My philosophy is to be as musically and personally flexible as possible. In my case that is easy, because I like all types material. Many people my age were raised on '70s rock and it is true that right now country music is the closest thing to that. I also love the traditional music from the '50s and '60s and I believe every steel player must have an excellent working knowledge of those songs.
Fills and Intros. I believe if you can play great intros and fills, you will always work. Intros are a big part of playing steel guitar. A band always needs and appreciates someone to jump in there and get them started. To me, filling a song is more a matter of where and how you play and not what you play. The trick I use is to put something between the vocal lines, even a single note or a volume swell. Many players try too hard when playing a fill. I just try to be as smooth and clean as possible.
Professionalism. This sounds so simple, but so many people get caught up in band politics, on ego trips, show up late, don't help set up or tear down that it is really necessary to say that I try to be professional. My mindset is to show up, help out, listen up, turn down, tune up and have fun!
Sonbone's Steel and Guitar Gear:
Zumsteel
12 string
|
Fender
50's Reissue
|
Peavey
|
Korg A1 fx unit |
Boss GL-100 guitar pre-amp |
Bill Lawrence and Zumsteel steel guitar pickups |
Korg MT 1200 tuner |
Digitech Hot Rod Distortion |
DiMarzio guitar pickups |
GHS strings |
Peavey Reactor guitar |
ADA midi program changer |
Here is a MP3 clip of a demo song I played on with singer Trisha Lynn. This one is Loretta Lynn's Honky Tonk Girl. As in the previous clip I played both lead and steel guitars.
This clip is Lost Highway, a song that I co-wrote. Vocals on this one are from Kirk Dillen. I played the "dobro" on this clip.
Larry Greene sings the George Strait classic "I Wanna Dance With You".
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