Age range of Steelers

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 23 Jun 2004 11:11 am

I’m 67 and started in 1948 at age 11-yrs. Still learning!

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“Big John” Bechtel
Franklin PSG D–10 (9 &

Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Custom
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
click here
click here

Billy Henderson · Post by **Billy Henderson** » 23 Jun 2004 11:26 am

I am 66 and just learning. I really wish we could put the age issue to rest. What difference does it make? We have no control over our age but we can control how much we practice and learn and play. Why bring it up?

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 23 Jun 2004 11:27 am

welcome to the Fo' Bro' !

you're gonna love it here Bart !

i'm 53 and still kickin', er... pickin'

Bart Maloney · Post by **Bart Maloney** » 23 Jun 2004 11:29 am

Hey crowbear thanks for the welcome!
I was just curious about the age thing Billy. No disrespect to anyone here. Age is just an insignifigant number to me. Thanks once again everyone!

Kiyoshi Osawa · Post by **Kiyoshi Osawa** » 23 Jun 2004 11:37 am

im 26... from what I see that's pretty young for a steel player.

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Kiyoshi
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David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 23 Jun 2004 11:47 am

I'm 48 and only just got a pedal unit last year, but 30 plus years of dobro and lapsteel before that.

I did occasionaly mash pedals going back to 1967, but never owned one, to my great regret.

Jeff Sconyers · Post by **Jeff Sconyers** » 23 Jun 2004 11:56 am

I am 30 years old and have been playing for 3 years. I have played 6 string since the age of 11. I don't know if I can still play that thing anymore because there is no time for it while strengthening your chops and knowledge of this beast we call the steal guitar. I enjoy every minute of it. Good luck.

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Jeff Sconyers · Post by **Jeff Sconyers** » 23 Jun 2004 11:59 am

Let me correct my spelling. It is steel guitar and not steal guitar. Sorry!! I'm trying my best on this keyboard.

Robert Thomas · Post by **Robert Thomas** » 23 Jun 2004 12:00 pm

70 years young. Started learning in 1946, started earning in 1949 and am still playing 2 and 3 times per week. Will not quit until I can no longer play or can't haul all my equipment around to play, whichever comes first. I also have a wonderful wife of 49 years of marriage who goes with me and enjoys every minute as much as I do. Isn't life wonderful.

Bob Wood · Post by **Bob Wood** » 23 Jun 2004 12:51 pm

Bart! Welcome to the Forum, and welcome to the club. Steel Guitar players club that is! By the way, this is THE place, and don't you know it's impolite to ask people their age! Ha!

I'm 52 and I started learning Pedal Steel Guitar around the age of 27.., 28! Actually, some of the best pickers out there started when they were barely old enough to reach the pedals on the floor. Paul Franklin, Jack Smith, Tommy White, etc. Maybe the reason they can play so good is they started a lot earlier than the majority of us. So, you have an edge on us. Make sure you do us proud son!

Bob

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 23 Jun 2004 1:02 pm

Welcome Bart,
This is the best place on the web for steelguitar info and a darned good place to meet some truly fine human beens! Im' 47
but most women take me for 50

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Sho-Bud ProII,Nash 400,
TC Electronics M300.
"Kindly keep it Country"

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 23 Jun 2004 1:13 pm

Bret
I'm 63 and started to learn the steel when I was 8 - I'm now on book 2 - Hay ! Larry your lucky the women takes you for 50 ! I cant speak for all women ! But ! my wife takes me for an idiot !!!! ;]

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 23 Jun 2004 2:01 pm

Alvino Rey was recording almost until he was 93! So we have hope, age may be just a number afterall, as Billy Henderson stated......al

.

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Brian Wetzstein · Post by **Brian Wetzstein** » 23 Jun 2004 2:26 pm

I'm 28.
Seems like there are a decent number of us "kids".
Welcome aboard!
brian

Cody Johnson · Post by **Cody Johnson** » 23 Jun 2004 3:33 pm

I'm 21. I started when I was 18. Took up pedal steel just after graduating high school because I was bored with standard guitar and bass.

~ Cody J.

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 23 Jun 2004 6:54 pm

49 (Though I don't feel a day older than 70!)

Of course, we need to not assume that the average age of steel players is the same as the average age of us forum rats...

Garth Highsmith · Post by **Garth Highsmith** » 23 Jun 2004 8:02 pm

.[This message was edited by Garth Highsmith on 12 January 2006 at 09:34 AM.]

Chris Haston · Post by **Chris Haston** » 23 Jun 2004 9:43 pm

Chris Haston here from Nashville. I'm 22 and learning something new everyday. Saving up for a D10, and loving the sound of my Sierra single

Robert Porri · Post by **Robert Porri** » 24 Jun 2004 3:39 am

Bart, I've played guitar for 40 years and have to admit that I've gone through my share of "stacks"

. I think that a lot of people don't act on a desire or wait until the time is right and they just can't hold off any longer. That was kind of my case as I've been interetsed in PSG for many years but it wasn't until late last year that I actually went to a PSG show and decided "THAT"S IT, I'm not going to wait any longer!" I'm 49 now and hoping to have many years of playing ahead of me. In my case, I could never give up 6 string, but as far as practice time, most of it has been going to PSG now.

Bob P.[This message was edited by Robert Porri on 24 June 2004 at 04:40 AM.]

Pookie Anselmi · Post by **Pookie Anselmi** » 24 Jun 2004 4:11 am

Hey Bart, I'm 47 years old. Bought a Fender 10 string awhile back for 100.00 dollars. Haven't started playing yet. Trying to find time to go to Reggie Duncan's for lessons.
Tried fooling with it but don't want to develop bad habits. But I ain't had this much fun since I held a flashlight for my dad.
Welcome aboard.

Pookie

Nicholas Dedring · Post by **Nicholas Dedring** » 24 Jun 2004 4:48 am

Got a console steel a while back, but didn't really get diligent (as much as I may or may not be that way now) until I got a psg at 26, I'm now 28, almost 29.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 24 Jun 2004 5:35 am

I live just up the road from you, near Leander. I started on guitar when I was 18 and steel around 20. Due to work and family, I didn't play much from 1980 until about 1992. I have had a ball since then though. I'm 52 now, have 5 D-10 steels, 68 guitars and basses, plus a truck load of amps and effects. My son and I also have a home studio . This music thing can really get in your blood (and your wallet).

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 24 Jun 2004 6:01 am

49. And Chris Bauer has explained how that feels ...

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 24 Jun 2004 6:13 am

You can tell the general age of steelers is in the mature set given that some of our instruments pillars are Gerry Yatrick, Ben Gaye, and Arthur Itis.

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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 24 Jun 2004 6:47 am

I'm 68 And Play Every week End.Is That To Old? SONNY. GFI SD 10 with pad. Peavey 112 And Peavey 1000.

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