Steel guitarists are individuals........

[Ray Montee (RIP)]

If it wasn't for the pioneer spirit, that burning desire to create great musical sounds, and the dogged determination to succeed inspite of all temporary obstacles, there would likely be no steel guitar music anywhere!

But....for anyone who has sat in an audience and observed musicians in action, it can become quite entertaining. Fiddlers pitch forward and lean way backward while bowing their instruments, lead guitarists swivel their hips, jerk the neck of their guitars up and/or down, bass players will stand there with a vacant look in their eyes while drummers often work up a fevered pitch sweating and jerking their head back and forth, etc.

But have you notice steel players? Some play the pedals barefoot, others litterally kick their pedals with the same violence of a field goal kicker, some have completely distorted their pedal rods from sheer abuse,
but have you ever noticed the facial distortions that are so often prevelant?
You can see puckered mouths, distorted mustaches, crossed eyes, wah-wah mouth movements along with their playing, stressed looks of exasperation and some expressions of pain and suffering one might heretofore have only related to a severe gall bladder attack and/or child birth.

These antics are seldom seen among those playing the Oboe, Glocanschpeeeel, triangle, tamborene and/or harp.

Have you witnessed any unique contortions lately? Why not share them with us.

[Donny Hinson]

Yeah, I've witnessed those contortions by some pretty famous players...better keep 'em to myself, though. (Pro steelplayers are soooo tempermental!)

Along the same lines, most all steelplayers stare at the instrument they're playing with a fervor that is only surpassed by concert pianists.

[Bill Crook]

It's just another way of puttin' feeling into your playing.

[Jerry Hayes R.I.P.]

I don't remember his name but, the guy who used to play with Mel McDaniel when he was still having hits was fun to watch. He played good and he put a lot of body movement into his playing. He'd lean back, forward, sideways, stomp his feet, and all kinds of facial movements when he played. Does anyone know who I'm talking about? I wonder where he's playing now. Most steel players are actually overweight and boring to watch (myself included). Have a good 'un.

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney tuning.

[Joerg Hennig]

Overweight? Well certainly not me, but then I´ve always been kinda different...

[Jimmy Dale]

I for one LOVE to Hear and Watch Stu Basore play. Jimmy Dale I'D RATHER BE STEELIN'

[Bob Carlson]

When I first started watching Hal Rugg on the Opry (TNN), I thought he watched his steel to close. But that was before I started playing steel. Now I know that for some of us lesser people to make sure we land right on the fret we have to do that.

Bob.

[Randy Beavers]

Jerry, if it was the first part of Mel's "Hit Parade", it probably was Watty Pass. He was also from Tulsa. The irony is, he is a great guitar player, rock to jazz, so he already had the "cool" moves down. Alot of players in Tulsa wondered why Watty would take up steel when he was that accomplished on guitar.

[Al Udeen]

Jerry! I think the guys first name is Eddie!