If you can't play "Song Title" you can't play stee

[basilh]

In Ireland and the UK the general public's instrumental requests are not so country, but would include San Antonio Rose, Sleepwalk, Hawaii Tattoo (Reason below), Stranger on the Shore and Aloha Oe.

Sleepwalk by far outnumbers all others, but Hawaii Tattoo was a minor hit over here and stranger on the Shore was huge by Acker Bilk (TV series theme).
The steel guitar's Hawaiian connotation is soon picked up on by listeners and a lot of people in the UK have heard Hawaiian music sometime in their lives.
Although Country Music has a fairly large audience here, the public taste is somewhat mystifying. Vernon Oxford, Slim Whitman, Boxcar Willie, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves etc. share equal popularity with Vince Gill, Garth B, Shania etc.
Consequently the average listener isn't familiar with Steel Guitar instrumentals in a Country context.


The only thing I've ever written is
"Country Startime" I'm convinced that I stole the middle section from someone/somewhere, but I just can't remember.

That tune was originally a 30 second ident for a Television Series in Ireland Called Country Startime .
I was asked to extend it to full length and it ended up on one of my later albums.
The tune's publishing is jointly mine and Senator Paschal Mooney & Donie Cassidy TD (Green Grass Music and CMR Records), and as it was used to introduce the show and play out and in from each commercial break as well as closing the show, the royalties from the 13 week series were "Interesting", as were the ones when the show was repeated the following year and again 5 years later.

I just feel I should make amends and send the ORIGINAL writer some contribution.
The name Wally Haynes seems to have an association in my mind with this melody.

Country Startime 1990

[Jim Cohen]

Well, Walter Haynes is a Forum member, so maybe he'll give a listen here and let you know how much you owe him!

[Jim Sliff]

Sure, everyone's done "those steel tunes" 'til they're sick to death but yet they DO get requested and so I feel it behooves to try to accomodate.... (even if they have some "interesting twists" to keep ourselves even slightly amused....)

Man, can I relate.

Back when I was a full-time bluegrass musician, it was "That Deliverance thing", requested at EVERY gig. So we played it - but instead of just the guitar/banjo tradeoffs at the beginning, we traded off the normal intro, then Smoke on Water, Sunshine of your Love, Communication Breakdown, Pipeline and about 15-20 (depending on our mood) other "heads", which deteriorated into a blues shuffle, which found its way back to the "real" tune (Dueling Banjos - or actually, "Fueding Banjos" was the original name). We also used to obliterate Orange Blossom Special as well...and even though we were amusing ourselves, the audiences usually went nuts (in a good way).

I'll probably learn Sleepwalk, having played it on guitar for years. SGR maybe - but when I've played gigs with steel players they've never had any specific song requests. Probably a regional thing - out here the usual audience is not going to know steel instrumentals. Most probably think the steel player is playing a piano or something....

[Herb Steiner]

I think many audiences would appreciate and pay attention to steel instrumentals if the player or the band leader would make a minimum effort to sell the song to the audience. In other words, introducing the song in a way that the audience can relate to it.

It can be done by saying something complimentary about the player, about the history of the song, whatever... something the listeners can tie in to.

I do two or three instrumentals every night in my current job. Gary likes me to take the load off him once in awhile. He might say, "here's Herb to play a classic western swing tune for you dancers out there. Herb, take it away." Then I'll get on mic and say one sentence about the tune, then play it. If you tell people "this is a great little tune in dance tempo, folks" generally they get the message and the dance floor fills up.

We might start off with a little comedy one-liner banter between Gary and me before the song. Then into it. Anything to get the listener's attention. Once you have their attention, you can almost do anything acceptable and they'll buy it.

We do "Sleepwalk" without introduction, usually after other songs of the genre, like "Johnny B. Goode," that's in a different tempo and feel. The audience is in the old rock n' roll mode and SW fits in perfectly in a medley.

Johnny Bush told me one time, when I allowed as how I was nervous about playing Scotty's show, that "the audience wants to love you and what you're gonna do. Just show them that you love them back." (italics mine). Good advice. Treat them like they're your friends, relax, and make the music.

[Jim Cohen]

But Herb, the last time you tried to show the audience that you 'loved them back', they had to call Security, remember?

[Herb Steiner]

Jimbeaux
While I understand the mandate of the physical resemblance, I do think you're taking this Groucho Marx thing a wee bit too far.

[Stu Schulman]

You two are getting way out of hand...I'm gonna have to take you guys to Fla. and over medicate the both of Youz,Hey Herb I usually introduce a song like this "Here's One that I Wrote In Prison .....on Family Day,Stu

[Robert Harper]

Just play the darn thing. Just proves you have a sick twisted mind any way. Why in the world anyone wants to play an instrument that the notes move from one fret to another and what does that knee lever do. Hey that note was there a minute ago.What theres a "G" cord at the 6 fret with what knee lever. I thought "G " was at the 3rd fret and how about D at fret five. I been fretting about that I thought that was a "D" or an "A" Who put that silly note there and what the Hey am I supposed to do with thse frist two strings and darn the confusion keeps rolling on. Last night playing in the choir, I finally had to admit I was a looney. The singer guitar player at least one of them noticed I wasn't using music.He offered some to me. I told him That I am a man. I only use one side of my brain and half of that side is whacked out or I wouldn't be setting up here behind a steel (Whoops A steel in church watch out for the tax collector). Besides who can flip pages with picks on there right and there left hand has a heavy bar that you don't want to drop into your lap? Insanity. Ireally need a life

[Robert Harper]

And to top it all off, last sunday morning. I'm sitting behind my steel holding the bar in my left hand under the steel, rolling it arround. Now just what did that look like

[Charlie McDonald]

Just proves you have a sick twisted mind any way. Why in the world anyone wants to play an instrument.... I told him That I am a man. I only use one side of my brain.... Ireally need a life

Robert, I like the way you think. We're right up there with Red Green.

Stu, every time I read your posts, I hear the voice as Bender's.

But I think if not 'Sleepwalk', then 'Silver Wings,' my next project, I think.

[Robert Harper]

Do yous guys still produce the great one in Lubbuck. What I refer to as the master Nelson Holly Jennings. I was poking fun at the instrument. It can be a frustrating toy. A member of the congregaion commented on learning to play it. I tol him it was a tool to teach patience

[John De Maille]

I worked with a band for 7 years, whose singer thought he was a "progressive, outlaw type". The break songs or instrumentals we worked out were "Foggy Mountain Breakdown", "Old Joe Clark", Sugerfoot Rag", "Orange Blossom Special". Always a tune that was fast and had plenty kick to it.
When I've worked with other bands, as a sideman, they always treated the steel as an added asset. Only then, was I asked to play Steel Guitar Rag, or Sleepwalk, or Steelin' the Blues, or something they thought was obviously steel related.
I really think it has to do with the people you work with and or, the venue you're playing to. But, playing the same tunes over and over again, can become very tedious and boring.
I would say to learn SGR and SW, if only for your own personal edification. Someday you might need to play them for somebody. It does make for good P.R. for the steel guitar. But, I will also say that, one should learn tunes that fall a little outside the mainstream. It will broaden your musical horizons and possibly attract new fans.

[Stu Schulman]

Charlie,I know what you mean...I'm trying to figure out a way to unscrew my head and put it next to that one of Nixon's in the bottle ,we can have idol chit-chat!

[Charlie McDonald]

Robert, is that Buddy's real name? You learn something every day.

The steel was invented by God to teach patience or the devil to irritate us.
I have a brand new copedant. Can't wait to try Silver Wings.

[Rick Alexander]

Remington Ride, then bring down the heat with a nice, warm rendition of Sleepwalk

Ron, did you peek at my set list for the TSGA non-pedal session?

[Terry Wood]

Well, here's a little more for thought, Pete Drake's song "Forever," sold one million copies. Also hte song "Sleepwalk," I have been told was the first steel song to sell a million or more copies.

Next, Carroll from TX said Cindy Cash Dollars "Pan Handle Rag," was good. Yes, it is a good upbeat and bouncy tune. The song was written by Leon McAuliffe and before he passed away in 1985 I remember him telling the audience at Scotty's International Steel Convention, St. Louis that when he Leon McAuliffe wrote the opening tune to his "Pan Handle Rag," he did it, by playing backwards, the first take off notes to his "Steel Guitar Rag." Try it and see if that will work! By the way Jerry Byrd, Alvino Rey and Mr. "Take It Away," Leon McAuliffe, were the first three inductees into the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame 1978. I was a green horn 19 year old kid sittin' there taking pictures, but more importantly taking all of this music stuff in.

Next, mentioned was "Steel Guitar Wipeout ," recorded on L.P. by the late Bob White of Hank Thompson's Brazos Valley Boys. I never personally knew Bob but did see him play a few times and I collected all of his few instrumental recordings. As I have stated before on the Steel Forum, Bob was an original and had his own style. I think his "Steel Guitar Trek," LP was one of the best ever, it was recorded at Ben Jack's studio around 1978-79. Jeff Newman wrote the great liner notes for that album and Bob's music well it speasks for itself. He recorded a great selection of tunes and "Steel Guitar Wipeout," was on that L.P. Mr. b0b may still have the "Steel Guitar Trek," on cassette here on the Steel Guitar Forum? It is worthy of being included in the serious steel players collection.

What should you include in your lineup? It wouldn't hurt to play a few of the steel classics, and then play what you want from your heart.

These days, I'm playing alot of the classic Gospel and Praise and Worship songs on my non-pedal steel guitar. Though many would disagree there is nothing wrong with either of these types of Christian music, if it glorifies God. However, what I play in one church, or setting, I might not play at another. It's sort of like teaching school; all children learn differently. We are all unique and God made us that way. Wouldn't the world be a dull and boring place if we all were the same, looked alike, thought alike? I don't think I could stand myself any longer.

In closing, I think your on the right track because you are seeking to learn and grow and your desire is to please the listener. Just don't forget to please yourself musically too!

May God bless!

Terry Wood

[Bob Knight]

Baz,
Go to this site and play the clips of "Rancher's Stomp" by Jimmy Day, and "Pedal Jumpin'" by Pete Drake and I think you will find where you got the ideas for this song.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... eq97q7krht

[Ben Jones]

found the tab for sleepwalk, I had thought I'd never heard this song before but turns out I had. didnt david lynch use this song in Twin Peaks? or one of his movies perhaps. I dug playin it. nice harmonic woo woo-wee-woo in there

If these are the PSG standards, it aint so bad, we could be doin alot worse..could be playin Camptown Races...doo-da-doo-da...

[Ron Brennan]

Ahhh, Jazz guitarist Larry Carlton did a really neat version of the 1959 Steelguitar hit "Sleepwalk".

I took some of his passages and cuts for both PSG & Non Pedal. Give a listen to Larry Carlton's version and see what I mean.

If you want to spruce up your version of "Sleepwalk" this would be a good starting place. I think there are many sources, including a nice rendition by Bobbe Seymour on one his CD's or Broadcast music.

Dave Mudgett says:

Still, right now, I play steel exclusively as a sideman. The focus is almost strictly singer/songwriter material with a band or 3-piece, that's just the nature of the beast. They're pushing their original material, and I'm there to support them. That doesn't include steel instrumentals.

I'm pretty much in the same world as Dave states above. However, it is getting better as the band is maturing and expanding their musical vision.

I know this enviroement exists with other instruments, Keyboards, horns, etc. as well.

Other than C&W, modern music Genre is weighted to Singer/Songwriters. Instrumentals are very much diminished until there are hits in the public media. Sleepwalk still survives after all these years. TX

Rgds,

Ron

[Sherman Willden]

I have probably heard them but can someone direct me to "Jungle Land" and "Born To Run" mp3s. I don't recall hearing them.

Sherman

[Dennis Schell]

Other than C&W, modern music Genre is weighted to Singer/Songwriters. Instrumentals are very much diminished until there are hits in the public media. Sleepwalk still survives after all these years. TX

Rgds,

Ron

Sad but true....

What was that great instrumental that "Asleep at the Wheel" (with John Ely?) had a few years back that got "some" air play?

Dennis

(who has kinda shifted gears here....sorry)

[Ron Brennan]

Dennis,

Ummm, I'm probably wrong as usual (Age) but I think that was THE David Lindley hit "Asleep at the Wheel" your inquiring about, eh?.....

Back on point...I, for myself at least, am going to work on some "Steel Only" instrumentals and try to work it in the band like Herb Steiner recommended. Even if it's for my own enjoyment or local friends. I'm sensing an opportunity even for my area as the PSG is rare a commodity and always gets the attention at Car shows, etc. Just gotta work it in... TX
Rgds,

Ron

[Stu Schulman]

Ron,Have fun with it...go for it.I've been laying some ground work for a steel guitar CD that I hope to finish by May,There won't be any standard steel songs on it ,but it will be from the heart songs that I grew up with and enjoy playing...Stu

[Terry Wood]

As for the classic song "Sleepwalk." In my opinion Lloyd Green and Pete Drake recorded the best versions of the song.

In fact, I tried to copy Lloyd's version on the steel and just never got it. When one listens to either Lloyd or Pete's arrangements it just send chills up your back.

GOD bless!

Terry

[Stu Schulman]

Terry,Lloyd Green's version is beautiful.There is just something about the original that kills me,It's the innocence and knowing that they were so young at the time,and the sound of the lap steel seems to make it.