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Topic: Some obsevations from our recent U.S.visit |
Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 1 Apr 2008 12:21 pm |
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My Wife and I were at the Dallas show again this year and enjoyed thoroughly the atmosphere at the Sheraton.We met up with many old friends and made a few new ones.
The tribute to John Hughey was most definately the highlight of the show.
My thanks go to Fred Justice,Brad Sarno and Al Brisco for "Services rendered" Good deals.
I was very slightly disappointed that several top names did not play,Mooney, Big E,Franklin,Reece to mention a few.I do understand that this is outwith the control of the TSGA.who did a superb job of setting the whole thing up.
I agree with a mention in another post that a lot of the song choices were repeated so often during the show,I did'nt keep count but I think "Pass Me BY" was the most played song.
Jim Cohen did a great set and the choice of material was excellent,I must admit I am a bit biased,Jim is such a nice guy,We have met Him on several occasions and He is a Gentlemsn of thr first order.
The steel playing in the demo rooms was exceptional,Carco Clave, Mike Sigler and Billy phelps were astounding.
We had the great pleasure of meeting one of the best players from England who I have admired for a long time,Ken Byng,another gentleman.
We extended our visit to the US by going on to Nashville,our first visit to music city.
The people of Nashville were unbelivably friendly,Bus drivers,taxi drivers,Bar staff,musicians and everyone else we encountered had a smile and a nice word for us,it made our stay very pleasant.
The bars on lower Broadway were absolute majic,the quality of the bands was top notch,not a single Stratocaster,Teles abound.The steel players were as good and even better than any I have seen.There sure is a lot of talent there.
Mike Sweeney trated us like old friends(well we are old)he also treated us to some awsome steel playing,the band were fabulous,the drummer is Willie Cantou who played with Buck Owens in the sixties and Willie completely surprised us by telling us of His love of Scottish pipes and drum music,He is a founder member of the Nashville pipe band and He is one teriffic drummer.
One reservation We had was that 90% of male drivers and99% of female drivers we saw were using a cell phone while driving,I do'nt know how the taxi drivers managed,they operate a cell phone and turn around and shake hands wiith you whilst driving at 75MPH.
We did not hear a single swear word or cuss until We arrived back at London.
Thanks to Dallas and Nashville
From Ann and Billy |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Apr 2008 1:44 pm
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| Billy and Ann, Glad yoy enjoyed your trip to Dallas and Nashville. We appreciate your coming all that way for our show. Jody (MC at Dallas Show). |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 1 Apr 2008 1:51 pm
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Billy
It was a pleasure meeting you, Ann, Allan, Ted and the rest of Commonwealth Corner. You were all good fun and good company. I liked Nashville very much too.
I had the pleasure of spending a day with Charles Tilley and his lovely wife at his home in Princeton, Texas. Great folks who made this Limey feel very welcome.
Some of the driving in Texas and Tennessee was er, 'interesting' to say the least. Having said that, the driving in London is not much different. Every man for himself.
Hope we meet up again sometime.
Ken |
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Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
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Posted 1 Apr 2008 5:36 pm
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Billy,
Thanks for hanging out at the Wheel with us while you were here. The pleasure was all ours. I'm glad you made it home o.k. and hope to see you again real soon. Take care and God bless.
_________________
Zumsteel steel guitars, Telonics and Peavey amplifiers, GHS strings. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 2 Apr 2008 2:17 pm
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| Billy I must agree, it was really nice to meet up with Ken, I had heard a lot about him through his association with Sarah so it was nice to meet him in Dallas. The Commonwealth Connection was it's usual high quality event and it was definitely a plus finding Guinness on tap as well - I had to celebrate St Pats day a few days early ! Lovely to see you all again - looking forward to the next gathering ! |
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Bill Stroud
From:
Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Apr 2008 5:31 pm Good meeting
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It was a pleasure meeting all you guys that came all the way over here for the Steel Guitar event.
Everyone was friendly and was good to meet you'all in person, as we've emailed one another at times.
Paddy that's a fine looking Steel that you picked up in Dallas, beautiful Zum.
Looking forward in seeing all of you again, need anything just let me know.
Thanks,
Bill |
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Ivan Posa
From:
Hamilton, New Zealand
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Posted 2 Apr 2008 7:48 pm
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| I agree with all the above posts. It was great to meet so many nice friendly people who made us overseas visitors feel most welcome. There were a couple of "to be avoided" individuals but that was easy. The standard of players and backing musicians was above expectation. A return for next years event is a must. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 2 Apr 2008 8:08 pm
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Thanks Bill, yes the new Zum is amazing ! and has settled in to my Zum family very nicely  -- and just loves being caressed by my 15/16th Hughey lite !!!
I would like to make special mention of David Cline and his wife Becky who looked after Ivan and I both before and after the TSGA show - David ran us all over Dallas which was very generous of him, and we did our best to prop up the Texas economy while we were at it! Especially Sheplers and Bass Pro ha ! |
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Ivan Posa
From:
Hamilton, New Zealand
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Posted 2 Apr 2008 11:02 pm
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| Yes siree, Sheplers and Bass Pro did very well out of Paddy and myself. Our hosts David and Becky Cline were very hospitable and kind to us, and I look forward to seeing David at the end of this month over here on a singing tour. |
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