Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association Meeting last Sunday!

[Peter Hart]

The members of R.I.S.G.A. held their quarterly meeting this last Sunday and we had a blast. We had our usual "round robin" type playing but also some surprises! Rob Spears sang us a couple of tunes while Gary Beaulieu backed him up on Chuck's steel! This is the first time I had heard these guy perform and I was impressed. Thanks! Please keep it going!
I had to walk over to Chuck Rodrigues a couple of times while he was playing just to make sure it was him. Chuck, your playing is incredible! I could see that Frank and Ben have been working at it too. Manny's playing was his typical "Mister Smooth" enjoyable self. I always like listening to him play. Ron, where did you learn to play that electric and sing like that??? Another pleasant surprise! Charles Buck brought down his beautiful new Dynalap steel. What a nice guitar. Thanks for sharing that with us Charles. I also want to thank Carl Alsmeyer for coming down and supporting our club. He does not play, YET! Me, well, I brought my dobro and even got back to BASSics for a while!
Great job by everyone. Another fun RISGA meeting. Thanks Marcia for letting me borrow that beautiful bass and keeping the club running so well! I was only saddened by the fact that more of our members could not attend. We'll see you all at the next meeting (or at Manny's 4th of July party).

[Jim Rice]

Jeez, Peter. I'm sorry I had to miss the meeting. Sounds like you had a blast. We don't often have singers, wish I had been there.

Hopeully we'll have a big crowd next time.

[Chris Caruso]

Sorry I couldn't make it too. I had a gig. We're off on sundays for the summer but will be back every other sunday starting 9/13. I always have a great time when I can make it down there.

[Eddie Cunningham]

Like Chris "C" our band had a chance to play and I had to miss the meeting !! It's always a great time at the R.I.S.G.A. meetings and I expect to make the next get-together !!! We all get to learn a lot and it's so much fun listening to all the different steel styles , pedal , non-pedal and Dobros !!! Eddie "C"

[manny escobar]

Peter, That may have been a big mistake,( picking up the bass). You played it very well. This means you will probably get drafted at future meetings. The meeting was missing a few key people, however it went overtime because the fun and picking went on and on.

[Peter Hart]

Hi Jim, Chris, Eddie and Manny. Yes we had a lot of fun and we missed you all (those who couldn't make it). It was a learning experience for me also doing my impression of playing the bass!! I did OK, just basic stuff, trying to follow the chord changes. I'll fill in if ever necessary again but we usually have players much more capable in attendance so that probably won't be necessary. I got to get back to playing the steel. Life has just been too busy lately so I haven't put much time in to it but it sure sounded like everybody else has! Again, great job everyone!

[Roger Trahan]

Sorry I missed this meeting, sometimes other priorities get in the way but we all have to do what we have to do. Like peter I agree life is just too busy at times. God Bless Roger