Who woulda' thought?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 1 Sep 2002 9:32 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>THIS IS THE MOST AWESOME THING IN THE
WORLD!!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

These are the words of Dave Horch, taken from the "I.S.G.C. live on the net" thread. Of course, Dave's point of view (and our own) is a little skewed, but I started this new thread because I am now realizing the significance of this year's convention.

I listened to parts of the convention yesterday (when I could get logged on...seems the server was overloaded!) and the interview with Buddy Emmons was one of the portions I caught. During the interview, it was mentioned several times that their server had been overwhelmed, and there were over 500,000 (yes, half a million!) computers (and who knows how many people?) logged on from over 40 countries...just listening to the show. The combination of the internet itself, Bob's own FORUM, and Scotty's (now 31 year-old) convention, have all come together to prove something quite profound. We have a voice! We have an audience! And maybe, just maybe, we're not so "insignificant" after all!

I'm sure that those "listener figures" will go a long way towards causing some people to rethink our (steelplayers') impact and importance in the musical world. It also means that Scotty's advertising and sponsorship monies will grow even more in the following years. Maybe even some portions of the next year's show will be televised! Wouldn'that be great?

All this couldn't have come at a better time, because many people (even myself, at times) had just about written us off as being an older, faceless, introverted, "dying breed" of musicians who play a strange instrument that few can comprehend or appreciate, and even fewer can master. But the figures don't lie...there are people who want to hear it, and maybe the music industry will now pay just a little bit more attention to the steel guitar.

That's all we ever wanted.

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 01 September 2002 at 10:33 AM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 1 Sep 2002 9:54 am

maybe the music industry will now pay just a little bit more attention to the steel guitar.

And how do you figure they'll know about how many listened in via the net to the ISGC? I hate to be negative, but you could probably get together 500,000 women between 18 and 30 (probably the most important demographic to the country record industry) in most large cities. You can bet that those young women would certainly be more receptive to the new Garth or Brooks & Dunn album than the steel community. The fact that a bunch of (primarily) old codgers who have computers are listening to Scotty's show will probably not even be on their radar nor would it affect their activities or strategies. (IMHO)

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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[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 01 September 2002 at 11:03 AM.]

Pat Jenkins · Post by **Pat Jenkins** » 1 Sep 2002 10:56 am

Boy, Larry, was that water ever cold!!!!

Terry Wendt · Post by **Terry Wendt** » 1 Sep 2002 12:12 pm

Perhaps "cold"... but unfortunately very true.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 1 Sep 2002 12:47 pm

I never said I like it.

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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

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 1 Sep 2002 3:41 pm

Donny: I like what you said and in a PERFECT STEEL GUITAR WORLD it would be utopia !!

Regards, Paul

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 1 Sep 2002 4:03 pm

Well guys, I don't want to "beat a dead horse" here by being overly optimistic. No, a steeler will never "outdo" any big star such as Shania or Garth in popularity. And while it may be true that, in the overall scheme of things, half-a-million isn't a terribly significant number, you have to take into consideration that there were probably many more people who would have listened...but simply didn't know about it, or didn't have the equipment (or the time) to listen to it!

Most of the people who knew about the webcast probably found out about through the FORUM, and yet...less than half of the steelers I come into contact with even know about the FORUM!

That, my friends, is the real significance of those "statistics".

No, it's not going to change the world, but it is certainly a step in the right direction. Also, I'd be willing to bet that any one of the performers that were there would be thrilled to sell a CD or two to, perhaps, 5% of that "audience".

Now...do you see what I mean?

Kenny Davis · Post by **Kenny Davis** » 1 Sep 2002 7:44 pm

Not to be negative myself, but does anyone else have a problem with 500,000 people listening to the webcast? Sounds a little optimistic to me.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 2 Sep 2002 1:56 am

In my 3 days at the show I ran into and talked to it seemed an endless amount of folks, I was quite suprised to learn that many were not even players, just folks coming to see and listen to the "Famous" steel players. Ok true , not many 25 year old Blondes in bikini's but then again I didn't go to the pool area. Loyd did say on Sat. morning that he did an interview which would be published in a few weeks in the Nashville Tennessean which he believed would have significant impact on the Nashville music scene. It was quite apparent by many players alike that the Nashville scene and CMT is absent Steel guitar . According to Loyd, there is still a future for Steel in Nashville..what an incredible presence he is..It was an honor to meet and talk with him..
tp[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 02 September 2002 at 04:02 AM.]

Pat Jenkins · Post by **Pat Jenkins** » 2 Sep 2002 5:42 am

Tony, all the 25 year old blondes in bikinis were here at my place, so next year during the convention, you can come visit my place instead of going to convention. Geez, I am exhausted, what a weekend, and all they wanted to do was listen to the convention, though. Pat RLOL

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 2 Sep 2002 5:47 am

Pat, I can come over tommorrow ..will they still be there ?

tp

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 2 Sep 2002 6:25 am

After attending Fri. night's show and listening to the Lloyd/Tommy video last night, my hunch is that pedal steel has achieved all the significance and notoriety it will ever achieve.

After 35 years of opportunity, no one (that I know of) is following Lloyd's lead and building up from the foundation he's laid. I'm trying but, sadly, I wasted too many years drinking and drugging and being satisfied w/my playing and only now, at 41, realize that those wasted years could have put me in the drivers seat.

Of those I heard play at the convention, it seemed that not one person was even attempting to integrate Lloyd's techniques.

So, we have one of those mutant situations. Lloyd will pass and that will be it. There will be no 'next generation'. Sure, there will be lots of steel players but they'll all be bangin' out the same old crap; some better, some worse; but the same old crap nonetheless.

Much as I love Milo and D. Travis Toy (maybe hearing them in person would assuage my pessimism, maybe not), I'm just resigned that our great hope and opportunity as steelers is going to be lost.

Finally to my point as regards this thread: even IF there turns out to be a legacy from Lloyd, I don't think it will make an impact on the commercial music scene. The convention and video made me realize that the instrument is too idiosyncratic and the TRUE mastery too elusive to ever gain more than a 'niche' popularity.[This message was edited by Marty Pollard on 02 September 2002 at 07:32 AM.]

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 2 Sep 2002 8:48 am

To Marty: I think I often hear a strong Lloyd influence in Tommy White´s playing, and he´s building up on that and turns it into his own thing. I first got the impression when watching the Lloyd/Tommy video and now again when listening to his set at the ISGC. Who knows, Tommy may just be the one to carry on Lloyd´s legacy. Of course, no expert speaking here, just a sparetime steeler who likes them both.
About the earlier posts, I seriously doubt that there were as many as 500,000 people logged in. If you think about it, how many people know at all what a steel guitar is? Not too many in the U.S. and even less elsewhere (here, for example). And of those who know what it is, how many are interested enough in it to listen to a program like that? As great as it was, it´s more or less an event for steelfreaks only... Even 50,000 would seem many to me.

Regards, Joe H.

Michael Wilson · Post by **Michael Wilson** » 2 Sep 2002 9:12 am

Mybe I misunderstood what you were trying to say here. I was only able to listen to it on the net but was totally in awe of the great steel playing that I heard. Anyway, to get to the point. Why would you want everyone to play like Lloyd Green. If everyone played like him, then you would only need one performer to do it all. Lloyd himself. Wouldn't have to have the Big "E" or Hal Rugg or any of the others. Everyone has thier own unique style. Everyone playing the same song in a different way. But, fantastic just the same. Imagine what it would be like if everyone played the same thing everytime. Like I've told bands that wanted me to work with them that would tell me they wanted me to play the style Weldon Myrick or BE or whoever. If you want to hear them then hire them cause I refuse to try to copy someone else. I have my own style. Emmons and Franklin aren't doing what they do because they are copying someone else. It's because they have thier own unique style and way of playing a song. Just my 2 cents.

Michael Wilson · Post by **Michael Wilson** » 2 Sep 2002 9:15 am

By the way my last posted reply was for a reply to Marty Pollard's post

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 2 Sep 2002 11:10 am

I think the time is there to book Robert Randolph for next year, I truely hope this will happen!!!
JJ