Smiley Roberts?????

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 3 Jul 2001 8:34 am

I can't for the life of me understand why Smiley can't get "Session" work.Thoes of you that were blessed with the gift of his tape are probally asking the same thing.Those of you that have recently seen him on the road with T.O. are probally asking the same thing.
He compliments singers like he worked with them forever.His tone is outstanding.His playing, and speed which is "Fast" is so smooth and clean.We are being cheated out of the sounds and style we want to hear.I have really picked up some stylish changes after listening to his tape.Very enjoyable.
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 3 Jul 2001 9:18 am

Maybe it's the shorts....

Earl Erb · Post by **Earl Erb** » 3 Jul 2001 12:18 pm

Hey Ray,check out the thread in Steel Players about session and road steelers.That might answer your question.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 3 Jul 2001 10:29 pm

Ray,
Thanks for your vote of confidence,but Earl is right. Read that thread. I ain't kissin' NOBODY'S butt for a job. If I can't get the job on my abilities alone,then I don't deserve it. It's too late for me now,anyway. I don't play the "new" stuff.

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©¿© ars longa,
mm vita brevis
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John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 4 Jul 2001 2:34 am

Hey Smiles
I agree with you, but you should be working the steel shows aand bring Earl with you. I don't play the new stuff either, I have higher standards.

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John

[This message was edited by John Floyd on 04 July 2001 at 03:36 AM.]

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 4 Jul 2001 11:00 am

You guys crack me up.
Seriously though, a bit of Smiley and Earl would be fantastic. And while we're at it, we could get Neil Flanz and Jerry Brightman on some shows with Earl and Smiley!

I know what Ray is saying, having heard the tape, but the road/studio barrier remains.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 4 Jul 2001 11:37 am

Smiley has never been a secret to me.He has always been busy having fun in life to ever care about bucking cliques.The man has made a living doing nothing in his whole life but music.He is a New England legend and is responsible for a lot of players trying to succeed from his home area. And once you become a friend of this man you learn the true meaning of friendship.The only thing I don't like about Smiley is he is a few months younger than meself.Ok Smiley send the money to my PO box.

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CJC

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 5 Jul 2001 1:00 am

Joe,
Will you take an out-of-town check from an out-of-work musician??

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© ars longa,
mm vita brevis
-=sr€=-</pre>

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 6 Jul 2001 7:35 pm

Old Stuff,,,New Stuff,, Smiley does it all and more. Whoever is wearing the dark glasses
ought to look for the light to shine,,,that light will shine on Smiley ,,if they took off their "blinders" and cleaned out their
ears. He is a great player as well as a fine human being,,,talk about "injustice" here's the beef,,,Smiley should be doing more than he does,he has paid his dues and has the ability,,,take of those dark glasses and clean out the ears,,,maybe that will open their eyes and ears,,,,what a drag....

Billy Johnson · Post by **Billy Johnson** » 6 Jul 2001 8:07 pm

Wow!! What nice compliments for my pal Smiley. Joe,whats the goin rate for giving compliments nowadays?? I live close so it would'nt be out of town for me. He is a goodin in my book.

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 6 Jul 2001 8:20 pm

As most of you know, the session work here in "Nashburg" is all sewed up. Has been for years.

I've heard Smiley play, Yea,he don't take a back seat to nobody. His playing ability isn't the problem.... It's the "Click" here in Nashville.

Thats why most of us play for grins & giggles. Don't wish to start a flame here but that the way it is. period. Even us novice players can see this.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 7 Jul 2001 10:36 am

That is really a sad scene,,,,when the "click" has the bulk of the work,,,what about the other talent??

Man,,,am I glad I stopped depending on music as a livlihood,,,God Bless Leo Fender & Don Randall for putting bread on my table all those years,,,I feel for you guys,,,that click stuff is the "pits" Smiley is a great player and Im sure there are many who "cant crack the "click club" I cant express myself on here as I would like,,but it really is a shame. as I said before Its a Real DRAG....

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 7 Jul 2001 10:46 am

The proper word is "clique".

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 7 Jul 2001 11:50 am

Thank you, Jim.....

I stand corrected.
Anyway, Thats what I ment.

I need to correct a (maby) mis-conception here ....

It's not the players that is the problem, it's the studios and the management that set this scene. The player are like most of us. They are only trying to maks a buck,feed the family,it's their 9 to 5 job. I don't blame them for this. If I was called to play a set on a reguler basis,I'd do it too. So, I'm not slamming the players here. That, in no way, was my intentions.

[This message was edited by Bill Crook on 07 July 2001 at 01:02 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 7 Jul 2001 3:06 pm

Thanks for the correction Jim,,, I never was good at spelling,,,I used to spell front,,frunt,,,seems to fit better.

Send me my report card,,but dont tell my mother,,,grin ....PS Jim Forgot this "DUH" [This message was edited by Jody Carver on 07 July 2001 at 09:18 PM.]

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 7 Jul 2001 8:06 pm

Well then,I guess "clunker" would be "c l u n q u e r",& "clam" would be "c l a m n".(as in "damn").

Dave Robbins · Post by **Dave Robbins** » 7 Jul 2001 8:11 pm

Like Earl said,
check out the topic on session/road players.
Nuff said!

Dave

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 7 Jul 2001 8:25 pm

Jim ...here's a poem I learned in school today.

Mary had a wrist watch,
She swallowed it one day
Now She's taking castor oil
To "pass the time away"
The castor oil refused to work
The time "refused to pass"
Now if ya want to know the time
Look up Mary's......uncle ,,,he has a watch
Aint I smart Duh,,,,???? grin end of spelling "B" for today,,,,can I leave the room now??? Pleeze,,,,,,grin

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 7 Jul 2001 8:34 pm

Okay, okay, I got it. It "clicked"!

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 8 Jul 2001 3:55 am

If Smiley ate an expensive watch there should be reason to cry. Just wait a day or two after eating beans time would be flying by.

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CJC

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 8 Jul 2001 8:41 am

Joe ,,,you are right Smiley could't swallow a "Rolex" "too heavy & bulky" he would have to swallow a "Timex"

They "take a "lickin & keep on ticking" man I am getting cornier all the time...tick tock.

Here's another.

There was once a woman from Boston Mass

Who went into the water up to her knee's

I know it doesn't rhyme

But it will when the "tide comes in "

Bill Sharpe · Post by **Bill Sharpe** » 8 Jul 2001 5:05 pm

I have known Smiley for several years. He has been a genuine friend and visited me in the hospital, both times that I required hospitaliztion. This is typical of the friendship that Smiley has with people. He took the time out of his day and his activities to make me smile while I was in the hospital, and I am certain that his presence was a major factor in my recovery.

I am pleased and proud to say that Smiley is a genuine friend of myself, my wife and children. To have Smiley as a friend is to have a permanent friend and one whom you count on. He's one of those kind of guys that provides comfort without asking what he's going to receive in return.

Now, his playing is terrific, accurate and outstanding. I have the privilege of owning one of his tapes, and it is indeed a terrific piece of work.

Hopefully, when he arrives next time, his salsa will be milder than on previous events.

Love ya,
Bill & Mary Sharpe[This message was edited by Bill Sharpe on 08 July 2001 at 06:33 PM.]