Inland Empire Steel Guitar Association Forming

Bill Atwood · Post by **Bill Atwood** » 10 Feb 2004 10:09 am

The following announcement has just been sent to the pickers in this area I have emaill addresses for. Please help spread the word. Anyone interested can contact Tom, Duane or me.
Dear Friend and music lover
After many years of facilitating steel guitar jams here in the Inland Empire, Duane Becker has asked to be relieved. I'm sure we all agree that Duane has done a fantastic job of making the jams enjoyable for steel players, band members and other enthusiasts of our kind of music. Sincere thanks to Duane for his dedication and great work are shared by all of us. In order to continue with the annual event, hopefully bigger and more frequently in the future, it is essential that the work and cost of these events be shared by all.
The good example demonstrated by the recent SWSGA Super Jam & Show in Mesa, Az illustrates the power of an association working together. Their formula can be just as effective in our area.
Yesterday, Tom D'Orazi, Duane and I met to set the groundwork for the formation of a Non-Profit Association dedicated to the promotion of resophonic music and for the enjoyment of it's members and other enthusiasts of the music.
The next step requires your support! If we find sufficient committment from the group, by-laws and nominating committee's will be organized. It is expected that these committees can perform their assignments quickly and with little or no travel involved.
Following the fine example of the SWSGA, annual dues will be $25.00. These funds will be controlled by your elected officers and would be used exclusively for the promotion of resophonic music. It is our intent to provide a quarterly newsletter upon successful formation of the new Inland Empire Steel Guitar Association.
Finally, we have selected a tenative date for the first Jam. Saturday, May 22, 2004. To be in Spokane, WA. With your support, there is still time to make this happen.
Step # 1 is for you to show your support by committing to payment of the annual dues of $25.00. These events cost money to put on and it is expected that an admission fee will be required. I have racked my brain and so far not one "Sugar Daddy or Tooth Ferry" has offered to finance the events for us! As the organization grows and gains credability, sponsors and other cost saving benefits will no doubt become available. Until that time, we must pay our own way!
Please let me hear from you all as sson as possible. I am working with a small list of attendee's email addresses. Please help by contacting those that you think might be interested. Have them contact myself, Duane or Tom. We need lots of support.

1. Do you support the proposed Association?
2. Will you committ to annual dues of $25.00?

I hope to hear from all of you,
Bill Atwood
PO Box 83
Laclede, ID 83841
208 255-1780

Tom D'Orazi
showroom@imbris.net
208 265-2487

Duane Becker
duanebecker@att.net
509 292-0109

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 10 Feb 2004 4:28 pm

Duane and Bill put together a great jam last year in Spokane. With the help of an Association, there's no limit to what might be accomplished in the future. Your yearly dues will ensure the continuation of this type of event in your area. I'm pretty much limited to The Western Swing Society in Sacramento for an outlet to enjoy my favorite music. Given the chance, I would love to participate in a local Steel Association. So join today!! $25 will hardly buy a good steak dinner, where as your local steel guitar association will work tirelessly to bring you quality entertainment and fellowship for years to come.

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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.msapedalsteels.com">

</a>David's Web Page

M.S.A.

M.S.A. Millennium
S-12 9 & 6
Bb is where it's at!
Peavey-2000-PX-300



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Bill Atwood · Post by **Bill Atwood** » 10 Feb 2004 4:46 pm

Thanks for the plug David. Man you are the Greatest ! I hope we will have another jam this spring and Vanetta will bring you along too

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 10 Feb 2004 5:36 pm

Thanks for the kind words, David. I want to thank you and Vanetta for attending our jam last April, and I appreciate your support. Duane Becker

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 11 Feb 2004 1:57 pm

up, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

------------------
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.msapedalsteels.com">

</a>David's Web Page

M.S.A.

M.S.A. Millennium
S-12 9 & 6
Bb is where it's at!
Peavey-2000-PX-300



<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_20.gif' border=0></a>

Darrell Klein · Post by **Darrell Klein** » 11 Feb 2004 3:39 pm

Hi Bill: I would be honored to join the Steel Guitar Association here in Spokane.
I would like to offer my services in any way to help you out. Best regards, Darrell Klein

Bill Atwood · Post by **Bill Atwood** » 11 Feb 2004 3:45 pm

Thanks Darrell, I appreciate your support. I have sent you several eamils are you getting them?
By the way, I will be happy to help with the Jernigan Seminar if you need assistance.

Darrell Klein · Post by **Darrell Klein** » 11 Feb 2004 4:36 pm

Yes Bill, I have received two emails from you. I am doing this For Doug because he mentioned he would like to come out this way
to visit relatives.There is nothing in it for me with the exception of the thrill of
having him come to the Northwest. I would be happy if you could help me with this as
it is my first time for me with something this big. I believe I shall need all the help I can get. Thankyou kindly, your friend!!!! Darrell P.S. I sure like my new Zum!!!!!!!!!!

Bill Atwood · Post by **Bill Atwood** » 12 Feb 2004 7:29 am

I have received a couple of comments questioning the reference to Resophonic Instruments. I apologize for the confusion.
The intent is to include pedal steel, non-pedal,lap and resophonic players and fans in our association.
We hope all will become members and enjoy the music!

Roy McKinney · Post by **Roy McKinney** » 14 Feb 2004 8:23 am

Need to keep this up on top

Darrell Klein · Post by **Darrell Klein** » 19 Feb 2004 9:43 am

Darrell Klein · Post by **Darrell Klein** » 20 Feb 2004 8:57 am

Are there any steel players here in the beautiful Northwest who can show some interest in having,what Texas SGA, Arizona
SGA,Ohio SGA, and for the matter,Steel
guitar Associations all around the Globe, has in fellowship, love for the instrument,
loyal to each other, support, etc. Come on,
all you who hold the steel guitar dear, How
about some support for us here in the Great
Northwest for our Steel Guitaar Association!
Lets have some of the great pickers who (want) to come here, talk about us and visit
our steel guitar country!!!!!!!!! Best regards, Darrell Klein
Bump

Bill Atwood · Post by **Bill Atwood** » 20 Feb 2004 4:19 pm

We currently stand at 19 enrolled, only 1 short of the 20 trigger to proceed with organization of the committees. Anyone still vacillating, get signed up by emailing Me, Duane or Tommy. If you have already signed up, get on the telephone and call a friend.
We just need 1 more signup!
Thanks to those who have already done so. Once we get going, I am confident more will come!

Roy McKinney · Post by **Roy McKinney** » 23 Feb 2004 5:48 am

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 23 Feb 2004 6:58 am

Bill,
Looks like you folks are up and off to a great start.
Call me if i can help in any way,928-402-4779
_____________________________________________
Fred Justice
Events Dir.
SWSGA

Pete Storms · Post by **Pete Storms** » 26 Feb 2004 12:19 pm

Howdy;

I would be happy to see some steel guitar activities and events happen in the Spokane area. I may be just learning the steel, but would certainly benefit from getting involved and getting my feet wet. I would really like to pick these other steeler's brains for information too!

Thanks;
Pete

Pete Storms · Post by **Pete Storms** » 26 Feb 2004 12:23 pm

Darrell;

I believe you have my "snail-mail" address.
Please keep me posted, and send more information about this new steel guitar association.
I'm interested.

Thanks again;
Pete

Bill Atwood · Post by **Bill Atwood** » 26 Feb 2004 12:46 pm

Hello Pete, happy to have you become a member. You can learn with me! I'll see that you get future announcements.

Dave Burton · Post by **Dave Burton** » 27 Feb 2004 7:39 pm

Bill, put me down for number 20.I will get back to you soon with the particulars, gota go gig now! Lucky me DB

Bill Atwood · Post by **Bill Atwood** » 27 Feb 2004 9:11 pm

Dave, I'm so far ahead of you, I've had you on the members list for a week! Wish I could have been over there tonight to hear you play.
Be seeing you soon. Thanks a bunch.

Joel Johnston · Post by **Joel Johnston** » 28 Feb 2004 11:33 am

Bill -
Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus on this topic. I'm sure you have me listed as one of the 19 - let me know where to send the check. I am at your disposal (when my day job travel schedule permits) to contribute with bass, rhythm, vocal and what ever else you might request of me to support this new organization. Thanks to Duane (& wife Terri) Becker for all of their sacrifices, financial and otherwise, in putting together some great steel gatherings in the last few years. Hopefully, as an organization, we can all share the load now. :>)

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Bill Atwood · Post by **Bill Atwood** » 28 Feb 2004 12:33 pm

Thank you too Joel. We are happy to have you in the group. I did have you down and you will receive all announcements.
To those wondering where to send dues payment. As soon as the bylaws group have completed our bylaws, my wife is employed by Panhandle State Bank and will act as interim treasurer and open an account in the name of the association. You will all be notified.

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 28 Feb 2004 7:49 pm

Hi, Bill . Gary Preston here from the Ohio Steel Guitar Association ,wishing you all the best in organizing the Inland Empire Steel Guitar Association . We need more people to get excited about the Steel Guitar all over the country . If we join together we can get the ''Big '' name players to come to our shows and have the funds to support them . So i would like to ask the folks in your part of the country to please support this effort all you can . Lets make some noise for the ''Pedal steel'' and also the non pedal steel guitars . Regards,,,Gary Preston .

Bill Atwood · Post by **Bill Atwood** » 29 Feb 2004 6:22 am

Appreciate the support Gary. Thanks to a lot of folks who share your sentiments, we are not yet High Flying but we are off the ground!