Pedal Steel history book?

Toby Rider · Post by **Toby Rider** » 25 Jun 2004 10:49 am

Has anyone written a history of the pedal steel guitar, talking it's evolution, famous players, their instruments and references to important tracks?

I'm thinking of a book simliar to the book Andy Volk wrote about lap steel.

Thanks!

Larry Harlan · Post by **Larry Harlan** » 25 Jun 2004 11:07 am

Toby, funny you should mention this. I was thinking the very same thing the other day. If I were a psg enthusiast with some strong journalism/publishing background, I might tackle it, BUT, I also can see the project, if done in a good way, will take considerable time and work.
I have observed books on various other subjects like this with multiple pictures on the standard guitar as well as cars and trains and who knows what all. Yes, it would be great if someone would do a full history and also include the history of all the psg manufacturers past and present. I would buy a copy--maybe two. Glad you brought it up.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 25 Jun 2004 11:29 am

Well, as many of you know and some don't, this project has been started by myself and a staff of writers. We will very soon be interviewing many players, manufacturers, dealers, and folks that have lived this history. My reason for doing this is to keep the record straight before it gets lost or too contorted. Just my memories won't do it, this is why I'll aim my interviews to those that have first hand knowledge of all happenings and events. This book is for the many generations to come long after I'm gone, not for any personal gain. This history needs to be preserverd, NOW!!!
I'm going to be asking for a lot of help from you forum members. This needs to be a great group effort. I have already done much of the foot work and are now lining up pictures from the history of our great instrument. Yes, Guys, I need all the quality help I can get.
This will be the biggest, most important project of my life.
Bobbe Seymour

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 25 Jun 2004 11:32 am

Bobbe Seymour is currently working on one.
I hope he jumps in here with details.

Winnie Wiston's Oak Book is the only other one that covered any history that I can think of.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 25 Jun 2004 11:32 am

nevermind...

Ben Slaughter · Post by **Ben Slaughter** » 25 Jun 2004 12:08 pm

Looking forward to it Bobbe. Good Luck!!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 25 Jun 2004 12:22 pm

I'm available for the centerfold, Bobbe.....

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 25 Jun 2004 12:36 pm

Bobbe- Good idea, Glad you are taking on this project and needed , before it is all forgotten. Thanks and good luck.

If I can contribute any small bit of info, please feel free to let me know....al

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

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 25 Jun 2004 2:02 pm

Al, I'll be counting on you and many others. This is a big project that has good funding so it should be the ultimate history of what we love most. Folks long after we are gone will have the facts of what made steel what it is. I'm almost ready to start asking some necessary questions for this book.
Remember guys, I'll be needing unpublished great old pictures of steels, steel players, bands, busses, opry type shows, (Town Hall Party)Lousianna Hayride,old recording sessions in progress, and so on so start looking now guys and be a part of steel guitar history yourselves.
Country music, western swing, big band, little club bands, early TV shows, what ever you can get to me, with a full explaination of the pictures. These shots have to be of intrest to the masses plus be historically significant to steel guitar.
This needs to be a very complete history.
Bigsby, Fender, Sho-Bud, Emmons, Peavey and all other companies that helped put steel where it is today need to be examined.
The efforts of Scotty, and steel clubs all over the world along with the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame members, principal founders and board members.
The great players we have already lost need to be remembered along with anadotes of their lives. Speedy West,Don West, Gene O'neal,Gary Hogue,Billy Bowman,Jimmy Day, Jeff Newman, Joquine Murphy, Slim Adeho, to name only a few.
This along with many funny stories will make this a book that should be hard to put down.
So I would appreciate your help, this is for all of us and what we have spent so much of our lives doing and loving. Let the generations coming know who, what, why and where steel has been.
I've never been more serious, and this is a big statement coming from me.
Yes, Paul Franklin will be in it! And in a great way! Along with hundreds of others!

Bobbe Seymour,
sales@steelguitar.net
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 25 June 2004 at 03:05 PM.]</p></FONT>

Toby Rider · Post by **Toby Rider** » 25 Jun 2004 2:40 pm

Wow, I'm glad I asked this question. Sounds like an amazing project!

Bruce Etter · Post by **Bruce Etter** » 25 Jun 2004 4:56 pm

I think that Brett Day could write this book!!..whaddya think?

Wayne Morgan · Post by **Wayne Morgan** » 25 Jun 2004 5:18 pm

Well Bobbe,,"bout time you got off your can and done something,,"just kidding".
You probably don't know how much you have done for the steel guitar.
I can't think of anyone better for the task.
You da man !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wayne

Lloyd Karenke · Post by **Lloyd Karenke** » 25 Jun 2004 6:20 pm

You go Bobbe...........

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 26 Jun 2004 8:57 am

Thank yo guys, but remember, I can't do it without the help of all of you.
bobbe

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 26 Jun 2004 8:23 pm

This is not pedal related but many years ago when i was on the road and would be in a town for a few days i spent my afternoons in libraries and for a time was in to the history of the old sailing ships that first sailed to the antarctica.I read where sailors took along guitars and slide guitars to pass the long hours.As i recall it was Captian Cook and his ship that then sailed to Hawaii where he died.The sailors introduced the giutars to the natives thay had broght from Argentina and that is where what became know as the Hawaiian steel guitar had organited.In Argentina.Not Hawahii.I recently did a computer search and found where it orginated in Portugal.Many of times i wish i had written down the nam of the book but didn't give it much thought at the time.Maybe the shadow knows for sure.Tracy.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 26 Jun 2004 9:04 pm

Tracy, yes, and I'm finding out that "Steel Guitar" may even be older than what you have found, but not Pedal steel guitar. However, you may be very suprised to learn that "Pedal Steel Guitar" may be older than most think. This is going to be a very interesting book,

I'd like to thank all that have already sent interesting historiesof great players, the Vance Terry history is very interesting.
bobbe

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 27 Jun 2004 7:09 am

Bobby, I hope and pray your book will become the "BIBLE" of the pedal steel guitar, all information factual. May I suggest , Include Size, Measurements, Tunings if possable and as many inovations as possable. This would be very interesting and a world of information, . Good luck and God bless ......Jennings

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

Lonnie Portwood · Post by **Lonnie Portwood** » 27 Jun 2004 7:13 am

Boubbie Saymore, I did interviews with Charlie Stepp of Derby; Harold Flynn, Billy Robinson, and Ed Fulawka and would be glad to share my notes with you. Ed has an extensive picture gallery dating back to late 40's. I'll be in Nasville at the CAAS show in a couple weeks if you want, I could breeng info weeth me! Also, if you could look for the Croume SHO-BUD plate, you know I woud gladlie bi it! emal me at, egllp00@comcast.net thnks Lonnie P.

Jim Florence · Post by **Jim Florence** » 27 Jun 2004 5:14 pm

Hey Tracy, Captain Cook had a lot of help from the natives in the "Dying" process.
Several years ago this very subject came up here on the forum, and a joke was tied to it, in that the natives had noticed how the sailors had enjoyed their guitars , and that they [the natives]too, should have a guitar. Later at a meeting, someone asked "How we get guitar?" to which one enterprizing fellow answered; "STEAL GUITAR", hence the name.
Jim

Herman Visser · Post by **Herman Visser** » 27 Jun 2004 7:04 pm

THANKS Jin I needed a laugh, Bobbe put me down a copy.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 28 Jun 2004 7:30 am

Nice to know that the history of our wonderful instrument is "still being written".

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HagFan

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 28 Jun 2004 9:23 am

Looks to me like were talking more of an encyclopedia (you know, like, mutiple books with big chapters and a very large index...) I think there's more material here than one book can hold. Lot's o' pictures toooooo.

Thank goodness for computers, I'd hate to see someone have to write this stuff all out in longhand.

Bobbe, put me down for a copy whatever the cost and thanks.

Toby Rider · Post by **Toby Rider** » 28 Jun 2004 9:36 am

"Later at a meeting, someone asked "How we get guitar?" to which one enterprizing fellow answered; "STEAL GUITAR", hence the name.
Jim

Why do us musicians always have to tell such corny jokes?

Okay, my turn:

Q: What is the most spirtual of all chords?

A: Gsus

Yuk.. Yuk..

Hopefully they don't kick me off the board for that one.

Billy Woo · Post by **Billy Woo** » 28 Jun 2004 12:19 pm

Hey Bobbe, don't forget to include the "Lovely Brandy" in your book, She's been one of your outstanding assets thru the years and a very nice Lady to boot. Put me down fer one of your books..

Bronco Billy
Zumsteel U-12

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 28 Jun 2004 4:04 pm

I too am glad to hear that a Steel History is being put together. This is GREAT!

Thanks Bobbe! I know this is a Mount Everest in compiling it, but my hats off to you. You right it needs to be done.

Don't forget to include the late Julian THarpe in it too.

GOD bless you all!

Woody