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"If it doesn't come from within, then its not Country"
Sj

posted 25 October 1999 06:12 PM         

I played with Glen Roane and the Roane Bros. in the late '60s and early '70s. I know that Glen made many trips to D.C. to see you and Dub in the '50s and early '60s. He spoke very highly of you both. I also know that you played sometimes here in Baltimore too.

posted 26 October 1999 04:51 AM         

Gary Lee Gimble

[This message was edited by Gary Lee Gimble on 10-26-99]

posted 26 October 1999 07:47 PM         

1) "Mother's Against Drunk Driving"
2) DUI's.

Pretty soon, instead of five musicians showing up to play, we'll send in 5 moniters to be set up on stage. Then from the comfort of your own home you'll send in your "streaming video". "Go getter bands" will be doing multiple gigs per night.

Everything will get progressively even more bland and then somebody will get the bright idea to have actual "live" musicians on stage. Of course they'll want to charge an arm and a leg to let you in to see such a novelty, and they'll expect the musicians to appear for free for the honor of participating in this ground breaking new music performance format which will surely result in the musician becoming "rich & famous".

D.A.M. stands for
Mothers Against Dyslexia.

;-)

j0e

posted 02 November 1999 03:08 AM         

I started sneaking into the Shamrock when
I was about 16; I was tall and could pass
for eighteen (the legal age for DC bars at
the time, late 50's, early 60's.)

I think you're referring to Mickey Woodward
on steel. He and his brother owned the
Shamrock. as I understood it. Mickey played for Bobby Stephenson, singer/clown a-la Roy Clark (except he wasn't much of a guitar player). Seemed
Jimmie Dickens must have been his idol.
Roger would get up and sing once in a while.
Mickey was a great steeler. I expect he
would be in his eighties now.

It was a great place, live music every
night, the original Country Gentlemen every
Tuesday and Thursday.

You could even park your car on Georgetown
streets within a block of your destination
in those days. Fond memories.

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Rod Mason

posted 02 November 1999 06:13 AM         

I guess this is no surprise, given our parallel histories on steel guitar, but Mickey Woodward was one of the first "real" steel players that I ever met too.

I drive within about a block of where the Shamrock used to be every day as I commute to work. The place has really changed. I think there's a bicycle shop about where it used to be. The only relic of that bygone era is Dixie Liquors. It seems like everyday at the time I go through there, there's a beer truck blocking "M" street, right at the end of Key Bridge.

Back to Mickey: I'm kind of thinking that he passed on some years back, but I'm not sure.

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Rick Richtmyer
users.erols.com/rickrichtmyer

posted 23 September 2000 08:17 PM         

JR

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Slide It On Over

posted 24 September 2000 07:52 AM         

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CJC

posted 26 September 2000 08:06 PM         

It's gone thru changes big time here in
Austin too, I hear guys speak of the "good ol'days" in the early '70s when a mediocre band could play 5 nites a week and make decent money.

I think the first culprit is "demographics" i.e. the aging of the baby boomers who used to patronize live music venues. It's just too much to expect all us over '50 types to get out on week nites and slam down a few with the guys/gals, whatever. We have jobs, mortgages, kids and so forth. As to the younger set, they wouldn't be caught dead digging exactly the same music we like, are you kidding?! That said, there is always a faction of young 'uns who know the old stuff and will keep the tradition alive.

Austin, the "live music capital of the world" (yeah--we think it's a crock too!) still has plenty of watering holes and restaurants in town with a stage and some form of "live music." Do check out that Austin Chronicle site: www.auschron.com

It really is astounding how many venues there really are. However, that doesn't translate to lots of gigs for country or swing bands. Here, the thing is the "retro-rockabilly" style/sound. Also boogie/shuffle blues. It can mean bands doing Webb Pierce or Dale Hawkins, if there's a steel, it's most often a lap steel or standup console model. Which is cool.

But pedal steel is not to be seen that much. However, it's mainly cause few of these young greasers have bothered to learn it. And they have plenty of respect for all us geezers who can play PSG. So there's no disrespect for the instrument or the sound, just a lot of years in between the time when it was heard more often and now!

I don't think live music will ever be obliterated by karaoke or taped backup performers. That type entertainment is just not the same and everybody knows it. It will mean bands will have to tighten up and learn arrangements, be focused and have a great sound. Face it, there are too many guys with guitars these days to get away with mediocre playing.

I repeat: There are a whole lot more players than there used to be. Look at all the chain stores (Mars, Guitar Center) and the catalog vendors. More people are buying instruments and learning to play than ever before. Getting gigs here in Austin is harder than ever for bands starting out, as well as the veterans. The Lyle Lovetts and Jimmie Vaughans will always work but that is a very small per centage of the rest of us.

I know it sounds simplistic but don't despair. Just keep playing and practicing. We've found appreciative audiences among the senior citizen crowd--now there's a demographic that's growing. And they love the old stuff. (Just keep a lid on the volume.) Speaking of volume, I gotta sign off. (Sorry bout the ramble.)