Why don't steel players smile? The list.

Jim Eller · Post by **Jim Eller** » 14 Nov 2002 10:33 am

I keep getting asked why I don't smile when I play and my standard answer is, "I'm too damn busy".

MY REAL QUESTION IS:

At one time, and I believe on this forum, there was a whole list of reasons why steel players don't smile when they are working. I think the list was pages long. There were some great and very humorous answers.

Does anyone know where I might find this list?

Thanks,
Jim

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 14 Nov 2002 11:13 am

Jim,
Ditto on your reply.

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©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre>

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 14 Nov 2002 11:23 am

I've been badgered by that question since I was a mere child. The answer I give is the result of much thought and it tends to bring an end to the ridiculous question. My answer: "HEMROIDS!"

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 14 Nov 2002 11:23 am

It's like the question...do you sing?
The answer is no for two reasons:

(1) I don't have time while playing!
(2) I have something more important to do!

Leon Roberts · Post by **Leon Roberts** » 14 Nov 2002 1:00 pm

My wife made the observation that Buddy Emmons smiled a lot while playing after watching the "Live and Bell Cove" video. I assured her that if I could play steel guitar as well as Buddy, she would notice a big smile on my face also. Buddy can capivate you with his tone and voicings and it's also a pleasure to watch him play.

Doyle Huff · Post by **Doyle Huff** » 14 Nov 2002 6:22 pm

I had a lady ask me one night why I didn't smile. My answer was"I'm using both hands, both feet and both knees and you want me to smile too". She called me Smiley always after that.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 14 Nov 2002 7:10 pm

If we did smile...would anybody really notice?

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 14 Nov 2002 8:21 pm

I think the level that we play has to do with the ability of smiling or not. Emmons smiles according to his ability. Chalker would smile sometimes. If we are exerting pain with our playing, smiles are scarce. If we play poorly and still smile, it's because we have no clue as to the misery we are causing, or we realize we're a sinking ship and might as well concede with a silly grin.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 14 Nov 2002 8:30 pm

What for?

(By the way, I think Joe Wright is coming out with video #29: The Smile. Followed by #30 on how to spin your head around in complete 360-degree circles while speedpicking without dropping a beat.)

Al Burk · Post by **Al Burk** » 14 Nov 2002 9:45 pm

I use to never smile or look up because I was so involved with my playing and trying not to make any mistakes. A good friend who played fiddle for Mel Tillis in Branson told me Mel would tell his whole band to smile before they hit the stage, including the steel player. Weather or not that is a true story, it made me smile and look up more. I think that the crowd does notice.

Al B[This message was edited by Al Burk on 14 November 2002 at 09:46 PM.]

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 15 Nov 2002 12:52 am

I'm smiling on the inside...

Ricky

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 15 Nov 2002 1:11 am

People who are concerned about whether the band is smiling or not are obviously not LISTENING!

Michael T. Hermsmeyer · Post by **Michael T. Hermsmeyer** » 15 Nov 2002 1:46 am

Every Time I Smile, I Screw Up!!! LOL.

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Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 15 Nov 2002 4:36 am

I smiled once....but it was a mistake!

www.genejones.com

Allan Thompson · Post by **Allan Thompson** » 15 Nov 2002 4:41 am

Michael, The secret is to smile after you`ve screwed up, that way nobody`s sure if you meant it or not!!!!

Bill Fall · Post by **Bill Fall** » 15 Nov 2002 5:25 am

Chet Atkins once answered the same question, saying: "D'ya want me to play? Or to smile?"

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 15 Nov 2002 6:04 am

Too frustrated waiting for the drummer to play the same song the rest of us are trying to play,and the Bass player to learn how to "walk" the Bass.

Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 15 Nov 2002 8:10 am

maybe if i grew a mustache ....like Smiley...
i'd come off a lot better.
even if i'm not happy w: my playing, or the Tele player's too...or the singer's too...
i try to look happy anyway !
any Grunting allowed ?
i can't play unless my wife's in the room
so i keep my eyes on her to keep me from lookin down at the fretboard.
it's a mess but she got me smilin'

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Steel what?

[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 15 November 2002 at 10:37 AM.]

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 15 Nov 2002 8:55 am

We learn independence of the limbs by systematic practice of individual skills, like pick blocking, bar control, etc. There's no reason we can't develop the independent technique of entertaining, ie smiling, looking at the crowd, etc. It's just another set of muscles.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 15 Nov 2002 9:10 am

It's just another set of muscles

Like I said, Joe Wright video #29.

(Anyway, I think smiling is overrated.)

David Spires · Post by **David Spires** » 15 Nov 2002 9:22 am

Hey, I smile when I play...

Actually a drummer I worked with this week noticed that, because most steel players don't.

I'll admit, I don't think much about that when I am playing at steel shows (of course the level of difficulty is higher), but for "normal" gigs - the audience expects to be entertained. It's part of the job. It took me a lot of years to realize that, but I have so many more people come up and tell me - "you looked like you were enjoying it".

Like was said above... It's just another technique to learn. Let's face it - would Joe Wright have the same level of popularity if he didn't engage the audience the way he does?

Still Smiling,

David Spires

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 15 Nov 2002 9:47 am

I only smile if she smiles first.

Tony

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 15 Nov 2002 9:54 am

Jim Eller-They should! I felt that was part of the job, to smile .

Steel players don't need to look at their fretboards all the time. Especially on the slow tunes.

It is a technique that can be developed. John Lacey has pointed that out.

Buddy Emmons can smile and look at the audience, while playing great stuff.

Jim-Our band used to play in your Northern Michigan area, and we enjoyed our music and showed it......al

[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 15 November 2002 at 10:01 AM.]

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 15 Nov 2002 10:35 am

How about some remedies instead? Typically, at least in the country field, steel players don´t play all the time but "lay out" frequently. You could utilize that time to:

Tell yourself one of your favorite jokes.
Try to single out the funniest looking guy in the audience.
Try to single out some beautiful lady in the audience you would like to get to know.
Think about how goofy the guitar player looks tonight.
Or just think, "After all, ain´t we supposed to be having FUN here???"

When you go to the bathroom during the break, look into the mirror and practice "The smile that won´t come off".

Good luck, Joe H.

Jack Klein · Post by **Jack Klein** » 15 Nov 2002 12:15 pm

Hi Al, I understand why Jim doesn't smile.
He's the #1 steeler in this area and takes this position very seriously.
I live 1 block from where you played at Twin Acres. maybe i'll see you at Houghton Lake at the Christmas party. Jack