Ricky Skaggs, on-tour; steel or non- steel?

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 29 Oct 2001 6:16 am

I cut my eye teeth musically by playing bluegrass music. Though I almost never play it anymore (my dobro and mandolin chops are WAY down), I recognize the fact that to play BG correctly requires GREAT musical skill and knowledge. The players, and the music itself, is worthy of respect by ALL musicians not only for the skill involved in playing it, but for its place in the history of country music.

Likewise, I understand some people who don't like opera. It can be heavy and tiresome since its most often in a language we don't understand. But no one can deny it requires great skill, years of study, and dedication that 99% of all steel guitar players are simply not capable of giving to the instrument we chose to play.

Many people have written about a particular style of music "I just don't like _______ (fill in the blank) music." That's personal preference and totally fine, I have my own dislikes as well. But I also realize that many intelligent people DO like whatever music is being discussed, and perhaps I'm just not seeing something there that others do. In that situation, it speaks more of the individual than it does about the music.

Music... ALL music... is not a zero-sum game where for one style/instrument/player/band to "win" or be "good," another must "lose" or be "bad." If any of y'all think that, IMHO, you just don't "get it."

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 29 Oct 2001 9:52 am

I saw Ricky in circa 93 in Kentucky at a hotel/restaurant. He played all kinds of music that night icnluding his hits. He did have a great steel player that night. I seem to recall that it was Tim Sargent..but I might be wrong. Anyway, I am a huge fan of his including the Bluegrass and gospel material. I love virtually all types of music including bluegrass. Bluegrass music is what got me to start the Martin guitar forum. I do a little flatpickin on my Martin but nothing like these boys do.

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Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 29 Oct 2001 2:47 pm

Thanks Steve, and to everyone who posted here.
This morning I went to the Calvin Theatre
ticket office and bought the tickets for Ricky S. They were a bit pricey, but great seats. Second row [3 seats] from the stage
and to the right side. The Calvin's seating arena is in 3 sections. The large central
area, aisles left and right, and smaller seating areas on the other side of the aisles.
Steve, I do some flatpicking as well and play a Martin SPD-R16. A newer Martin, but great response and well balanced.

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 30 Oct 2001 5:23 am

Chip,
Stop by and visit us at the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum. http://pub55.ezboard.com/btheunofficialmartinguitarforum

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Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 30 Oct 2001 6:00 am

Thanks for the 'invite' Steve. I've known about your site for awhile now, and have been
meaning to drop in. Just keep forgetting. Will stop by later today.

Deana Clark · Post by **Deana Clark** » 31 Oct 2001 7:29 pm

To Chip- Great! You will love it! Be sure and let us know how the show was. To Kyle, if I offended you, I send my apologies. Only trying to help Chip not miss out on a terrific chance to see a tremedous show. I thought in the "music" category we could post topics about things that are not neccesarily related to the steel guitar. I sure wasn't trying to cover anything up, and again, sorry if you were offended.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 31 Oct 2001 8:18 pm

Ricky has used steel off and on with his band and recordings. He will make you happy with his performance, no doubt! I'm sure you'll connect with his music.
Theresa

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 1 Nov 2001 1:44 am

Deana & Theresa,
Thanks so much ladies for your valued input.
I really don't understand how this simple thing got really "un-understood". I LOVE BLUEGRASS AND I LOVE RICKY SKAGGS. We are
going. A complete report of the show is, for certain, something that I look forward to.

But I have to say, the steel guitar would have been the 'coup de grace' in this up and coming and well anticipated event. As mentioned before, I have seen Ricky live when he was with the "HOT BAND", and have been following him ever since.

Only wish that all participants here could experience this together.

Thanks again, gals....

ChipsAhoy

Henning Antonsen · Post by **Henning Antonsen** » 2 Nov 2001 2:07 am

I think Ricky is great with OR without steel, although my favorite Ricky albums do feature the great steel of Terry Crisp, Lloyd, Bruce Bouton and others ("Comin' Home To Stay", "Kentucky Thunder" etc). I don't think he's ever put out anything I didn't like. In short, he's amazingly musical.

Btw, Terry Crisp must be one of the world's most underrated steelers (just MHO).

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Henning Antonsen
Emmons LeGrande III

Joel Glassman · Post by **Joel Glassman** » 2 Nov 2001 2:36 pm

How about "Love's Gonna Get Ya"? ;^)
I highly recommend Ricky's bluegrass shows.
Recently saw him at IBMA, and he was excellent. I managed to walk into a jam session room with Ricky, Buck White, Del McCoury
and Ricky's hot new fiddle player. They were playing at 210 mph and Ricky said, "I'm getting a little tired..." Yeah right!

Bob Hayes · Post by **Bob Hayes** » 10 Nov 2001 7:07 am

I don't think there will be any "Hiwayes & Heartachs" in Northhampton...but If Ricky decided to do any ..he could call up Dougy Bomier to sit in and act like Bruce!!How ever Doug does keep very busy in Taxachussets.
Grouchyvet

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 10 Nov 2001 9:00 am

Very true Bob, on all accounts. We'll just
have to wait and see. I know whatever he does, I won't be disappointed.
BTW Joel, another stellar performance you
handed in at Frank's Waltham Bash. Way to go.

And, last but not least. You probably have heard this before, but here in Taxachusetts
a massive underground tunnel project in Boston has run way-way-way over budget and was named the BIG DIG when it began. But,
as soon as bondooglism set-in,it was renamed more appropriately as the BIG PIG.