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 Are You A Giging Musician?
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| Author | Topic: Are You A Giging Musician? |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 09 July 2002 01:42 PM
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Hi, my names Bobby and obviously I am new here. In an effort to get to know all of you and to determine how I can best contribute to this community I will be posing a few questions to the group over the next few days. First off: How many of the players here are currently working musicians? If you're working in the Southern California region where and when can I see you play? Thanks, ------------------ [This message was edited by Bobby Bensley on 09 July 2002 at 01:44 PM.] |
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Tony Prior Member From: Charlotte NC |
posted 09 July 2002 03:13 PM
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Hey Bobby, welcome aboard. I am a working musician but not as much as many of the other real fine players who hang out here. I gig on a Carter D10 and my 52 RI Telecaster, I have been playing for 35 or 40 years but only started gigging again maybe 4 or 5 months ago from a self imposed layoff. Have a good time TP |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 09 July 2002 03:20 PM
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Hi Tony, it is a pleasure to meet you. Being a singer songwriter myself I don't know all the model numbers and lingo for the steel. To me a D-10 is a Martin and of course well a Tele is a Tele I love the sound and versatility of the Steel though and played around with a borrowed one a little last fall before leaving Colorado. I look forward to learning more and just may have to start watching EBAY for a entry level guitar to continue trying to expand my playing knowledge on. Peace, ------------------ |
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Stephen Gambrell Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA |
posted 09 July 2002 03:29 PM
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Hey Bobby, welcome to the world of loons! I'm new to steel, after nearly 40 years of guitar and Dobro, and play gigs whenever called. I've yet to play a steel gig, that's a few years up the road! But enjoy, there's a lot of good information, and a lot of good folks(like Tony Prior)on here. |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 09 July 2002 03:36 PM
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Thanks Stephen, I am really loking forward to the coming education and hope to find away to give to the community while I am at it. Peace, ------------------ |
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Cairo Zoots Member From: Moville, Iowa ,next to the west fork of the Little Sioux River |
posted 09 July 2002 03:57 PM
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Hi Bobby and welcome to The SGF! From what I heard on the "Java Music" site, your music is going to really benefit from the addition of Pedal Steel Guitar, especially ur "Highway" song. That song just begs for a pedal steel. Anyway, U have a nice vocal quality, and a great feel for "The Song". Good luck in ur endeavors! ------------------ |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 09 July 2002 04:05 PM
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Hi Cairo, it is a pleasure to meet you and thanks for taking the time to give my personal stuff a listen. Anyone who would like to do some Internet collaboration I am open to it. I am hoping to do a little recording with my dad Don Deal later this year. Donny Buzzard used to be the pedal player in one of his bands. He is in Branson now so maybe he can pull in a local studio player to add some Steel to some of the stuff. I am also working at covering some of his old stuff from the 50's. Just waiting on the albums to arrive in the mail. Peace, ------------------ [This message was edited by Bobby Bensley on 09 July 2002 at 04:06 PM.] |
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Marc Friedland Member From: Vallejo, CA |
posted 09 July 2002 09:16 PM
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Bobby, Check out the N. CA Steel Jam listed in Events & Anouncements. It's about a 5 hour ride for you if you go up the 5 at a quick speed. It would be a way for you to meet about 15 fellow steelers and get a chance to hear them play and to talk to them in a casual setting. -- Marc |
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Jody Sanders Member From: Magnolia,Texas |
posted 09 July 2002 09:54 PM
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Hi Bobby, I'm a working musician. Have been playing steel guitar for more years than I care to remember, But I LOVE IT!!!!!!!. Thanks for joining and supporting the steel guitar . Jody. |
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Jeff Watson Member From: Henderson, NV. USA |
posted 09 July 2002 10:21 PM
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Hey Bobby, check out the thread over in the Events and Announcements section titled "PSG in So Calif" |
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Tony Orth Member From: Evansville, Indiana, USA |
posted 10 July 2002 09:12 AM
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Welocome Bobby! I'm a gigging musician and have played various forms of music over the past 35 years. Look forward to hearing more from you. Tony Orth |
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Douglas Hudson Member From: Pittsburg, Kansas, USA |
posted 10 July 2002 11:51 AM
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Welcome to the forum. I am also a new member although I have been playing steel guitar for some time, I have never been able to really have time to learn, until the last year. I am currently working with a group called Lightning Creek Band. We are Opening act on Friday July the 19th at the route 66 music festival in Joplin Mo. www.lightningcreekband.com www.route66musicfestival.com |
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Corky Owens Member From: North Richland Hills, Texas, USA |
posted 10 July 2002 01:47 PM
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Hey Bobby. I have been on and off the road since 1976 when I started playing with Joe Stampley. I' m currently on the road with Gene Watson and don't plan on retiring any time soon. Thanks for supporting the steel. Corky ------------------ |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 10 July 2002 01:55 PM
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Hey guys thanks for stopping in and replying here. It is great to see such a vibarant and responsive community here. In fact you all are getting me so charged about the Steel I started browsing Ebay last night looking at Lap Steels to learn on. ------------------ |
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Steve Stallings Member From: Bremond, Tx, pop 876, Home of the fighting Bremond Tigers |
posted 11 July 2002 07:30 AM
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Well.. a lap steel to learn on? Noooooooo! just joking... it's better than nothing  I'm a gigging musician in the central Texas area. Mostly weekends because I've got a good day job.
------------------ |
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Bob Farlow Member From: Marietta,GA, |
posted 11 July 2002 07:37 AM
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Welcome Bobby, someone here on the forum was asking about Don Deal about a month or so ago, but I don't remember who it was. |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 11 July 2002 08:44 AM
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Steve I would love to get a Pedal to learn on but after pricing them they seem a bit out of my budget for the time being. So I guess I will have to settle for a Lap to start with and work my way up. Bob, they would have been asking about him for me. I had emailed about 30 members of the forum asking if anyone knew him. It was my initial introduction to this forum. ------------------ |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 11 July 2002 08:58 AM
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Doug, I just went to the Lightning Creek site hoping I would find some music to listen to there  Your bio surprised me with the Marshall Tucker influence. They are one of mine as well. ------------------ [This message was edited by Bobby Bensley on 11 July 2002 at 09:17 AM.] |
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CrowBear Schmitt Member From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France |
posted 11 July 2002 08:58 AM
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Yeah Bobby ! start w: a Lap Steel it'll get you goin' all right. try an 8 stringer for those 2 x-tras. (while in the Musik Store, don't neglect gettin' behind a PSG, if there is one) i'm sure many started w: Laps. i did + i still play it i get to gig on certain weekends, w: Friends or Alone Having read your other Post, looks like the Forum won a Blessing. that's rare. Welcome and Enjoy it here  Steelin'France [This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 11 July 2002 at 09:04 AM.] |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 11 July 2002 09:14 AM
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Thanks CrowBear, I played around a little with a borrowed Lap before I left Colorado. It was an interesting little instrument with 7 strings. I don't remember who made it but know that 7th string really seemed unique. I saw lots on Ebay with 6,8,10 strings but none with 7 ------------------ |
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Perry Hansen Member From: Bismarck, N.D. |
posted 11 July 2002 01:31 PM
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I work most weekends. Beem working clubs like the Moose, Eagles, VFW. we work all over North Dakota. These people in this country love the GOOD REAL country. Plus, old time waltzes and polkas. The Bass and main singer is Randy Karr. Has a Ray price type voice. I play steel and sing sometimes. I have a dieing calf in a hailstorm kind of voice. But I love to sing. The money's good and the people love us. What more could you ask for. Perry |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 11 July 2002 02:10 PM
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quote: Is it not ironic that the artist away from the major population centers aka the major markets can not only find regional fame and recognition for excellence in his craft but can also make a living practicing it? While artists in the major music markets like, LA, Austin and New York are lucky to cover expenses and in actuality often end up loosing money to play a gig. I find it sad really but know the scenario well. As a working singer songwriter in Colorado I was able to play 4-5 nights a week and make livable money. Keep my bills paid and have something left over at the end of the week. Here in LA I consider myself lucky if I can earn $30.00 plus tips and CD sales in the occasional Coffeehouse. In LA many of the major clubs on the strip now won't even allow the acts to peddle their CDs from the stage. ------------------ |
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Larry Gerdeman Member From: Louisiana, Missouri, USA |
posted 11 July 2002 08:34 PM
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Hey Bobby; I'm a gigging musician. I play alot of local shows and also do some road work. I've been a member of the forum for a short while and have never posted so this is my first time. Welcome to the forum. ------------------ |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 11 July 2002 08:42 PM
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Hey thanks and welcome back at you there Larry ------------------ |
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Rich Currier Member From: Woodland Park, CO USA |
posted 12 July 2002 07:27 AM
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Bobby, I used to live near you. In the 60's & 70's, I was in Anaheim & Fullerton, 80's & half of the 90's in the Riverside area. Now I'm up the Ute pass west of Colorado Springs. We must have crossed paths on our way to each others state. I play my Sho~Bud every week at the local haunts along with the Tele. Not much money in it, but I have a day job that pays the bills. There is nothing like having a regular gig. You can't help but improve and stretch your skills. Somebody once said (probably on this forum) 'The only way you're going to get out there and play the steel is to get out there and play the steel'. I have taken it to heart and it is true. I'm much more comfortable on stage now than when I was just woodshedding in the basement. I'm finding here that there is a definite shortage of steel players and folks can't seem to get enough of it. I also had a nice chat last week with the guy who got me into steel playing, Rusty Young. Been my inspiration for over 25 years. Hang in there... Rich |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 12 July 2002 07:41 PM
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Wow Rich it looks like we have been criss crossing paths all my life. In the 60's I was in the Riverside area, the 70's saw me further inland in Yucaipa, The 80 I split between Colorado, Victorville and back to Colorado. 90's - 2001 Was Ft. Collins Co. and now in Brea. |
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Perry Hansen Member From: Bismarck, N.D. |
posted 13 July 2002 03:36 PM
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Bobby, I agree with you about the big music areas. I played in the San Diego area in the late 50s for 12.00 a night. In fact my band opened up the Westerner in National City. Now here in North Dakota I make a little more. We played an Old fashion Barn dance at a ranch near Turtle Lake last night for 100.00 a man. We won't work for less the 80.00. Course we only work one or two nights a week, but that's all I need. Perry |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 15 July 2002 12:33 AM
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Yes it is a shame, inm many markets in the country a band can't make a living. Especially if they want to play original music. In LA the young guys who are playing their own music and trying to break into the industry are often times actually shelling out several hundered dollars from their own pockets to play in a Sunset Strip Club like the Whiskey or the Roxy. They pay for the off cance that an A&R guy might be in the room and hear them. They pay these clubs which then charge $8 - $15.00 at the door and $5.50 cents for a plastic cup of beer. The club makes money on the door and the bar, A Friday night may see 400 or more paid at the door. Then if that is not enough the clubs video tape the shows and sell the tape back to the band for another hundred bucks. So the band pays to play get no pay in return and the club makes bank. It is really all quite sic and wrong. On the other side of the coin I can go to Ft. Collins Colorado and pull down $200.00 a night to host an open stage or do a solo acustic show. Go figure. ------------------ |
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Bob Hoffnar Member From: Brooklyn, NY |
posted 15 July 2002 07:20 AM
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I'm getting by gigging with my pedalsteel. The only country type gig I've had in the last half year or so has been with an NYC performance artist named Samoa. Before that I had a weekend linedance coverband gig playing for the crowd that's doing its best to prove Darwin wrong This summer has been a rough one with touring and recording budgets getting hammered around here. I've been keeping busy learning how to play standards (and sub-standards)on the C neck at bars. It always seems to pay off in a big way if I spend my down time gaining a new skill. Bob |
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Bobby Bensley Member From: Orange County, California, USA |
posted 17 July 2002 09:36 AM
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Bob, it is good to know you are still finding work even if it is getting tougher. Hopefully things will turn around and get easier soon. BTW I new a Bob Hoffner in Ft. Collins Colorado who was a pretty fair Cribbage player. ------------------ |
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