Would you support a steel guitar/player magazine?

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 14 Nov 2002 7:12 am

Yes, I certainly would be interested. But, like so many have advised, just take it easy at first. I think where the last guy got in trouble was with that full color issue. I'm sure that cost him a bundle! Remember the old KISS theory, Keep It Simple! You have to learn to crawl before you can walk and run.
I subscribe to several steel guitar associations already but would gladly subscribe to a magazine again.
Erv

Danny Bentley · Post by **Danny Bentley** » 14 Nov 2002 7:15 am

Sign me up!

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 14 Nov 2002 7:19 am

FOR SURE!!!

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Steelin' Video * * * <a href=http://home.hvc.rr.com/jsganz/Steelin'.mpg> Clip-1</a>* * * *<a href=http://home.hvc.rr.com/jsganz/Wraparound.mpg> Clip-2</a>

[This message was edited by Jay Ganz on 14 November 2002 at 07:20 AM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 14 Nov 2002 7:21 am

T,
I agree with most that many steel players can't get enough steel talk. However, folks like Tom Bradshaw (and others) have had successful publications but none have lasted long. Furthermore, the PSGA and some of the other clubs and associations have their own newsletters and that might cut into potential subscribers.

Have you thought of an E-Zine? (don't I recall that your wife does stuff like that?)

NO POSTAGE
NO PRINTING
NO DISTRIBUTION

You have the subscriber enter a password and they can look at the current issue, archived issues, and other goodies. Worth a thought.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 14 Nov 2002 7:40 am

count me in, if it wasn't for fessy I'd be in the dark on most things, I'd join and subscribe in a hearbeat

Wayne Brown · Post by **Wayne Brown** » 14 Nov 2002 8:28 am

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 14 Nov 2002 8:51 am

If it were to be a viable, long-term publication...then, yes.

However, in order to be successful, you would have to advertise nationally! This would mean big-market radio (or possibly TV) ads to inform all of those who aren't online. Remember, probably 2/3 of your market can't be reached by computer, and those are the ones who would be most interested in a printed publication, since they have no other source of information on the rest of the steel scene.

My advice is not to even think about this...unless you have access to "front money" of about $50,000. If you're going to be successful...you gotta start out right! (Check and see what a 15 second spot on the Opry TV show would cost. That would be a good, but maybe discouraging, start.)

Advertising is the key to startout success in most businesses.[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 14 November 2002 at 08:52 AM.]

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 14 Nov 2002 9:01 am

I'm in!

JC

John Gretzinger · Post by **John Gretzinger** » 14 Nov 2002 9:04 am

I subscribed to SGW and did not receive all my subscription as the publisher went out of business - but I would subscribe again.

As much as I love the instant access of the Internet and the Forum, it's rough to take the computer with me for reading at the doctor's office or when I know I'm going to have some down time (not to mention reading in the bathroom).

Count me in.

jdg

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MSA D-10 w/Nashville 400
'63 Gibson Hummingbird
16/15c Hammered Dulcimer

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 14 Nov 2002 9:11 am

I really doubt whether the advertising base can support such an effort, since most companies involved in this business have a marketing budget so small that getting a booth at a couple of steel shows pretty much covers it. And the potential readership is so small that you would need to charge a whole lot of money to expect to make any sort of income. I think it might make sense to start an ezine and see what the response is to such an effort. You would need to have some sort of internet presence anyway, because you won't be able to get distribution in the normal channels (retail) so most of the distribution would need to be direct, with internet marketing making the most sense. Here's what I would expect to see in a steel ezine:

Online lessons, similar to the tab+clip that Guitar Player has available (for an extra charge).

Featured clips of live steel players (I bet there are some killer players out there who we would love to hear).

Interviews with a wide variety of players, with detailed discussions of gear (we steel players are all gear heads, after all).

Articles about historical players, with clips of rare solos.

Probably not product reviews, because there are way too few manufactures who are potential advertisers, so any review will likely be a love fest. That kind of review doesn't do anybody any good, and takes away credibility from the magazine.

In answer to your question, if there were to be a print magazine release, I would subscribe, if it didn't suck too bad. I'm not talking about fancy graphics or layout, I'm talking about decent writing and editing.

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www.tyack.com

Joe Delaronde · Post by **Joe Delaronde** » 14 Nov 2002 9:30 am

I'm in and I know of 4 other steelers you could count on. I just talked to them & they ageed to support you.

They also like the idea of an E-Zine.
So this is a 5 voter thread.
Joe

Terry Wendt · Post by **Terry Wendt** » 14 Nov 2002 9:35 am

53 YES's 6 NO's and 3 dimpled chad's

I appreciate the very good ideas and suggestions too! I actually believe the internet should go hand-in-hand with printed copy. [my opinion]

... anyone else?

[This message was edited by Terry Wendt on 14 November 2002 at 09:36 AM.]

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 14 Nov 2002 9:53 am

I admire your energy.
I would support, with subscription money, a web based magazine. Quarterly.

This forum is my main source of info.

This SGF and a great teacher are all I need.

Ron

Joe A. Camacho · Post by **Joe A. Camacho** » 14 Nov 2002 9:55 am

Hey Terry,
You KNOW I'd be all over that!!! Also I'd love to contribute where I could with design and layout. give me a call you've got my number.

Terry Wendt · Post by **Terry Wendt** » 14 Nov 2002 10:06 am

Okay... counting off-forum emails...

the newest total is:

58 YES
6 No
3 dimpled
2 Contributors
1 Writer

It's lookin' like it might have a prayer

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 14 Nov 2002 11:24 am

Count me in. I always love being #59... Best of Luck, Terry, and if your publication is as colorful, interesting and informative as your book, you'll surely have a hit with the steel community.

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Busy in the Studio, busy on the road- but still lookin' for that Killer gig! C'mon by and visit-http://www.markvanallen.com

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 14 Nov 2002 11:29 am

I would gladly supprt such an endeaver, but as has been pointed out by others. Both Tom bradshaw and Russ Rask tried and failed. In Russ's case, he went bankrupt and lost his home.

Russ operated in the red throughout the entire life of the magazine. He needed 3,000 subscribers to make the magazine profitable. The most he ever got was 2,700, and that was before the forum. Once the forum got started he lost about 400 subscribers.

Additionally, certain advertizers (I won't mention any names) failed to pay for their ads.

Terry, I'd think about this very carefully if I were you.

Allan Thompson · Post by **Allan Thompson** » 14 Nov 2002 11:34 am

Five of us from Scotland say yes. We would all buy one.

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 14 Nov 2002 11:36 am

Indeed, that is a yes.

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom; Sho-Bud LLG

Dan Dowd · Post by **Dan Dowd** » 14 Nov 2002 1:51 pm

Count me in Terry

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 14 Nov 2002 3:57 pm

Yessir, I'll buy it!

Kenny Foy · Post by **Kenny Foy** » 14 Nov 2002 4:37 pm

Yes Count me in but reread Mike Perlowin, Donny Hinson, Joey Ace and Tiny Olson.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 14 Nov 2002 6:00 pm

Even with a dying computer, my answer is yes !!

Regards, Paul

Billy Peddycoart · Post by **Billy Peddycoart** » 14 Nov 2002 6:11 pm

Yep! I would love to see that.thanks Billy

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David Farlow · Post by **David Farlow** » 14 Nov 2002 7:44 pm

Terry, had this been a few years ago my answer would be a definite yes, but times have changed so much. I would hate to see someone with good intentions go out on a limb and then suffer for it, mostly financially. As many have already stated, please do your home-work and research this throughly, as I believe you are starting to do by asking the Forum members. Best to ya.

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