The British Steelies Society

I never thought the day would come when I could put a post in this section, but, I'm playing again at the Head of Steam, Tynemouth, tomorrow evening, backing singer/guitarist Liam Fender. New songs include 'Wichita Lineman', 'To Love Somebody' and 'Tracks of my Tears'. No doubt we'll reprise some of the songs we did last time, depending on the number of other singers who turn up.
Who'd of thought it!

Well, the truth of it is that it didn't go very well...
I couldn't get properly in tune and couldn't get a sound level - I was either too quiet or too loud and couldn't get a decent sound all night. Thankfully there were not that many people there - my fan club (Mrs P A Bidmade) thought it was better than I did. There was a fight in the pub that spilled out onto the street so that provided a bit of alternative entertainment. Liam (singer) and I ended up playing for almost an hour and a half as there were no other floor singers turn up... Who'd have thought that 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' - Joy Division - would suit pedal steel (it doesn't)!
We made a hash of 'Wichita Lineman', 'To Love Somebody' (twice) and 'Tracks of my Tears' as well as reprising everything we'd done last time.
As Liam said afterwards "Well, we got away with it", and it did feel as though we had.
I suppose there's some learning to come from the experience and maybe next time I'll have the good sense to get properly in tune and adjust the sound level. I think I had the amp set too high so was constantly adjusting via the volume pedal.

Excellent advice, John!