Steel Player's "Birth" of the Girth

[Jim Cohen]

That has GOT to be one of the most heart-wrenching tales I've heard in a very long time...

[Stephen Gambrell]

Michael,
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! There are others, ready and willing to help you! As a child growing up in a mill village, mashed potatoes were a staple. As a result, I too, carry the "picker's paunch."
COME FORTH, the rest of you, COME FORTH, I SAY!!!
Let us support one another, until we reach another Shoney's, where the cheese pump awaits.

[b0b]

We are each responsible for our own health. If you are overweight, you are the only person who can do anything about it.

I don't buy the notion that steel playing and obesity go hand in hand. I know plenty of slim, healthy steel players.

[L. A. Wunder]

Do you remember the movie "W.W. And The Dixie Dance Kings?" The steel player was portrayed by a portly actor, and was named "Butterball." It made no sense to me at the time, because none of the steel players I'd seen on T.V. seemed to be large either in height or girth. Among many of the players I see today, obesity seems to be the norm. I don't think playing steel has that much to do with it, but I do think there are some things about the instrument that might make it's players more susceptable. Unlike other instruments, the steel guitar is almost always played in a seated postion, whereas other members of the band can, and often do, play standing up. It doesn't seem like much, but just standing up burns more calories. Now before you call me on it, I realize that drummers are also seated, but they expend a great deal more energy in playing, than any steel player I've ever seen.
There's a terrible obesity problem nationwide, as people rely on the drive-through for many of their nutritional needs. This "eat-and-run" lifestyle has made it harder to eat sensibly, and easier to pack on the pounds.
Musicians are ahead of this "growing" curve, because many of them learned this lifestyle either working the road, or playing jobs that neccesitated quick mealtimes at odd hours. When you add liquor to the mix, the added calories compound the problem. It takes a concious effort and considerable discipline to maintain a healthy lifestyle,especially under such circumstances,and it's an effort many people are unwilling to make.
I'm not criticizing anybody, and I hope my response won't be construed as such. I respect you all.

[Bill Hankey]

The positive correlation between food and the girth in the majority of selected groups, proves beyond shadows of doubts, that imprudence and inaptitude has prevailed. Sadly, the importance of maintaining good health practices, becomes the main focal point when unpleasant determinations are made during regular checkups. The basis of my motivational inquiry, is indeed related directly to the practices of regular practice sessions. Motivation wanes measurably as health declines. It's a cruel blow to those who allow longer periods of time to elapse between "workouts". Those mincing walks to the music room become less frequent as the girth and other health issues commence to rob the individual of zeal and stamina. Steel guitars offer one of the most gratifying sources of musical enjoyment. Its pleasures are boundless for the healthy individual.

[b0b]

For once we agree. Well said, Mr. Hankey!

[Al Udeen]

Jim Cohen: I'd call it a Gut Wrenching tale by the way, anyone ever stop at McDonalds on the way home from a gig?

[Bill Hankey]

Al,

I noticed the grammatical error in Jim's phrasing of matters of the heart. I would have written "heart-rending, thank you. But then, who am I to question Jim's writing skills?

[Jim Cohen]

Ah, you guys caught me there didn'tcha? Ah, well, being chastised by my betters is good for maintaining humility. At least that's what my wife keeps telling me. Over and over...

[Doug Beaumier]

anyone ever stop at McDonalds on the way home from a gig?

There is a way to avoid that. Prepare ahead of time... pack a healthy "lunch" for after the gig.

[Dave Mudgett]

Before you call in the grammar police, you should first be correct. Heartwrenching (or heart-wrenching) is a perfectly good phrase - with or without hyphen, IMO:

http://dictionary.reference.com/search? ... twrenching

On this girth bizness, I agree that it's important to stay in control of this as much as possible. But aside from the fact that the mean age of the PSG player population is much higher than the mean age of, let's say, the guitar player population, I think the overweight stereotype is just that. Lots of overweight older guitar players too. Just go to a vintage guitar show if you don't believe me. Obesity is a national epidemic, again IMO.

I also don't think alcohol is the basic problem in most peoples' obesity. It may be a problem for some, but I think it's a pretty broad brush to make a general argument like that. In fact, some of the skinniest guys I know drink like fish, and some of the most overweight are teetotalers. Not a lotta carbs in a glass of whiskey or tequila. And if you drink beer instead of eat bread, it's about 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Also notice I said "skinny", not "healthy". Overall health is not determined by weight, or any other single factor, again IMO.

The positive correlation between food and the girth in the majority of selected groups, proves beyond shadows of doubts, that imprudence and inaptitude has prevailed.

I don't think there's any one answer to any of this stuff. On a panel of so-called "experts" on nutrition, diet, and obesity, I doubt you'd find two that have much they agree on. Low-fat, low-carb, high-protein, high-fat, low-volume, low-calorie-density, no-meat, all-meat, you name it - there's an fad for every taste. I think everybody has to wrestle with this for themselves - which requires that one care enough about health to put some effort into it.

The ideals of refusing to give in to the temptations in life that promote a lessening of interest in THE instrument, makes a great deal of sense.

Say what? If you're talking about moderation, I agree. But virtually all mortals give into worldly temptations, to some extent. IMHO - if one tries to white-knuckle all temptation, it can lead to totally unreasonable reactions. Shouldn't there be some fun in life?

In fact - when I have a pile of work to do, and I sit down to my guitar or steel instead - at that moment, I would say that is the temptation in my life. Should I give up music completely so I can crank out more math and science? It is about balance, not avoidance of temptation, IMHO.

[Theresa Galbraith]

What? Is this about steel guitar playing?

[Bill Hankey]

Theresa G.,

Yes, and BTW I made a bid to engage your well rounded education in another thread, and to my disappointment, you seem to have disregarded my thoughts. Good health and steel guitar prowess are closely linked together. Players may very well experience better health by getting involved in the study of steel guitars. The study involves technical approaches that rely for the most part on health issues. Attitudes that become inconsistent or unreliable to the task of learning, require "jump-starts" to get back on track. Hypertension brought on in many situations, where a combination of inherited faulty cardiovascular trees, and added body weights account for halting that extra push to reach goals. Many players most surely must take their good health for granted. May I remind you Theresa, that there are many intermediate players who for health reasons, must limit activities requiring high levels of stress. You seem to choose believing that all is well, and the health of others is not an issue. It's a beautiful thought, although quite unrealistic.

[Theresa Galbraith]

Thank you, I feel so enlightened!

[Bill Hankey]

Theresa,

Thanks! Brevity is the next best thing to absence of responses. We must not forget that the steel guitar community has always been representative of a happy family of well-wishers.

[Theresa Galbraith]

Blll,
I'm not as smart as you are.

[Bill Hankey]

Theresa,

For openers, my respect for you would prevent me from thinking such thoughts. It's nice to read a lady's point of view on issues that seem to deter reasonable conclusions. Thanks...

[Mark Eaton]

You gotta freakin' move, fellas!

Obviously, watching what we consume is extremely important, but I am astounded by the sheer number of people that do not participate in any form of exercise.

After being a traveling sales rep for the last 12 years, I have changed jobs and I am working in an office 8.5 miles from my house. Along with my other workout efforts, I am trying to bike commute three days a week.

Dieting without exercise to try to rid oneself of excess weight, to me, is like trying to ice skate uphill. In middle age, I have to move this body to keep off the excess. It doesn't make me high and mighty that I'm doing some bike commuting - I just know that in addition to watching the consumption, regular exercise is the only way to keep my stomach at least somewhat flat.

The previous sales job that I recently left required heavy traveling, on the order of some musicians that spend a lot of time on the road, but not necessarily a relentless touring musician's schedule.

At any rate, this former job (of the last four years) required that I spend 100-110 nights a year in hotel rooms which included visiting customers, attending trade shows and conventions, and visiting company headquarters for sales meeting. So in spending a fair amount of time in a given year on the road - and how hard it is to watch what you eat and drink, and having the discipline to get some exercise while you're out there - I can relate to the touring musician.

[Theresa Galbraith]

Bill,
I appreciate your thought.

Have a great night!

[Bill Hankey]

My chances for replying to each forum member's comments becomes a bit difficult as the numbers increase. I want to express my gratitude for those who have written in the interest of health and dedication, relative to a more determined incentive to advance musically.

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

Blll,
I'm not as smart as you are.

Maybe, but you're a whole lot prettier.