You better go back and read ALL of my posts. I have nothing but respect for country players. Just because I don't think it's a requirements that everyone must play it to "qualify" for entrance into the secret club doesn't mean I don't respect the traditions. I'm not all that familiar with the players or tunes,but I don't diss them.

What I find offensive is the closed-minded attitude of many country players towards players of other styles. Not ALL country players, mind you.

Yes, I wish there were more non-country lesson materials. Yes, I wish there was more exposure of blues, rock and other stylists outside the mainstream.

I DO think that by not being aware of country's influence on steel RR has been able to take it other places without being pushed or cajoled into thinking he HAD to learn country to be competent, which is a patent falsehood. That lack of influenceIS a GREAT thing IMO, as he is completely independant of styles irrelevant to his own, allowing independent development, albeit within the "sacred steel" traditions.

Let me pose this - sacred steel has as long a tradition as country. should all country players be forced to learn from sacred steel books before they be allowed to branch off into country? Should they be forced to study the sacred steel masters of the past?

comments like:
"you have your opinion i guess"
"what a load of you know what"
"LET IT GO!"
"YOU better go back and read all MY posts"
"funny how the shoe doesnt fit the other foot"