Attendance at the ISGC

Garry Pugh · From: Nashville Indiana

I attended this year's convention for the 1st time in several years. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The talent this year was great as were the accomodations.

One thing which struck me as odd was I did not see many younger people in attendance. It made me wonder if the interest in steel guitar is slowing down a little bit. I certainly hope that is not true, I know I am as big a fan today, if not more so, than I was 40 years ago when I first began playing.
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Steve Hinson · From: Hendersonville Tn USA

They don't do a lot to create
interest among young people...

Joe Casey · From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)

Steve I wouldn't blame that on the Convention. The Steel Guitar players who insist on one genre are retarding it's growth. The convention trys to get the best of the best,But let the players hit some progressive notes and the comments start. Not much incentive for a young person to play "way to survive" for the next 20 years of his musical life.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I've loved the steel guitar since I was nine-started playin' at eighteen. I went to the 2003 International Steel Guitar Convention and was amazed by what I saw and heard!

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I've been to the ISGC (many times) and to other Steel Shows and the majority of attendees are the "older" crowd.
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Ray Harrison · From: Tucson, Arizona, USA (deceased)

The ISGC has the tone set that they want, I guess. I was raised on this and love it.
However, one of the reasons I enjoy the Phoenix show(It's real close), is that we hear a fairly wide variety of styles and types of music. Some of the crowd leaves when various styles are being played and return to the room later. Bach to Rock----

Dallas may specialize in Western Swing, but you'll hear different necks being played there also.
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Ray Harrison
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D-16 Martin, 1970 Ovation guitars

John Brabant · From: Calais, VT, USA

This was the on-going conversation among my friends at the ISGC this year. I know Scotty has always been open to new and innovative approaches to the steel. I also know that whenever an act appears that varies from the traditional country template, Scotty catches flack. At age 55, I was among the younger of the attendees. This is very concerning. The repercussions are vast. Without new steelers, there is the obvious loss of the the knowledge base. But there is also the loss of the market base to which steel guitars and related equipment is sold. Taken to its obvious ends, we would lose many steel guitar companies and there would be a stifling of innovation to the pedal steel and its components. I don't state these concerns out of fear-mongering, it is a true issue that needs to be taken seriously. Al Perkins and I were discussing this very matter at the convention this year and he said he was heartened to see young steel players playing in "Americana" genre bands. We all need to be open minded and embracing of all musical forms that might be interested in including the pedal steel in their sound. The steel conventions need to be encouraging attendance by not only steel players being the center of attention, but where younger steel players with lesser chops might be intimidated as being the center-stage attraction, allowing their bringing their entire bands to perform. While of course I enjoyed and came to the ISGC primarily to hear each of the individual steel players do their stuff, I also found the introduction of singers into the setting a welcome change up. What was going on in the "Derby Room" with the vocalists showing their talents and my being able to watch the interplay between the steel players and the singers, was really great and would be great to see more of on the main stage. Lastly, Joe Wright's ventures into heavy metal and Jim Cohen's ventures into pop music were wonderful. I am not a fan of heavy metal at all, but when Joe played it on his steel, it was soooo cool. Jim Cohen playing Bus Stop was just the best. Thank you Joe for bringing your beautiful wife on-stage with her wonderful voice to blow our minds as well.
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John Brabant
1978 Emmons D-10 P-P

Garry Pugh · From: Nashville Indiana

John the "Derby Room" was a highlight for me as well. Late Friday night Johnny Bush played drums for a while then switched to guitar and sang for about a half an hour. Lynn Owsley played steel for him as did Chubby Howard and a couple other really good players whose names I should know but don't also played. It was something to see and hear.

As you said Jim Cohen was very good. His tone and intonation was excellent and I thought Bus Stop was a show stopper.
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bruce fischer · From: florissant, mo. 63031 USA

several years ago at the end of the night, scotty had buddy cage on w his group. it wasn't 5 mins and folks were raising hell threatening to leave...............I decided to stick around.......it wasn't "my thing" but I enjoyed every minute of it. the steel can be used in any genre, so try it out. I didnt come to the convention to hear night life 47 x's..............I came to hear the artist and how they presented their music!
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Wally Moyers · From: Lubbock, Texas

Don Lanier · From: Illinois, USA

I have to agree that getting Younger Pickers, and different Genres in the program should be considered, I too enjoy all the music and approaches, If you do Jazz, or Bach, Play a Mullen or GFI, use a singer or play solo, Its about the versatality of the Instrument....

We need a Youth Program at all these shows, they have to get some stagetime....Jazz, Rock, Back there are people who want to hear it and those that want to walkout...but its about the STEEL GUITAR adn the versatailty reach and appeal.
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Pearl Pro Audio
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Ron Landis · From: Arkansas, USA

This was entirely a new experience for me. This was the first time Iâ€™ve seenlive psg players since I took up lap steel a few years ago and I was totally blown away by all the great players I heard in the big room and all the jam rooms. I was a bit disappointed I didnâ€™t hear much straight steel. I guess there were some performances but since I didnâ€™t get a schedule I didnâ€™t know quite what was going on. The one guy I did hear wore a HOF ribbon and was playing some cool swing stuff on a 10 string.

I really came with the intention of buying a pedal steel. This is a scary proposition for me not just because of the money but mostly of the commitment I will have to make to the instrument. I came with $4000 cash but I walked home empty handed. The used ones I saw for sale didnâ€™t appeal to me except for the two nice ones that werenâ€™t for sale.

I was really kind of intimidated to ask to try one and nobody ever got up to ask if they could answer any questions. When I finally got the nerve to ask if they were for sale, I was told they were only for dealers. So basically, I just lost interest and went to the casino where they were only too happy to accept my money.

Jerry Fessenden · From: Vermont, USA

Several younger playrs are already playing and also have jobs in the touring bands .. this is a weekend that many bands are playing fairs, etc

Jason King · From: Missouri, USA

Saturday I took my 11yr old son that started playing this summer, and he really enjoyed himself. He sat down at an SD-10 mullen and I didnt think I would ever get him away from that thing. Many people would come by and listen to Jacob and talk with him, and offer words of encouragement. I don't know how many times I heard people tell him how great it was to see a young player at the show. I was looking around while he was playing for the most part and would check in to make sure he was ok and several times I saw people walk by and do a double take. Not because he is a good player but because I think they were so surprised to see a youngster sitting there playing. LOL

He also bought a steelers choice seat that is very nice. Dan was awesome to deal with and very encouraging to my son.

We had a great time at the show and really enjoyed it.

John Brabant · From: Calais, VT, USA

Ron Landis. The HOF 10 string lap steeler was the amazing Billy Robinson. I wish you had the opportunity to talk with him. He is a wonderful guy and would have provided to you a lot of insights. Also, you may wasn't to contact Jerry Fessenden at Fessenden Steel Guitars. He is on the web. Those pretty guitars that were not for sale were made by him and he could make you one custom for what you have jingling in you pocket. Best of luck on your ventures into the pedal steel.
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John Brabant
1978 Emmons D-10 P-P

Jason King · From: Missouri, USA

Joe Naylor · From: Avondale, Arizona, USA

I don't go to St. Louis but I have heard this before.

I have the golden opportunity to work with a wide variety of steel players and musicians in general. In the past few months I have sold steelseats to young newish steel players. Fezzy is right. The young players are either working musicians or are part time musicians that work full time. I go to both the Phoenix show and the Dallas show. Both those shows have young people come around and talk to vendors but almost always early Saturday morning or the new ones on Saturday and that is exactly what they say. I cannot be at the whole show but come for one day.

The steel guitar is not dead just different players. I have even found 5 or 6 here in the Phoenix area that have never been to a steel show. This group seemed to surface in the past 3 months or so.

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com
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Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix) Announcer/Emcee owner www.steelseat.com *** OFFERING SEATS AND Effects cases with or without legs and other stuff ****** -Desert Rose Guitar S-10, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Assoc., Southwest Steel Guitar Assoc., Texas Steel Guitar Assoc., GA Steel Guitar Assoc., KS Steel Guitar Assoc. (Asleep at the Steel) tag line willed to me by a close late friend RIP

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

I hope the Scott family takes note of Ron Landis' and Jason King's experiences with regard to the steel manufacturers exhibiting at ISGC and passes this feedback along to all of the manufacturers who were there. Looks like somebody lost a sale (or two)that might have made their day, and they're probably not even aware of it. Heightening their awareness to these experiences would probably benefit all parties in the future.
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Fred Justice · From: Mesa, Arizona

Joe this goes right along with what your saying.
Last January at the Phoenix show I sold guitars to (3) young local men all under the age of 25. And another guitar to a man 38 years old.

They are out there, we've just got to reach out to them.
Two out of the 3 young men are lead guitar players, seem to becoming the norm a little. GO STEEL GUITAR !!!
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Keith Hilton · From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721

Wish I could have been there. The large 6 piece band I play in had a very important Show to play. The singers in the band sang those-she done me wrong songs. I turned up my amp and let my E9th scream. The hundreds of dancers danced the night away. Laughing

Henry Matthews · From: Texarkana, Ark USA

Ron and Jason made very valuable statements and the guitar makers should take note. Same thing happened to me about 3 years ago at St louis, had the money in my pocket and couldn't get anyone to talk to me. They were too interested in letting their buddies get up and play that already played that brand than let a new prospect try one of their guitars. I too left and put the money back in the bank when I got home.
I have to say kudos to the late Carter company and also Fred Justice for the way they handle their business. You could always try one of their guitars and they will even try to sell you one.
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
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Fred Justice · From: Mesa, Arizona

Thank you Henry, I do try to make that a priority at the shows.
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Jerome Hawkes · From: Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA

as a younger attendee...(even though i'm in my early 40's, thats pretty young for a steel convention), i enjoy the 'golden age' of steel guitar & seeing the great players and dont really think its all that necessary for the promoters to start doing to steel shows what they have done to commercial radio to gain younger attendees. i enjoy hanging out with and hearing the older musicians. i was so fortunate to see many of the great players that have since left us in the past few years.
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Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

In 2003, when I was at the ISGC, John and Ann Fabian, Bud Carter, and Billy Phelps were awesome to me! I was walking through the lobby, just checking out all the steels, when all of a sudden, I came across the Carter booth, and they asked me if I wanted to try out a Carter steel, and I said yes. My mom and dad, the Fabians, Theresa Galbraith, Mike Brown, and Billy Phelps were listening to me play-I'd never played whatever song was on the rhythm track. Mike Brown of Peavey was showing me how to play different chords, and then, Theresa was standing there near the amp the Carter I was playing was plugged into-I gave the steel a little bit of power and Theresa kinda jumped cause I accidentally turned the volume pedal up high. I got my bar from the Carter company at the show and still use it to this day-a grooved bar that helps me play steel with cerebral palsy-I was twenty-two at the time, and at thirty-two, almost thirty-three, I still love playing the steel

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

It's always seemed strange to me how the ISGC didn't cater to or more openly embrace the "Americana" or alt-country, country rock genres. These days it seems like most all the new and younger steel players I meet are playing in Americana bands, not traditional country, western swing, or modern Nashville "country". There's a huge culture of alt-country and Americana out there and they just have almost zero connection to the ISGC, they hardly know it exists. To me this has been a great failure over the years and may be at the heart of why we just don't see the younger generation coming to the show. The show is now almost entirely nostalgic and almost entirely disconnected from what's happening with steel guitar today in the new, original music scene.

It sure would be cool if Greg Leisz or Eric Heywood could have been woven into the ISGC over the years. And too bad Buddy Cage had that weird experience years ago. He's also a big part of this missing genre. At the show, I meet tons of steel players who actually got turned onto steel because of the 70's alt country, New Riders, Garcia, Sneaky Pete, Rusty Young, Gram Parsons music, etc. This music turned many onto the greats and the golden age of country and pedal steel. This music deserves much more credit than it gets for making more steel players on the planet.

And the other tragedy is the lack of embrace of the great Sacred Steelers. There are some great players making beautiful steel guitar music that's quite fresh and different from what we hear all the time. I really don't understand why that didn't happen either.

Thank goodness for Dave Easley and his masterful, unique, and fresh voice on the steel guitar.

B

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