How many make a living playing steel guitar?

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 30 Apr 2002 4:59 am

I agree with alot of the insight offered in this thread. I also know I'm very fortunate in my current situation.

I've been a "weekend warrior" for many years. The availability of gigs and my commitment to my day job created a situation where I went to work every weekday morning and most weeknights I rehearsed or "played out" with a band. Usually, the Friday and/or Saturday nights provided a gig opportunity. This probably is a common scenario for a lot of us on the forum. At one point, I was a member (not a "hired gun") in a atl. rock band as well as a top-40 country band at the same time. It kept me busy and I was happy with that situation.

For the last 4 years, I've been a member of the Kevin Fowler Band. The last 24 months or so, the KFB has supported all the band members plus the road manager, bus driver, merchandiser, manager/booking agent as well as the band infrastructure. When I say support I mean this is the sole income.

I am still committed to my day job. I believe I have something to contribute to that as well as to the music. I am the only one in the band organization in this situation. For me, the sacrifice is not so much a monetary one, but one of time and I am humbled by the support I get from my wife and son. They pay the price for my frequent absenses at home.

I will continue to "double-dip" as long as my family tolerates the situation or my stamina holds out. Which, I hope, will be a long time.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Dave Ristrim · Post by **Dave Ristrim** » 30 Apr 2002 5:12 am

Herb Steiner speaks for many including myself!!! I do make a living playing music. That includes steel guitar as well as banjo, guitar, dobro etc. I play what is required of me by my employer and then some! I look at it like an actor would. This is my part in the play. Why would I go changing lines, that's should not be up to me! Now sometimes my employers tell me up front that I have room to ad lib, so I do so in a responsible manner. I want to keep my job, I want to do what is required by my employer. AND, if I don't like my job, I can always find another one.
Also, I never thought or hoped I would make a living playing steel, it just happened. I consider myself lucky. Do the best job you can, be the best person you can be and life will pay you back.
Dave

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 30 Apr 2002 7:34 am

Yes, I've been a pro steel player in a difficult and underpopulated area, southern Alberta. Although it's known as cowboy country, there's not a lot of bands around here using steelers, and therefore not many gigs. On the other hand, I'm lucky and have grabbed a steady weekend gig in my home town that pays well(not $50. a nite!). If this gig ends I'll be in trouble. I'll have to take a dreaded day job as I don't want to go backwards in time and play the crappy gigs I've done for the last 30 years. On the other hand, I'm slowly developing my home studio and hope it'll be my future, to a degree. I feel fortunate that I've been able to do this for a living, and raise a family.

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 30 Apr 2002 7:37 am

Wow. Thanks to all for the great personal insights and information, and above all, encouragement! Makes me feel I'm not completely out of mind for wanting to devote my life to playing music/steel for a living. Best of luck to all.

G

Robert Todd · Post by **Robert Todd** » 30 Apr 2002 12:51 pm

I help the Fabian's make a living by me playing Steel, the ernie ball string company, goodrich and keith Hilton, heck even Jeff Newman and Joe Wright,

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 30 Apr 2002 4:19 pm

Well Herb, I hope your remarks weren't directed at me!

You see, I said nothing bad about the steelers. Rather, my comments relate to the way that music has kinda gone downhill for us instrumentalists, IMHO.

Years ago, some bands cut their own stuff without the star. A lot of people just went to the shows to see the band (imagine that!) Some shows I've been to, the stars don't feature the band. Heck, some of 'em don't even introduce the band! Guess I've always thought that the lowly musicians got the short end of the stick. It's just that it seems worse in the past decade or so. (I posed a question about steel intro's in top-10 hits a while back...I can't recall any in the last 10 years.)

The music business just doesn't seem the same anymore, and I will admit that I'm probably not, either. Today, it's all money...there just doesn't seem to be the friendly (almost family) regard that the stars used to have for their musicians...they're all just "hired hands" now, "subcontractors" as it were. And if somebody comes along that can play steel and another instrument---buddy, you're gone! I just don't think it should be that way...but maybe I'm alone on this.

I guess what really frosted my asterior was when I read awhile back that a certain female "country singer" spends $5,000 per show for her hairdresser!!! (I seriously doubt that her entire band put together makes that much per show, but if I'm wrong...I'm sure some will tell me.) Now maybe that sort of thing doesn't bother most people, and maybe I'm the only one who gets upset at that kind of stuff...could very well be.

But of course, if all these road musicians are totally fat, dumb, and happy with their salary and station, I guess maybe I should keep my big mouth shut.

Excuse me for being concerned.

Jerry Hedge · Post by **Jerry Hedge** » 30 Apr 2002 7:18 pm

Look, a lot of road musicians aren't fat,happy or satisfied with their pay-BUT it might be a stepping stone to a gig with an artist a little higher up in the business. or a chance to get your foot in the door to do studio work,like Paul (formerly on the road with Mel Tillis)or like Sonny or Weldon(formerly on the road with Bill Anderson)or Bruce(Ricky Scaggs). Road players don't get rich but at least they're making a living doing something they enjoy which is more than a lot of other people can say.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 30 Apr 2002 7:27 pm

Thanks Donny. I'm with you. You always speak
the truth. The 'music world' is really just an exemplar of 'what' and 'where' this society is headed. Not good, to me.

That great intimacy is gone. Everything today, to me, seems like RUSH, RUSH, RUSH.
This notion is not new. We've been hearing of this anti-civil demeanor for many years now. But it seems that the 'protected art community' was sort of a great and necessary haven for anyone and everyone who wanted more from life than the ratrace. In other words, a genuine compradrieness. A sense of some common bond that was more powerful than any nuclear family could ever hope to provide. Not every family now or then even came close to Beaver, Wally, June, or Ward.

There just aren't the old venues anymore. The joint down the street. The coffeehouse.
Someone's old barn.

I mean, by the joints, oh yeah, they may still be there, but that relaxed, laidback
personna is not there. These places, as soon as they open there doors for business, then, they are there for business.

If you and friends are taking up precious seats, and playing music for free, and having a great time to boot..........yup...years ago, this was not only tolerated, but encouraged.

But, the new venue folks see it another way.

I hope you folks get my drift, here. (I'm beginning to get to the ramblin' stage) so I feel I should cut it off, for now.

Thanks y'all, and Donny, once agaqin.

[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 30 April 2002 at 08:28 PM.]

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 30 Apr 2002 9:19 pm

Hey Mr. Ristrim, you need to tell us all sometime how things are working out for you since you moved from Silicon Valley to Tennessee.

Jo Ann Joyce · Post by **Jo Ann Joyce** » 1 May 2002 4:30 pm

When country music hit the 2nd coming of the Urban Cowboy era in the late 80's to early 90's, we worked 21 to 26 nights a month. That was as full time as we could be without leaving home. It was the best of both worlds because you worked and earned full time pay but you had the advantage of staying in your home area and getting to see your family on a regular basis. That time has passed, and clubs are closing their doors and putting alot of roaches out of good homes. So, on a local level, we've improvised...to make the money we did make in clubs, we've turned to teaching, working part-time for other bands as sound techs, renting halls and selling our own tickets (big risk, but it works)and
jobs in some really odd places such as museums, wineries, churches, concerts in parks and recording studio work. None of the band members have had to change instruments,
but the schedule gets a little confusing!

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 1 May 2002 5:46 pm

Good to see you here, Jo Ann!

(Jo Ann plays steel in the band "Area Code 301" along with her husband Mark, who plays lead. They have one of the most "listenable" bands in the region.)

Their band's sound (balance and volume) is flawless, and they all have great singing voices as well.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 2 May 2002 3:24 am

this is the kinda of thread that makes this Forum so worthwhile to me.

i don't make a living Steelin', but i manage to make some $$$ out of it.
my brim is off to any musician that earns his living from Musik. it's a Hustle, it's tedious, and the Road goes on forever.
c'est la vie d'artiste !
it's easier for a factory employee to get sick on the job rather than a musician.
how 'bout those that have a Family to raise ?
i worked for a few years as a roadie for some known bands back in the good ol' days and i was amazed by what everyone had to put up with. The rewarding part was how everyone just did his share to keep it all together amidst the tides and winds.
Looks easy and like a lot of fun to get up there and play don't it ? that's the apparent part of the iceberg.
it is important to do what you Love, and Life does pay in return.
i'm not a reference in Steelin, but that don't keep me from playin' and sharin' w: others.
i try to get to play as often as possible, wether it's a little café, a party, or a jam.
The Steel is too marvelous to keep it in the shed. i just got to share that sound !
and it's so often a pleasure when somebody asks me "what is it ?"
certain bands or artists here would like a Steel but it's a Luxury to them.
i get to play w: a band twice a month but i got to play guitbox too or they would'nt have me.
Maybe when i get real good i'll make a livin' out of it...(in my next Life)
Steel dig what you're all puttin' down here

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 2 May 2002 3:46 am

my first mission in life is to raise my kids and give them a happy life.
What I do comes second, and I try as good as possible to do this with making music. I don't care about not being a full pro-music, and 60% of the people in Holland that call themselfses full-pro pop-musicians , would- be musicians , still playing as weekend warriors and living on unemployd-money. Saying they can't work because their artistic talents don't come out in a daytime job, and they are not available for when the Stones need new musicians

.I would not be proud of that. In a lot of cases I play more then they do.I make my money for my family on a way my wife and kids don't have concerns about that, and I can play whatever I like and let go, what I don't like. But that's for the situation uphere, I don't live in the States.
off the soapbox now...JJ[This message was edited by Johan Jansen on 02 May 2002 at 04:57 AM.]

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 2 May 2002 6:22 am

I graduated high school in 81' and me and my fake ID went straight into playing 5 nights a week in the bars in Montana and Wyoming (I grew up back east and moved to WY "to go to college", that's what I told my folks!).

I started my first day job 9/5/95 (notice how I remember that exact date.)

I went to "weekend warrior" status in '91 when I decided to follow through on that college thing I told the folks about back in '81.

I decided to go back to college because at about age 27 I was playing with a band leader who was about 10 or so years older than me, and it was like a window into my future, and it wasn't pretty.
Drinking, drugs, failed marrige, rehabs, beligerance on stage, ect...

Got an Electronics degree and a gig at Intel.

After relocating to Portland, Oregon for work, I got right back into a band.

We released a CD and toured in Europe 3 times in the 18 months following the CD release, and opened up for Willie, Merle, and many others locally.

The band just released their 2nd CD which I played on 11 of 12 songs.

Although I recently left the band for and "indefinate leave of absence" due to general burn out with the band member scene, I am now embarking on a solo career and plan to play alot of solo steel gigs (and duo gigs with some local pickers including Ray Montee) this summer to get the bugs worked out.

I really couldn't have done any of this without the day job, which has finacially fueled all of my musical endeavors.

It allowed me to focus on things that I was actually interested in musically vs. having to play to pay the bills.

I had an extremely fun, Fun (with a capitol F) time those first 10 years, traveling around the Rocky Mt region playing steel and guitar.
I always made enough to pay the bills but never saved a dime in those years.

So having been on both sides of the fence, I gotta say that I feel I haven't compromised my musical endeavors at all by going with the day job, and in fact, have gotten way closer to doing what I want to do musically (and have no problem passing on potential paying gigs that just don't turn my crank musically.).

My reccomendation to anyone who asks is... go to your local community college's financial aid office where they will help you get all the grants and loans you will need. Get at least a 2 year degree in something you are interested in (they will help you find out what you are naturally good at), and play weekends while you go to class during the week.

Most employers highly value their trained employees and will bend over backwards to give you the flexibilty you need, (to go tour europe for 2 weeks, for example).

For me, It's a way to Survive.

ps
The High Tech industry is at the beginning of it's next up-swing and will be in "hiring mode", so get them resume's into your local High Tech companys (you can apply online), Intel, AMD, Motorola, IBM, ect...

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 2 May 2002 8:31 am

Hey Pete,
I read your post with great interest, and it brings up a point that might deserve a thread of its own: (granted this is something everybody must judge for themselves) is it better to take any and every gig that comes along, whether you love or hate the music, and make a living this way, or to be selective, play only music that really inspires you, and have to work 40 + hours a week? This second path, by the way, describes me.

I can only imagine how fast you grew as a player, playing 5 nights a week, and am envious that I can't seem to make that happen here in the city. Really enjoyed reading your story, and look forward to hearing you play someday.