Endemic Forum Apathy

[Zebedee]

I've just read some comments by Dave Nutt about this forum being underused.

He's right, of course, and it will stay underused as long as b0b's steelguitarforum is extant

The internet is global, it doesn't matter where you live, and, because b0b's forum was first off the mark, and therefore the biggest, nearly all 'steel traffic' will be on his forum, not this one.

I post regularly on b0b's forum, and don't really want to be repeating myself on this and the European forums

Sorry guys, but we're a very small fish in a very big pond

[bob adams]

Dave's comment!

Im really not sure what members want. During the first week of this site, Dave Hartley took a lot of time to post some very in depth info regarding his recording techniques, responses? 'not a friggin chance' Derek Thurlby looked in, any welcome? response? yep! a loud resounding one!! from Bob only. These guys are without doubt in the top echelon of the UK steel scene, two of the only full time steelies we have left, so so much to contribute to all on here. Dave Kirk looked in at the old site, and then again on here during our first week. (Knowing Dave he must have thought he had entered a morgue)

I have been a member now for a couple of years, I have always wondered why the 'real big boys' never get on here, we don’t have to look to far do we?

Billy, It doesn’t go unnoticed how you yourself continually post items of interest, always trying hard to generate some response, seen it all before, our Eddie, Baz Gaskell, even myself, gets very frustrating doesn’t it?

The essence of this site is that of a (local) UK community / common interest with many of us having met and knowing each other, that is reflect on B0bs site too as I’m sure you note from the response to their posts (on just about any subject!) when they post there is a flood of replies, when we post there we are lucky to see a handful! (if any!) Also frustrating wouldn’t you say! There will always be Heathrow where movement is perpetual but lots of us prefer to use the others airports if we can!

Whilst I enjoy and (contribute) to the US site There is one thing for sure if we simply direct everybody there we may as well hang up our hats now! A saddening remark for Roy I would have thought who has worked tirelessly for years to pull the apathetic together! Too bad we read this today when we have just been encouraging young blood for the first time in the last few days! Now 'that' is what this site is all about! May it develop nicely!

[Zebedee]

Bob,
The British steel playing community is so small that we can all get in the back of a taxi, hence the reason why we run out of things to talk about

There's nothing wrong with that, not everything has to be a fast-paced sprint

[Dave Nutt]

The RH David Cameron has it right we are 'small cousins' when it comes to our standing in the USA. Not just in the political/millitary sense, think- steel guitarists and things steel related.
Looking into bobs site as a lurker! (non member here and never had the wish to be, although! I am a member of smaller membership USA steel sites) I find it amazing how many UK guys post on subjects or direct to youtube clips of their playing that are by and large ignored, or recieve replies that sometimes appear to be 'twee' to the point of being dismissive.

With the probable exeption of Dave Hartley no british steelie has ever been recognised in the USA, to most involved in US steel scene, steel in the UK is a little bit short of a joke. (that will be contested I am sure) Chatting to American steelies over the years it has been noted that even 'our Gordon' was virtually unheard off, Mathews Southern? yes. Woodstock as a song? yes, but ask em to name the steel player? a few blank looks. Go on to explain that he played with Babara Dickson, Clff Richard,etc etc and they will say- who!! Pete Wilshire? BJ Cole? together with Gordon UKs undisputable top session pedal steelies, hardly heard of in the USA. But still we seem to 'worship at the court' of steel in the USA, as long as we do this, steel in the UK will stay as the minority it is. Our own worst enemies?
Dave

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

There is a lot of truth in what has been said in the preceeding posts.
The U.S.Forum certainly dominates the Steel Scene.
If We look at the U.S.Forum it has almost 10K members and the regular posting members number about a Hundred? !% Even if I have the (posting) numbers wrong it cannot be more than 2% of members posting.
We have 97 members and there are at least 10% of us posting That was probably a bit of useless info but if We do'nt post,We wo'nt get a reply.
How many questions can You ask about Pedal/lap Steel? are all questions just variations of another question? How can I get a better tone?that opens up potential for weeks of discussion on Picks,Bar,guitar,amp,strings,blah blah.
On the U.S Forum there are some high level players who will give advice,Paul Franklin regularly posts,and this is a tremendous boost to the Forum.
Someone said our big timers have posted and recieved nil feedback!!
I disagree,Our biggest timer(at present)posts every day(almost) and His advice is as good and better than anything You will read on any forum,Do I need to tell You I am speaking of Basil?
If We lump this,and the old Forum together I have great difficulty recalling a "main"(subjective)player posting advice on technique or tab or general chat.
We will always be a lesser(in size)forum than the one across the pond but We can be as good as or maybe better in quality,You will never know if You do'nt become active.We have already attracted a few overseas members and that is very heartning,lets see if We can show them that We love our steel as much as anyone else.
Get posting
Best regards
Billy
Think positive guys.

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

well said Billy,