|
 The Steel Guitar Forum
 Steel Players
 Your first performance in front of royalty
|
| next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Your first performance in front of royalty |
|
Jon Light Member From: Brooklyn, NY |
posted 13 August 2002 03:06 PM
profile
I touched on this in the Buddy Cage thread and realized that I bet there's some good stories here-- I was playing my second gig with a rock band (that has since dumped me...and the bassist and the drummer and the guitarist...total insanity). A fellow who I had been talking and emailing steel stuff with showed up and brought his teacher--Buddy Cage. Blew my mind, blew my composure, blew the gig (by my own standards--not a disaster according to the band). I just couldn't shake from my mind the awareness that Buddy was there, scoping me out. He was perfectly gracious although, when I wondered out loud after the set how the sound mix was in the house Buddy's comment was "the level of the steel was perfectly appropriate". I'm still trying to sort that one out.  Anyway--any good stories out there of the first time you played with a player in the house who could make you look down at your feet and say "yes, sir"? [This message was edited by Jon Light on 13 August 2002 at 03:09 PM.] |
|
Jerry Roller Member From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA |
posted 13 August 2002 03:41 PM
profile
Yep, Speedy West every time I play the Tulsa show. He is so gracious, he has come up and removed my bar from my hand while the fiddle was taking a solo. He always has a nice compliment about the set. It made chills run up my back a few months ago when I was just starting to do my set after 8 year old Austin Stewart had just played with his Grandpa, Jerry Newberry (Newberry got a standing ovation)! Anyway, Speedy walked up to Austin and I got to introduce Speedy to Austin and I thought what a great moment, a legend like Speedy meeting who might someday be a top gun with the start Austin has. I asked Austin do you know who this guy is and he said "no". I told him someday he will know. Jerry |
|
Bill Terry Member From: Bastrop, TX, USA |
posted 13 August 2002 03:56 PM
profile
Steve Palousek came out to a gig at the Cotton Club in Granger, TX a while back. I saw him come in before we started and warned him to leave while there was still time, but he hung around anyway. I pretty much crashed and burned for two sets while he tried to keep his catfish dinner down (all you can eat on Fridays, heck of a deal), then he sat in for the last 3 or 4 tunes and dished out a pretty large dose of humility. Played my guitar like he owned it.. Super nice guy though, didn't ask me to show him any of my licks or anything.. ------------------ |
|
Earl Erb Member From: Old Hickory Tenn |
posted 13 August 2002 04:08 PM
profile
Heck, I thought you were talking about the Queen of England or something!  1969: 30 day tour "Nashville Stars In Europe" for RCA Records.Worked with Chet and played with Albert Lee who was in the back up band from Liverpoole called Country Fever. 1972: "The Tonight Show" while employed with Roger Miller sitting in the pit with Doc Severencen and Orchestra. 1974: Jammed with Jimmy Bryant one night at the "Wheel" on lower broad. 1968 to present: Anytime I'm around Leon Rhodes or Gregg Galbraith. |
|
Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 13 August 2002 05:15 PM
profile
About the only "name" player that ever sat and watched me was the guy who just passed away...Don West. He did come up and tell me "Nice job" after I finished a set at the old "Diamond Jims's" club in Bowie, Md.. I had heard Don play several times, and I appreciated his kind words. Deep down, though...I knew it was sorta like Beetle Bailey getting a compliment from Arnold Schwartzkopf. |
|
Ernie Renn Member From: Brainerd, Minnesota USA |
posted 14 August 2002 05:33 AM
profile
When I was with Steve Hall he booked a session in Nashville in late '81 to record his tune and for me to record an instrumental on the flip side to sell at our gigs. I had put together this swingy thing for the Seagrams Battle of the Bands in '81. I called it Seagram's Seventh's. For our own release he wanted it called Dirty Ernie Rag. It was his session time, so okay. I got there and also on the session was Sid Hudson on guitar, Ainsley Fleetwood on piano, Henry Strzlecki on bass, (I don't remember the drummer,) and Buddy Emmons on steel guitar. Buddy played harmony to my lead line and during the solo sections he pulled off a great solo. Mine was, shall we say, second rate. I always wanted to go back in and re-record my part without The Big E setting three feet away, but, alas, it never happened. Maybe someday... ------------------ |
|
Lem Smith Member From: Fulton, MS. U.S.A. |
posted 14 August 2002 05:14 PM
profile
Interesting thread. Thanks to the late Jim Roby, I had the chance to play steel in the presence of John Hughey, Little Roy Wiggins, and Robby Turner. The time with Mr. Hughey and Mr. Wiggins was especially memorable, because we were all sitting in a half circle arrangement, and my time to play came right after John Hughey, then Little Roy. If you think taking the lead line right after that won't strike fear in your heart, think again!!! Equally intimidating was playing the jam with Robby Turner, but at least then I thankfully didn't have to immediately take the lead after Robby! He too was extremely gracious, often being the one to start applause when us locals were playing and he was taking a break from playing and was visiting out in the audience. Both were very special times, and I'm so happy to have them on video to re-live from time to time. Lem [This message was edited by Lem Smith on 14 August 2002 at 05:15 PM.] |
|
Boo Bernstein Member From: Los Angeles, CA |
posted 14 August 2002 06:00 PM
profile
I was doing a gig with Jana Jae from the "Hee Haw" show in Oklahoma. Leon McAuliff showed up. I offered to let him play my steel but he said he never got used to pedals. I ended up playing steel on "San Antonio Rose" while he sang. I felt this was a great injustice (but lots of fun!) He was a true gentleman. Boo |
|
Bob Hoffnar Member From: Brooklyn, NY |
posted 14 August 2002 10:14 PM
profile
About 10 years ago I was playing with one of those crappy alt country bands and we hit Nashville. I was freaking embarassed and so nervous I could barely play. Geez, I could barely play anyway. I used to absolutely hate it when any steel players were around. I played a set of my own music at the PSGA show last year and it was fun. Its weird but once I started playing I really didn't care what anybody thought. I figured everybody would just think I was nuts and then be polite. Which was pretty much how it went. At one point I was playing this sonic sculpture based on difference tones which is pretty out even by my standards and I looked over to see John Hughey tuning up with headphones on stage next to me. John is a god of steel guitar as far as I'm concerned. I hoped that I wasn't annoying him too much. At this point I like it when I see my hero's in the audience. Bob Jon, I've got a great Jack Cassidy story but its gonna cost you a beer ! |
|
Jerry Hayes Member From: Virginia Beach, Va. |
posted 15 August 2002 04:39 AM
profile
I just played a set at the Southern Steel Guitar Convention in Saluda, South Carolina. Tommy Dodd, Herby Wallace, & Hal Rugg were the headliners. Man, just try pickin' with players like that in the house. Of course, I blew it and sounded like a total amateur. John Floyd gave me a tape of my performance yesterday and I can see a lot of woodshedding in my future as well as a new guitar. I was sloppy, out of tune, and had a terrible tone. Aside from that it was a great perfomance. But it was an experience and I hope to do it again. The next time I'll be prepared. I haven't practiced on the steel in years and it really showed. ------------------ [This message was edited by Jerry Hayes on 15 August 2002 at 04:40 AM.] |
|
John Lacey Member From: Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada |
posted 15 August 2002 02:47 PM
profile
In '83 I got to play the main stage in St. Louis on the last slot of the nite. I started drinking a few Bud's to calm my nerves and by the time I got to the tune-up room my nerves were calmed all right, I was pissed! To add to it, Waylon Jennings was in the tune-up room too and then I got on stage. I asked the band to do "Someday Soon" by Ian Tyson, and hardly anybody knew it. I went ahead and the bass player just thumped the strings. Tommy, the fiddle player, stuck on his octaver and played bass lines and saved my butt. I looked out and half the house was gone. I don't know if my mentors had gone to bed too, or not. I went to a party at Crawford's room after and saw them there anyway. At least I didn't have to play. |
|
Bobby Lee Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA |
posted 16 August 2002 09:50 AM
profile
Some of you may have been there about 5 years ago when Scotty gave a seminar in Sacramento. There was a jam afterwards, and I was invited to play through a new Webb fiddle amp. Playing in front of most of those guys didn't bother me, but Bobby Black was there. Bobby's always been one of my heroes. Anyway, I pretty much fell apart with nervousness. I had recently stopped drinking, and wasn't real used to the sober life yet, let alone sober picking in front of musicians. Bobby was gratious afterwards, complementing me on the tone I coaxed out of the Webb, but all in all it was one of my most embarassing moments. ------------------ |
|
jim milewski Member From: stowe, vermont |
posted 16 August 2002 09:57 AM
profile
I'm confused, when did the queen start playing steel? |
|
Michael Johnstone Member From: Sylmar,Ca. USA |
posted 16 August 2002 10:30 AM
profile
I've known Albert Lee for years and have gigged and recorded w/him numbers of times.He is a fine cat and like most brilliant players is a rather humble gentleman.He has always been very complimentary regarding my abilities on steel even though he plays constantly with Buddy Emmons and other world class players.Well one time I was playing six-string guitar w/"King Cotton" which was a nine piece R&B revue that did a lot of old-school Doo-Wop,Reggae,Jump Swing,"Blues that passes for Jazz",etc.One night we were playing down at the Marina Del Rey Yacht Club and right before downbeat,I noticed Albert and his wife standing at the bar.I told him I was playing in the band that night and he should check it out if he liked classic R&B.He said hey man are you playing steel in an R&B band? I told him no - I was playing six-string tonight.He said I didn't know you played guitar - This I've gotta see.So he proceeded to pull up a chair right square in front of me - propped his feet up on my monitor and watched me choke for two sets. -MJ- |
|
Rich Weiss Member From: Woodland Hills, CA, USA |
posted 16 August 2002 01:49 PM
profile
You probably didn't choke, or he would have left after the first set... or even before. |
|
Jeff Lampert Member From: queens, new york city |
posted 17 August 2002 07:43 AM
profile
. [This message was edited by Jeff Lampert on 17 August 2002 at 07:47 AM.] |
However, both were extremely nice and complimentary. Two of the nicest gentlemen I've EVER met!
Bobby Lee - email: All times are Pacific (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
 |
|
Contact Us | The Pedal Steel Pages
Note: Messages not explicitly copyrighted are in the Public Domain.
Powered by Infopop www.infopop.com © 2000
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46