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 Anyone play steel and sing... at the same time!? (Page 1)
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| Author | Topic: Anyone play steel and sing... at the same time!? |
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Bill Llewellyn Member From: San Jose, CA |
posted 02 October 2001 07:34 AM
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I don't know if I've ever seen a microphone in front of a steeler. Seems to me getting hands, knees, and feet all going together, PLUS singing at the same time, would constitute The Impossible. Does anyone here do this? (I would be SO impressed....) ------------------ |
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Larry Bell Member From: Englewood, Florida |
posted 02 October 2001 07:37 AM
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Yes ------------------ |
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Blake Hawkins Member From: Land O'Lakes, Florida |
posted 02 October 2001 07:37 AM
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I have a friend, Jim Beckett, who sings and plays steel. He plays the steel solo and sometimes a few fills . We just put a boom mike in front of him. Blake [This message was edited by Blake Hawkins on 02 October 2001 at 07:39 AM.] |
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Chick Donner Member From: North Ridgeville, OH USA |
posted 02 October 2001 08:19 AM
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You've got one of the best right here on the Forum . . . Len Ryder, who lives (now) in BC during the summer and Yuma, AZ in the colder months. I met him in Hawaii, when I bought my first steel (from him), as he was playing in the New Frontier Lounge on Kalakua Avenue, right on Waikiki beach. He worked with a trio (steel, bass and flattop) and just sang the hell out of all kinds of country songs. I understand he still does. He played the C6th neck like nobody I've ever heard before or since. It doesn't "sound" like C6th. He plays it his own style, and sings along. It's really something to hear, though I haven't heard it since 1967. I've tried to get him to "re-release" an album he did back then. No luck yet . . .join me. His Email(s) are I don't know which is 'summer' or 'winter' email. Try both. |
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Bob Hayes Member From: Church Hill,Tenn,USA |
posted 02 October 2001 08:31 AM
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I do it occationally. Also back up harmoneys. It takes away from the stell pickin' (and in that area I need all the help I can get). The group that I play in now.all take turns, so we get a variety. I'm the "Kid" of the group at 61 (going on 18), and I also switch back and forth to my Imitation Les Paul guitar for the line dance ..Rocky stuff.I guess the best one I sing and play steel on is "Make the World Go bye bye on C6th" Grouchyvet |
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Darvin Willhoite Member From: Leander, Tx. USA |
posted 02 October 2001 09:44 AM
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Wally Murphy is quite adept at it. Also there was a player from Germany at Scotty's several years ago (Red ???) that was very good at singing and playing steel. Maybe some other players in that area knows whatever happened to him. ------------------ |
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Jim Cohen Member From: Philadelphia, PA |
posted 02 October 2001 09:48 AM
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Joe Wright does it. So does Pete Burak (who does it wonderfully, btw). I've been known to sing a few with my band, but I must say I'm not too good at playing fills in and around my own vocal lines. I think I'd need an extra brain to pull that off. Joe Wright has an extra brain, I'm convinced. |
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Lee Holeman Member From: Port Isabel, Texas, USA |
posted 02 October 2001 10:09 AM
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I'v sang, fronted a band and played steel for many years now. I honestly don't think singing hurt my playing or vice versa. After awhile it comes natural and easy to "fill in the gaps" as you sing. Best of luck! ------------------ |
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Bob Putnam Member From: Cherry Valley, IL |
posted 02 October 2001 10:20 AM
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Bill, Rusty Danmyer plays steel for Lee Ann Womack and does harmony on many of her songs. Bob Putnam |
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pdl20 Member From: Benton, Ar . USA, |
posted 02 October 2001 10:22 AM
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Mike Sigler can pick n sing his a!!!!!s off.what a talented man cool ------------------ |
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Richard Gonzales Member From: FITCHBURG,MA USA |
posted 02 October 2001 10:38 AM
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I saw Buddy Emmons with a mike singing backup with the Everly Brothers. |
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Jim Eaton Member From: Santa Susana, Ca |
posted 02 October 2001 10:49 AM
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I'm not sure I'd call it "singing" LOL, but I do lead vocals on several tunes from behind the steel! JE:-)> |
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Steven Knapper Member From: Temecula Ca USA |
posted 02 October 2001 11:00 AM
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I can't (yet??) but Blackie Taylor has a mic set up on the leg of his guitar, made up of some drum hardware and a long goose neck. I guess if you have been playing for some 45 odd years, it can be done. ------------------ GFI Ultra S10 Keyless |
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Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 02 October 2001 11:06 AM
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I used to to harmony work, and sang a few solos. I have a flex-mike stand that clamps to the front leg of the steel, and it's quite convenient. Just comping chords is easy. As for doing intricate solos while singing, I'm still working on that.  Having a mike also gives me the opportunity to banter back and forth a little with the lead singer, and sometimes that extemporaneous comedy goes over well in the venues we play. It's all a part of "entertaining" vs. "just playing music". |
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Ed Byerly Member From: Portage, Ohio, USA |
posted 02 October 2001 11:28 AM
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I couldn't imagine NOT trying to sing & play at the same time.(stress that word 'trying') I wouldn't be doin' my fair share if I didn't contribute equally with the other band members. There's no big deal. Try it & you might like it. Start out just doing some of the fills & holding solid chords. This gives you a chance to pick songs that YOU want to hear & play. Don't fret, just B#. ------------------ Ed Byerly |
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Ziggie Member From: Freeland, Mi. USA |
posted 02 October 2001 12:34 PM
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I'm just starting to experiment with it and I think it's gonna happen. I just have to get to know where and when to lay back and sing and when to play the fills. I would think it could become very natural after a while. It's not to smart to fill over the vocals anyway so with that in mind I think I can do it with a bit of practice. |
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CrowBear Schmitt Member From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France |
posted 02 October 2001 01:03 PM
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i do sing while Steelin'. (try too that is) it's difficult to do both well, but i get by. what's hip is singin' to what you play or just usin your voice to help you find the missing part. one's voice should never be underestimated or neglected. it's yours and it's an instrument ! Steel can sing .... |
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Chris Schlotzhauer Member From: Colleyville, Tx. USA |
posted 02 October 2001 01:47 PM
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I do. I love singing harmony, but I do sing some solo. |
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John Hawkins Member From: Onalaska, Tx. on Lake Livingston |
posted 02 October 2001 01:48 PM
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I have seen Jim Vest , when he had had the "Nashville Cats" band , sing and play steel . Good voice and a fantastic steel player . John |
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Al Udeen Member From: maple grove mn usa |
posted 02 October 2001 02:23 PM
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Several years ago, at St.Louis, I saw Sara Jory, Sing a "Tribute to Patsy Cline" I believe the song was "Two Empty Arms" She sang her ? off & Played her ? off at the same time! Absolutely knocked my socks off! Oh! BTW she was 15 at the time! Still stands as a classic in my mind! Al Udeen |
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Joe Henry Member From: Ebersberg, Germany |
posted 02 October 2001 02:37 PM
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I´m a lousy singer. I always hoped playing steel was an excuse for notsinging... |
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Jason Odd Member From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
posted 02 October 2001 04:55 PM
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Billy Mize used to sing lead and play steel. |
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Walter Jones Member From: Athens, Ohio USA |
posted 02 October 2001 05:43 PM
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I have known Mike Sigler for a long time. I have seen Mike ,sing, play steel and catch all the signals from his wife Sally on what needs to be up or down on the PA system, make the adjustments with one hand and keep on playing and singing. I think his Momma dropped him on his head when he was little and he develpoed the ability to think and accomplish multiple tasks at the same time. Humm, maybe he wasn't thinking at all and I just missed something. Just kidding Mike, he is also a top notch guitar and dobro player and his little brother is a great drummer. Seriously guys, Mike can do it all and do it well. |
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Janice Brooks Moderator From: Pleasant Gap Pa |
posted 02 October 2001 06:12 PM
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"""Joe Wright does it.""" I remember standing with you Jim when Joe ------------------ |
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Craig A Davidson Member From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA |
posted 02 October 2001 06:36 PM
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I do and so does a fellow from Illinois by the name of Dean Dobbins,that sings and plays all that good old Ray Price stuff. ------------------ |
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ebb Member From: nj |
posted 02 October 2001 06:56 PM
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Pete Burak does it, is really good, handsome,nice and has hair. Cohen and myself were thinking about how we could compete and decided to put his modular pickup in backwards to try and even the playing field. |
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wayne yakes md Member From: denver, colorado |
posted 02 October 2001 07:29 PM
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I've seen Buddy Emmons, Wally Murphy, Jimmy Day, And Buzz Evans do it! |
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Al Marcus Member From: Cedar Springs,MI USA |
posted 02 October 2001 07:44 PM
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I am sure that a lot of steelers ,sing while playing steel. I used to do it too. Mostly old standards, I used to use the Leslie quite a bit, and comp the chords and fill ins while singing.Fun days....al |
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Steve Feldman Member From: Millbury, MA USA |
posted 02 October 2001 07:52 PM
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Hell. I gotta spit out my GUM before I try to play this thing. |
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Ernie Renn Member From: Brainerd, Minnesota USA |
posted 02 October 2001 07:57 PM
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Yes, I'm not a very good singer, but I get by. I sing a few tunes and sing a bit of harmony, too. I think the reason you don't see many mics is that the mic gets pushed out of the way for the picture. (At least that's what I do. When I see early pictures of me playing with the mic in front of my face, I think to myself: I should have pushed that off to the side. Now I just do it automatically.) [This message was edited by Ernie Renn on 02 October 2001 at 07:59 PM.] |
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Tim Rowley Member From: Pinconning, MI, USA |
posted 02 October 2001 07:58 PM
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I play steel and sing at the same time. Lots of harmony work and generally sing two songs per set or per show. I set up a boom stand on my right, run the stand up high with the boom slanting down to me. Doesn't get in my way like that. With practice, I can sing a harmony part and play a fairly difficult lick at the same time. Where I sometimes run into trouble is trying to sing the lead vocal and fill behind myself at the same time, because sometimes the steel and the vocal part get sorta intertwined, either that or one of them will temporarily "cut out" on me. Larry Bell, who posted earlier, is very good at singing and playing steel at the same time. He seems to be able to do both jobs rather independently and smile at the same time. He also has the ability to carry on a meaningful conversation while setting up his gear, something that I've never been very good at doing. Editing to add this remark: the great Bud Isaacs sings awesome and plays awesome, both at the same time. Tim R. [This message was edited by Tim Rowley on 02 October 2001 at 08:01 PM.] |
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Randy Reams Member From: Wellington, Ohio, USA |
posted 02 October 2001 09:18 PM
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I played drums in a band at The Red Raider motel in Lubbock, TX in 1986 or 87 with a steeler that sang well and played very well. I cant remember his name. His steel was on the stage as were my drums the night it burned. |
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Al Johnson Member From: Sturgeon Bay, WI USA |
posted 02 October 2001 09:56 PM
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Leon McAuliffe didn't do pedals, but he would play 4 necks, lead a band, and sing a lotta songs. Also, he was a nice guy when talked with him once. Al |
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Bobby Boggs Member From: Pendleton SC |
posted 02 October 2001 10:44 PM
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Dang Ernie!Anybody ever tell you, you look like Buddy Emmons?  |
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Gary Walker Member From: Morro Bay, CA |
posted 02 October 2001 11:24 PM
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As Jason stated, Billy Mize used to do that all of the time, also Billy Easton does that with the group he plays with, "Three Wheel Drive" here in Arizona and does a great job at it, thanks, Gary |
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ajm Member From: Los Angeles |
posted 03 October 2001 07:39 AM
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It's not pedal steel, but don't forget Junior Brown. |
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Rick Schmidt Member From: Carlsbad, CA. USA |
posted 03 October 2001 08:05 AM
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I think it's a pretty good idea for all of us not to rule out the idea of singing and playing at the same time with any instrument we choose to learn...for many reasons. No matter what we might think of our vocal chops, singing trains our ears and helps our communication skills. (which ultimately is the reason to be a musician IMHO) I'd be willing to bet that if the so called "Steel Guitar Messiah" (that we've all been waiting for) ever comes to give our instrument world wide acceptance, he/she is almost certainly gonna be a singer. ...and BTW, Junior Brown can sing & play good Pedal Steel too! [This message was edited by Rick Schmidt on 03 October 2001 at 08:11 AM.] [This message was edited by Rick Schmidt on 03 October 2001 at 08:25 AM.] |
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Pete Burak Member From: Portland, OR USA |
posted 03 October 2001 09:43 AM
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It's all in the Mic stand placement! |
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Bobby Lee Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA |
posted 03 October 2001 10:21 AM
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I've done it many times - I even fronted a band for a few years. I'm not a good singer, but I enjoy using the mike and entertaining folks. It's not really that hard to sing and play rhythm steel at the same time on an S-12. Once you know your basic rhythm patterns, it's not much harder than playing guitar or piano. If you're playing fills, they always work best in between the vocal lines. So you're not really playing and singing at the same time - you just switch from one to the other a lot. ------------------ |
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Bobby Lee Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA |
posted 03 October 2001 10:24 AM
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quote:Actually, it's sort of rough with wind instruments. |
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