Steel guitar songs

Wayne Ledbetter · Post by **Wayne Ledbetter** » 2 Nov 2015 6:07 am

I am wondering what are some of the better steel guitar songs. For instance, I have heard the " Farewell Party". Is this kind of like the "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" song for steelers like FMB is for banjoers? You kind of learn "Cripple Creek" and "FBM" and some others and you got Scruggs style going for you. I seem to have "FP" rumbling around in my head.
I am sure there are others.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 2 Nov 2015 6:36 am

A Way to Survive and Faded Love also are near the top of the list.
I prefer a bit more upbeat, City Lights, Highway 40 Blues or Mama Tried are tried and true.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 2 Nov 2015 7:22 am

Since retiring earlier this year and taking on some regular gigs, I have been expected to play Instrumental, sometimes two in a two hour show.

So I began practicing..again ! Here is my current active list, all of which can be regular duty. All of which I may play correctly or not.

Danny Boy
No One will Ever know
Way To Survive
You took her off my hands
I just Destroyed the world
Columbus Stockade Blues
Panhandle Rag
Steel Guitar Rag
Sleepwalk
Last Date
Farewell Party
Sweet Memories
Rose Colored Glasses
I Love You Because
Tn Waltz

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 2 Nov 2015 7:32 am

Steel Guitar Rag is the equivalent of Foggy Mountain Breakdown for a Banjo Picker. That is the most requested song and the song the audience can more identify a steel guitar with.

Farewell Party is a popular song, more with pickers than the audience for an instrumental. But "SGR" is the Steeler's "Anthem".

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Nov 2015 7:38 am

Jack Stoner wrote:But "SGR" is the Steeler's "Anthem".

I would have said "Sleepwalk" as I get many more requests for that from the general public than for SGR, but SGR would probably be #2. (Personally, I don't play either one; to me, it's like asking a drummer to play Wipe Out...)

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 2 Nov 2015 9:35 am

Jim Cohen wrote:
Jack Stoner wrote:But "SGR" is the Steeler's "Anthem".

I would have said "Sleepwalk" as I get many more requests for that from the general public than for SGR, but SGR would probably be #2. (Personally, I don't play either one; to me, it's like asking a drummer to play Wipe Out...)

Ha ! We play Wipe out too ! It's always requested ! I don't play Sleepwalk or SGR very often but I do play the Ray Price Shuffles and Farewell Party pretty often if we don't have a request ahead of time..

the #1 requests that we get are for Last Date and Sweet Memories..

PS , I am talking about a twice a month 2 HR Country show that we play, primarily Srs' but lately we have been dragging in a nice traditional country crowd and a few Steelers now and then , they come to make sure my picks don't fall off...

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 2 Nov 2015 9:54 am

I played a wedding for a young couple, in their twenty's, a while back. They wanted Sleep Walk for "their" song. I thought it was rather odd for a young couple, but, I did it and they were pleased. In fact, I played it twice.
I don't normally play instrumentals in the band I'm in right now. Sometimes I play Panhandle Rag, since, I really don't like to play SGR, but, that's it. Steel shows are really different. You have to have several instrumentals in your bag. It's not always easy to do for me, since, I've always been a backup steeler.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 2 Nov 2015 12:32 pm

When I was younger, there were many steel guitar tunes to choose from:
Steel Guitar Rag
Steel Guitar Jubilee
Draggin' the Steel
Southern Steel Guitar
Georgia Steel Guitar
Playboy Chimes
Steel Guitar Chimes
Steelin' Away
Steelin' Home
Steel Strike
and.......countless others.

Wayne Ledbetter · Post by **Wayne Ledbetter** » 2 Nov 2015 3:14 pm

Goodness. Some of these songs I have never heard of. Going to be interesting to check them out. But when I first started banjo I really didn't know what Cripple Creek was. I didn't realize it was Roy Clarks thing on Hee Haw. That was interesting back then. Now with you tube you can get about anything. I have heard some country songs like I heard Jimmy Day play " Pick me up on your way down"....think that was the name. Anyone with comments are welcome. Most of my experience is in gospel with exception of bluegrass. That Farewell Party is still buzzing in my head

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 3 Nov 2015 3:28 am

I vote for Farewell Party !

I wasn't even playing it until I started doing the bi monthly shows back in May.

For me I was LATE to the Farewell Party !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f6m6gep3tQ

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 3 Nov 2015 4:58 am

I find up tempo songs get the audience's attention more than ballads.

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 3 Nov 2015 11:27 am

I agree with Jack, they like those fast ones, all I have to do is cut into Orange Blossom Special or 4 Wheel Drive & that usually gets them to likin' what I do with the steel guitar. I am presently using a 10 string E9th/B6th setup with 6 pedal, 2 for E9th stuff & the other 4 for the B6 stuff. I also do some slow ones, Sleepwalk always seems to get them up on the floor, regardless of the age of the audience. Keep workin' on those instrumentals, you won't regret it!!

Ernie Pollock
Mt Savage, Md 301-264-4172

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 3 Nov 2015 12:15 pm

Ernie how do you tune you 10 string E9/B6?

Thanks
Dave

frank rogers · Post by **frank rogers** » 3 Nov 2015 12:50 pm

Almost any "popular" music can be played as an "instrumental"piece. When I started playing Steel in the early 70s I was infatuated with playing British Invasion tunes and 60s tunes and Motown stuff...as was pointed out..stop thinking E9...think open B...or A or even D as open. Also..get away from typical E9 1-3-5 harmonies. Practice while thinking these "alternative" keys that allow "closer" intervals and extended harmonies and chord melodies. FWIW...

Ray Harrison · Post by **Ray Harrison** » 3 Nov 2015 2:10 pm

It's hard to believe that I haven't seen "Borrowed Angel" listed. I hear that at son many of the steel shows that it must be a fan favorite......

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 3 Nov 2015 2:11 pm

Borrowed Angel

John Booth · Post by **John Booth** » 3 Nov 2015 3:07 pm

Dave Zirbel wrote:Ernie how do you tune you 10 string E9/B6?

Thanks
Dave

I think it's B6 just by lowering the Es but there could be more to it.
JB

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 3 Nov 2015 5:13 pm

Tom Brumleys Neosho Waltz is one of my favorites. It is on his Tom Cattin CD.

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 4 Nov 2015 9:02 am

A lot of people starting asking for Paul Franklin's "Song for Sara" after I'd played it onstage a few times. Lovely song with some interesting changes. It's tabbed out in Scotty's "Anthology of Pedal Steel Guitar" book from Mel Bay pubs.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 4 Nov 2015 11:01 am

John McClung wrote:A lot of people starting asking for Paul Franklin's "Song for Sara" after I'd played it onstage a few times. Lovely song with some interesting changes. It's tabbed out in Scotty's "Anthology of Pedal Steel Guitar" book from Mel Bay pubs.

It is a nice song, although I haven't played it in years but now I may ! I am pretty lucky, my bi-monthly country show is a listening audience, not a dance room. They pretty much appreciate anything we throw at them !

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