gigging steel players?

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 12 Oct 2005 2:21 am

How many of you forumites are full-time gigging steelers? That is, how many of you make a living from playing pedal steel guitar?

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 12 Oct 2005 7:18 am

I have since 1988; but who knows what 2006 will bring?
Ricky

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 12 Oct 2005 7:59 am

I have since 1968, but who knows what 2006 will bring.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 12 Oct 2005 8:04 am

I have from 93 but who knows what november may bring ?

Bob

Jory Simmons · Post by **Jory Simmons** » 12 Oct 2005 8:17 am

Well....I am in a Band that gigs Every week-end, and we have 62 shows booked for next year in SE Wi. I am proud to bring steel guitar to so many people here in wisconsin as there are only three steel players working the Milwaukee area.
You guys are all very funny with your "don know what will be next month" or next year or next week.....Well I'vw got the clincher
This group I'm in Now has fired me Twice in the past...last stint lasted 9 months. and they keep asking me back...guess they gotta have that Sound!
Jory Simmons
1981 Emmons p/p
2004 Pedalmaster D10
Peavey Nash 112
Lexicon MPX 100

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Jory Simmons

ESnow · Post by **ESnow** » 12 Oct 2005 8:40 am

Been playin' music full time since '75, started steel early '80s. Still playin' 6 nights a week. Had some really good years and a few, well, made enough to get by. The theater I've been at for last 6 yrs has been a real good gig. I concider myself very lucky to have had some of the jobs I've had and the one I have now. Music has been very good to me over the years. I give my family credit for all their support through the ups and downs. When its in your blood its hard to do anything else, so I just keep on pickin'. ESnow

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 12 Oct 2005 8:55 am

weekends..but a busy schedule allready well ino next year..

not full time..full weekends..

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 13 October 2005 at 11:48 AM.]

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 12 Oct 2005 3:16 pm

That's 8 so far, including me. The others must be gigging somewhere.

I was just curious to see how many of us are making a go of it out there in the gigging world. I know there are a lot of steelers that are featured players at conventions and stuff, but I was more curious about the band steelers paying the rent with their steel.

Jeff Newman once said something to the effect that you can play on a way higher level at home than you can at a gig. So true. I find I can only utilize about half of what I can do at home on a gig. Once in front of an audience, it takes a lot for me not to fall back to my previous level. For instance, I can fly through BE's "Rainy Day Woman" solo at home, but tend to trip over it live.

Anybody else find that true?[This message was edited by Chris LeDrew on 12 October 2005 at 04:17 PM.]

Arty Passes · Post by **Arty Passes** » 12 Oct 2005 3:48 pm

I was a full time video professional (producer, director, shooter, editor, etc.) for about 30 years and played music on the side. Now that my kids are grown and my wife sells houses on the weekends, and the video biz is not what it once was, for the past year a half I've played full time with the Kevin Fowler Band, and now do some video gigs on the side. We average about 3-4 nights a week, and at my age I'd like to be making more money, but I am eking out a living, but not saving for retirement. And no benefits as of yet. Things have been building really well for Kevin, so hopefully the future success will trickle down.
That said, it's definitely the coolest, funnest job I've ever had, traveling on a tour bus with a great bunch of guys for big and appreciative crowds.... and sure beats working for a living. And my wife has finally quit asking when I'm going to find a real job......
There are for sure a lot better pickers out there, so I feel fortunate to have this gig, but I do sing lots of the backing vocals, and being fairly easy to get along with goes a long way.
It is, however, the music biz, and who knows what will happen in 2006.....

Arty

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 12 Oct 2005 4:03 pm

Hey Chris, if you're talking Waylon's Rainy Day Woman, don't you mean Ralph Mooney?

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Marrs D-10, Webb 6-14E

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 12 Oct 2005 4:36 pm

I'm full time musician. Still mostly Zydeco and cajun accordion but steel is my favorite. Don't tell my zydeco friends.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 12 Oct 2005 10:17 pm

Hey Michael,

I learned it from the Buddy Emmons Intros and Turnarounds CD, I just assumed it was his solo.....

B. Greg Jones · Post by **B. Greg Jones** » 13 Oct 2005 4:47 am

Been a fulltime steeler since 1992. Been at Renfro Valley for the last 8 years.

Greg

Terry Bethel · Post by **Terry Bethel** » 13 Oct 2005 8:10 am

I have been making a living with my STEEL GUITAR since I was 18 years old. I stopped playing one time in 1965. I bought a drive in restaurant in Paragould, Arkansas. I didn't know what work was until I bought the restaurant. I was tied down 24 hours a day. I had to give it up(the restaurant that is)I almost lost my family because of the amount of hours I was putting in.
Oh well, back to the steel guitar, less hours
but lots of travel coming up.
I went to work with Mel Tillis in 1969, stayed 10 years. Went to Vegas, stayed 2 years, back to Nashburg, 4 years with Billie Jo Spears, 3 and 1/2 years with Loretta Lynn,
back with Tillis for 14 years. 3 years with the Paul Harris show in Branson. Guess what?
I'm back with The stuttering boy again. M-M-Mel is only working about 70 days a year, so at my age I can handle that. Oh did I mention I was 67 years old(around the ankles that is). When I get where my hands and feet won't work anymore, I will back off a little bit, but RETIRE, NEVER!!!!
I still love the instrument and the sounds you can get from it. I love sitting down to the Steel Guitar and finding a new sound. If I find one new sound a week, I am content.
So in answer to your question, YES I AM STILL GIGGING AND I AM NOT STOPPING!!!!!!

Terry Bethel
Sec/Treas OzarkSGA
Bethel Steel Guitars
Paul Harris Show
Mel Tillis show

Other than that, I ain't doin' much. [This message was edited by Terry Bethel on 13 October 2005 at 09:12 AM.]

Alex Piazza · Post by **Alex Piazza** » 13 Oct 2005 9:15 am

Esnow, Good to know that a fellow arkansan has made a living playing the steel. I play about three to four nights a week. I could probably quit my day job, but id be scraping by. All the work has really got me stressed out. Im working on marrying a rich girl.

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 13 Oct 2005 9:23 am

I've been a pro gigger since 1970.

I currently am trying not to live up to the "musician without girlfriend" joke.

Jeremy Moyers · Post by **Jeremy Moyers** » 13 Oct 2005 10:01 am

I've made a living playing steel guitar for 8 years now and do not have any plans of giving it up any time soon. I've played full time since I have been 21 and have made a pretty dang good living doing it. My dad, Wally Moyers, gave me a great piece of advice, he said (and I am paraphrasing) "don't have a back up plan, or you WILL wind up using it." What I do is play steel guitar, and when I need some "extra income" I make a few calls and get some additional playing jobs or session work. So far so good. Now, I do not want to be on the road in another 20 years or so, so I do have a little recording studio that I am getting off the ground and lately I have been lucky enough to get some really cool session accounts, etc. but it all centers around playing.

Jeremy[This message was edited by Jeremy Moyers on 13 October 2005 at 11:02 AM.]

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 13 Oct 2005 11:03 am

I've been a pro musician since about 1960, and bought my first PSG in the '70s. That was back in England.

When I moved to the USA in '98 I couldn't imagine that anyone would want me to play steel, as I'd assumed that there were brilliant players behind every tree, but I'm delighted to say that I'm still doing it for a living. I've probably worked 90% steel and just 10% six-string guitar since moving here.

I have no 'back up plan', either (if I'm not working I'm golfing

); it's not a great living, by any means, but we manage pretty nicely. The 'fly in the ointment' in the USA for me is the cost of medical care, but I'm keeping even 'them' at bay for the present...

RR

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 13 Oct 2005 11:16 am

The way things are going I keep hoping the government will do for Steelers what they did for farmers back in 60's and 70's.We had to much cotton.So the government payed farmers not to plant.Maybe they'll pay me not to play.

Never made a dime playing..........

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 13 Oct 2005 12:05 pm

Some great stories here.....very interesting. I've been a full time gigging steeler for about 4 years, and things are getting busier all the time. We are blessed to have a loyal following in my region, and we're enjoying a good extended run.

Terry, you must have a book full of road stories.....and a wealth of knowledge. Thanks so much for sharing your rich steelin' history.

Mark Fasbender · Post by **Mark Fasbender** » 18 Oct 2005 11:42 am

I do all the steel gigs I can. Did the patsy cline show this year again. I play tele also and that actually provides the majority of my work. Not as many gigs as in the past. By the way Im new to the forum. Glad to be here.

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sonbone · Post by **sonbone** » 18 Oct 2005 8:48 pm

I've played steel full-time since 1982. I've never had a whole lot of money, but I've managed just fine.

I like what Jeremy said about not having a backup plan. I took it one step further and never has a plan to begin with.

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sonbone@geocities.com

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 21 Oct 2005 7:53 pm

I have been mostly a weekend steel picker since about 1962 and at times 4-5 nights a week along with day job. I've played everything from Hawiian,rock,pop,and country. I've never done it totally for a living but it has put many potatoes on the table and a house payment or two and I would be lost without it. In 06 I expect to play 60+ jobs. I have been with a western swing band over 10 years now. Next week I have a gig with a Tejano band. I am a full time steel player. I don't switch to guitar or anything.

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 22 Oct 2005 7:12 am

I was full time player since 1989, playing and living all over the Europe ,Germany,Italy,Austria,Switzarland,Amsterdam etc...and since 1997 US.In 2001 I got married and decided to stay in Town and get a "real job".Since I got a real job I could afford a new house,new cars and motorcycles,banjos and guitars,traveling etc...so my playing days were great oportunity to travel and get paid but the way it looks right now I will be playing when I have time,when I want to and with WHOM I want to.Something I could not pick myself when I was a pro.It was a great ride but it was a time for a change.No need to say I will never stop playing.Most of all I enjoy playing alone in my music room and on weekends down town.

Db

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"Promat"
~when tone matters~
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