Less And Less Steel on The Opry

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 11 May 2003 9:02 am

Guys/Gals, This stinks. Is the Opry trying to eliminate steel? Think Tommy did one set last night !

Carl West

George Wixon · Post by **George Wixon** » 11 May 2003 9:45 am

I caught the opry last night and most all Saturdays. I think that the televised portion is a hit or miss thing with what artist is featured and wether the songs they play will utilize the steel. I was supprised that Vince didn't do "Look at us" last night as I'm sure that would have included Tommy on steel. I haven't listened to the radio portion yet but am sure there is plenty of steel on that portion of the show. You have to remember that we only see 1 hour of the show and that the opry is much longer than 1 hour.
George

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 11 May 2003 9:46 am

The producers "formula for success" in Nashville turns off so many players. I even hear about it way over here in Washington State. I love it when an entertainer proves them wrong. It is so commercial there. That is why places like Austin and well maybe Branson have a music scene that seems to me so much more honest.

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 11 May 2003 9:49 am

There are so many incredable steel players in the Nashville area who you never get to hear. Probably who Herby Wallace left for one.

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 11 May 2003 9:50 am

S/B WHY

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 11 May 2003 9:02 pm

I won't mention names but last night I was amazed that the audience cheered loudly at some of that catterwalling. I almost think the seats are wired and the honchos give them a blast of electricity that makes them scream. Pretty sad, I must say.

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 12 May 2003 8:06 am

Gary,
I'm in total agreement with you. I realize we only get an hour as someone mentioned but you'd think the television portion would represent the best. Vince was great with or without steel, but I rather see steel. Such great players on the Opry yet none allowed to shine. someday i hope the players will get what they deserve. They sure got it coming IMHO !

Carl West

Steel tryin · Post by **Steel tryin** » 12 May 2003 11:09 am

Many of the NEW acts on the opry are "pop"
music. I'm to the point if an act has on a COWBOY hat I turn the channel. I know its not gonna be ERNEST TUB. At least I still tune in every Sat. I don't usually stay long. Country music as we know it is over.
I noticed Vince even left out the steel.

Dave Ristrim · Post by **Dave Ristrim** » 13 May 2003 5:13 am

I don't know, I played the Opry last Friday and there were 5 different steel players that I saw that night. There may have been more but I was only there from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Dave

Gino Iorfida · Post by **Gino Iorfida** » 13 May 2003 6:01 am

Dave, off topic, but great job on the Nashville Star series.

I personally think the amount of steel at the opry is directly related to WHO is playing. A lot of the new country is leaning more toward the pop end of the scale, and the steel is not featured as much. Then you have the bluegrass influenced stuff. No steel there either. -- If you could see a broadcast from 20 or 30 years ago, and you had a lot of bluegrass on the show, you may have seen a lot more dobro than steel then, but I think thats just luck of the draw. I remember a few weeks ago I tuned in and Andy Griggs was on. Granted, he's by far my favorite, and some of his stuff does tend to lean toward the pop side as well, but he did an old waylon song, and his steel player completely blew me away (who was that btw?)

Roger Snively · Post by **Roger Snively** » 13 May 2003 8:28 am

Guess Geo.Strait $ Alan Jackson hit the nail on the head with "Murder on Music Row". Kinda tells it like it is.

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David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 13 May 2003 9:14 am

I'm sure when George, Tammy, Pete Drake and Billy Sherill were in their prime recording hit after hit the old timers were complaining because they didn't sound like Roy Acuff and the Carter Family. Country music is well known for changing much more slowly than any other popular music genre. But even with country "Time Changes Everything." We are so lucky to be able to hear all the recorded music created in so many styles and genres over the past 70 years. I try to appreciate all of it, the old and the new.

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 13 May 2003 9:22 am

There may be steel in fewer songs on the Opry, but when you hear Tommy White take just one ride, you will hear more steel than most of us ever dream of playing. It's worth listening for hours to hear that one "great" break.

Keep up the good work Tommy.

Bill Ferguson

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 13 May 2003 10:31 am

Gino: Last I heard, fellow Minnesotan and great steeler Chad Udeen was playing with Andy Griggs.

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Marrs D-10, Webb 6-14E

Gino Iorfida · Post by **Gino Iorfida** » 13 May 2003 11:14 am

Thanks for that info! My question is, was that a shobud with a mullen fretboard, or a mullen with a ShoBud logo he was playing

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 13 May 2003 12:35 pm

How 'bout "The Grand Ol' Pop-ry"!

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Terry Edwards
Fessy D-10; Nash 1000
Martin D-21; Flatiron F-5

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 13 May 2003 1:24 pm

The one thing about music that's as certain as death and taxes is that styles change. It's a waste of time to rely on the Grand Ol' Opry and commericial TV and radio as a source of traditional country music. I like the old stuff just as much as everyone else who has complained about the state of country music these days, and for me the best way to keep it alive is to drag out the old records and listen to them. Don't count on TV or radio - the media are only concerned about making money.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 13 May 2003 2:03 pm

Great point, Leslie. I concur.

I've got such a treasure trove of WHAT I like to hear; and as you suggested, I take full advantage of it.

Thank God, too. If I didn't have this wonderful, eclectic collection, and had to rely on radio and TV to listen to music, I would have shot myself years ago.

Chipper

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 15 May 2003 5:11 am

Time does change all. I have no problem listening to Stephen Foster, revolutionary war fife and drum, Feel Like A woman, and Rye Whiskey, if I don't get rye whiskey I surely will die and Buddy live at Berklee. In any order one after the other.

What sells is what sells and that's for the generation that buys the most.
But the old stuff lives on with those that still love it and the younger ones who grow into looking for the musical roots of what they listen too now.

It would be nice for the PSG to come around again and with guys like Paul Franklin it has a chance.
It seems to be the Dobro's turn now and with bands like the D.C.'s it is getting to a wider audience... politics aside (and left aside please)
FOR ME THAT'S STILL STEEL, if not the PSG.
And it may just get some younger folks to evenetually listen PSG too.

So there are still 5 steelers on the Opery and even if they don't get lots of boobtube time at least their still pickin.

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 15 May 2003 8:33 am

James,
You couldn't have put it better. Change and eliminate, you hit it. I agree, a lot of pickers there and pick'in but no exposure and that's what rubs my fur the wrong direction.

Carl West