Northeast Iowa Steel Guitar Show October 23-25 Waterloo Iowa

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 18 Oct 2009 7:33 am

Kenny, I was going to ask you to come up and play some guitar for me, but after that, I don't know. It's hard to hit Devere below the belt, his legs are so short anyway. His socks touch his underwear is what I've been told. Take it easy on Devere, remember who he plays with.
Roger

Ken Newman · Post by **Ken Newman** » 18 Oct 2009 10:41 pm

roger, golly gee, it is good to hear that you are once again going to 'captain' the talented house band. it sound's as if the crew selection went well.
hey! do not worry about DeVere, his boat floats anywhere, anytime. when he plays his authentic ,'super chimes' on some of those old songs , he can chime the fins off a mermaid. it is still my happy ears that has heard him play and work under the best [and worst] scenarios and DeVere always amazes the listening folk on the top side, [where the strings are] and always amazes the players on the bottom side [where the headaches are] with them there pedal steel guitars. he has championed and promoted that instrument with panache . managed to bring in noted players for seminars, also in fact, if you could hum the chorus of 'steel guitar rag' he would set you up on a payment plan , then bench set it up to suit, then teach you how to play that impossible thing. [he only failed on a couple of us students].... only the best on ya,
stay tuned, kenny

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 19 Oct 2009 6:19 am

Yes Kenny, I play with some top notchers, Mark Wayne on the wagon tungue, Glenn Runnells on the Horse hairs, and Bobby Regot on the cow hides. I'll be strung out 6 times over.
And Devere, is a superb player.

Mark Wayne · Post by **Mark Wayne** » 19 Oct 2009 1:26 pm

DeVere Adamson · Post by **DeVere Adamson** » 19 Oct 2009 5:38 pm

Thanks to Roger and Ken for all those comments, I think maybe they were good--but I am not really sure knowing those two guys like I do.

Bill McRoberts · Post by **Bill McRoberts** » 20 Oct 2009 3:25 am

To Lefty, Kirk, Roger and the whole gang at NEISG.
I am proud to be a part of the show again this year.
It is always a treat to see each and every player perform on stage at the Electric Park.
See you all on Friday night!
Bill

Kirk P Dighton · Post by **Kirk P Dighton** » 21 Oct 2009 4:22 am

Kim and I can't wait to see all you guys and gals this weekend. Its been too long........I am currently in Ree Heights South Dakota at the Titan 1 wind turbine site and its rainy and cold........practicing in the hotel room. Cant wait to get back to Waterloo this weekend. DOn't forget the jam Friday night too.
Roger- DO you remember Maggie Mae guitar ride?????? Thats a good old country song...

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 21 Oct 2009 6:30 am

Well guys and girls. Teresa and I will be heading out in the morning. We plan to stop for the night somewhere close to Davenport then come on in to Waterloo around noon Friday. We'll see you guys then.

Lefty Schrage · Post by **Lefty Schrage** » 22 Oct 2009 4:36 am

If you haven't done so yet, make plans to join us at the Northeast Iowa Steel Guitar Show beginning tomorrow night at 6 p.m. with an open jam session and no admission charge. Performing artists ramp up at 11:00 Saturday morning and continue until 11 p.m. Sunday's schedule begins with a 9 am church service followed by more artists until 5 p.m.
It'll be a fun time w/ Mike Sweeney, Scotty, and up to 30 Midwest artists performing. It's a show where "no one's a stranger"! Hope to see you there. ...lefty

Kirk P Dighton · Post by **Kirk P Dighton** » 22 Oct 2009 11:20 am

Adam Moritz · Post by **Adam Moritz** » 24 Oct 2009 10:07 pm

I got back from the show late tonight. It was a fine show. Great conversations and great music. One thing that amazes me is how efficient and on time the schedule is. I played as part of the "jump-start academy" segment and sure enough we were off stage and talking with friends at 5:20. The scheduled time was 5:20. Totally on time! Watching Mr. Sweeney play those 7/9 chords makes me want to learn the C6 neck. I will have to say that Roger Miller and his bad were great. Made everything sound sooooooo good! Just a note of thanks to the band!

Ronald Moore · Post by **Ronald Moore** » 25 Oct 2009 6:44 am

Thank you to Lefty and Kirk for getting me on the show again this year. Thanks to Roger, Doug, Bobby, and Mark for the superb backup. Thanks to the many folks who came to me with kind words after. I always enjoy playing the show where no one is a stranger. I enjoyed many of the other players' great sets as well. One regret though, is that I couldn't stay around for Saturday evening and Sunday. I hope to see you fine folks at other shows in the area and of course, next year at Waterloo. Ron Moore

Tim Herbert · Post by **Tim Herbert** » 25 Oct 2009 4:19 pm

I had a great time at the Saturday show too. Lots of fine players, capped off by Mike Sweeney's excellent set! The Jump Start Academy is a great idea (new players given the use of a guitar and free lessons for a year), and all three of the new players did a fine job. And the back up band was terrific. Thanks for a great show!

Michael McGee · Post by **Michael McGee** » 26 Oct 2009 6:13 am

Max King and I extend our sincere thanks to Lefty and the whole crew for the opportunity to be a part of the show this year. It was great to see some old friends and make some new ones.

Special thanks to Roger and Bobby for providing tremendous music on my set. They are tremendous musicians.

Dennis D. - great to see you. Sorry I had to miss your set this time.

And finally, Electric Park Ballroom - what a GREAT facility for a steel guitar show.

Kirk P Dighton · Post by **Kirk P Dighton** » 26 Oct 2009 6:18 am

Still recovering from the awesome, adrenaline-laced weekend of the NEISGS in Waterloo. Mike Sweeney was awesome as always and both he and Theresa are great people!! Scotty and Mary Scott celebrated their wedding anniversary with us and as always, a great asset to all of our friends and family here at NEISGS. The house band cannot be beat anywhere. Roger Miller, Mark Wayne and with the new additions of Bobby Regot on drums and Doug Stock on fiddle!! You guys are the best!! Thanks to all who came, played, listened, and supported this great jam. Hopefully you all felt that you were not a stranger when you came to NEISG! God bless.

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 26 Oct 2009 8:16 pm

I'm telling you now, you missed this show this time, not next year, be here. Mike Sweeney is such a great player, Scotty and Mary is our guidance and examples to having a successful show. Mike McGee is one of the smoothest steelers I have ever heard. I hear it's in the water down there.
The Staff Band: the addition of Bobby Regot, what a Pro. Twenty some years at Scotty's, I listened to every word he said. You learn from musicians like Bobby. Doug Stock jumped in the fiddle position with grace and played his _ _ _ off. Mark Wayne is not only a great steeler, Bass wagon tongue playing is second to none. With these three guys, all I could do was hold on and let the wind blow my hair.
Thanks to everyone involved, It was a great weekend.
Hoping you all made it home ok, see you and your friends your going to invite for next year then.
Lefty, Curt, Kirk, and Dale put on one heck of a show, thank you guys.

Roger and Kathy Miller

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 26 Oct 2009 9:45 pm

Wish I could of attended the Show and visited with my many friends in Waterloo. Everyone should remember that Waterloo, Iowa was the home town of the 5 Sullivan Brothers all killed on a Navy ship in World War II. That highway that runs by the John Deere plant is named after the 5 brothers. Think what it was like for their Mother and Father to learn all 5 of their sons were killed at once. By the way--Lefty Schrage, I saw you on Midwest County. Actually heard you before I saw it was you. I think you had the best sound of any steel player that I have ever heard on that show. QUALITY playing and QUALITY sound Lefty. I am not easily impressed Lefty, but you impressed me on that Midwest County Show. Hey, Mike McGee---guess what--Don Luttrell give Jan and Charles Lee their notice. There won't be a barn band after Nov. 14th. It was OK with me as it tied up all of my Friday nights. I am still playing in 3 different bands that play there at the auction barn. Jerry Menoun the guitar player is playing in two of those bands--and Mike you know what Jerry can do. I saw Dino Strunk at Wal-Marts in Ozark tonight and told him he needs to come to Nixa and sit in with Jerry, me and the rest of the band.

Lefty Schrage · Post by **Lefty Schrage** » 27 Oct 2009 5:11 am

The NISGS show this past weekend was certainly an example of excellent musicianship, friendship, and fun! Roger, you provided quality leadership w/ the house band which was cranked and provided great backing during the entire show--I think you guys helped make the event a "show-la-bration". As you noted, it was a pleasure having the awesome Bobby Regot w/ us on drums for the first time and the talented Doug Stock playing outstanding fiddle (in addition to superb steel). We would be remiss if we didn't also make note of Mark's outstanding work on bass (and, by golly, the proverbial 'banana' even made another surprise appearance--this time during my set).
There were so many fine steel players it's impossible to name them for fear of leaving someone out. We thank all the performers because w/o you the show wouldn't exist. And for sure we want to extend thanks to headliners, Mike Sweeney and DeWitt Scott -- great performances by both!
During the show, Williams Guitars was recognized for their donation of a brand new S-10 steel guitar to the Jump Start Academy. Darlene Dingman was also recognized for donating her late husband's N'ville LTD in his memory.
Big thanks to our co-organizers and members of the support staff--w/o you the show couldn't have happened either!
Good to hear from you Keith about Midwest Country and thx for the kind words--they had the steel more up front in the mix than on previous clips.
...lefty

Mark Wayne · Post by **Mark Wayne** » 27 Oct 2009 11:56 am

Kirk, Ronnie, Rog, and Lefty - thanks for the compliments on the house band. It was a joy to play with such accomplished players as Rog, Bobby, and Doug. Most rewardingly is to be a part of a house band that allows a steel player (whether novice or pro) to come and play to his fullest ability.

Burr Oxley · Post by **Burr Oxley** » 27 Oct 2009 7:31 pm

Another delightful show this year! My thanks to all of those who performed, and to the great folks who put on the NEISGS.

Two special mentions I'd like to make here.

One is a newly-written instrumental by Albert Svenddal called "Brumley's Bounce." What a great little tune, one that would definitely be "Top 40" material back in the 1960s!

And the second is a tribute to Roger Miller in his new role as a steel player. For a couple of years he was the Upper Midwest's best damn lead guitar player who also happened to be a very promising steel player. Now he's a thoroughly professional first-rate steel player IN ADDITION TO still being the Upper Midwest's best damn lead guitar player.

But then, any of you who have heard Roger play either lead guitar or steel already know that......

Thanks again to all the NEISGS players and staff for another enjkoyable weekend.

Darwin Lindahl · Post by **Darwin Lindahl** » 28 Oct 2009 3:53 pm

I was one of the three members of the jump start academy that got to play at the show. What an experience. I’ve been playing guitar for over 20 years and have played lots of shows but never have I felt so much support from everyone in the room. I have so many people to thank for their support and generosity. First I would like to thank Rodger Miller for being my mentor and getting me into the program. I can not say enough about what an incredible guy Rodger is. He is an endless source of support and knowledge. Bill and Tim Rudolph of Williams Guitars for building and donating such a fine instrument for me learn on. I was spoiled and will eventually be calling you two to build me a guitar. If you haven’t played a Williams you really should. Lefty Schrage for getting me in the program and all of the encouragement. Mike Sweeney for all the free lessons and material you sent with Rodger to give to me. You are a class act and one smooth playing mofo. Albert Svenddal for the word of encouragement and the inspiration. The house band and sound guys for making me sound so good. All the other players there for all the stuff I heard and watched trying to learn something new. Both Friday and Saturday I went home and broke out the guitar trying to remember some of it. Everyone that just attended the event that made a point to come up and tell me how much they liked the performance. Last but not least I would like to thank the Northeast Iowa Steel Guitar Show for having the Jump Start Academy in the first place. What a wonderful program. I’ve always wanted to play the pedal steel but there has always been this cloud of mystery around it. It always seemed like I had to know the secret handshake to get into the club. Now I feel like I’m part of the family and ready to take on the world. Thank you all so much I can never repay what I have been given so I will just have to pay it forward

Mark Wayne · Post by **Mark Wayne** » 29 Oct 2009 1:36 pm

Darwin, You and your other two jump start players were great!! You are the future of steel guitar. One thing I learned about Iowains and that is that they take steel guitar seriously.

Every year the level of quality in steel playing gets better down there. Kind of imtimidating

..... I heard improvement in Kirk's playing, as well as that guy who plays the pedals without a shoe...a..um..Roger, I think? Lefty's tone is one I will always be amazed with, and Dale Thomas's precision will always be held in admiration. Always great to hear the 12-string guru, Dennis, too.

Every steeler I played behind had a groove goin', and that was awesome!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 29 Oct 2009 1:46 pm

Mark,
I need to chime in here.
Everytime I get to a steel show and you are there, I am amazed at the proficiency you display on whatever instrument you are playing, the "wagon tongue" included!

Kirk P Dighton · Post by **Kirk P Dighton** » 29 Oct 2009 4:19 pm

Thanks for the kind words Mark, however, after this year and hearing the progress of "one year or less" students, I am determined to impress the heck out of someone next year. I am now officially in the woodshed! Youare always a joy to hear and watch and just kind of "mess with" you take it well my friend and am honored to call you as such. God Bless.

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 29 Oct 2009 8:02 pm

I just want to add our thanks to everyone for having us come to the show this year. We had a BALL!!!!

We felt like we were at a family reunion. The band was great and with Roger heading the band up I wouldn't expect less. Lefty always amazes me with his playing as did everyone else on the show. Not a cull in the lot except me LOL!! The venue is beautiful as well as the hotel. Folks this show is FIRST CLASS all the way! I hope we get to come back up there someday. I saw mention of the Jump Start Acadamy students. I tell you this, I was very impressed with the job they did. I wish them all the best and if I can help in any way just let me know.
I don't want to ramble so in closing I'll just say thanks again and I hope to see all of you again soon.

Mike and Teresa Sweeney

The Steel Guitar Forum

Northeast Iowa Steel Guitar Show October 23-25 Waterloo Iowa

roger , devere

Neisgs

Thanks to all