Thanks Washington Pa.

[Herby Wallace]

Well, I have been doing steel guitar shows full time for 32 years and I must say that Jim Thompson's show is one of the best that I do. Everything about was first class. First, the backup band did an excellent job, which is the most important to me. The band always makes the difference in how I play and after I had the stroke 3 years ago, the band is even more critical. Every tempo was right, the chord changes were all there and the feel was there. It is really a treat to have players of this calibur who can read charts. Next the sound was great thanks to Wayne Hetzler. Also, something that is real important to myself and all the other players on the show is the stage crew. This is, without a doubt, one of the very best for getting our equipment on and off stage and it makes it so much easier to play. I have done many shows where I had to carry everything myself and by the time I was ready to play, I was worn out. Next, the Hotel was great, The Tower Restaurant is one of my favorites. Also, the lineup of players was great too. A couple of highlights for me was hearing Mike Jones again as I haven't heard him in awhile. His tone, taste and touch were super. Also, Mike Auldridge is the Master when it comes to Dobro. For my taste, he is my personal favorite. I will stop for now but it was a super show and anyone who missed it certainly missed a good one.

Herby Wallace

[Michael McElravy]

I agree with everything that everyone has written. What a great weekend - from the 1st minute of Mike Sigler's seminar on Friday morning to the last note that Herby played on Sunday afternoon - 1st class all the way. Good pickin', good times with old friends, and good times making new friends too.

[Rick Troyer]

Well one more post before I lock up .
What a great way to open the show ! Mike Meese, Mr smooth . Always a great job . And his band was terrific . Rehearsed and polished the way a show should be . Way to go guys ,Great job .
One more mention regarding Mike meese. It's hard enough playing your best under ideal circumstances . Imgine working all day Friday helping get the sound system set up,Helping to run it all Friday night and then also helping the stage crew whenever he could . Hat's off to ya Mikee , you're one in a million . Glad to call ya friend .
Well better go . Almost midnight . Yikes ! Posting more soon . RT

[Rick Troyer]

Another quick post before work.
Following Mike was Lance Schnur . Great "Emmons"Tone. Excellent set with diverse song selections and help from some of his friends to back him up .
Next on the schedule was Wayne Hetzler . Always a solid performance from Wayne . Never seems to get rattled or nervous . I particularly love when he does his "Crawford style" licks . How does he do that ?
Not only did he do an excellent set on steel but a great job all weekend long running sound . Top notch all around .
Also joining Wayne was his wonderful wife Linda . Playing bass and singing like only she can . What a great team . And two of the nicest folks you would ever want to meet .
Well gotta go again . More later ..... RT

[Jim Thompson]

It's my turn to jump in here. I can't say much more than what's already been said. It was a fantastic weekend, and to try to describe just how great it was would not do it justice. I am very fortunate to have such great friends that pitched in to help. Without them it all would not have happened. From the guys that moved equipment all weekend to the staff at the door, They made it so much easier for me to steer things. They did the work, I just "Drove the bus". The staff band was just incredible. They "nailed it". The artist's were nothing short of Awesome. It might be very difficult to top this one the next time. A special Thanks to all who attended. I will definitely be looking for another facility to have it in 2011, because this one won't be able to handle it again.
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. I Love You Guys.

[John Fox]

To all the Staff, Performers, Vendors, and Guests,

What a pleasure it was to enjoy the Tri-State Steel Guitar Show! Many thanks to everyone involved. This was my first time attending a show, but it won't be the last. At every turn there was courtesy and a love for the music, but there was also something new and different, and I expanded my horizons. Well done.
John Fox

[Gary Steele]

I enjoyed it as much as any i'v been to. Quiet a few i'd never heard. Mike you and Rick Troyer a true monsters. You two can pick with the best if there is such a thing. Everyone told me Chuck Campbells Zum was kickin for me. Everyone was great. My first time there.

Gary Steele

[James Jacoby]

First off, I would like to thank Jim Thompson, for putting on yet another top quality show! Also I must thank you, Herby Wallace, for continuing to play for our shows, despite difficult cirmstances. Just wouldn't seem right, without you there! Thank you, Linda Hetzler, for helping me to care for my wife, Claudia, and thank you, Ray Walker, for bringing me one of your best seats to sit on,(for the whole show)!!! The friends(old and new), the comraderie,the top flight steel playing,the best staff band imaginable! Three days of Nirvana! It's emotionally, and physically draining! Whew Can't wait to see what Rick Troyer has in store for us, next year!!!!! ---Jake---

[Rick Troyer]

Hey everyone. Just wanted to say again how great the show was! I just uploaded some of the pictures we were able to take from the weekend, and I posted a link below to view them.

http://s687.photobucket.com/albums/vv24 ... ow%202009/

Enjoy!


RT

[Rick Troyer]

Sorry for the delay....Where was I ?
Oh Yeah, Ray Walker . What a great addition to any show . Not only an excellent player but he along with his lovely wife Deb shared some vocals that were awesome .
For those of you that might not know Ray is the builder of the finest seats available for the steel community . His table was a nice addition to the show as well . It's always nice to be able to see the products first hand instead of ordering sight unseen .I especially enjoyed the Birthday cake that was displayed at his table . He was even nice enough to share it !
All for now . Another busy day . I'll try to get another post today before closing . RT

[Mike Meese]

Rick,

You were awesome! It was an enjoyable show. Aaron did a nice job too. You've gotta be really proud. And thanks! again for bailing me out w/ the equipment. Hummingbird Music to the rescue.

Jim,

Thanks again for allowing Tracy and I to be a part of such a fine show.

Aaron Baker,
What a great player...and only a teenager? I'm jealous.

I also have to commend the staff musicians. SUPERB job by each and every one of 'em the entire weekend!


Mike Sigler,

You've got an unbelievable amount of talent and you always impress me.

thats all for now.. zzzzzz

[Rick Troyer]

Thanks Mike . Proud indeed !
Well back to the report . Next on the schedule was Phil Perry . Great set . I especially enjoy his pickin' on "Highway 40 Blues" . Fast and clean coming out of his 2 Evans' and that gorgeous JCH . Sure reminded me of the fact Jimmy is gone . But not forgotten !
The one commanding "jealousy factor" Phil has on us all Is the fact that his lovely wife Gail sets up and tears down his steel for him . What a Gal !! Phil , you are one lucky guy !
Next up was Joe Sapp. Classic Emmons tone from what else, An Emmons SD-10 . Although Joe's appearance has changed, no longer sporting the pony tail and chest length beard the performance was classic Joe Sapp . Great job !
More to follow . I'll get done as soon as possible . Don't forget to check out the pics.
Let me say one thing before I stop for now. If you're thinking of not attending a show because perhaps you've seen the artists before . Consider this . Every show is different . The band is different . The sound is different . Even the frame of mind of the artists are different . You may have heard all the artists before and even the songs they play. But every time they play it's different . We are all effected by our surroundings . Both positive and negative . Point being the next time they play might be the best we've ever heard ! I know for me every show offers an opportunity to witness some magic . RT

[HWHYoYo]

I'd like to give a special thank you to Mike Meese for his assistance with the sound. He's always happy to do whatever is needed.
Also, special thanks to Rick Troyer for his guitar work on my set. It doesn't get much better.

[Rick Troyer]

Thanks Wayne, The pleasure was all mine !
Now back to the show .
When I think of class and style on the steel I think Chuck Campbell . Even his appearance is style . Always has his tone dialed in and great arrangements of classic tunes . And he hangs out with the nicest folks . I heard that even at his "B.I.B." seminar he and Mike Auldrige were rippin' it up ! First class player and first class guy . Chuck Campbell . More to follow . RT

[Jim Thompson]

I'm getting the impression that Rick Troyer had a good time at the show. If you missed his set with Mike Sigler on Friday night it was one of the highlights of the show. Most of you know what a "monster" player Mike Sigler is. Well Rick was right there with him. You had to look close to see which one of them was playing at any given time. Rick is so humble that he'll never admit it but I'm here to tell you all, he's a "World Class" player also. Don't let him say any different.
And another thing, Wayne Hetzler was on top of his game all weekend with the sound too. Not one complaint from anyone. It was the best. I've heard nothing but good comments about it. He and Mike Meese made a great team on the sound.

[Jim Thompson]

I have a stomp box that someone left on the stage after the show. It must belong to one of the lead players, as it was left on that side of the stage. Email me or call. Name it & claim it.

[Rick Troyer]

I'm Back.....
Sorry it's taking so long ! How can one guy be this busy ?
Following Chuck was Danny Hullihen. Always a great set with great back up provided by his lovely two assistants (Marilyn and Jaxie )(spelling?) . And of course hats off to Danny for his support of the steel guitar community by offering his outstanding brand of strings, "Jagwire" .
Then just before the dinner break was the legendary Mr. Sonny Curtis. Always great tone and wonderful selections . And if you got the opportunity to talk to Sonny you received an extra bonus . A wonderful man with an incredible amount of historic knowledge . Gotta love him ! The only down side to seeing and hearing Sonny again was the fact that his lovely wife Barbara was not along . Missed her . Hope all is going well for her now .
Well, all for now . More to come . One or two more posts and I'll be through . Thanks for the patience . If everyone would have attended I wouldn't have to write so much !! RT

[Alan Coldiron]

Hey Rick,

Have you thought about talking to a publisher? Just kidding, the recap is great and please continue. It was such a great time and fun to relive.

[Rick Troyer]

Hi again, back with all the news that was the news !
Reporter....hmmmmm. Neah, I'd want to tell the truth ! That would never work today .
Well after the super break we were treated to great touch and tone and an "outside the box" song list by Jim Cohen . "Whiter Side of Pale" and "Started a Joke" are tunes I'm sure most attending didn't expect to hear but went home looking for them so they could attempt to capture the sound Jim got out of there melodies.
I was even honored to let Jim use my rig . How come it doesn't sound that good when I play through it ? Maybe the Phila. influence ? Yeah right ! Oh well at least I know it can sound great .
If you get a chance pick up one Jim's CD's . Great stuff ! RT

[Rick Troyer]

What the heck, I'm only 10 minutes late now let's go for 2 !
After Jim's set came the legendary Mike Auldridge. WOW best sums it up . Probably one of the top 10 Dobro players in the world . What a nice change in mood . Going from great pedal steel to awesome Dobro . Nice, Very nice !
If you attended the B.I.A.B. Seminar with Chuck Campbell you got a bonus hit of Auldridge Dobro as they teamed up to jam and wow the folks .
It was all good at the show but hands down most of the comments I heard after the show was how they enjoyed the Dobro along with the steel show . It's a testimony to Mike's great playing and the fact that he is a steel player as well . It's an attitude thing . Something about the personality of steel players . Maybe they understand how difficult it is to play one and can relate to anyone at any level . Don't know but mike did a great Job !
OOPS! Now I'm 20 minutes late . Gotta go ! RT

[Rick Troyer]

One more time.......
Following Mike "Dobro" Auldridge was Mike"Cookie" Jones . Yikes! Best put on your track shoes if you want to listen fast enough to keep up . Awesome E9th tone combined with lightning speed . Wonderful! I especially liked the "Crawford chicken pickin'" licks he referenced every now and again .
Next on the schedule was Mr. Herby Wallace . I mentioned him first off in my "report" of the weekend . Not to brag on him further but He is my fav. ! Keep it up Herby ! Maybe this is the year I make it down for some lessons !
Well , if you could keep up with "Cookie" , and you had your track shoes on , you better have had a jet pac for the next act . Mike Sigler ! WOW! Now he's got me holding my breath just listening to him . Mike has been doing our show since 2002 . And we kinda take him for granted as "one of our own" . Always around and willing to help play a show or a jam if he's available . All those nice things aside, he's one of the best . I can tell you first hand . You know how you listen to someone and you think,"they're pretty good" or "not bad" but maybe inside you think you could do that if you practiced more or had a really good day . Well after playing with Mike at the "almost super jam" on Friday night I can tell you honestly most of us can't !Song after song and lik after lik he just smokes it . Truly a great player and wonderful guy . Hats off to you !!!
Well shucks , Last entry to my post . What will you do now ?
Closing out the show on Saturday was Carco Clave . While most of us are trying to play songs no one would expect to hear on steel guitar Carco took the opposite approach . He played all the great steel solos you grew up hearing and expect to hear at a steel show . And he played them masterfully .
I would be remiss if I didn't mention what a great job Roger Hoard (local guitar God) did on Carco's set . Roger twinned with Carco as if they worked together for months . An awesome set . Unless you were the sound crew, had a curfew or just can't stay awake anymore .They extended there set well past the time posted . For those who stayed , what a treat .
Well , hope to see ya at the next show around these parts . April of 2010 . New Phila Ohio . RT

[Mike Sigler]

Ricky
You Spanked my butt big time on the super jam... I can't tell you how many people told me they loved your playing... You are dead on my friend.. And i was honored to be up there with you! You are without a doubt a class act... And you do a pretty nice review also... Sure do love ya My Friend...
MS.

[John Davis]

Reading all of the above WOW! What a show that must have been! I am sick as a parrot! to not have been there.... and to be among some old friends. Could you please move the next one to a venue a little closer to the UK ???