Beginning to think negatively

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

I have always been a positive thinker but I feel a bit negativity creeping in. It has been twenty weeks since I have done a gig and our band have decided to quit the scene.I cannot see any future in the Scottish Country music scene and doubt if anyone will be playing regular band gigs until early next year,Solo and Duo performers dominate the scene here and band gigs are quite scarce. I can probably get loads of work if I am prepared to rehearse with a "songwriter" who has a plastic guitar and wants several rehearsals and free recording along with a few free promotional gigs Blah Blah.
I am really in a bit of a dilemma and wonder if I need two pedal steel guitars and three amps and various other high cost items. I do not "need" to sell for financial reasons but am seriously considering selling one of My instruments and an amp or two.

[Ken Byng]

Sorry to hear your situation Billy. I have made a decision to purely do recording work and teaching and not do gigs apart from steel festivals. We've had the best of times in the 70's and 80's, and the plastic entertainers who play one chord on their guitar and possess the full gamut of backing tracks, have the whole country club thing sewn up. Luckily some of our young players have their own musical biosphere, so they are doing okay thank you which is great.

I wouldn't sell any gear yet Billy unless you really need to. It takes a long time to build up the disposable income to buy gear, and once its gone you'll probably never replace it.

[Danny Mitchell]

Billy,
my tuppence worth on your thoughts would be, unless you need the space, and as finance isn't a concern, hang on to your guitar. I'm sure you must enjoy playing both of your instruments and might regret passing one on.
Sorry to hear your band's called it a day, but once this enforced hiatus has passed, as it surely must, second thoughts might be the order of the day.
Meanwhile, howzabout (as that old disgraced DJ used to say) getting yourself a hi spec audio interface that would let you record good quality steel parts for the likes of those young 'songwriters' that are out there. Just a thought.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Thanks for Your advice Ken and Danny.
I will always keep My number one guitar and some of the equipment which goes to make up a stage appearance.I am,and will always be a "Live" player It is what I am most comfortatble with, My second guitar always sat ready in My bedroom and had rarely been used for a gig,the other guitar is downstairs and has always been My gigging instrument,it suited Me fine when I had a few gigs and I did not need to strip down and humph the upstairs guitar down to the car and then re-assemble it for home practise. that situation does not arise now or even in the near future so the "cased" guitar could very well remain in the case for ever.I also have a lovely Gretsch 6120 which has not been out of it's case for several years,I am not strapped for cash or even space but I really doubt if I have the need for unused gear.I may yet advertise My Rittenberry SD 10 but it will not be at a low price.

[Uncle Roy]

Billy, like the other guys have said unless. You need the cash IMHO you should hang in there for a while, things look very gloomy right now but it could all improve in time for gigging musicians.
None of us can predict what will happen even in the near future.
Stay with it Billy, best wishes mate.

[Haddock]

To try and put a positive spin on things, there’s nothing like a bit of misery to bring out the music. A good recession will reinvigorate the whole industry like it did in the 80’s when that horrible woman was running the country. At times like these a musician is needed more than ever! Keep the guitars, they will be required! However, I recommend Gillian Welch’s song, ‘Everything is Free’ as a likely financial outcome......
Cheers
Calum

[bradsteel]

Hi Billy,

Being a relatively inexperienced player (and person for that matter!), all I’ll add is that I sympathise with your plight and I really hope you feel more positive as times goes on mate.

[Davie Holland]

Billy you need to keep both steels so I can borrow one again if mine goes on an unplanned vacation again..hehe