**Abilene Jam Was A Blowout**

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 14 Feb 2005 6:02 am

What a treat the Abilene Jam was to a larger than normal central Texas crowd of musicians and fans. Randy Palmore and company put on a super, well ran show. When you begin a show with the likes of Bobby Tuttle, who is one of the smoothest players around, you really can't lose. If Bill Stafford is "Mr Smooth", then our Texas version is "Mr Silk"--for lack of a better word. Then you follow up that gentleman with Johnny Cox, who "happened to drop by after a night with the Jody Nix band, and Larry Toliver-who "attacks" a pedal steel like no other--accompanied by his son Casey Toliver (super singer BTW), there is just just gonna be a great afternoon ahead. Freddie Justice, in from Arizona, left the audience in awe with his performance on the Rains guitar--super player. Gary Carpenter gave us all a lesson on the inside neck of the Rains axe. He never fails to amaze me with his dexterity. A monster player to say the least. Then the "kids" Jerry Newberry and some 'brat'

named Austin Stewart offered up a humongous plate of crow to the steel players in the audience, especially when the "kid" ended that part of the show with a version of "Orange Blossom Special" that ran grandpop off the stage. If you think the steel guitar is on the decline, the remedy is simple, just start 'em younger with kids like Austin. The final jam with Gary Carpenter, Bill Simmons--who overcame some tremendous electrical problems--along with Gene Watson's steeler Corky "Peewee" Owens added the frosting on the cake with a tremendous finish. Whatta' show. This one is going to get bigger, thanks to Randy Palmore, Larry Toliver, Bobby Rains and all who helped. I'll be back next year to this one if the Great One allows.

Clik on this website and clik on the picture for enlargement:
http://usera.imagecave.com/fjshan/abilene/

fred

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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

[This message was edited by Fred Shannon on 23 February 2005 at 05:55 AM.]

Bob Tuttle · Post by **Bob Tuttle** » 14 Feb 2005 7:49 am

It was a GREAT day! I made some new friends and got to visit with some old friends. The players were great, the band was great. If only there had been some bar-b-que!!!

Buck Grantham · Post by **Buck Grantham** » 14 Feb 2005 8:00 am

It looks like you all had a large time over there. Wish we could have been there . Buck & Mitzi Grantham

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 14 Feb 2005 8:29 am

Thanks to everyone in Abilene for asking me to play. I was on the way home and just stopped by to visit with some friends. Everyone was so nice to me and my friend Robert Weeks. I hope you guys do this one again.

Johnny

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 14 Feb 2005 9:47 am

Well we just got home from Abilene. We had a great time. Thanks Fred for your kind words!!!!!!!! I showed them to Austin and he got a big kick out it. He really enjoys playing and Papa is very proud of him even though Austin is beging to play some fast stuff that he can't keep up with. They are looking forward to Dallas. Keep them in mind at 8am Saturday morning. Thanks to Paul for playing the drums for us and the rest of the band that played. A big thanks to all the Abilene crew that allowed us to come and play. See everyone in Dallas!!!!!!! Donna

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 14 Feb 2005 10:39 am

I'm sorry I neglected to mention Paul Polish. What a tremendous asset he is to any bandstand. When taking their pictures, Paul introduced himself to my grand daughter as Dee's "sex toy". Whew, what a relief it is. The back up band members were excellent also. I knew I would leave somebody out the first time. Sorry.

BTW when I talked to Robert Weeks, I discovered he was the son of one of the greatest fiddlers to hit central and west Texas, R.D. Weeks, from the big city of Putnam. I played with R.D. back in the early 50's all around that part of the country. Robert is a tremendous fiddle player also, and has a set of pipes that would make Sinatra blush. Another youngster on the way up. We can't lose with these kind of kids.

fred

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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

Paul Polish · Post by **Paul Polish** » 14 Feb 2005 11:25 am

Well ,THANKS Fred, Now you will get me in Big Trouble.. For those of you that don't know..Dee is my darling WIFE and loving Valentine.
I had a great time in Abeline this weekend. Met several NEW friends. And looking forward to next year.
It, as always, was a great pleasure for me to get the opportunity to play with the GREAT musicians that always seem to show up at these shows. I will not try to name names because of my fear of leaving someone out.
HOwever, Thanks Randall for getting this show on the FORUM so we would know about it. And a special thanks to Larry Toliver for his hospitality and inviting Dee and myself out tO the BALL RANCH On Saturday night. We really enjoyed the show and the family. We felt like we had know the family for years. Sorry we missed the Bar-B-Q, but the cobbler was great.
Then we went over to Sweetwater and listened to Bobby Rains and Fred Justice swap sets at the VFW. Did a little dancin' and headed back to the motel.

All in all agreat time in west Texas. See y'all next year, we hope..
Paul and Dee

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 14 Feb 2005 6:25 pm

Well I just got home about 1 1/2 hour ago and ain't kickin too high right now.
Thanks everyone for having me over to play the jam,it was a great time with good friends and good steel mucic.Bob T, your right,it would have went better with Barb-B-Que.See you all in Dallas.

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Fred Justice,
Somewhere Out West

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 14 Feb 2005 6:37 pm

Congratulations to everyone who helped make the show a success.

My good friend Fred Shannon called me today, provided me a full report, and directed me to this thread.

It would appear they "raised the roof" and had a good time doing it. Seems as though it has the potential to be an annual event. Wish I had been there sitting on the front row.

Hope to see everyone at the Dallas show in a couple weeks.

Pat Coyne · Post by **Pat Coyne** » 15 Feb 2005 8:48 am

Abilene...what a nice surprise! Got to spend the day with some of my best friends...Bill Simmons, my brother, whom i have known for about 35yrs..and yes he has always played that good! Tom McDonald..."The Dancing Bear"..a new friend Corky Owens, what a great player and more important a great guy,...and getting to see my buddy, a person who means more to me than he will ever know, Johnny Cox- being able to spend some time with Ronnie Miller and Gary Carpenter!!! What a fantastic day..thanks guys i needed that!

Doyle Mitchell · Post by **Doyle Mitchell** » 15 Feb 2005 10:05 am

Guys, I recorded the show as you know and have the cd's ready, it was recorded on a digital recorder with open mikes but we got a quite decent sound. Any of you guys that played I will be glad to send you a copy free ,just e mail me your address. We are going to sell some to help raise money for next years show. If any one would like to help out by buyiny a cd, drop me an email, 15.00. Great job by all who participated including all the different band members. Doyle

Bob Rains · Post by **Bob Rains** » 15 Feb 2005 2:22 pm

We had a great time Sunday! We had so much talent it was awesome. I appreciate you all so much for making this so much fun and such a success. My thanks to all who came to pick and all who came to listen. Looking forward to another good time next year. Hope to hear and see you all at the Dallas show. Bob Rains

Corky Owens · Post by **Corky Owens** » 16 Feb 2005 7:05 am

Thanks guy's for a great time. I made a lot of new friends and heard some great playing. Got to spend the day with 3 great friends, Bill Simmons(my teacher), Tom McDonald and Pat Coyen. I got to see my good friend Johnny Cox(and see him play with both feet on the pedals) and hear one of my favorite players and good friend, Gary Carpenter. Plus i got to spend some time with my teacher, Bobby Tuttle. What a day of fun and memories. And thanks to the great back-up group. I'm looking forward to next year.

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Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 17 Feb 2005 9:27 am

Whew! Doyle Mitchell sent me a copy of the recorded session at Abilene last Sunday and it's just tremendous. Recorded using 2 open mikes but it is professionally done and I don't know how Shady got the mix just right. Lots of super players and better music from the git go. You want to hear some super steel playing get your paws on one of these. A tremendous asset to an up and coming Jam, I guarantee.

fred

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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

Cor Muizer Jr · Post by **Cor Muizer Jr** » 17 Feb 2005 9:31 am

i can't wait fred,

i already order a copy from Doyle so i have to be patience

cor (first overseas Rains owner)

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 17 Feb 2005 9:35 am

Fred I can't wait to get my hands on one of them CD's,got one ordered.
Hey Fred,how did the photo's turn out,or are they still in the developeing stage?
See you soon.

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Fred Justice,
Somewhere Out West

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 17 Feb 2005 9:43 am

Photos are still in the shop. You know these West Texas folks, they sleep a lot.

I was using a new camera and I sure hope it pans out. I'll let the forum know when they're up on the site.

fred

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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

Cor Muizer Jr · Post by **Cor Muizer Jr** » 17 Feb 2005 11:02 am

okay Fred,

we will wait for it.

like to see that abilene JAM blowout.

cor

[This message was edited by Cor Muizer Jr on 17 February 2005 at 11:03 AM.]

Doyle Mitchell · Post by **Doyle Mitchell** » 18 Feb 2005 7:30 am

Thanks Fred, I'm glad you enjoyed the cd, but I have to tell the truth, I walked in and told Debby(my wife) to see if she could balance out the recording and get us a decent cd, she worked for 2 days on it and thanks to the help of good computer programs she did a very good job with what I brought her to work with.If I had known that all those great pickers were going to be there I would have taken all the gear to do the job upright and tight.I think she did a wonderful job of getting those steels upfront and clear as a bell. Thanks to all the great pickers for a great day of entertainment and thanks to Tony Adams for sending us the picture of Corky , Bill and Gary that we used for the cover. We now have us a momento of one great day of fun we can enjoy everyday until next year gets here. See you guys in Big D. Doyle

Bill Simmons · Post by **Bill Simmons** » 18 Feb 2005 7:47 am

I just returned from New York and wanted to say a big "Thank You" to all the great players and folks who worked so hard on this event. I never saw so many "Rains Steel Guitars" in one room as at the show! HA.

I truly thought ALL the players were awesome! The back up band was so good. Larry Rains plays one great electric guitar!

It was a delight to try and hang with Corky Owens and Gary Carpenter...they both are just terrific players. In spite of my amp challenges, I so enjoyed meeting so many new friends and my old buddies. On the way home, Corky Owens, Tom McDonald, Pat Coyne and I kept talking how much fun we had at the show.

By the way, I heard the Rains Steel Guitar is introducing a first of a kind model that has a lot of people excited about. I quess I will have to check out the Rains Steel Guitar Booth at the TSGC in a few weeks to find out what it is! Looking forward to next year in Abilene!

Corky Owens · Post by **Corky Owens** » 21 Feb 2005 6:36 pm

Many thanks to Doyle and his wife for making a cd of this show available. I'm not sure about that photo, but i'm proud to be one of the three players in the photo. I just hope everybody can tell how much fun we had doing this show and we can work at having an even bigger show next year.

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Doyle Mitchell · Post by **Doyle Mitchell** » 22 Feb 2005 2:43 pm

Dont worry Corky you look fine and sounded sensational, but besides the only people that will see this are the people that were there playing and one overseas I sent a copy to. There will be no cd's for sale until I talk to all that played and see if they are ok with it. Just thought we might make a few dollars to help with next years show but not until I get a chance to check with all the players on that recording. I certainly dont want to put someone on there that does not want to be there... your in the bussiness... you know what I am saying... anyway , I only sent the players one for a keepsake from Abilene, and of course I kept one for myself, in fact I am listening to you play right now. Great picking....

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 23 Feb 2005 5:48 am

Hopefully this works. The first time with this camera, and the first time using this website. Here's the Abilene Jam Photos.
http://usera.imagecave.com/fjshan/abilene/

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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 23 Feb 2005 6:49 am

Great picture's Fred,it was a good gathering with good music and good fellowship as well.

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Fred Justice,
Somewhere Out West

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 23 Feb 2005 9:26 am

Fred-Thanks for showing the nice pictures, and they loaded fast too......al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/