Willie Nelson - Why no Steel Player in band?

[James Stewart Jr]

If he had a steel then Trigger(His Guitar) would not be front and center.

[Herb Steiner]

Since I remember when Mickey Raphael joined Willie's family, (I took Mickey's spot as lead instrumentalist in BW Stevenson's band in 1973) I also remember some of the circumstances around Willie's choice of adding harmonica to his sound. This is the abbreviated version, I guess.

Willie saw that certain singers had an instrumentalist that signified and was identifiable with their (the singer's) particular sound; Ernest had Billy Byrd's single note guitar style, Carl Smith had Johnny Seibert's non-pedal style, Ray Price had Day/Emmons prominent in his sound.

Johnny Bush told me how Willie wanted an instrumental sound, a lead player that he "could have a conversation with," like Ray Price had with Day and Emmons. Mickey is a nice guy and a somewhat distinctive harp player (thanks to being with Willie 51 years now ) so Willie chose him and the sound worked. Mickey had the support of Coach Darrell Royal, who was a god to everyone in TX, to add to Willie's decision.

I was around at that time, and that's my recollection of how Mickey got the gig, and few players have been with a performer for over a half-century that I can recall. Of course, Mickey was 21 years old when he started with Will so that might have something to do with it.

[Peter Dollard]

To me the amplified sound of an nylon string guitar is the most influential part of Willies sound. To me it sounds incredibly dry but like a singers signature it is instantly recognizable.... To me that is the most important instrument in his band no offence to Mickey who plays great...

[Donny Hinson]

If he had a steel then Trigger(His Guitar) would not be front and center.

Well sorry, but I don't buy that. Hank Thompson always had a steel player, but him and his guitar were always front and center. Same thing with other singer/instrumentalists like Bob Wills, Spade Cooley, Hank Snow, Merle Travis, and even some more modern artists like Ricky Skaggs, Brad Paisley, and Steve Wariner. Don't get me wrong, I've seen Willie (without a steel) and he puts on a great show. Still, I don't think having a steel guitar on the stage would have detracted from him and his guitar, and it would certainly have helped increase his appeal...with me, anyway.

[Clyde Mattocks]

I think Nashville broke Willie from the slick, overproduced sound. When he cut the Red Headed Stranger album, it was so stripped down that the suits thought Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain was a demo. He found his musical calling in that sound and never looked back. I think he likes steel guitar, but feels it takes up too much sonic space for the sound that is his trademark. No different than Johnny Cash.

[Dave Mudgett]

I think Nashville broke Willie from the slick, overproduced sound. When he cut the Red Headed Stranger album, it was so stripped down that the suits thought Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain was a demo. He found his musical calling in that sound and never looked back. I think he likes steel guitar, but feels it takes up too much sonic space for the sound that is his trademark. No different than Johnny Cash.

I think this hits the nail on the head. Willie does have a trademark sound, and it centers on his songs, voice, guitar, and sparsity. And agreed, same with Johnny Cash; Merle Haggard had plenty of pretty sparse stuff without steel; guys like Marty Robbins, Roy Orbison, and so on. Guys like this had terrific, unique voices. Sonic space is the right phrase, I think. I think steel (to my tastes) really wants that for maximum impact, and I don't think it's reasonable to expect everyone to always want to share that. Some singers don't want to share that at all. That's part of what I was trying to say earlier, in different words.

[Doug Beaumier]

I think Nashville broke Willie from the slick, overproduced sound. When he cut the Red Headed Stranger album, it was so stripped down that the suits thought Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain was a demo. He found his musical calling in that sound and never looked back. I think he likes steel guitar, but feels it takes up too much sonic space for the sound that is his trademark. No different than Johnny Cash.

I think this hits the nail on the head.

I agree!

[John Larson]

I think Nashville broke Willie from the slick, overproduced sound. When he cut the Red Headed Stranger album, it was so stripped down that the suits thought Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain was a demo. He found his musical calling in that sound and never looked back. I think he likes steel guitar, but feels it takes up too much sonic space for the sound that is his trademark. No different than Johnny Cash.

I think this hits the nail on the head. Willie does have a trademark sound, and it centers on his songs, voice, guitar, and sparsity. And agreed, same with Johnny Cash; Merle Haggard had plenty of pretty sparse stuff without steel; guys like Marty Robbins, Roy Orbison, and so on. Guys like this had terrific, unique voices. Sonic space is the right phrase, I think. I think steel (to my tastes) really wants that for maximum impact, and I don't think it's reasonable to expect everyone to always want to share that. Some singers don't want to share that at all. That's part of what I was trying to say earlier, in different words.

Add Townes Van Zandt as well. He's a good example too cause that first album with all the orchestra mush over top everything is completely inferior to the later stripped down rerecordings of those songs on later albums. Especially this "Waitin' Around to Die" (1968) vs. "Waitin' Around to Die" (1969)

[Fred Treece]

I also agree with the Clyde Mattox summation. I saw the late 70’s Family Band a few times. They had incredible chemistry and dynamics, driving right into what seemed like total train wrecks and coming out of them on a dime, straight ahead, unscathed, smiling. When something’s working for you, don’t mess with it.

I disagree with the comment about the time period 1975 throughout the 80’s being a dying time for pedal steel. Crikey! Are you kidding? It was a golden age for country music, and a revival or renaissance or whatever you want to call it, for instrumental virtuosity. It was filled with iconic licks and solos from great guitarists, fiddlers, harmonicats, banjos, dobros, and TONS of steel guitarists. The reason Willie Nelson didn’t have a steeler in his band was definitely not due to a lack great players available to him, or that the instrument had “fallen out of favor”.

[Chris Templeton]

Yes Herb, I forgot about Mickey. A huge part of his signature sound.,

[Rick Campbell]

When people go to see Willie, they go to see Willie. I don't think his fans care if he's got a steel guitar or not.

RC

[Mickey Adams]

I’ve been right here..waiting for the call..

[Joe Goldmark]

Well, speaking of Willie and steel, there's an old RCA album called "Country Favorites" where he's backed by the Texas Troubadours with Buddy Charleton. It's probably my favorite Willie album and his phrasing is very jazzy. Also Charleton and Wade Ray on fiddle are great!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZAtUJhrd3Y

Joe

[Jeffery Mercer]

Willie doesn’t use pedal Steel Players because he’s totally “Anti-Nashville” there’s absolutely NO love lost between Willie Nelson and Nashvilles Recording Executives! NONE!
He gives all his solo work to “Trigger” why would he ever use a Pedal Steel player? What would “Trigger” Do? That’s Willie Nelson’s Signature Sound! At every Willie Nelson Concert Venue The Spot light is ALWAYS 1st & foremost on his Martin Classical Guitar “Trigger” it’s commands attention even before the show starts…being placed Center Stage with the Spotlight beaming down on it! Now I ask you…who needs a Steel guitar player when you’ve got “Trigger” ?

[John Goux]

Willie Nelson Ray Price “San Antonio Rose” album. 1980.
There steel fills and solos on most of the songs. Western swing and their classic tunes.
It came up online.
Many times I said out loud, “that steel player is good,”. Mostly E9, but also C6.
Had to look it up.
It’s Buddy Emmons.
Check it out on the steaming service of your choice.
John