Re: [Harp-L] Country Western harmonica players

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Jan 7, 2009, at 12:26 AM, steve@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> The following is my opinion and should not necessarily be construed  
> as  the truth:
>   If harmonica players today want to work, at least in most local  
> venues, they need to understand that harp is, as I think the Iceman  
> said, a luxury. A solo guitar/singer act can work just fine without  
> harp. Harmonica can add to the sound, but we shouldn't think it is  
> the most important element in the sound.
> I think taste in playing is the key. I play by ear. I can't play  
> all the neat stuff that guys like Smo-Joe play.

Nice of you to say that Steve. I'll be on a Caribbean cruise in a  
couple weeks, doing some of that 'neat' stuff.
sMoe-joe

p.s. What I really meant to say below was "There are so precious  
little places where a fiddle, but especially mandolin and banjo  
player can make a living....let them HAVE bluegrass & country musics.

> Or the over-my-head stuff that people like Chris Michalek can  
> play.  I am not a really good player. But I know how to be in a  
> band. I know how to try and find spaces in which to play. Mostly I  
> don't know what to play in those spaces without a lot of trial and  
> error, but I'm lucky to have a singer/guitarist who is patient and  
> is a good friend who lets me work it out in practice.
> I love the sound of harp in country music. Don Brooks in the early  
> Waylon stuff, Mickey Raphael just plain killed in Willie's Stardust  
> album. Jelly Roll Johnson has a unique sound that works will with  
> current styles. I love blues harp, too, but I'm basically a country  
> player, I guess.
> This list and going to festivals like Buckeye and SPAH have made me  
> a much better player. More importanly, they have allowed me to make  
> many new friends with the same interests and what could be better  
> than that.
> Steve Webb, waxing philosophical in Minnesota
>
> ---- Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > I have to be frank and honest here and say "Who needs em".