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Topic: Dave Rowlands is still playing |
Ray Kedge
From:
Middlesex, England
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Posted 20 Jun 2008 1:28 am |
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For those in the UK who remember the Hillsiders Dave Rowlands was one of the best players that I had ever seen,since the demise of the band Dave dissapeared from the scene only playing locally round the Liverpool area.
I saw him last night for the first time in over 20 years he admitted to me that he is rusty as he hardly gigs anymore but his playing was a joy to watch, it was great to hear the C6 played as much as the E9 and he is as good as ever,the tone from his D10 Carter was superb.
Dave Rowlands is still alive and pickin and it's great to see one of the best still doin it!!! |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 20 Jun 2008 3:17 am
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| I have often wondered what happened to Dave. Good picker and nice guy. Thanks for the update Ray. |
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Ray Kedge
From:
Middlesex, England
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Posted 20 Jun 2008 5:23 am
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Ken,
Are you in Aylesbury tonight? I may come along. |
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Mike Gross
From:
Manchester, Connecticut, USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2008 6:02 am
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Is this the same gentleman that used to publish the "Wrangler's Roost" magazine dedicated to the "B" Western movie stars?
_________________
Mike |
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Malcolm McMaster
From:
Beith Ayrshire Scotland
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Posted 20 Jun 2008 7:36 am
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| Had the pleasure of being on the same shows as Dave a couple of years ago,he is a supberb player and a real nice guy.He was playing with American Pie and backing Gail Davis on her UK tour at that point and yes you are right he had a fantastic tone from the Carter and his Webb amp. |
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John Davis
From:
Cambridge, U.K.
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Posted 20 Jun 2008 11:51 pm
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| Me too Malcolm, Dave was working the same venue as me at Pakefield The band were good but very loud that was about two years ago. Dave is still getting a very good sound and still keeps in touch now and then. |
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Barry Gaskell
From:
Cheshire, UK
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Posted 21 Jun 2008 1:54 am
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Hi Guys
I was with Dave a month or two ago on a show. He lives up my neck of the woods ( Liverpool, best football team ever !!) and has been a mate for thirty five years. He's the best steel player in the UK as far as I'm concerned. C6, E9, he'll wrap us all up. He doesn't play much now as American Pie has folded. He plays the odd gig locally, and a few sessions. It's a mix of him and me on the Deans albums. we traded a few licks at the gig when I last saw him. He was using the little 112 Peavey (is it the nashville ?). I used it to save space on stage and to my mind it's an awful amp. The sound out front wasn't too hot because the PA mix wasn't good, but his playing was superb. His sound is spot on when he uses the Webb.
It was a gig for Mike Kinney's 50th (he was the bass player with American Pie)so the juice was really flowing and I had to pour dave into his front door in the early hours.
Because clubland is dying in the UK and five and six piece band gigs are few and far between, and you can't make a living anymore out of it, we don't meet other players or bands as we used to and usually it's the steel player who's the first to go.
A great player who's hardly seen these days, but be prepared to be amazed when you do see him. Great company too.
P.S.
He had a S10 Excel (spelling), for sale last time we met. I think 3+4, black. He was looking for around £750 for it.
Barry |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 21 Jun 2008 2:38 am
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Ray, so glad Dave is still about and picking...a "tremendous" player and also a gentleman to talk to. How's your new Bennett going??
Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.micky-byrne.co.uk
Last edited by Micky Byrne on 21 Jun 2008 3:23 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 21 Jun 2008 3:03 am
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Sorry Ray - missed your post. Yes we were at Aylesbury last night 
Re Barry's view of Dave Rowlands being the best UK steel player. I guess that it is subjective. I have always felt that Pete Heywood occupied that spot for his technical ability and musical knowledge of both necks. I'm not going to argue though, they are both fine players.
The other point that Barry makes about 5 piece bands is very valid. The band I play in - Ridgeway - is 5 piece most of the time unless Denis Cremin or I can't make the gig. We are playing 2 - 3 gigs a week. Luckily we don't have to make a living out of the music as we all have good day jobs.
Band fees are normally £400 - £500 on average. The price of fuel is eating into what we all end up with these days.
Finally - I have to say ditto on Barry's view of the NV112. It has never rung my bell as an amp for a live band environment. Give me the NV 400 any day of the week. |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 21 Jun 2008 7:13 am
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Ray .... Thanks for the phone call and chin wag on alot of things. I look forward to a cup of tea and more natter at your place en route to Harefield hospital next tuesday. Will probably be mid afternoon. Make it 2 cups of tea, as Jess will be with me 
Micky Byrne U.K. www.micky-byrne.co.uk |
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