Information On ISGCC™ Site

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 7 Feb 2008 6:58 am

We have received so many inquiries about who we are and what we do here at the International Steel Guitar Conference Center™ that I thought this is now the time that I should see if I could answer some of those questions by telling you some of the things that we do at our site. First off, we use a voice over IP software that allows all of our members to talk to each other in “real time” by using two methods. You can either “type” in your conversation or you can actually “talk” live and in real time by using a simple and inexpensive desk top microphone. It works much like a telephone conversation except there is no long distance bill for you. You can “see” the names of the people in the room and which one is talking. After a short period of time…you will recognize the voice just as you would someone you talk with a lot on the phone. There can be more than one person in the conversation and the whole room can join in as well. Now having said that let me tell you that although many folks who are not “into” computers a lot, feel that this is way over their head….I can assure you that it is easy enough for “anyone at all” to use. So what is it that we do at ISGCC™? We get together anytime we choose and talk with fellow steel guitar players from all over the world. We talk about tunings…technique….licks….steel shows….equipment we use and just about any topic two steel players can talk about. We also have seminars for our members. We recently had a seminar on Band-In-A-Box for all the folks who use it and wanted to become better at it. We had a full room that night. It was free to our members. We had a Bakersfield Night one night featuring two of our members (Norm Hamlet/Jerry Brightman) and it was a blast. Again free to members. We have had seminars by many of the top performers in our industry and Randy Beavers has done more than one seminar. We have some great ones coming up. About once a week we get together for some “trade a licks” fun. Guys will tell you exactly how they play a lick and you can share yours with them. While we all like to listen to the steel guitar greats, Wednesday nights at ISGCC™ we all play our own stuff “live”…mistakes and all!!! It’s a blast. Personally I have heard some folks who just started learning the steel and years later what they have done with it. Simply put…the room is a blast and a wealth of knowledge for steel players. We are working on new software as we speak that will allow video features in the room as well. Anyone wishing to get more information can simply write to us at info@isgcc.com or visit our site at www.isgcc.com and find out more. By the way, our site is open 24/7. That’s right…anytime you wish to go in you can do so. We have many players who come in even after finishing a gig that night and some of them join us when they are out on the road.
We have been operating our site for many years now and have a wonderful membership base. I hope that this has helped some of the people to understand more about what it is…that we are about. It is a paid membership site and the cost to be a member is less than a cup of coffee a day. I have heard so many people complain about losing steel guitar in the new music and how the gigs and band scenes have dwindled in some places. The “only” reason and way that steel guitar eventually vanishes is if we allow that to happen. There is no other reason it can happen unless “you” allow that. The fellowship and strong bond within our membership makes it one that anyone can be proud of. We do not have arguments…foul language…political/religious debates. We have fun talking and playing steel guitar. It’s really quite simple. Here is an opportunity for you to “join in” some of the fun things happening with steel guitar and a place where you are accepted at whatever level of play you may be at. An opportunity to learn and share what you know with others. It is also an opportunity for you to “miss” another opportunity to enjoy what we all enjoy about steel guitar…and the fun that goes with it. Also we will be at the Dallas Show this year and welcome your visit to our booth. We have grown by leaps and bounds and we have so much more that we are in the process of. With gas prices and the economy in general, I just can’t think of a better way to sit down and talk one on one with other steel guitar players from all over the world…learn new things….and hear some great steel work…than to do so without ever leaving your house.

We wish you the best in this new year and look forward to seeing you soon…..

Ray Walker and Don Poland
The International Steel Guitar Conference Center™
www.isgcc.com

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 7 Feb 2008 7:36 am

I can personally attest to EVERYTHING that Ray & Don have said ! I have never seen such a caring and close knit group as our membership in the ISGCC ! You can surely feel the love and comeraderie of these guys ! also the invaluable instruction that is availabe is priceless in itself. We talk about lots of subjects anytime we feel like it. When things get quiet, we even start talking about food ! haha.

You never know when Bobby Bowman is going to give us another of his favorite dishes, and we have some amateur chefs among our membership.(Walter Haynes comes to mind) You never know who's going to be in the center at any given time, and it's always been a pleasurable experience for me. So if you want some good, safe companionship, where you won't be afraid for your wife, kids, or anyone to hear what is going on, I urge you to join us in the fum. And as the politicians always say, "I'm John Phillips and I endorse this message & the ISGCC !

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 8 Feb 2008 3:21 am

Bump.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 8 Feb 2008 5:39 am

Pity it's only PC orientated, there are a LOT of Mac users in the pro field who could and would contribute....

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 8 Feb 2008 6:31 am

Unfortunately, there are relatively few Mac users compared to PC users and that is why the software folks have been reluctant to spend the monies to make the Macs work with their software up to this point. Having said that Mac's are growing in popularity and that is always a good thing. Just for your information.....we are working on the Mac aspect of things and hopefully we will be making a change in your direction in the near future. I will tell you that the investment is a substantial one, and I only hope the response warrants it.
Please don't misunderstand what I said above. There are "a lot" of Mac users in this world right now....but up to this point the ratio of Mac users to PC users is dramatically in favor of the PC users. Impressively, however, Mac never threw the towel in and like so many successful businesses....they will likely reap huge benefits from that in the future.

Ray

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 9 Feb 2008 2:27 pm

By The way....if any of you are having trouble reading this post because of the print....just drop me a line via my e-mail account which is rwalker@isgcc.com. It was created in a word processor and my thought was that it would be easy to read.

Thank You,

Ray Walker

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 9 Feb 2008 3:33 pm

Ray, when I go to the page, my username and password is remembered by my computer. However, when I click on Sign In, it comes back with Name Does Not Exists (sp)

What would you think is the problem?

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 10 Feb 2008 12:04 pm

Bent the message you are getting is because your name "does not exist" in the paid members' files. You can however go into the guest area that does not require a password. There you can listen to steel music, however the traffic of people is limited in that room, therefor there would not be many folks to actually talk to. The masses of people are over in the members section. If you would like to become a member...simply e-mail me at rwalker5@nc.rr.com and I will help you.

Regards

Ray Walker

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 10 Feb 2008 3:54 pm

Thanks Ray
Bent

Joseph V. Sapp · Post by **Joseph V. Sapp** » 15 Feb 2008 2:59 pm

Folks,,,,I'm tellin ya,,test the waters and try it out. What a super informational place for all Steel Guitarists. Pedal and non pedal. if you have a question,,,the answer can be found at the ISGCC. The membership is growing,,,and its always nice to be with good friends. From the Pro's to the Joe's,,,and always a good crowd. we also play "live" one night a week,,,but isn't limited to just "one night". if your woodsheddin something special,,,its a super place to test the waters. hope to see you there. God Bless

Joe

Joseph V. Sapp · Post by **Joseph V. Sapp** » 19 Feb 2008 12:35 am