A Farewell To Steel

Colin Keyworth · Post by **Colin Keyworth** » 14 May 2003 5:58 am

Paul,i am only 27 but i have been on stage since the age of 13.Many times i've thought about packing it but many times i've changed my mind.I own a steel guitar but havn't devoted as much time to it as i should but i am determined one day i will get there.I don't know why you have sold your gear but i do know steelies have a love for there instrument like no other a friend who has been pro for over thirty years & often says he has no interest in steel still sits & practices.So don't give up yet,one day the love will return-All the best

------------------
Sho-Bud LDGsp,levinson Blade,Peavey session 400 Limited,Boss GT-3

Paul Osbty · Post by **Paul Osbty** » 14 May 2003 11:18 am

I guess I'm missing the whole point here. Why the melodramatic exodus? What is it about any instrument that makes it impossible to keep playing? I can understand the loss of mobilities, but other than that I don't understand.

I own 9 instruments. If I didn't use them (I do) they would sit in a case. No harm done. If I sold them all I would get maybe $5000. How many of us have spent $15000 on a silly car (that's unuseable after 10 years)? My best investment was a $350 new 1976 Fender bass. I've spent double that on the strings over the years!

So, I don't get it. He'p me somebody!

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 14 May 2003 11:48 am

Paul, i can only respect your decision to let it go.
i'm hope you're Love for Musik will always be present in your Life and Heart.
Good Luck and God Bless Ya'

------------------
Steel what?

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 14 May 2003 2:54 pm

Paul
Re your question rgarding Paul's decision,I
can only add, to know Paul is to love him.

We who know and understand Paul Graupp feel
strong for his decision as long as he is happy,we are happy for him. I hope this answers your question.

Thank You for your concern.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 20 May 2003 12:05 pm

Paul, I salute you. There is, indeed, "a time for holding on, and a time for letting go". The abilities fade from all of us, eventually, but the spirit, the good times, and the memories last through 'til the end. While others may lament your loss (at not playing any more), I can not help but think that most of the loss will be ours.

I wish you health and happiness, and request that you stay here on the Forum as long as the Spirit allows.

Donny

Wayne Cox · Post by **Wayne Cox** » 20 May 2003 12:54 pm

PAUL, I do not know what you are going through,but I can tell you what happened to me,in hopes that it will help you. I am now 55 years young. That makes me older than some Forumites and younger than others. Some years ago,when I was still in the younger group, I came down with a rare & acute form of arthritis which progressed rapidly and halted my music career. The arthritis got so bad I couldn't get from the bed to the bathroom unassisted. This would have been enough but then my wife (now ex-wife) decided she didn't want to be married to a cripple, so she left me. I started selling off all of my music gear,but my sweet Mother said "Son,I know things look bad right now but you don't know what the Lord has in store for you in the future. Don't sell all of your equipment." I decided to keep the basics;one steel,one amp,chords,vol pedal,& echo. Thanks to the prayers of a lot of good people I can play again. Life is not perfect; I only have about 50% of the speed I once had,and I have other health problems now. But,I am enjoying music more than ever,
and I have a much sweeter wife than the last one. Point is:Whatever life hands you,keep the faith that God can turn it around and make life more beautiful for you than it was before. One last thing;look up above this post to the one posted by LARRY MILLER. Some really eloquent writer wrote some very inspiring and appropriate words there. It's not irony, its inspiration. May God bless you,Paul,and please stay with us on the Forum.
~~W.C.~~<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Wayne Cox on 20 May 2003 at 02:02 PM.]</p></FONT>

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 20 May 2003 1:17 pm

Donny and Wayne: Many; many thanks for these kind words and yes, I intend to stay on the Forum. Those words quoted by Larry have come back to haunt me in a manner of speaking. I know I wrote them but I cannot recall doing it. Life has some funny turns and twists for all of us but I am most thankful for all the genuine friends I have here.

I saw a post in No Peddlers with a picture of a little girl and a big steel guitar. When the time is right, I may go back to the beginning and start over. I think I'd be in good company, don't you ??

Regards, Paul

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 20 May 2003 2:59 pm

Paul, I kind of like playing at my "advanced" age.

When I play bad these days, most people forgive my mistakes and whisper to each other, "Surely he didn't always play this bad....he probably played better when he was young"!

Gene
www.genejones.com