A conversation with a drummer.......

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 12 Sep 2002 3:17 pm

So a new drummer fills in for our band last week and talks to me about steel.
"I don't know much about pedal steel...who are some famous players I might know?"
"Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, Paul Franklin...." I answer.
"Hmmmmmm...I don't know them, Who do they play with?"
"Uh, everybody!" I answer.
"No, I've never heard of them.
...Wait, who's that young black guy that used to play in a church...."
"You mean Robert Randolph?" I answered.
"Yeah! He's definitely cool."
!!!

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 12 Sep 2002 4:33 pm

Drummers, the answer to what happened to all the qualudes?

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 12 Sep 2002 6:20 pm

Ever heard the old saying "Drummers are to be felt --not heard ! There may be something to that if you think about it .

You cannot hardly do with out one, though!

John<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by John Hawkins on 12 September 2002 at 07:20 PM.]</p></FONT>

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 12 Sep 2002 6:40 pm

To his credit, at least this person knew a little something about a pedal steel. It sounds like he knew what it is, and knows a sort of unknown player who at this point has what amounts to a cult following.

Ok, let's forget about the general public, a.k.a. non-musicians for a second.

How many musicians (particularly 6 stringers) have you ever met who did not know what a pedal steel was? Or what it sounds like? Now THAT is really embarrassing (or disgraceful).

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 12 Sep 2002 9:54 pm

Listened to Michael Martin Murphey play at the Prairie Rose in Wichita last night. Had bass, mandolin/fiddle, himself, and a guitar player, all acoustic instruments. No drums. Didn't miss them either!

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 12 Sep 2002 10:31 pm

I spent about 15 years with a western swing band whose drummer had the Krupa stuff down. One time we got a party, in the Hollywood Hills, that requested no drums. It was the best we had ever sounded because we had to listen to each other instead of knowing that Bill would take up the slack.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 13 Sep 2002 5:47 am

Jim, Did Murphy do "Cherokee Fiddle" and
"What's Forever For"? Two of my favorites.

ChipsAhoy

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 13 Sep 2002 6:13 am

Tony,

Good anecdote.

Are you guys playing anywhere around RI this weekend? Where, when?

Chris
401 743-1557

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 13 Sep 2002 6:31 am

Ah, so many drummers, so little time...

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 13 Sep 2002 7:11 am

(Chris , check your email)
Yeah, it was shocking to talk to a musician who had never heard of our steel idols yet he did hear of Robert Randolph, a newcomer who made his reputation playing totally different from our traditional style.
Very ironic.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 13 Sep 2002 7:39 am

Yes he did Chip, and did beautiful jobs on both of them. Despite not having a steel in the band they were really worth listening to, put out a lot of music for 4 guys without drums.

DJ Sillito · Post by **DJ Sillito** » 13 Sep 2002 8:04 am

Why do drummers have seats that are slightly titled? So the druel only runs out of one side of their mouth.(something along that line anyways) . Only kidding of course. It was our drummer Rob who told me that joke. It was all in fun.We also had some good Bass player jokes too. I'll save them for the humor section.Cheers!

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Darren James
Carter D-10 8P 5K
Nashville 400, ProfexII