Suggestions for some new additions to our festivals

[Uncle Roy]

What steelplayers would you now like to see at some of the festivals around. Well my first choice would have to be : Ken Byng, Ken's been around the steel world for a long time and as far as I know has never appeared at a festival, it's a great pity he's a top player. Another to my list would have to be Maurice Hipkiss, pure professional player and not forgetting our own Slim Pickins, yes Slim did appear at a Newbury festival many years ago but it's time we got to see this talented performer again. Any other offers?

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

"What steelplayers would you now like to see at some of the festivals around"

I would put it somewhat differently Uncle Roy..... I would like to see more steel Festivals out there!!!
I only know of Ireland and Chanos?? I would like one closer to home tho I can understand why there is nothing>>> Apathy Rules!! and its a thankless task as you well know to try and organise anything............

And to really answer your question........ it would be nice to see Mr.Haywood playing at a festival ,he too, Has been A.W.O.L. from the scene way too long >>>>

[Basil Henriques]

"What steelplayers would you now like to see at some of the festivals around"

[b]I would put it somewhat differently Uncle Roy..... I would like to see more steel Festivals out there!!!
I only know of Ireland and Chanos?? I would like one closer to home

Well John, there's your own Get-Together which is no mean event, and I think you've missed out just a couple ?


Lap steel, Acoustic steel, Resonator steel, Console steel, and Pedal Steel can be heard at:-
1/. Shustoke every September in the village hall, and
2/. December in the Sailing club,
3/. Brecon the second weekend of June at the Conservative Club, Brecon South Wales.
4/. British Slide Guitar Festival, Atherstone, Warwickshire January, steel players in abundance and attendance.
5/. Aloha Dream Spring Convention 2nd weekend in March "Floating Venue"

There are MANY every year in Holland (5) and Northern France/Belgium (3). Just a quick trip on the ferry, costing between £25 and £45 return depending..(Norfolk Line)

The problem is that there are those who are "Professional Players" (By name if not by nature) who've said they won't play for nothing at these shows and require a "Fee".. Not exactly supportive.
The same players ? expect to get in for nothing whenever they attend a fellow steeler's gig.
Personally I couldn't possibly name them, as professional etiquette would prevent me from so doing.

Nevertheless we ALL know who the stalwarts are and I applaud them for their contribution, especially as in the case of Mr. Hartley they hold down other jobs as well.

[Ken Byng]

What steelplayers would you now like to see at some of the festivals around. Well my first choice would have to be : Ken Byng, Ken's been around the steel world for a long time and as far as I know has never appeared at a festival, it's a great pity he's a top player. Another to my list would have to be Maurice Hipkiss, pure professional player and not forgetting our own Slim Pickins, yes Slim did appear at a Newbury festival many years ago but it's time we got to see this talented performer again. Any other offers?

Thanks Roy - that is a very kind comment. Actually it hasn't been due to a reluctance to play festivals from my perspective, its just that for many years as a pro player, I have usually been working when Gerry's festivals have been taking place. I have told Ted Nesbitt that I am free next year should he wish to consider having me, so I will wait and see. Maurice and Slim are both excellent players, but the guy who I would love to see on any steel festival is Pete Haywood. Pete is probably the best C6 player in Europe, and is a fine player on E9. The sad fact is that Pete has little or no interest in doing steel festivals, but he has been one of Europes top players for many, many years. I would love the Americans to see and hear his talent.

[Basil Henriques]

Ken I wholeheartedly agree especially regarding Pete Haywood, he would be a welcome addition. We should all gang up on him and cajole him into some appearance..I think he's a VERY musical player, with none of the usual cliché's.

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

While i wouldn't argue against any of the nominated names, i think the whole steel festival thing needs freshening up, for the most part, its the 'same old, same old' all the time, how many times have you seen newbury or drogheda kick off with someone playing, say? 'all my lovin', and it sets the tone for the whole of the festival, unless you get someone like joe wright, sarah jory or david hartley, i dont want to hear wall to wall steel, i know its a steel guitar festival, but i want to hear steel in a full band setting, and i dont just mean the token lead guitar and piano, good as they are, and im primarily talking about the lads at drogheda, i want to hear fiddles complimenting the steel, i want to hear good singers, with steel backing, now at the risk of upsetting some people on here, but hearing GOOD singers, doesn't mean having to put up with Butch Mahr at every single festival, ok, i know its turned into some sort of tradition, but its old hat, i saw it at newbury 10-15 years ago, its played out, there should also be workshops for lesser players as well, now im only talking about the irish festival, i have never been to Chanos, and in all honesty, probably wont, unless i knew it was a fresher format, im not advocating demoting the steel guitar, as it is a 'steel guitar festival' im just saying it should be much more in the context of a full band scenario, rather than turning a good percentage of these festivals into 'lift music' i probably wont get much, if any support for my views, but i can handle that, its my opinion to which i am entitled, i will be at the ISGA festival, looking forward to seeing David Hartley, but would love to see the likes of Mike Denver, Nathan Carter, Robert Mizzel, etc singing and getting great steel backing, and there are some great fiddle players too, who should be utilised, but it wont happen, will it?

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Eddie,
I hear what You are saying,
I agree in part with what You say but I also disagree with some of Your ideas.
I have been to Ireland a couple of times and I have been to Dallas six times and have vast experience in watching steel players.
My personal view is that after a couple of hours of watching "good"players I become "steel bored" I hope that makes sense.Particularly at Dallas in the main room when,within the space of a few hours You hear several players playing the same well tried and tested "steel" instrumentals.
There are a few players who do different things,Jim Cohen always plays something new and refreshing as do several others.The performances of the "top Dogs"are always good and although I like Joe Wright I am tired of seeing Him do the same comedy routine,(six years in a row)I would rather Joe played good steel all the time.
The Irish show cannot be compared with the Dallas one,Dallas,and St Louis have so much going on outside of the main room,Things have cut back a little due to the economy I suppose but at dallas there are several side rooms which have great players and bands playing in a very intimate atmosphere.there are lots of new things to see and and if that dosent cheer You up there is always the bar
With Your regard to the appearance of Robert Mizzell and other great bands and players performing I think it would then Not be a Steel Guitar Festival. It would be more of a Country music festival.
Workshops and such would be a great idea.
Best regards
BIlly

[Paul Brennan]

I would be the first person to admit that you can have "too much of a good thing" at a steel festival. However, I think we have to accept that this is a common phenomenon at a festival for any kind of instrument. I have often experienced this kind of fatigue. I find the best thing is to get up, walk around, get a drink or just talk to people. I don't think anybody is insulted or disturbed if you leave the hall and mooch about for a while. For me the whole point of a steel festival has been a weekend of total immersion in the instrument with the hope that something will sink in and inspire me to keep persevering with it for another year. Quite often the little gems of inspiration are in what somebody might say to you rather than what you hear coming from the stage.

I take your point about the need for some quality vocals. I have heard some very fine singers at the Irish festival but they appear to have been dragooned onto the stage. Perhaps some more attention needs to be paid to the vocal aspect of the festival/show. And it is a show at the end of the day. If I may be so bold as to mention here that I intend press-ganging my good friend Ray Murtagh into joining me during my set at the upcoming Drogheda festival. Ray is one of the finest country singers in Ireland. There's only one YouTube link I can give you (y/t on steel, guitar and fiddle). It's not really Ray at this best but it'll give you an idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N4UnApTgLY

On the subject of the fiddle, might I point out that the house band features one of the finest players around, Charlie Arkins. I'll certainly be getting him to play as much as possible during my set.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

From my angle........,, I figure anyone that organises a steel event is 100% OK and whatever they decide in the running of it should be accepted without question or complaint ...and I further believe anyone that loves steel, owes those people gratitude and respect for their efforts If its a humble little get together or a huge Newbury or Irish Event.....same thing goes! just IMHO. And Finaly, I think anyone that plays (and loves it as much as I do) should organise a festival/event/meeting.... just to see what its like being on that side of the fence..... I promise it will modify your point of view....
If I wore one ,I would take my hat off to the organisers of the Irish steel Festival (and all the others) provided it did`ent expose my bald patch for too long.... ... as you know too much sun can make you squirlley...

[Steve Broatch]

I agree with Eddie. I've never been to a steel guitar festival or event and I respect the time and effort it must take to organise and carry through, but sitting through hours of steel guitar playing and not much else doesn't really appeal to me. In much the same vein I don't listen to 'steel guitar music' per se, but I do listen to lots of music featuring steel guitar. I'd feel the same about any other instrument too. The song would be the most important thing to me, then the instruments.

Just my opinions of course.