Michigan Hall of Fame Show

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 8 Apr 2002 5:02 pm

Many thanks to LT Zinn, Evelyn Whitney, Frank Rogers and all the others who put together such a super show this past weekend. The backup band was outstanding and so many fine players all in a row. I'm honored to have been included in the lineup this year.

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The "Master of Acceptable Tone"
www.jimcohen.com

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 8 Apr 2002 5:19 pm

I'll second that. Great time was had by all.

L.T. and Evelyn's labor of love can't be underestimated. Great players, best band in the world, and -- as always -- the fans of the steel guitar make it all worth while.

Good seeing you, too, Jimbeaux.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

Jerry Brightman · Post by **Jerry Brightman** » 8 Apr 2002 5:39 pm

Let me add my appreciation and thanks for another great show and the invitation. LT, Evelynn, Danny Hullihen, and all the behind the scenes folks that just do the job without complaining, make this a great show for the players and the audience. I was honored to have Don Helms play two songs with me on Sunday.

Among all the great performances, Joe Wright and Jim Cohen seemed to be really on their game and provided super performances. Frank, I heard the demo and thanks for sharing it with me. The folks are in for a real treat
when your CD is finally released.

Congradualtions to Larry Bell and LT on thier inductions into the Hall of Fame.

David Spires put on one heck of a seminar. I had those who attended tell me it was one of the best they have ever attended.

Special thanks to Roy, Don, and Ben for the great backup. Thier history in the music business is as long as any of the great steel players.

Thanks to all the nice people who once again, gave me so many memories to return home with.

Cya all next year!

Jerry http://www.slidestation.com

Evelyn Whitney · Post by **Evelyn Whitney** » 8 Apr 2002 7:32 pm

L. T. ZINN AND EVELYN ARE SO VERY PROUD!!!
Oh, how all of you came through for us.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START YET, SO AS THE DAYS PASS I HOPE I'LL BE ABLE TO EXPRESS OUR THANKS FULLY. AGAIN, YOU MADE IT A SHOW TO BE PROUD OF. WE ARE STILL EXHAUSTED. BUT A NICE EXHAUSTION.

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 8 Apr 2002 8:29 pm

Jim Cohen said it perfectly.

Thank you L.T., Evelyn, Frank, Danny, all the musicians, the fans, and everyone involved for making the 2002 MSGHOF Show such a great one! And thank you for letting me be a part of it too.

Tim R.

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 9 Apr 2002 3:15 am

I am indeed very proud to be a part of all this, and I was deeply touched as I watched LT receive his Hall of Fame award. This is a man who has contributed to the steel guitar world more than anyone I can think of, and awards such as this are long over due to him, and I hope to see more in the near future.

The staff band was the best of the best, and Frank Rogers gave a steller perfomance both as the staff guitarist, and his show on steel.

There is so much I would like to say here about the players at this years show, but I would have to write a book to say it all.

As always, Jerry Brightman blew us away with his performances, and I hope to see him at all of the shows. I was equally impressed with Larry Bell, David Spires, and Jim Cohen this year with their performance. WOW! If there was ever a steel guitar heaven, this years show was certainly a great sampling of it!

My best personal regards to all that attended.

Bob Putnam · Post by **Bob Putnam** » 9 Apr 2002 9:29 am

I was privilegd to do the photos for the show. They will be ready very soon. They will be shown on the web site. We will post on the Forum when this is completed. It was a great show! Thanks.

Bob Putnam

Bob Taillefer · Post by **Bob Taillefer** » 9 Apr 2002 10:19 am

My wife and I had a great time in Grand Rapids. The music was superb. Congratulations to Leonard and Larry for their awards.

I agree with Jerry, Frank Rogers new recording is outstanding. Regards! Bob

Herby Wallace · Post by **Herby Wallace** » 9 Apr 2002 12:14 pm

Ben Brogdon and I just got back about 3:00 a.m. this morning and I'm still somewhat exhausted, but as the above guys said, this was really a great show. The lineup was really good plus, of course, the backup band was great. L.T. and Evelyn decided to bring in Ben Brogdon on bass and Roy Rosetta on piano and needless to say it really put the icing on the cake. Along with Frank Rogers on guitar and Don on drums, the band was just tremendous. Of course having a good backup band like this makes all the difference in the show and makes it more enjoyable for the players and the audience because we can play the tunes they came to hear. I have played several of these shows in Grand Rapids and for my taste this was undoubtedly the best one yet.

Thanks again to LT, Evelyn, Frank and all the others.

Herby Wallace

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Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 9 Apr 2002 12:41 pm

I echo everything everyone has said. I was at the GR show for Friday night only (sadly), but had a great time. Excellent musicians, good tunes and a wonderful venue. The Hilton in GR is a very comfortable and pleasant place for the convention. Next year same place?

Thanks LT & Evelyn for all of your behind the scenes months and months of planning.

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Gerald Ross

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 9 Apr 2002 7:25 pm

This is the first time that I was able to spend the whole 3 days here and I really enjoyed every bit of it. Everything already said says it all...

Herby Wallace really extended himself and played great! That great backup band must have inspired him, he sure sounded like it.

Frank Rogers played a tape for me of a CD he is coming out with that will really surprise a lot of people.

Joe Wright showed a lot of talent with his own original style.

Mr. Smooth, Bill Stafford, Mr."acceptable tone" Jim Cohen, Larry Bell, LT.Zinn (where does he get all that energy),Jerry Brightman, and all the guys just played great! I was also lucky enough to meet some of my friends of the Steel Guitar Forum.

Thank your Evelyn Whitney and Leonard Zinn for all the work you do to put this show together for all of us to enjoy....al

Evelyn Whitney · Post by **Evelyn Whitney** » 10 Apr 2002 5:01 pm

A million thanks to all of you for your comments on the show, for playing there and making it be a success.
Now the circuit of steel shows begins. So I know most of you are off and running.
We'll see you all back here in G R next April, the good lord willing.
L.T. and Evelyn

Jeff A. Smith · Post by **Jeff A. Smith** » 10 Apr 2002 5:07 pm

Thanks to Evelyn, L.T., and the other organizers of the show. It was one great weekend.

I really liked how the seating was such that no one was that far from the stage this year. During Herby wallace's set, I was seated directly in front, not too far back. The drive and passion of this guy's playing is incredible. I couldn't believe somebody's picking fingers could move that fast. But this was no speed simply for speed's sake, either. He has so many great ideas.

There were many other great moments from other players, but I thought I would mention the unique experience of seeing this guy close-up. I won't soon forget it.

To all the steelers that I had enlightening conversations with, thanks for sharing. Thanks to Danny H. for giving me a great deal on my first real steel guitar amp. The Nashville 400 sounds great.

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 11 Apr 2002 4:35 am

This was a bigger and better production than ever. Thanks to Evelyn, L.T. and Frank Rogers and the rest of their staff for allowing me the great priviledge to have been there.
Quality and professional act from start to finish. Before the first four measures were played, I had to tell the sound engineers that all was just perfect with the sound mix.
I was very proud to have had this opportunity to spend quality time with the great talented musicians in attendance-ie Al Marcus, Larry Bell, Dennis Robinson, Ben Brogdan, Jim Cohen, and a host of others just too numerous to list here.
The staff band was superb with Roy, Ben, Dan Crampton, and the great talent of Frank Rogers. (Frank got a workout similar to the one Roy gets to do for us all the time).
And when Frank had his show on his steel, you wonder where one individaul can get and have this much talent. Frank's steel is not loaded down with levers. His ability and knowledge of music theory is very obvious in all his "directions" of where his music is going. Just absolutely perfect on both tunings. This was my highlight of this show. Listening to Frank and his personal stylings on his pedal steel.
Thanks again to all. Keep up the good work!

Bill Stafford

scott c anderson · Post by **scott c anderson** » 11 Apr 2002 9:36 am

Hi Folks....
Gotta tell ya......this was my second time to Grand Rapids, and Man, was it worth it. Unfortunately, I missed Friday night, as I had to work Saturday morning, but high-tailed it as fast as I could out to GR in the mid afternoon.
I got in just as John Hughey was finishing his set, and it was, as always, fantastic. He, in my opinion is one of the most "dangerous" of the great steelers, and one of my all time favorites as he can make ya cry at the drop of a hat, with some of the old slow CT stuff.
I gotta tell ya, though, I REALLY enjoyed seeing all the "regulars" again...and as always, Joe Wright made me split a stitch. I wonder how "the farm" lets him out for this weekend every year.

But, this year was extra special for me. To see Don Helms set was the high point of my visit. To hear someone speak in the "first person" about some of his "ol' Hank" stories was just awesome. This guy is a true living legend, and he could make that old Double 8 Gibson Console sound as good as any 12 string steel with a thousand pedals, and knee levers. But, I really wasn't ready for his final medley, when he played solo, with no accompaniment whatsoever. Man, it sent chills down my spine. As haunting, and yet fantastic a set as I have ever heard. We were witnessing a piece of Country Music History. And I consider myself a richer person for being able to witness this firsthand, and in years to come when ol' Don has passed into the next life, and his style will be just a fond memory, I can tell my grandkids that I saw Hank's Steel player in the flesh. The standing ovation Don recieved afterwards was a true testament to how much we love him.

Again as everyone has previously said, a TON of heartfelt thanks, and kudos to Leonard T, who doesn't really know me from Adam, but went out of his way to shake my hand and greet me upon my arrival, and make some small talk with me. And Evelyn, and Frank.....as always...GREAT JOB...... and we can't forget that great band......

All in all, I had a wonderful time, and am already looking forward to next year!!!!

Thanks again.....

Scott Anderson

David Spires · Post by **David Spires** » 11 Apr 2002 1:13 pm

Evelyn and Leonard,

Thank you so much for the work that you put in to make such a show come together. It takes far more work to do than any player or patron realizes.

Many thanks to Danny, Frank, Rob, Scotty, the whole backup band, and the great players who came out to share their talents and stories.

I've got to admit, that I couldn't help but have my eyes "tear up" as Leonard T. Zinn was inducted into the MI Hall of Fame. As I told my wife later that day - if I could live my life half as good as Leonard has, then I would have really done something. Thanks for inviting me to be a part of it all.

Sincerely,

David Spires

Dan Dowd · Post by **Dan Dowd** » 11 Apr 2002 4:14 pm

Jim it was great hearing you play all the tunes that were different and not related to the steel. It proves the steel is ready for any type of music. I have to agree with David on LT. and his induction to the Hall of Fame. Lt's playing was a good influence to me back in the 50's with the 101 Ranch Boys. It was one of the best shows and the hotel was great also. Look forward to next year.[This message was edited by Dan Dowd on 11 April 2002 at 05:15 PM.]

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 11 Apr 2002 7:36 pm

Missed the whole thing. Darn it!

See you next year.

Drew

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