69th Southern Steel Guitar Convention at Saluda

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 23 Feb 2004 4:35 am

Hughey, Newman, Beavers and Bagwell Set Saluda on Fire!!!

This was the most Sucessful Show at Saluda to Date! Record Crowd for The 69th Show at Saluda

Thanks to All Who came out to Support The Shriner's Childrens Hospitals.

I'll be back soon to give an Update, I just arrived home after Driving most of the night and Still Ragged out after a very busy day yesterday.

Again Thanks To all who attended and made this event so sucessful!

John[This message was edited by John Floyd on 24 February 2004 at 04:40 AM.]

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 23 Feb 2004 9:18 am

Yes this was one of the best shows ever in Saluda.
A packed house and GREAT music all day.
Having been involved with this show for some 15 years, I can tell you that Buddy Walker and Charles Reece do it right.

It's all very low key and family oriented. And that's just what it has turned into "one BIG family".

The picker's, both pro and non-pro provide some of the finest music anywhere.
And unlike many shows, a large portion of the audience are NOT steel players. They are local folks that just love music and know that the $10 they spend to get in will buy them a day full of music and fun.

Thank you Buddy and Charles for allowing me to be a "fixture" at your show.

Bill Ferguson

Larry Moore · Post by **Larry Moore** » 23 Feb 2004 11:02 am

I do agree with Bill, it was one of, if not the largest croud I have see in Saluda. Great players for the Sat. night Jam.
Jeff Newman had a good day fro his class.
The Sunday Show was good from the start to the end
They may have to replace the carpet on the stage because of all the HOT LICKS these guys picked.
Thank You for all who came out to help the Childerns Hospital Fund.
See You Next Time
Larry & The Jewelry Lady

Ernest Tuttle · Post by **Ernest Tuttle** » 23 Feb 2004 1:12 pm

Yes I have to agree it was a real smash, I think it was the Greatest yet. Well done Buddy and Charles, and all the Pickers.

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 23 Feb 2004 1:47 pm

I've never heard any of the players that are regulars, play any better than they did yesterday. Each and Every one of their shows were absolutely stunning. It shows that they are continiously working on their playing between events.

Of Special note Was Bill Ferguson's Show With the Vocal Performances Of Jerry Braswell and Rob Parker. I hadn't heard Jerry sing in almost 30 years and He hasn't lost a thing.Absolutely Super Show Mr Ferguson. Sometimes the best ones are the ones which are thrown together at the last minute. Saluda is always full of Surprises, great ones!

We had a Staff band on Steriods yesterday, In Addition to the Flawless Playing of the regulars, Woody Ledford, Johnny Thomas, Wayne Smith, Bob Strickland, Wayne Stowers , Jim Hartley, and Jerry Reese. Guitarists Billy Puckett, Jack Mollette and Stephen Gambrell ably assisted all day long.

One Sunday, maybe in May, The Guitars of Saluda are going to stage a revolution and take over the stage for a show of their own and run any steel player off the stage that happens to be scheduled for that particular seqment, could be Charles Reece.

It almost happened yesterday.

The worst thing that happened all day yesterday and it wasn't evident out front was the recording of the days events, I had the record level set too hign and everything was overdriven and distorted a bit.There will be no CD's for the players for this event and I had one of the best mixes for the best performances in a long time, that I ever had in quite a while for this event! Sorry Guys,I had my hands full yesterday and didn't have a lot of time to watch the recorders, maybe next time. I've had enough problems with the Old Mixer getting enough Record Level and bang, this time I had way too much. and I let the first recorder run out before I switched and missed some of the event, unfortunately Some of Mike Bagwell's and all of Tommy Dodd's. Show was lost.Some of the Very best performances all day long. I gues there is too much picker in me to be a good soundman, because I want to watch, listen and steal licks.

John[This message was edited by John Floyd on 24 February 2004 at 04:41 AM.]

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 23 Feb 2004 2:18 pm

John, the sound was GREAT!! I was gonna wait a while before I posted, or email you privately, but you did a SUPER job with the board!
I'll probably never have steel guitar to the point I want it, but that doesn't matter at Saluda. As Randy Beavers said, the time on stage is a very small part--it's the hanging out with old friends, making new friends...It's FUN, is what it is!

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 23 Feb 2004 3:17 pm

Anytime you can gain a new friend of the quality of Randy Beavers, Ray and Charles Walker and Big City boy Tony Prior

as I did this weekend, Life is Good.
I also got to meet Bill Plemmons and had a very nice conversation with him during Jeff's Seminar Saturday, Boy do we have a lot in common Him EX Air Force and Me EX Navy.

Missed Donna Dodd there, Tommy Said she has taken a new job and is the It person at the new corp. Congrats Donna.

I also Got to renew some Old Friendships like with Jerry Braswell and Jeff Newman.

This was one of the best and most Rewarding Weekends of my Life. Buddy Walker keeps thanking me , but its the other way around, I get a lot more than I give at Saluda.

Thank you Buddy Walker and Charles Reece and all the rest. To see that crowd that piled in to the Shrine Club Sunday was a testament to the power of this Forum and The Internet.
Thanks b0b for allowing us to post on here and hawk the shows at Saluda. Bill Ferguson sort of took a Straw poll of the Audience Sunday and The majority of them saw the threads here on the Steel Guitar Forum.

John[This message was edited by John Floyd on 23 February 2004 at 04:02 PM.]

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 23 Feb 2004 4:36 pm

Sounds like a GREAT show! I hate I missed it. But I do have a bone to pick with you, John . . .
I sent a very special HUG via Tommy - and he said you turned it down. I guess maybe Ace would get jealous???? Ha.
Thanks also for the pink CD! Tommy agreed that everyone was awesome - said Mike Bagwell was one of the highlights.
As always, John - you're THE BEST about keeping us all informed and eager for THE NEXT show!
donna

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 23 Feb 2004 5:00 pm

Saluda has transformed itself into a family reunion with music. That's the atmosphere that surrounds the whole place. What a great feeling!

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 23 Feb 2004 5:08 pm

Donna
I was under the impression You and Tommy were wanting to adopt me since you said, I was an 11 year old trapped in a 63 year old body. I wasn't too excited about being Tommy Dodd's Son

but with the Prospect of having a beautiful mother and the chance of getting his hand me down Steel Guitars, I took the liberty of filing the adoption papers last week in the Camden County N.C. Court. The Judge is a Lodge Brother of mine and I expect no problems in getting the process completed. The Court date is Feb 30th 2004

We missed you.[This message was edited by John Floyd on 23 February 2004 at 05:09 PM.]

Bill Moran · Post by **Bill Moran** » 23 Feb 2004 5:27 pm

One of the finest steel guitar shows ever.
My hat is off to Buddy Walker, producer, and Bill Ferguson, picker/ mc ,for a fine show. The backup band was second to none. Thanks to John, Jeff, Randy,Tommy,
Roger,Clyde,Ernest,Dave,Mike Bagwell ! The show stopper, and Rob Parker. I know I didn't remember everyone but thanks just the same.
I traveled 5 hours to look at a Carter U12.
I still enjoyed the show !!!!!
Hope to see everyone in the future.
Bill

Randy Beavers · Post by **Randy Beavers** » 23 Feb 2004 7:27 pm

What a Show! Thanks to everyone for making my visit so enjoyable. I too was knocked out by Mike Bagwell. I heard Tommy Dodd gave Mike a dobro lesson when he was 14 years old. Next time I go to Tommy's I'm taking my dobro and get a lesson. You never know what you're going to hear at these shows.

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 23 Feb 2004 8:48 pm

You never know what you're going to hear at these shows.

I heard a young Master Player yesterday play on the E9th neck and it sounded like C6th.

I Wonder who that was?

Mike Bagwell · Post by **Mike Bagwell** » 23 Feb 2004 10:03 pm

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I was blown away with everybodys playing. Its been about 2 years since I played there and the show has only gotten bigger and better.
Buddy and Charles put on one of the best shows in the country!!.
Randy, you have always been one of my favorite players. I even learned 2 songs from one of your albums that you autographed for me a long time ago in Knoxville. It was a real pleasure talking with you .

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 24 Feb 2004 3:56 am

Folks it was a superb event. The Saturday jam was excellant. Mr. Christmas my friend I hate you

. Really...David you inspire me. It was fun meeting many new people and getting a chance to share time with old friends as well. I guess a chance to sing a song with the great John Hughey was the highlight of my brother Charlie's life and what a great job they did. Thanks for everything and thanks for the invite down to Saluda. We at Walker Seats were made welcome and it's just like going home to the reunion when you get with these boys and girls. John Floyd....a great big thank you for all the work you put into the event. It's a lot of work that many can easily overlook especially when things go so smoothly. Maybe you should just screw up more and then I bet you get noticed
more

Great job. I had to put my right wrist in a brace...a sad story...

but I love ya anyhow Randy Beavers

. Tommy.....man what can I say???? It takes a big man to carry around a big heart. And thanks for using my Walker seat. And thank you John Hughey...in a big way my friend. Thanks to all of you who showed up with a Walker Seat...Can't wait till the next show.

Ray Walker
Walker Seats

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 24 Feb 2004 4:38 am

Thanks for the kind Words Ray.
You Guys Mike,Randy and all the rest know that once you come to Saluda you always have a standing invitation to come back anytime. Its a Family thing. Once you become part of the Saluda Family, We get mad when you don't Come back

but we also understand that sometimes you can't. We sure missed Herby Wallace and Joe Turner this time. Both those guys have been a big part of the Saluda Shows for a long long time. I especially missed Going to Breakfast with Joe on Sat night after the jam, but John Hughey and Jean , Tommy Dodd and Randy Beavers Graciously asked me to sit with them and it was enjoyable to say the least. We Solved a couple of world problems.

Theres only one thing I dislike at Saluda and its those Concrete Floors, They wear my feet out, I had intended to play some on the Sat Night Jam, but my feet were bothering me so bad Sat night, I couldn't have concentrated on picking, and with that group of pickers on stage on the last set, I wouldn't have set up and played unless I was at 100% and that would have put me at 10% of them.

John[This message was edited by John Floyd on 25 February 2004 at 07:07 AM.]

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 24 Feb 2004 7:28 am

John, the way you were talking, I thought it was the Concrete CHAIR!!!

Mike Richardson · Post by **Mike Richardson** » 24 Feb 2004 12:16 pm

I am so glad to hear about the show.Due to a family illness I was not able to be there in body,but I was there in sprit.I will be at the next one for sure and Larry and Bill maybe I will bring my new Emmons if it ever gets here.....

Emmons D-10 Lagrande ll
Nashville 1000

Kim Altman · Post by **Kim Altman** » 24 Feb 2004 1:11 pm

Oh my!!!! What a great weekend! Lots of "firsts" . . .

This was my very first time at the Saluda show and boy, oh boy, did I pick a GREAT one to go to or what?!

I got to meet "Mr. Buddy Walker"! What a super nice man and what a wonderful group of folks he has surrounding him! (Now I see why everybody talks about Saluda!)

John Hughey was wonderful as usual! He and his wife are just the most kind people you will ever meet.

Randy Beavers . . . you are awesome every time I get to hear you and I always look forward to hearing you again!

This was my very first time to hear Tommy Dodd -- your talent blew me away when I heard you for the first time Saturday night (and your animations crack me up)! What a great player!

It was also my first time to hear Mike Bagwell -- I must admit, when I saw them putting that push/pull on the stage Sunday, I was soooo excited! Then when you started playing . . . it just stopped me in my tracks! (As it did everybody in the room.) What an awesome player you are!

It was well worth the trip to Saluda and I look forward to going to another. Thanks to all the folks who played, John Floyd for a super job on the sound and all of you who worked so hard to put it on!

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 24 Feb 2004 1:22 pm

KIM
Next time, Bring your Rig and Do a Show for us, We Don't get that many Lady Steelers in Saluda.
May 15th & 16th Walter Haynes , Bill Stafford and Sonny Curtis. Smooth is the word for the next show.

Bill Stafford on that Excel U-14 is worth the trip and for extras You get me playing on his show

Clyde Bloodworth · Post by **Clyde Bloodworth** » 24 Feb 2004 3:30 pm

What a great show! You always know that you will hear some of the best steel guitar playing in the world with John Hughey,Randy Beavers,Jeff Newman,Tommy Dodd,Bill Ferguson, Larry Moore and all the other great players on the program. The one I was'nt prepared for was Mike Bagwell. He really got this old man's pulse cranked up to the top of the scale. What a tremendous player! He deserves to be heard a lot more. As usual there was a family affair atmosphere and everyone had a good time. This is a must event for anyone who is a fan of the steel guitar.
Clyde

Bill Plemmons · Post by **Bill Plemmons** » 24 Feb 2004 4:49 pm

This was without a doubt one of the best shows I've ever seen or heard I had a great time playing in the Sat night jam. I've been to 26 straight shows in St. Louis and the only thing they have on Saluda is, they last longer. The talent and quality of the performers and staff band is as good as it gets.The worst I heard all week end was outstanding. It was great meeting and talking (swapping war stories) with John Floyd, a great guy. I'm already looking forward to next time. Randy Beavers put the whole thing into perspective when he said in effect that it goes beyond the music.The fellowship, visiting backstage kicking each others guitar legs, making new friends and greeting old ones is what really makes the event special.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 26 Feb 2004 5:03 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Donna
I was under the impression You and Tommy were wanting to adopt me since you said, I was an 11 year old trapped in a 63 year old body. I wasn't too excited about being Tommy Dodd's Son but with the Prospect of having a beautiful mother and the chance of getting his hand me down Steel Guitars, I took the liberty of filing the adoption papers last week in the Camden County N.C. Court. The Judge is a Lodge Brother of mine and I expect no problems in getting the process completed. The Court date is <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, Johnny - if you're going to be "our" son, plan on cleaning up the mess your brother left upstairs when he came home from college over Christmas. And do it with a smile - no bad attitudes allowed around here!
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_2_110.gif' border=0></a> <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_2_111.gif' border=0></a>
[This message was edited by Donna Dodd on 26 February 2004 at 05:04 PM.]

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 26 Feb 2004 6:17 pm

Uh Oh

I think I messed up.

judge
Judge
JUDGE

Think I could get those papers back, Ole Buddy.

I changed my mind.

[This message was edited by John Floyd on 27 February 2004 at 06:06 AM.]