The British Steelies Society

I've been playing the thing about eight months and I thought I'd join a band to force myself to practice. Anyway, they've only gone and booked a gig this coming Saturday. Happily I'm only playing pedal steel on about half the songs but there are still plenty of opportunities for it to go horribly wrong! But if anyone's interested, we'll be at the NCI Club in Cambridge this coming Saturday Feb 1st. It's a nice venue and I think admission is free. We're not really a country band, more Springsteen, Tom Petty etc.

Wish me luck.

Good luck mate!

Best thing about pedal steel is that you can get your head down and concentrate.
Most people will think you're amazing even on a bad day, it's a niche that attracts a lot of attention from audience members, especially on the intimate ones when they are a few feet away.
For example, I played an impromptu jam session the other day in a walk in style jam in Leeds City Center. I was playing an old Carter Starter provided kindly by the event runner. Out of the 1 hour and a half spot I only knew one song.
I was all over the place (by my personal expectations) on the more unconventional numbers but shined on my bread and butter country. I walked off stage with mixed emotions but after a few punters came up to me, the lads I played with and a random singer in the audience asking me to do an album with him, well I'm not going to repeat the comments but the general consensus was that I did well even though I knew deep down I wasn't firing on all cylinders. If you're rehearsed, you're in a very privileged position.

You'll be fine and most importantly, have fun!

Hi Sam

Good luck with your gig I hope all goes well for you on steel.

Regards
Richard

Thanks all!

Still time to practice... a bit...

Good luck, Sam! Sure you'll have a great time - I have yet to properly play pedal steel in public, though hopefully fairly soon I will post a similar message to this forum...
Anyway, enjoy the gig and I hope all goes really well. And if you're ever playing in the Midlands please do let me know.
Cheers, Sid

Good luck for tonight Sam. Enjoy.

Thanks so much John for coming along last night! It was great to see you and have some support.

My friend was dead impressed when he heard you playing from the other room and thought it was me...