Now to the topic here - I wasn't aware of all the youtube stuff you're referring to. I know Mark Pearson has produced a number of videos in his "Fireside Chat" series. (I think that's what he calls it.) So now you have me curious - I'll have to check this out.
Jim, thanks for the nice compliment. I've recently been listening to a couple albums we recorded for CBS-Sony, and we did sound pretty good, I'll admit. I'm reminded of one of the Japanese tours we did after I'd decided to tackle playing pedal steel. I toted that thing all over Japan and I had to be to each venue an extra hour early just to set it up and tune it. Tom Coe was playing bass with us on that tour and we were in our "modernization" period. Tom played electric bass guitar, Dick was playing keyboard on some numbers and I sat down on pedal steel for - I think 2 or 3 songs? All that set-up for just a couple tunes! What an idiot! I only remember one of the songs I used pedal steel on - "Teach Your Children" - the Crosby, Stills & Nash song. I sold that thing shortly after that tour - too much work to move it around and anyway - that instrument is a lifetime study. I now have a lap steel tuned to C6 - way easier - no pedals, only 6 strings.
My favorite pedal steel experience, tho, was when The KT opened for the Everly Bros. Buddy Emmons was in their band and I got a chance to pick his brain about tunings and stuff. He was the king of pedal steel - he pretty much invented the modern version of the instrument with his double-neck, 12 or so pedals and knee levers. OMG - it takes a certain kind of brain to drive those machines!
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