Pelham Jam-Successful and Thanks to All

Ken Latchum · Post by **Ken Latchum** » 1 Feb 2004 9:56 am

I want to thank all the folks that came out to make the MASGA Pelham Jam successful. I had mentioned before if anyone missed this Jam they would sure miss out on some of the best music and fellowship around. We had a wonderful crowd of listning folks that came out and we had a great group of Steelguitar Players that travel a great distance to be with us. The Back up band was great, the food was super. I want to thank all the steelers and wifes that stayed around after it was over to help us get the rented facility put back in order. I still say the folks in the steelguitar world can't be beat. Thanks to all who played any part in making the Pelham Jam a success.

Thanks
Ken Latchum
President of MASGA[This message was edited by Ken Latchum on 01 February 2004 at 09:59 AM.][This message was edited by Ken Latchum on 01 February 2004 at 10:00 AM.]

ray qualls · Post by **ray qualls** » 1 Feb 2004 10:33 am

Ken, congratulations on your convention. You're right about the steel players and the steel family in general, are a wonderful bunch of people. We had our first one here in Kansas last October and it was great. Keep up the good work.
Ray Qualls-President(KSGA)

Sam White · Post by **Sam White** » 1 Feb 2004 2:00 pm

Hey Ken what a great time we had at the Pelham Jam.I counted 14 Steels all set up but for some reason someone got out of playing his Steel Did'nt you.ops We all had a great time. Ray I did not plan for you to play with those two great steel players. I will say this Ray you gave them a run for there money.I think Jerry Flemming and Arrnett Mills did take it easy on you.Could you see me playing with those two pros. Hummmmmmm they would have made mince meat out of me.
Sam White
IF IT SOUNDS GOOD PLAY IT PRETTY

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 2 Feb 2004 4:34 am

Well Sam I really appreciate the kind words but those two great players were kind enough not to beat up on me with the hard songs. Jerry and Arnett are two very exceptional players and two guys I really look up to a great deal. When Ken told me "they" were who I was going to play the set with I thought I would die right there

. I was honored to get to play with them but I knew also they were in a class of players I can only hope to be in some day. I wish you would have played with the band Sam...It's just another chance to gain a little more experience. The bottom line is that I "felt" welcomed to play with the great players and that makes it all so much fun. It also gave me great pleasure to set up beside Kenny Dail. And thanks a million Kenny for getting that 112 of mine straightened up. You saved my life buddy. Glen...that new Mullen sounds great in your hands....and it makes you look younger

. Skip Mertz played

It was a historical moment and I just had to get pictures of that. And folks what a fine job he did. Skip...your choices of music to play fit you so well and it really showed. The tone was incredible. I gotta tell you my friend...I have just never heard that from you before. Everyone was just shakin their heads and smiling....Great Great job. Great job also to Larry Jenkins. Grab that P/P from BA

Your hands did it justice. I could go on and on about the players but I gotta give some others a chance. I know the Wilson jam is gonna be a good one too because Bowie Martin always does a great jam. I'm looking forward to it. Finally I would like to say thank you for all the support I have received from you with regard to my seats. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart and was very proud to see you guys sitting on a Walker Seat.

Ray

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 2 Feb 2004 8:05 am

It really was as good as it gets. The back up band was awesome as well as the singers. I liked Chuck Campbell's singing as much as I did his Steel Playing, which was nothing but great.

I was completely blown away with Mike Callaway I would like to have his left hand. He is definately a seasoned pro. Jerry and Arnette were at their usual exceptional level.

What else is left to be said, except for Sam White. This guy tries so hard but never quite achieves the level he is shooting for. You have to admire him for his spirit, fortitude and perserverence. I just wish there was some way I could help him achieve his musical goals.

Ray Walker is really a pro. He just pretends to be an amateur so he can attract attention. You will never meet a nicer person.

In closing, I would like to thank my roadies, Jerry and Glen and some that I can't remember their names for their help. I would not have been able to play had it not been for these great guys.

There is a lot of players that haven't been talked about that also need recognition such as Glen Lanning, Larry Jenkins, Dee Simmons, Skip Mertz. These players were also at the top of their game. And in closing let me say...a good time was had by all.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

[This message was edited by Kenny Dail on 02 February 2004 at 08:08 AM.][This message was edited by Kenny Dail on 02 February 2004 at 08:22 AM.]

Sam White · Post by **Sam White** » 2 Feb 2004 9:09 am

YES YES they were all great. Ray Walker that is the best I have ever heard you play and you just blew them away. Kenny Dail thank you for the kind words and I think what my problem is I want to play like you guys and I'm pushing myself to hard.Another one of my Problems is I'm on this stupid Computer and not putting this time on the steel. So I decided to practice the steel 2 hours in the morning,two hours in the afternoon and two hours in the evening.I have to also learn to play one song at a time and keep playing it until I have it Mastered. I want to play every song I hear and I try them and do part of them and then get lost.Skip like Ray Said you sure made me stop in my tracks when you played WOWWWWWWW.Great job everyone. Larry Jenkins I want to thank you for asking me each and every song if I was going to play it or pass it to you. You are a very thoughtful guy and I'm proud to call you a freind.I think I will be a lot better at The Wilson Show. Thank you everyone for being so kind to me. I know my Wife Anna is proud of what I have acomplished.She keeps telling me to slow down but I rush all the songs and that is another problem.
Sam White
IF IT SOUNDS GOOD PLAY IT PRETTY

Jerry Fleming · Post by **Jerry Fleming** » 3 Feb 2004 4:56 pm

We had a great time and enjoyed seeing all our steel picking friends! What else can I say ... thanks to Ken and everyone for a very enjoyable weekend! I would like to add Kenny played some very nice C6th!! Kenny has that God given touch!! It was great to see Joe and David Turner, for those that left early you missed some awesome picking! Hope to see everyone in Wilson...

All The Best,

Jerry & Brenda

Glen E. Lanning · Post by **Glen E. Lanning** » 3 Feb 2004 6:11 pm

Donna and I throughly enjoyed ourselves. This was our first time to the Danville area jam and felt it was very well organized. I think Arnie said it best: "There was more steel music per hour than most jams he has been to." Everyone got a chance to play if they wished to. For those who left early, the last session with the band featured Larry jenkins, David & Joe Turner. Not to slight anyone else, but they had the hall jumping. Ken still did not get the cover off his steel - I assumed there was a steel under that cover!

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Brand New Mullen U12 (2003)
Dekley 8/4 (1984)
ShoBud Professional (1969?)D10 8/4

Skip Mertz · Post by **Skip Mertz** » 13 Feb 2004 3:44 am

Thanks for the kind words guys and am looking forward to Wilson jam. I will be holding some seminars in the back rooms of the convention hall since it's such a large building and there will be plenty of space and far enough from main jam as not to disturb anyone. anyone else who wants to help out our fellow steelers are more than welcome to take over from me anytime for the 2 days. One of the goals and great things about organizing a steel guitar assoc. is the progress you can hear in the players ability by associating with other players. I dont remember being involved with a more helpful bunch of musicians. See you guys in Wilson and hope to learn some things from Mike Callaway and all the other players. Ray , I think they were shakin' thier heads wondering "what the heck was that!"[This message was edited by SKIP MERTZ on 13 February 2004 at 03:46 AM.]

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 14 Feb 2004 4:12 am

Did anyone take pictures of any of the last two jams so we can post them. I took a couple in Pelham and will share them but at least there will be a little something to post on the MASGA site.

Ray

Ken Latchum · Post by **Ken Latchum** » 14 Feb 2004 7:49 am

Hi Ray and Folks:
Pictures were taken at Pelham and were sent to Ed to Post but his computer went down and he lost his programs but will have it up in a week or so and will then post pics of the Pelham Jam.

Regards
Ken

bill ramsey · Post by **bill ramsey** » 16 Feb 2004 2:30 am

if y'all ever find any thats any better than ken latchum and arnett mills and jerry fleming, as pickers or just plain home folks, u better listen up.proud to say i've seen em a few times. lol. bill