Cigarette smoke..cough...yuk!

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 26 Apr 2002 4:22 pm

Most of my gigs are outside but sometimes when I open my steel guitar case I smell pot.

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 26 Apr 2002 4:33 pm

Having a designated smoking area
in an enclosed building, is like
having a designated peeing section
in a swimming pool.Johnny Paycheck
is dying as we speak from bad lungs.
My last duo partner died from cancer
two years ago. I miss playing, but
I don't miss the bars.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 26 Apr 2002 4:38 pm

I have asthma. I inherited it (along with all her other genetic traits) from my mother, who died from the disease. If I'm around smoke for very long, I become very ill and usually have severe coughing fits for 2 or 3 weeks. Needless to say, I take this very seriously.

As has been mentioned, we have a no smoking law here in California, and those club owners I've asked about it say it hasn't hurt their business, but some clubs don't enforce the law.

I simply refuse to play in those places. Sometimes people smoke even where the ban is enforced, and when they do I always explain my situation to them and ask them not to smoke around me. Usually they are cool about it, but every once in a while you get an (unmentionable body part) who feels their pleasure is more important than my health. On one occasion after I repeatedly asked somebody not so smoke near me, and the person did so anyway, (I think it was her way of asserting some sort of power trip), I packed up my gear in the middle of a gig and walked out, telling everybody exactly why, and who drove me to do so.

I'm not willing to get sick because somebody else is inconsiderate of my health problem. I tell this to everybody in advance. If somebody wants me to play with them, they know that it has to be a relatively smoke free environment.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 26 Apr 2002 5:52 pm

Len,

If you can't beat them, don't join them. Do yourself the biggest favor of your life. Distance your precious lungs away from the offenders. In all my life, I've never witnessed anything so unfair, as having to depart from an establishment because of the assumed rights of smokers, who show no respect or regard for nonsmokers. Remember that youthful clientele are more intrepid than older folks, not realizing what the consequences hold in store for them, down the road.

Bill H.

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 27 Apr 2002 3:05 am

Does anyone really believe that the ISGC in St. Louis would be a failure if Scotty had a "NO SMOKING" policy at the convention and enforced it?

I have heard that the people in the Goodrich booth in St. Louis can only stand to work their booth 1 hour at a time. They do it in shifts.

My friend Bill, at the Williams Guitar Booth complains of a sore throat and burning eyes long before the convention is over.

A "NO SMOKING" policy at the ISGC would be a Godsend and a move in the right direction.

Does anyone know if the State of Missouri is even considering an "Indoor Clean Air Act."

Roger

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 27 Apr 2002 5:29 am

After reading all the heartfelt responses and insight to this problem, I will inform the guys in the band that I will no longer work in a smoke infested environment.

There are several members of the group that will think I am being a stick in the mud for taking this stance but my health is worth more than playing for $60.00 a night.

Steve Allison · Post by **Steve Allison** » 27 Apr 2002 6:27 am

Everybody wants to be laying up in the hospital dyin' from nuthin' !

Go figure!!!!!!!!

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 27 Apr 2002 9:14 am

I doubt that spending a few hours a week in a smoky bar is going to kill anyone, but if your constitution seems to be that fragile you might want to consider filtering your drinking water, eating only organically grown food, and staying indoors as much as possible to avoid the other million contaminants in the air from cars, trains, buses, planes, construction, explosions, meteorites and flora and fauna.

When we work bars we all put up with a lot of crap besides smoke, ie drunks, bad musicians, egregious club owners, deafening jukeboxes, fights, etc., etc., but I like to play, and I'm not going to let any of these things run me off a gig.

C#

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 27 Apr 2002 9:31 am

I like to play too Cal-but since I stopped accpeting steady gigs in gin mills I've had more work, more fun and met better pickers. Not being tied down to a steady band means being available for the outdoor shows which are shorter and generally pay more. I also play in church where I'd rather play for free than play for some bar owner to get rich selling booze in a stinking club.

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 27 Apr 2002 11:59 am

The problem of a smoke filled filled environment is whether you smoke or not is of no consequence. Your are inhaling what everybody else lights up and exhales in the form of second hand smoke. It is such a slow process that you are unaware of the problems in your lungs until one day you come home and realize you are out of breath just from carrying in the groceries or loading and unloading your musical equipment. And worst of all, you have a perfectly healthy wife waiting for you when you get home expecting some attention and you can't give what she needs/wants because your shortness of breath makes you unable to perform as a husband should. It just isn't worth price you will pay. I have been there, done that, and I have the tee short and bad lungs to prove it. I was a smoker for 45 years and when I started smoking...there was no documentation telling you it was injurous to your health. I know you have seen, read, and argued the pros and cons of smoking, but have you read what the tobacco companies are adding to the tobacco to enhance the taste therefore making it more of a problem to break the habit? Among other things used (chemicals), they use embalming fluid as an additive. Guys and Gals, it just isn't worth it. Just a matter of "Life or Breath". I am sorry about talking too much about this but if I can persuade one player to "give it up", it will be worth it. you can still ply your musical talents and skills without having to put up with this kind of "slow death". Remember what Ernest Tubb and Pete Drake said before they did....cough cough...etc!!! This is not meant to be humorous at all... they're just two of the many legends and musicians that suffered from this kind of environment...Ok, I'm thru...

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kd...and the beat goes on...

[This message was edited by Kenny Dail on 28 April 2002 at 04:48 PM.][This message was edited by Kenny Dail on 28 April 2002 at 04:50 PM.]

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 28 Apr 2002 7:51 am

I informed the guys in the band that I would no longer play the smoke infested "Blondie's" club and to get a fill in or consider going 4 piece without a steel player.

I feel better already!

Allen · Post by **Allen** » 29 Apr 2002 7:41 am

One of my pet peaves.........
Years ago I had discussions with friend that owned bars and restaurant's about no-smoking. Yes, they all said it would kill their business. Guess what, those states that have passed no-smoking in public places laws have had little or no impact on attendence, once the initial shock was overcome.
I also wondered if a no-smoking bar with music could survive...guess what, I have been to several that are doing fine.
Like JB said in a post about DUI, smoking and drinking are a privilage NOT a right!
PLEASE be considerate of those of us that can't smoke or be around smoke but love a good night out and good music.
Create more non-smoking establishments or pass more no-smoking laws. Quit trying to kill those of us that can't be around smoke for health reason.
I was at Dallas last year and was appaled at the outright violation of the ordinance regarding smoking....We non smokers can do something about it...yell and scream to management.
I have many friends that are smokers, they just don't blow it in my face, so to speak.
If you are a smoker, you can still be my friend, just be considerate and understanding that it may not be as simple as we non-smokers hate smokers, it may be that your smoke is killing us.

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Allen Harry
Mullen D-10, 8 & 6
Nashville 1000

[This message was edited by Allen on 29 April 2002 at 08:44 AM.]

Rusty Danmyer · Post by **Rusty Danmyer** » 29 Apr 2002 10:35 am

For the safety of the children who may decide to take up steel, I think the steel guitar manufacturers should begin attatching a sticker to steel guitars stating "Playing steel guitars in bars may expose you to cigarette smoke". And for those of you who took up steel and then booked yourselves out to pick unaware that people smoke in bars, I believe you may have a case against steel guitar makers, Peavey, string manufacturers, etc.
If I sound sarcastic, you got it.
Let's now have a show of hands of everyone who was duped into playing a gig at a bar only to find out once you arrived that SOMEONE HAD BEEN SMOKING IN THERE!!!!!!! I'll tell you, I personally have fell for that one a thousand times! Someone would call and ask if I could pick with them, I would ask the name of the place, the location, and sometimes I'd ask what kinda place it was. Many times it would be a......ok i'll say it....a BAR (almost a four letter word!). I would show up showered and shaved with a clean shirt, etc. only to walk in and smell the stinch of old cigarette smoke. You can imagine my surprise. I ended up biting the bullet and finishing my spot despite the inconsiderate patrons who may have paid a cover charge to come in to this establishment and enjoy themselves smoking, drinking, and listening to music. The nerve!!!!!!!!
Conversely, I have picked in places where I didn't enjoy the music that I had to play, watched drug deals go down, saw people that I wasn't comfortable being around. I considered starting a post showing my disgust with music some folks don't enjoy, drug deals and the possibility of violence in bars but figured this was just common knowledge. I just didn't go back there.
Let me try to state this without sarcasm. I have been aware of what goes on in bars for a long time. I don't necessarily condone all these things but am aware that they take place there. If it happens to be a bar where these things may escalate into a shooting or stabbing, that will probably be my last time there.
If there are any steel players with religion and considering playing in church in the near future, be aware, people are praying in there! How dare them.

Edgar Pro Case · Post by **Edgar Pro Case** » 29 Apr 2002 9:18 pm

I never smoked and yet kind of welcome the smoke hanging in the air in an old honky tonk. Sure it gets in your clothes and smells bad but thats part of the game folks. Cal, remember how smokey Joey Waynes used to be and how some nights into Gabes back when it was still a REAL honky tonk that you couldn't see the stage across the dancefloor cause of the thick smoke? I moved to Nashville in 1989 as a singer trying to get a deal with the likes of my buddies Tracy Lawrence, Daryle Singletary and Tim McGraw and never quite made it, but to this day when I go into a studio to record I'll borrow a few from someone and light em and let em burn in the ashtray with the lights dimmed just to set that honky tonk mood. But For Me It's a Way To Survive. WC Edgar PS, I had a lung X ray last year just to see if all the second hand smoke over the years had taken any toll on my lungs and the Dr. said they looked like a teenagers lungs and were in excellent condition.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 30 Apr 2002 3:56 am

*[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 May 2002 at 03:57 PM.]

Keith DeLong · Post by **Keith DeLong** » 30 Apr 2002 12:50 pm

I have always dreamed of going to St. Louis to the convention, but after the remarks about the smoke, I'll pass, thanks. I wouldn't be able to bring my wife, who is asthmatic, and although I still play in bars, we're hoping that a "no smoking " law goes through here. They have just put a law that bans smoking in recreation halls and public buildings, but they wimped out when it came to bars. Good ventilation helps but it doesn't eliminate the problem.

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 30 Apr 2002 1:42 pm

WC - good point! Cigarette smoke really is a part of the honky tonk mystique. But then honky tonks ain't what they used to be, are they? I sure miss 'em, smoke and all.
Gene - yeah, man, if someone thinks bars get smoky, what would they do on a 36-hour bus ride to the next gig when everyone else in the band smokes?

C#

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 30 Apr 2002 2:20 pm

WC - Glad you have a teenager's lungs. Wish I had a teenager's... well, never mind. I had a chest X-ray recently, too, and 35 years of smoky bars hasn't hurt me, either.

C#

Michael Garnett · Post by **Michael Garnett** » 1 May 2002 4:05 am

I don't think I've smoked 5 cigarettes in my (albeit short) life. Having worked in a bar (and "Grille") for quite some time now, I'm definitely used to cigarette smoke, and whenever it starts "getting" to me, I either step outside for a few breaths of fresh air, or run back into the kitchen where I can be accosted by the fumes of burning cows. It's a lot better for me, but I think it's raising my cholesterol levels.

If any of my friends smoke around me, I just sit where the smoke doesn't blow on me. If it's a stagnant smoky dive, why not ask if there's a door near the stage that one could put a fan in to supply some fresh air? Powerful enough fans for that are pretty easy to come by.

Another thing I was thinking about was when I saw the Bellamy Brothers last time they played in town, they had some sort of little black thingymajob, about the size of a pager, that they had hanging around their necks. I asked them if it was a microphone of some sorts, but they told me it was something that cleaned the air, making it easier for them to breathe. Does anybody know what those things are?

Now that I've re-read this post, I'm remembering when I financed my truck. Dad was with me, and the finance guy asked me if I wanted a Credit Life policy on the loan. After I asked what it was, I looked right at the guy and said very seriously, "No, Sir. I'm 19 years old, I'm never going to die."

As the "whippersnapper," I say, I'm going to die of something sooner later. Whenever the Big Man Upstairs calls me, I'm gonna come runnin'.

Garnett

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 1 May 2002 4:16 am

When your lungs and eyes start to burn, and the irritation makes you wonder if you will be able to last the night as a band member, common sense dictates that the body's natural instincts are trying to warn of the dangers. Heavy smoker's lungs have been viewed from the inside. It's not a pretty sight. The walls of a smoke room are coated with a dark yellow goo that no reasonable person would want to place into the lungs. There is a widespread lack of concern by manufacturers and distributors to protect our youthful citizens, from this deadly trap. The harm extends far beyond the individual smoker. It jeopardizes little children, starts forest fires, burns homes, scorches furniture, and other finishes, damages automotive upholstery, gives a nonsmoker multiple insights on the bad manners of the majority who toss the butts near walkways, parking lots, and along our highways. The total damages caused by the curse has to be in the billions of dollars. The price per pack has zoomed from approx. $.25 in the 50's to nearly $ 4.00 at the present time. I truly believe if the price went to $ 20.00 per pack, the sales would not be interrupted. There is a message here, that is nothing short of disturbing.

Bill H.

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 1 May 2002 8:46 am

Wednesday, May 1, 2002
• Special Reports • My Local News
Half of Americans Breathing Bad Air

Wednesday, May 1, 2002 Talk about it

NEW YORK (CNN) -- About half of all Americans live in areas where levels of smog are unhealthy, the American Lung Association said in a report released Wednesday.
According to the report, the smoggiest metropolitan areas are:
1. Los Angeles, California

And you guys are worried about a little smoke in bars?

C#

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 1 May 2002 8:48 am

When you are on oxygen 24/7 and you wonder just how much longer you will be around to enjoy even listening to music...it will be too late to step outside and get a breath of fresh air. cough cough...yuk yuk...

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Don LaCourse · Post by **Don LaCourse** » 1 May 2002 10:08 am

what Kenny Is saying is very true, i dont post much any more, i just read and grin, althogh its not at all funny.im 68 now.20 years ago i was like a lot of you guys.10 feet tall and bullet proof.a week end warrior. i lived for the weekends where i picked three nites a week.worked at ford motor up north seven days a week. nothing bothered me,yes i smoked and i loved it. nobody made me do it.my life was smoking, drinking Jack daniels and a different women every week end.great life huh, well four divorces later i married a women 20 years younger than me. it was great. then one day. i found out i had COPD. like kenny. the doc. told me to quit smoking ,i didnt till it was too late. then two years ago i had a heart attack. now after five angio plastys and six steel stents in my artorys. i dont know why but im still here.if i had it to do over i would probably do it the same.anyway i guess like clint eastwood says ,a man has to know his limitations, take care Kenny my friend...

Michael Garnett · Post by **Michael Garnett** » 2 May 2002 1:43 am

Don, you need to double that "years ago" category, and add a few more on to it. I'm a respectful, but irreverant 22, and FAR from being 10 feet tall and bulletproof. (somebody oughtta right a song about that). Hell, I'm positive secondhand smoke is bad for me. But I don't smoke. And I won't sit around in some place that I can't see 5 feet in front of my face because of the smoke hanging there. Does that mean I'm going to be 80 years old and on Oxygen, just from secondhand smoke? Man, I'd hope not. Otherwise, I'd hope I got run over by a busload of Baywatch Babes and have all of them give me mouth to mouth before I died from the pleasure of pushing the button that nuked Hussein and fixed my generation's attitude problem.

Oh neato, that was fun.

Garnett

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 2 May 2002 4:36 pm

I invite all of you who are "pro smoke" to my clinic. Take your pick.... any day of the week. I see four or five folks every single day who have destroyed their bodies with smoking. COPD, CAD, Peripheral Vascular Occlusive Disease... take your pick.

Smoking cigarettes is possibly the most ignorant thing a person can do to them selves. It is a filthy, vile, addiction.
The patients I see smoking are primarily of lower socioeconomic strata, and generally not the brightest star in the sky.

Second hand smoke like found at the TSGA is beyond regrettable...it is a few folks who could care less about your lungs, ignorantly puffing away.... killing themselves as well as us. People who belittle the effects of second hand smoke are ignoring every single scientific study on the subject.

I smoked for years. Quitting was hard, but it was the only sane course. I have not had a cigarette in 8 years. We do not play bars.
The seven band members are all smoke free. We stay plenty busy and avoid bars like the plague.

Someone suggested that smokers have rights...... Nothing personal, but that;s like saying "It's ok for you to willingly pour that poison down my throat and into my lungs". Smokers have the right to wise up.
Smokers have the right to kill themselves slowly and in the process drive up the cost of medical care for everyone. Smokers have the right to go outside....

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Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas