Curt Olsen Benefit Update

Dennis Atkins · Post by **Dennis Atkins** » 23 Jul 2001 6:43 am

The Benefit/Tribute for Curt Olsen was held on July 22, at the North St. Paul, MN American Legion. The place was packed to the walls with family, friends, and fans of not only Curt, but of the many other musicians and bands on hand to pay tribute to Curt.

Curt is recovering from colon cancer, and we held this benefit/tribute to honor him for his many years of dedication to the steel guitar.

It could have been called the Curt Olsen Steel Guitar Mini-Convention, for all of the many steel players in attendance. Each band that performed had a steel player in it, so it was quite the show. Players on hand were Bill Lane, Al Udeen, Albert Svenddal, Jerry Dube, Steve Schmidt, Lefty Schrage, Bill Rudolph, Cal Hand, Joe Savage, Ernie Renn, Gordy Parker, Sonny Miller, Eddie Lange, Sage Harmos, and Curt Olsen played with the Rose Family Band to close out the night. I hope I haven't left anybody out, my apologies if I have.

I want to thank Lefty and Ernie for driving for 4 hours to get to the show. Ernie lives in Brainerd, MN and Lefty in West Union, IA, so it was a long drive for these two great steel players to come and pay tribute to their fellow player and friend, Curt Olsen.

An honor that is being bestowed on Curt as well, is by the newly formed Midwest County Music Association. Curt has been nominated as the steel guitar player of the year. I don't know much about the organization, having just heard about it yesterday, but I will look into it, and pass along pertinent information about the other nominees, and when the ceremony takes place.

This benefit was for Curt, but at the same time, to give you an example of how this man feels about his community and friends, he greatly admires those who support traditional country music and the supporters of the steel guitar. While we were thinking of him, he took it upon himself, along with his wife Jan, to donate $200 to a local radio show, Good and Country, hosted by Ken Hippler, and $200 to the Minnesota Steel Guitar Association. Both Ken and I wish to thank Jan and Curt for their generosity during this time of trial for them, and I hope that you in the steel guitar world will take the time to send your greetings and well wishes to a fellow steel player, going through some difficult health problems.

A couple of highlights as well, The Rose Family band has backed up some well-known country acts that have appeared at the Midwest Country Theater, and among them has been the great Jean Sheperd. She sent along her best wishes and told Curt that he better be there on November 11th, when she comes back to Minnesota. Terry Bethel of the Mel Tillis show, also a long time friend of Curt's sent a letter of tidbits about Curt that Larry Rose read to the audience.

It was a great day for all, and for those of you in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area who gave of their support in donations and prizes, we thank you.

Dennis[This message was edited by Dennis Atkins on 23 July 2001 at 08:04 AM.][This message was edited by Dennis Atkins on 23 July 2001 at 11:00 AM.][This message was edited by Dennis Atkins on 23 July 2001 at 11:00 AM.][This message was edited by Dennis Atkins on 23 July 2001 at 11:03 AM.]

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 23 Jul 2001 9:00 am

Dennis;
The drive was well worth it! Tracey and I had a great time! (I wish I would have brought my guitar.)
Please keep us posted. Thanks!

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My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com[This message was edited by Ernie Renn on 23 July 2001 at 10:01 AM.]

Eddie Lange · Post by **Eddie Lange** » 23 Jul 2001 2:19 pm

It really was a great time. All the groups were excellent and all played great country music. Curt is a wonderful friend to all the steel players and musicians and the benefit really showed that, because as Dennis said, the place was jammed with people all day. Plus, after the the whole afternoon, Curt got up and played his butt off(as usual) and left all us steel players off to the side of the stage(on our pak-a-seats mind you

)with our jaws hangin open. It was a great day.

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The Young Steelkid

Curt Olsen · Post by **Curt Olsen** » 23 Jul 2001 5:10 pm

Dennis,
Here's a photo from yesterday hope I spelled all the names right.I also at this time would like to thank eveyone for the great turn out.Click on the below link to see the photo.

http://hometown.aol.com/cogtr/page6.html

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Dennis Atkins · Post by **Dennis Atkins** » 24 Jul 2001 6:13 am

Thanks for the picture Curt. You got them all right. Whoever took the picture, sure got them developed fast. I will see you later in the week, and hopefully get a copy of all the pictures taken for the next newsletter and web page.

Videos turned out pretty good. Did not view them all, but sound and video were good on what I saw so far.

Dennis