What's The Big Deal? A Way To Survive

Bill Bassett · Post by **Bill Bassett** » 2 Jan 2010 6:56 am

Happy New Year my fellow steelers.

This has been on my mind for years. Why does it seem that A Way To Survive is widely considered the end-all-be-all steel guitar song? I mean really, it's a nice tune for sure and I am a big fan of both Ray Price and Gene Watson but come on...

BDBassett
Rimrock AZ

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 2 Jan 2010 7:47 am

Bill, You need to wake up and come to the party my friend

Just kiddin.
I kinda feel the same way. Its like Mansion on the Hill, People never get tired of it. I usally do A way to Survive with Rob Parker on Vocals when I do a show. I always get compliments. Its just one of those things in life that can't be explained, Like which came first the Chicken Or the Egg.
BD

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 2 Jan 2010 11:36 am

I think Buddy Emmons`version on the Live at Scotty`s album did it.
Really...

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 2 Jan 2010 11:44 am

I'm not sure if one took a poll, how many consider it the "end-all-be-all" for pedal steel guitar. I think on a forum like this, it has almost become a stereotype to bring up in different discussions.

Reminds me a bit of that part in the first Wayne's World movie where they are in the music store, and on the wall of electric guitars is the sign that reads: "No Stairway To Heaven"

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 2 Jan 2010 4:41 pm

Reminds me a bit of that part in the first Wayne's World movie where they are in the music store, and on the wall of electric guitars is the sign that reads: "No Stairway To Heaven"

I did a music store gig for a few years, and the worst offender in our store was "Iron Man". You can actually play that riff (somewhat recognizably) with minimal or no skill whatsoever. Saturday mornings were a nightmare. Sorry, topic drift...

Glen Derksen · Post by **Glen Derksen** » 4 Jan 2010 3:20 pm

I sure like it!....but then, it's not old hat to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=931n2XOo1fs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvqn-_5v ... re=related

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 5 Jan 2010 7:30 am

It has become the iconic honky tonk theme here on the Forum, no? I can think of many worse songs to play.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 5 Jan 2010 9:53 pm

I put some of my MP3s of non pedal playing over on the No Pedals section for folks to hear. Usually a couple of hundred downloads is par for each one, some more, some less. I just checked and Way to Survive on the non pedal steel has over 1100 downloads! WAY ahead of anything else I put on.