How many non-country steelers?

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 22 Feb 2003 11:28 pm

I was wondering how many forum members who play pedal steel and prefer to play in musical genres other than country?

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 23 Feb 2003 9:01 am

I've not locked into any "one" class.......
I attempt to play what's wanted........If asked to do so, I play c/w ballads; western swing, etc., I enjoy some pop tunes and truly love Hawaiian. Why limit one's ability by making but a single choice? I try to make what I play fit the tune or the band. I cannot play jazz and would never attempt it.........but admire those who can/do.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 23 Feb 2003 9:55 am

A friend put MP3 of 2 of the tunes from my still officially unreleased ( due to legal and financial red tape) West Side Story CD on the web. Here are the links. As has been noted, they were down for a while but they're back up and working now.

http://www.pembroke-rise.com/Stringman/Track10.mp3

http://www.pembroke-rise.com/Stringman/Track14.mp3

I expect to get the necessary licensing from the Bernstein estate some time this year and release the CD in time for the holidays. [This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 24 February 2003 at 01:43 PM.]

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 23 Feb 2003 11:01 am

Mike, I got "Error 404 - File Not Found" on each of your links.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 23 Feb 2003 11:09 am

After about 25 years of playing country music, I've switched directions recently. I now play with a rock band, Open Hearts, that does all original music. Oddly, this band is not as loud as most of the country bands I've played with, and they're more serious about their music.

I still play a casual country gig now and then, but I've let everyone know that I'm not interested in joining any other band.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9), Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 23 Feb 2003 11:27 am

I have to be able to do the "basic country" stuff for the occasional call, but more often than not, I end up in the catagory, "other". So I do "art music", play in a '30's and '40's Standards (Americana) band and last night it was a metal/noise band, which is a lot of fun. It's relatively easy to play, I don't have to reproduce any Joaquin Murphey solos, and I get to do things I never get to do otherwise. On the other end of the spectrum, I play on the occasional film score.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 23 Feb 2003 11:41 am

I think of myself as a Musician.

Most of my calls are Country, but I welcome any music created by serious musicians.

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 23 Feb 2003 2:11 pm

As a child, I learned by playing Hawaiian music and a few numbers like Panhandle Rag, Steel Guitar Rag, etc, but have not played country since I was on WREC Memphis; I did, in the 50's, have a nice Western Swing band at the EAgles' Nest in Memphis (photo at your library: in book by Rob Bowman called SOULSVILLE USA, A HISTORY OF STAX RECORDS). my 3rd fiddle man, Red (Jim) Stewart, became the founder of Stax Records shortly thereafter. After medical school, I became interested in progressive jazz and experimental jazz; that's been my bag ever since: www.steelguitarbyhughjeffreys.com ..Hugh

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 23 Feb 2003 3:13 pm

Mike, I got "Error 404 - File Not Found" on each of your links.

They've been restored and are working now.[This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 24 February 2003 at 01:44 PM.]

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 23 Feb 2003 3:13 pm

I play mostly progressive country on steel, but a wide variety other types of music on six-string. Like Joey Ace, I like to be be thought of as a musician, not just a steeler. I aspire to that honored title, anyway. : )

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Rick McDuffie
Tarheel Jazz Q-tet
Debbie Elam Band
www.tarheelmusic.com

Martin Abend · Post by **Martin Abend** » 23 Feb 2003 3:29 pm

I never had to play a straight country tune in the 4 years I'm playing.

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martin abend Pedal-Steel in Germany
s-10 sierra crown gearless 3 x4 | Regal RD45 | fender hotrod deluxe

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 23 Feb 2003 4:19 pm

Guys,

I grew up playing Country, Gospel, Western Swing, Bluegrass, 50's-60s Rock and some Hawaiian Music forms. It got me a lot of gigs, but the best gig I've ever had I got now. It's playing for JESUS.

About 5 years ago we went to a little penecostal country church where I heard some of the newer type Gospel songs. I started learning their style of music and playing in Church. You'd never get me back into those old worn out ruts.

Yes, I love to hear great steel players play Country, jazz, easy listening, etc. but for me it's in church playing for THE LORD. Once JESUS really gets in your life you'll never be the same and it just gets better and better, and better!

May GOD bless each of you!

Terry Wood
I Corinthians 1:18

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 23 Feb 2003 8:59 pm

I've been working on the Open Hearts Music web site, and now there are a couple of songs from our live CD posted there. I play mostly rhythm (on steel) on "Just Around The Bend" but the other one, called "Today and Tomorrow", has a steel solo in it near the end.

Go to OpenHeartsMusic.com and click the "Music" link.

------------------
<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9), Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 24 Feb 2003 12:58 am

I love all kinds of music, so I play from reggea to r&b, and from speedmetal to shuffle

No kidding, just play music, with open mind

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Click on the pic!

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 24 Feb 2003 5:07 am

When I got my Supro over here last month to augment my Dobro, I found I couldn't quite get it to fly on my jazz compositions. So I have taken the plunge for a sweet old Sho-Bud. I will play trad. country with it first because I have a band that does that, but also cajun and irish.
I most likely will use it on Jazz Manouche, Django style Gypsy jazz, since the chords and timeing is a bit more square than my fusion stuff, but it will definitely get on the tough tunes, as a sort of organ, string, piano alternative and solo instrument.
I am waiting for Hugh, The Doctor of Steel's,
CD to be delivered. The mp3 I heard was cool.

Hey Bobby Lee, nice rock, I heard Today and Tomorrow. Bluesy solo. What tuning and PSG did you play?[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 24 February 2003 at 05:53 AM.]

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 24 Feb 2003 7:20 am

Terry, I'm in your camp. However, I guess what I play would have to be called "country" gospel for lack of a better name.
Erv

Randy Pettit · Post by **Randy Pettit** » 24 Feb 2003 7:40 am

I love all styles of music. In our worship team at my church, we play a wide variety of musical styles, including country, all with PSG. It's all good stuff. I guess whatever mood I wake up in is my favorite style. This morning, I woke up in an "SRV Texas Blues" mood. Tomorrow it could be Harry James... or Johnny Bush.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 24 Feb 2003 9:32 am

David, I play Extended E9th with Open Hearts, on a Sierra Session SD-12.[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 24 February 2003 at 09:56 AM.]

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 24 Feb 2003 1:03 pm

I've only played country and country rock in public. But at home I play anything from Bach and Mozart (all dumbed down and played by ear) to modern R&B. Those slow jazz vocal ballads come out beautiful once you figure out the chord progression, but I can't handle the speedy jazz instrumentals.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 24 Feb 2003 1:34 pm

I also play in the Praise band here at my church. There is a picture of part of the band in the "Pictures" section. The guy singing is one of the best songwriter/singers in Austin, and as you can see, we enjoy what we do. Almost all of our music is Contemporary Christian, very little country style. I play C6th quite a bit on the more up tempo, jazz flavored stuff. When I practise, its almost always Pop or Jazz stuff. I can't get into those drinkin' and cheatin' songs much.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 24 Feb 2003 1:40 pm

In addition to the 2 links to the West Side Story tunes, There will soon be links to two of the selections from the Firebird Suite CD. This should happen within the next 48 hours.[This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 24 February 2003 at 01:47 PM.]

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 24 Feb 2003 2:38 pm

I play gospel, country-style. We have recently stepped out big time and play "Steel Guitar Rag" at the Christian Supper Club. We are adding some patriotic music to our show as we speak.

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 24 Feb 2003 3:19 pm

I spend 5% of my time playing modern country, 15% playing what is best called Americana (Elvis, retro-rock, folk, and so on), about 30% Irish folk music and fiddle instrumentals, and the rest traditional jazz. This covers gigging, rehearsing, arranging, and learning.

Joey Gaskins · Post by **Joey Gaskins** » 24 Feb 2003 4:28 pm

I'm glad that I don't have to play request per say. I play mostly in church or similar events. No more smoky barrooms or brawls for me. Even then I was strickly country and being the lead and steel player I got my way most times.If country was wanted then hire us if not hire someone else.

Adam Boltz · Post by **Adam Boltz** » 24 Feb 2003 6:21 pm

I play in a folk band and use the Dobro for that. Sounds great and the crowds love it. When we play electric, I use my Sierra SL-8 for Ben Harper tunes and blues/jam rock music. It works well. Adds a unique sound.