A Mansion On The Hill - Pedal Steel Guitar

Hey y'all,
This is my first KZbin pedal steel instrumental video in quite a long time. I recorded this one last year with my dad. At the time I was just coming back from R.S.I injuries in both hands which were hindering my playing. I loved recording this one but due to video editing corruption combined with confidence issues regarding my playing I never released it.
Recently, a few people have been sending me messages asking when my next video will be and I never really had an answer.
However, after finding this video a few weeks ago, I realised it was much better than I remembered so I thought I'd get it out there with a re edit. I have improved since then but this is a special video to me as I'm alongside my dad playing one of the instrumentals he rocked at many British Country Festivals, in his heyday.
In this video, my dad went back to his 1970s lap steel roots playing it more of the Don Helms/Jerry Byrd way, whilst I played it the more modern way which my dad used to do when I was a kid.
Hope you enjoy and a big thanks goes to my sponsors Ezzee-Slide Tone Bars and Perfect Touch Finger Picks!
Edited in 2024 to remove spoken intro and outro*
Spanish:
Hola a todos,
Este es mi primer video instrumental de acero pedal de KZbin en mucho tiempo. Grabé este el año pasado con mi papá. En ese momento, acababa de regresar de las lesiones de R.S.I en ambas manos que estaban obstaculizando mi juego. Me encantó grabar este, pero debido a la corrupción de edición de video combinada con problemas de confianza con respecto a mi reproducción, nunca lo lancé.
Recientemente, algunas personas me han estado enviando mensajes preguntándome cuándo será mi próximo video y nunca tuve una respuesta.
Sin embargo, después de encontrar este video hace unas semanas, me di cuenta de que era mucho mejor de lo que recordaba, así que pensé en publicarlo con una nueva edición. He mejorado desde entonces, pero este es un video especial para mí, ya que estoy junto a mi padre tocando uno de los instrumentos que tocó en muchos festivales británicos en su apogeo.
En este video, mi padre volvió a sus raíces de acero de la década de 1970 jugando más como Don Helms / Jerry Byrd, mientras que yo jugué de la manera más moderna que mi padre solía hacer cuando era un niño.
Espero que disfruten y muchas gracias a mis patrocinadores Ezzee-Slide Tone Bars y Perfect Touch Finger Picks.
French:
Hey tout le monde,
Ceci est ma première vidéo instrumentale KZbin sur acier à pédale depuis assez longtemps. J'ai enregistré celui-ci l'année dernière avec mon père. À ce moment-là, je revenais juste de R.S.I., des blessures aux deux mains qui gênaient mon jeu. J'ai adoré enregistrer celui-ci mais, en raison de la corruption du montage vidéo et des problèmes de confiance concernant mon jeu, je ne l'ai jamais publié.
Récemment, quelques personnes m'ont envoyé des messages pour me demander quand ma prochaine vidéo serait et je n'ai jamais vraiment eu de réponse.
Cependant, après avoir trouvé cette vidéo il y a quelques semaines, j'ai réalisé qu'elle était bien meilleure que ce dont je me souvenais et j'ai donc pensé la sortir avec une nouvelle édition. Je me suis amélioré depuis, mais c'est une vidéo spéciale pour moi car je joue aux côtés de mon père dans l'un des instrumentaux qu'il a bercés dans de nombreux festivals de country britanniques, à son apogée.
Dans cette vidéo, mon père est revenu à ses racines en acier des années 1970, en jouant plutôt à la manière de Don Helms / Jerry Byrd, alors que je le jouais de la manière plus moderne que mon père avait l'habitude de faire lorsque j'étais enfant.
J'espère que vous apprécierez et un grand merci à mes sponsors Ezzee-Slide Tone Bars et Perfect Touch Finger Picks!
#pedalsteelguitar #coversong #hankwilliams # guitar #countrymusic

[@markdunn8280]

Super job Steven. Dave Beaty (Telonics) just forwarded me a link to this. He asked if I know you? Of course I do! Great playing and great tone from those Buds. All the best Mark

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks Mark, means a lot coming from a player of your caliber. Also great to be mentioned by the guys at Telonics! At the time of this video I'd lost a bit of confidence in my playing but I'm back to being myself now and have a video coming out tomorrow, hopefully with some more soon.

[@Markypsteel]

Occasionally wondering if your playing is where it should be isn't uncommon amongst musicians. And I know what you mean, it's more than just knowing you need to practice. My suspicion is it's part of the process of improving as a musician. You're hearing sounds, you possibly didn't hear before. But, it sounds like you're moving on and getting things into perspective. Music is an emotional thing, and techneques that some consider not so good, can easily flip around and become a part of a very cool style. Just some thoughts. Look forward to seeing your next KZbin. Cheers Mark

[@countryboywilliams6755]

SOUNDING GOOD....MAKE THAT STEEL CRY...LOVE IT

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@Kapperman]

Very nice. Compliments 👍👍

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@philepstein524]

Very nice. NEVER point out slips. In today's music that would be considered a special gift of improv that would get you a recording contract. I played steel with local bands in the 1960's.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks! It was a little joke with the finger wag, do you still play? What pedal steel did you have in the 60s?

[@scrunchymacscruff1244]

very smooth right foot!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks! It's a vital aspect that is commonly overlooked.

[@nourskean1039]

Such a beautiful performance, my friends❣️ Thanks for sharing !💐 Liked and enjoyed really very much !!😍👍110 Have a wonderful evening ! Many kind greetings, Arlette

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@tonytotten408]

Yes very nice ..both very nice styles 👍🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks Tony!

[@RobHoffman83]

You don't hear much steel guitar these days. Thanks for keeping a wonderful instrument alive. It sounds GREAT!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you! That's definitely true but I can see it coming back.

[@hel_sim]

Very nice sound.Well done! 👍👍👍👍136 Thank's for your visit!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@HaroldHarris]

great to hear some young folks playing pedal steel.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Aye, thanks mate! There's not many of us around.

[@bartbosmans83]

Love your style!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@jspianos]

So loverly 🌷

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@positivenergy2231]

Nice video. Have a great sunday, my friend🌸😀

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks!

[@steveharris2589]

Great playing!!!!!!!!))))👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😊

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks Steve!

[@musicotec7380]

Perfect performance, perfect sound and beautiful song. You are too demanding of yourself, which is not bad either, but that can discourage you to continue working. It is better for others to judge your interpretations, so you can balance the result between those who value it positively and your own perception. Sure, video editing can reduce sound quality, but in any case, the sound is perfect for those of us who listen to the end result. By the way, I hope you get better from your ailments and I look forward to hearing your new interpretations again. Don't stop your music my friend. Like 134 Greetings from Spain (Europe).

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you! Yeah, these days I try to balance personal criticism but I just strive to be the best pedal steel player I can possibly be. My RSI issues are now sorted thankfully and my intonation is back on point.

[@musicotec7380]

@@stevenhickenjr I'm glad to hear that and I celebrate it because I have a lot to learn from you my friend.

[@songsforvampires]

Awesome Stuff Sir Playing with a slide is no easy task. You have to be spot on for placement . top Job

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks! Yeah, intonation can be difficult at times on steel. Once you think you have it, you can easily go sloppy.

[@songsforvampires]

@@stevenhickenjr Yeah it`s a bit more forgving on a normal six string.

[@picker63028]

Mighty fine playing Steven. Thanks for sharing

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@1HarryH]

Great performance, nice playing, thanks 👍 Have a great day

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks!

[@therowes5467]

Nice job you Limeys! Sounds great 👍

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@rodrigobarrera3868]

Hello Stevie!!! This is so wonderful bro!!! What a nice channel and songs you have here. I have never seen that instrument. Is amazing 😁😁😁👏👏👏👏🎸🎸🎸

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you, glad you like it!

[@astrogerry]

Very nice !! Thanks for sharing and ... a big like for you, my friend !!!!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@tps607]

Steven, you play well as does your father...thanks for sharing

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@TonyMcGreal]

Like 97. Loving that cool sound. Subscribed.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed!

[@shirleymaesings]

So nice to listen to. Thumbs up

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@maxrawnsley1401]

Beautiful, well done

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@dstadelman]

Great video, awesome tones!👍👍🎸🎸

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@phspalace1021]

You are very talented, thanks for sharing Steven.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@NikArcher]

I came here after I read your comment below my video Great sound and performance, both of you! :)

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@tonytotten408]

Yeh love the cheeky wave where you thought you were out ..but hey ho it takes real balls and hands and nerves of steel to play that instrument . you sounded pretty good to me improvisation and you managed to pull it off excellent job ...I play also by for best part of 4 yrs we have a wee steel club in gartcosh Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ..all great players in there like your dad👍👏 keep up the good work stay 💪 👏👏👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥃

[@stevenhickenjr]

Haha! Yeah I do know how to troll my audience ;). I've seen some of the Scotland stuff through Bob Adams. It's looks great! Stay safe mate.

[@truckdriver7696]

Really great my friend this is spot on. This top shelf steel playing please keep up the great music brother Really enjoyed it. Listening from the other side of the pond in the states

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you! Glad you like it, it means a lot. Hopefully I'll be having some more traditional country out soon.

[@renediguitarswe32]

Great stuff..New friend here......I like this song....All the best Rene DI

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@awnok]

Spooksville! Just been listening to Buddy's version from St. Louis 1977.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Now that's a version I would listen to!

[@JulieDeeAmber]

That is so cool. It looks like it's straight out of the 50's. Oh, new jacket... Out of the 70's. Anyways very nostalgic, very country and very pretty! Seeee. Now time. Giggle. So it's a evergreen. I get it. Great job!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you! Yeah that sums it up perfectly 😭 !

[@chrisharlow6652]

Awesome playing just beautiful

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you so much!

[@chrisharlow6652]

@@stevenhickenjr your very welcome

[@tonytruelove3576]

Great Steven, I wish I'd been able to do this with my father 40 years ago! Brilliant. Tony

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks Tony, really appreciate it!

[@AndySalinger33]

class!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@cdnpont]

Love it

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks, glad to hear!

[@riversidetribute4459]

Really nice my friend !!! Like #105

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@JimmyQuango]

Fantastic sound and performance my friend!! Greetings, Jimmy

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@larrydering1598]

Steven, great job.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@SolasComposer]

Stunning work with the flow and the expression here, this music is so beautiful for the energy and nostalgia as well.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@KINGJESHUA]

Bravo 👍🏽

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@NormEvans4070]

Excellent!! Nice Guitars!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@rossleeshellard]

Very nice.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@vernscott3737]

Good job Steven Jr!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@LayilaFaon]

wow this is extremely wonderful

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@crazymixture57]

Wow man I never thought I'd find the perfect version of this song on steel guitar on youtube. However I finally have! The backing track just sounds so great and real and not fake like on other guitarists videos as well as the steel sounding on point. Fantastic job my man!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you! Yeah, the backing track was from a guy called Mike Headrick. He makes quality backing tracks, with real musicians I believe. He's a great steel player too.

[@crazymixture57]

@@stevenhickenjr Right on thanks for the information!

[@steelblue1959]

Great renditions! So many ways to play the same yet differently on the pedal steel.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much, glad you liked it! Yeah, the pedal steel is just an instrument with so much range and ways to frame a melody.

[@thinkingofothers353]

~~~ Now that was just wonderful my friend . Please put on some more videos with the steel guitar......GOD'S JOY my friend .......

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you so much! Glad you liked it. Some more things will be out soon.

[@EdingaHex]

Great performance, beautiful sound! You both did a great job, thanks for posting!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@tonybpr31]

Show Pro and Sho~Bud combination, what more could you want. Great stuff guys. Just need to get the lawn mower fixed !! Cheers, Tony.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks mate! Means a lot coming from you. Your Hank Williams Medley really inspired me when I was first starting out and to this day, you are one of the only players on KZbin that reminds me of my dad. Unfortunately the gardener was on a sabbatical.

[@janviljoen7001]

Well done, blokes.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@AlexB-Music-UK]

I love the pedal steel sound and you and your Dad play it so well, really enjoyed this! 😎🎶👍

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you, glad you like it!

[@JennysCountryChannel]

Sounds wonderful, Steven :-)

[@HUNTERWRENNMusicvlogz]

Ohhhh SO beautiful! There is NOTHING like a pedal steel guitar!! I have subscribed to your channel to hear more of this outstanding music!!! I hope you have a great week.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you so much! I'll be having more out soon.

[@lauriejeannecomposer8044]

A great collaboration with your dad! The sound is incredible! Great job both of you😊❤️❤️

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@jeremydaywalt6353]

That was fantastic. You and your dad are so smooth with your music I really enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that. From north Carliona USA

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[@EmeryIsland]

You sound great and look awesome! :-)

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@bernardbigorgne2535]

Beautiful upload Amazing performance ; great interpretation. Thx for sharing Steven Kind regards / Bernard

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[@CoreyButler]

Nice!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks!

[@GeraldSongWriterSinger]

Incredible my friend!! So cool!!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@PetersRecord]

This sounds sooo fantastic. You and your dad are great steelguitar players! 👍

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you, I'll pass on your compliment!

[@SlashinAces]

This was very Beautifully played man enjoyed!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@LeeChavezMusic]

Bravo!! Great job, both of you!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@SvetlanaFILuz]

Sounds really great! So atmospheric and tuned! Great job! all the best

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@danielstein5290]

great job Steve(s)!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks mate!

[@kenbyng1284]

Well done Steven. Very nice job all round.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks Ken! Means a lot coming from you.

[@anytimejj]

It's so beautiful and I loved it. Your playing is fantastic. Liked this video and I just subscribed to your Channel expecting more of your beautiful performances. Have a good weekend. Cheers! JJ from Korea

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you so much! Glad to hear and great to hear pedal steel music is being heard in the Far East.

[@MangoDaVille]

Shit Howdy Steven and Steven Sr., you guys done mighty fine! Keep pickin, knee-in, pedalin and slidin!!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@Lautenspiel]

Your playing sounds so wonderful. I love it. I think the wonder of the Pedal Steel is that a chord can be changed in an other as it is still sounding. There is probably no other instrument that can do this.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much! Definitely, that's what makes them unique. Guitarists can get close but they are limited to only bending one string at a time. One of the only instruments that successfully imitates the human voice.

tm, juntos, Sucesso. Meu Amigo.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Obrigado!

@@stevenhickenjr tm, juntos, Brasil.

[@nicoleandscotty]

Amazing job, Steven!!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@zemaguitarinmemorian757]

Olá amigo, linda performance, desejo tudo de bom pra você abraço...

[@stevenhickenjr]

Obrigado!

[@MatONeill]

Wow, outstanding work there - The amount of control and coordination it must take is mind blowing. Consider me subbed!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much, glad you liked it!

[@2009framat]

75.Anniversary thumb from Germany, Steven. Quality,too. Frank

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much, glad you liked it!

[@2009framat]

@@stevenhickenjr Yes. I like your playing and you have a very fine style on the pedal steel. I will stick to my lap steel and alternate tuned (and standard tuned ) guitars because I am an (upright) bass player,too. It would cost proably too much time to start with that kind of instrument since I do not often play lap steel.

[@stevenhickenjr]

@@2009framat Thanks again! Never write yourself off, most people don't know how good they really are.

[@scrunchymacscruff1244]

Really enjoyed the lamb-chops and Elvis coat..are you sure you'all ain't cowboys from Arizona or someplace?

[@stevenhickenjr]

Haha thanks mate! Yeah, we definitely think we're cowboys from Arizona. We're from Yorkshire over the pond in England.

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

GOOD JOB BROTHER

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks so much!

[@Elena_Streltsova1980]

Klass 👍👍👍✍️👏👏

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you!

[@lukeshawmusic]

Awesome work man! I would love to collaborate with you! 👏🏼✌🏻

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thank you! Hollar at me ☺

[@hoola100]

I saw Buddy Emmons play in '77 at Jeff Newman's school. He actually played a clanger and hit the back of his wrist as if in reprimand. Mind you there was only one clanger.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Great story!

[@epikgamer5508]

Remember you commented on my sisters video 4 years ago and you said Amazing!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Oh yeah? That's a long time ago but I might have done if it was a music cover of some sort.

[@epikgamer5508]

Steven Hicken Jr Pedal Steel Guitar yup its a music cover

[@epikgamer5508]

A guitar cover

tm, juntos, Brasil, Sucesso.

tmj,

[@theduyvenbode3862]

Nothing sounds better....

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@cliftonbanks5590]

Wish I had grass like that.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Haha, thanks! Unfortunately it's not ours either, just a friend's.

[@atticusakelly]

Hey, were the RSI issues caused by the steel guitar? If so, can we talk lol?

[@stevenhickenjr]

Unfortunately, my issues were mostly caused by overuse in my office job. I changed my working habits to minimise typing and I've been good ever since.

[@stevenhickenjr]

What I will say is, moving to a lighter bar helped. I'd been using a 1 inch really heavy bar and moved to using lighter 7/8 and 15/16s.

[@atticusakelly]

@@stevenhickenjr Thank you! Glad you were able to figure things out.

[@sledge1960]

I don't know how you play in cowboy boots Steven, but it sure doesn't affect performance.

[@stevenhickenjr]

Haha, thanks! I've always preferred a pointy toe for the pedals and the Cuban heel helps me anchor my foot.

[@sledge1960]

@@stevenhickenjr Jeff Newman always wore them. If it works, don't mess with it as they say.

[@louislamonte334]

Thanks for this Steven! You're a real inspiration to me as a pedal steel player! It would be great to correspond with you if you'd care to. You also dress great! Most other steel players dress like slobs!!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks for the kind words! I wouldn't like to comment on other people's attire but I definitely like to dress up, both on stage and in videos. Feel free to message me!

[@prodbyAlldaynightshift]

Damn this is nice fam! Love the vibe, left a sub! Would love if you could take a look at me too when you got a moment, keep up the good work and stay healthy!!🔥🔥

[@Sängersongwriter]

Great music🎉🎉😮❤ can u comment also my songs ? 🎶↘️🎵♥️

[@stevenhickenjr]

Thanks!