Sheesh... Mikey D...

Oh, and Reggie... thanks for the kind words.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 8 Feb 2004 8:54 pm

I was watching from across the room, and thought it was the lighting on the Fessy logo. For all Jerry has done for him, that was in pretty poor taste to remove the logo. My respect for Mr. Randolf just dropped a big chunk...

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 8 Feb 2004 9:20 pm

Michael, no need to duck neither here nor there,- if I read something into your post that you didn't mean, then I'm sorry about that.

However,- my post was meant in general terms and not directed at you personally. I used your quote as an example of an attitude that I've seen enough of, never accused you personally of claiming that 'PSG is dying' or anything like that.

If your post was meant in a positive manner then I'm sorry if you feel wrongfully attacked, that was not my intention at all. But based on posts I've read here over the last year, I still stand by every word I wrote (again,- not directed at you personally Michael, I really don't remember who writes what in here).

So keep you head high and your back straight Michael (and btw - I don't take pills of any kind...

)

Steinar

------------------
www.gregertsen.com

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 8 Feb 2004 9:44 pm

With all due respect to Roberts talent.. and he DOES have a ton of it.. I was disappointed...the steel was semi buried in the mix and what I did hear was a dreadful thin fuzzy buzzy overly distorted sound that did no justice to Roberts playing. I know that tone is subjective and one mans meat is another man's poison,but I found the tone to be lacking in power and definition. To me it sounded like a telecaster played at light speed through a $100 solid state amp with a cheap distortion pedal turned all the way up. I DO respect Roberts ability no question about it,but I just can't warm up to the hype.... He's scary fast and has those light speed bluesy licks going on but I dunno.. this old rocker is just getting too old I guess,, I do like the voice,showmanship,and the fact that he is using a pedal steel guitar,but the "NEW GOD of the Pedal Steel"??? I reserve judgement on that claim.. I believe the title has been reserved for a very choice few... a couple of whom DO honor us with thier regular visits here. RR is a great talent,but "God" is a little over the top. He is a VERY fast and exciting player to the uninitiated, but I've heard many steel passages over many years that have absolutely THRILLED me.. I was just not thrilled with the Grammy performance. I feel it was some fast blues licks played with great dexterity and a tone that wasn't one I would enjoy hearing for more that a short period of time... No flames please... I respect the young mans great ability!!.. I just wouldn't go out of my way to hear it regularly... Its not for everyone..... bob

Terry Farmer · Post by **Terry Farmer** » 8 Feb 2004 9:45 pm

God Bless Robert Randolph!

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 8 Feb 2004 10:10 pm

Regarding the removal of the logo-

just thinking about it now, I saw several what were obviously Fender amps onstage, and thinking about it I can't say I saw a logo on them either. Or on any of the drums. keyboards with names on the back seemed to be out of shot whenever possible.

Could it be that the Grammy producers won't let you prominently display a logo? Without the manufacturer paying for the exposure, I mean? This conflict has appeared in oither areas, noticeably sports promotions before, and it wouldn't surprise me if logos are routinely removed by order of the producers.

JB

------------------
Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 8 Feb 2004 10:29 pm

I'm sorry I missed Robert Randolph's performance, I've yet to see or hear him play. I also hated missing Vince Gill's performance.

Anyway, I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm very proud of my Fessenden and it's logo especially since it is done in mother of pearl!
I really enjoy playing it on the Opry and I am very pleased with the Fessenden's tone.

My hats off to Jerry Fessenden for building the guitar I wanted.
www.tommywhite.net

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 8 Feb 2004 10:34 pm

..."that was in pretty poor taste to remove the logo"...

C'mon John!...
Shoot.. if you'er me, you're sayin' Hey Robert, were's the red Sierra from the video!?!?

Actually, I happed to know that Robert has gone with one of those CGI's (Computer Genetated Image) for his logo.
It's all there plus a whole galaxy and a bunch of other stuff.
It's just that, like the CGI's you see at the Mall, not everyone can see the image.

[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 08 February 2004 at 10:49 PM.]

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 8 Feb 2004 10:39 pm

moved to "Music"[This message was edited by Earnest Bovine on 08 February 2004 at 10:49 PM.]

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 8 Feb 2004 10:40 pm

Nothing wrong with logo removal that I can tell.

Sometimes they look stupid, sometimes they come off with the finish, sometimes they just fall off....

Well have to have his emmisaries aks him.

EJL

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 8 Feb 2004 10:47 pm

With regards to the Logo, if the guitar was worked on in a hurry and in a short period of time, it is possible that the Logo was either not available or just over-looked! I wouldn't start throwing stones at anyone! Nothing is perfect at all times. Unfortunate things happen now and then that just can't be avoided! The Logo will probably be there the next time you see the guitar. As for the show, No Comment here!

------------------
“Big John” Bechtel
http://community.webtv.net/KeoniNui/BigJohnBechtels

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 8 Feb 2004 11:28 pm

The best rapper is white, the best golfer is black, the tallest player in the NBA is Chinese and the new pedal steel guitar God is a black, funkadellic rapper. You gotta love that.

I wonder how many people in the audiance could name the old pedal steel guitar God?

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 9 Feb 2004 5:18 am

no grammies broadcast here

i'm glad to see that RR is gettin' up there so quick.
he must be doin' somethin' right
i don't consider PSG to be restricted to one type of Musik
deep down many of us are glad to see PSG gettin' this type of xposure even if it ain't the style that we're used to
Change is the permanent force in the universe
You go Robert !

Dan Dowd · Post by **Dan Dowd** » 9 Feb 2004 5:36 am

Pete. I don't think the logo did not fall off. If I knew how to, I would post the picture of the guitar as it was sent to RR. Also there were plenty of Gibson Guitars and Bama drums, Fender basses, and Yamaha pianos. I video taped some of the show. I will look at the info on how to post a picture,and if I figure it out will do it. By the way Seria did not do the work on RR's guitat,Fessenden did.

Dan Dowd · Post by **Dan Dowd** » 9 Feb 2004 6:03 am

I hope this works for the picture of RR's guitar as it was shipped.
click here [This message was edited by Dan Dowd on 09 February 2004 at 06:11 AM.][This message was edited by b0b on 11 February 2004 at 07:51 PM.]

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 9 Feb 2004 6:11 am

Apparently we're not "authorized" to view that photo! [This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 09 February 2004 at 06:12 AM.]

Dan Dowd · Post by **Dan Dowd** » 9 Feb 2004 6:12 am

Thanks Jim. I fixed it and it works.