GREAT" Show In Gulfport

Ben ODell · Post by **Ben ODell** » 5 Jun 2005 7:53 pm

Well folks;
After all the hard work by Bill Stafford, the June show is now in the books as one of the best.

Although we had a few miserable hours (due to the loss of some air conditioning), but, the a/c man got us back up and running, the show went on.

Our MC, Jeff Blackwell did a fine job during the show. And the "Wobble Head" musician's award presentation to Bill and myself was one of the highlights of the show. Thanks a bunch Jeff for all the hard work !!!! We have already started looking forward to our next visit. Jeff Blackwell also has some very interesting steel guitar shirts and hats you can purchase from his site. www.steelguitargear.com
Got to tell it all about the Friday nite dinner at R.J. Buras's "Lakeside Fish Camp" was second to none. And I might add,,,, I was the first one in the line !!! Ms Mickey and myself broke all kinds of speed records making that happen. But foremost was the food at R.J.'s place !!

We enjoyed the Shrimp on the platter and when that didn't fill all the empty holes, (CAUSE EVERYBODY AT THE TABLE WAS STICKIN THEIR PAWS IN IT) I ordered me a plate of the catfish filets. All I can say is WOW!!! So Good !!!! And those hushpuppies,,,,,, I told R.J. to pack me up about 10 pounds of them. Probably the best I have ever had !! If you folks (that couldn't make it over there this weekend) ever find yourselves in the area, don't miss the opportunity to visit R.J. and his great family at the Lakeside Fish Camp.

There had been lots of talk prior to the show about John Hughey's love for strawberry pie. Now Roy Rosetta, you can eat your heart out. R.J. and myself fixed it up so John could “Finally”, “Finally”, “Finally”, take care of that craving for strawberry pie. It was an unforgettable moment for us and especially for John. R.J. presented John with a couple of "BIG OLE DOGGIE" boxes to go just in case he had a reoccurrence of the craving at the hotel.

It was so good to see all the folks in attendance. We were honored to have Mr. Bob Saxton on the stage playing guitar. What a super player. And,,,,,,,,, Larry Moore , my good friend Barney Miller, Reggie Duncan, David Easley, Sarah Buras, Wayne Goff, Billy Bolster, The Franklin Family, Dewitt Scotty (who did a wonderful, Jerry Byrd tribute), Billy Carr, and darn,,,,,,, the list just goes on and on. The big surprise I told you all about was a visit by our good friend Joe Wright. Joe as usual, knocked-um dead!! Steel Radio was respresented at the show and I think I heard they would be playing some stuff from the show.

All in all, if you missed this one, (FOR LARRY MOORE) You missed a GOOD-UN !!! But,,,,, do not despair. The next will probably be bigger with that loaded telephone in the hands of Bill Stafford. I think I'll wait till he gets all the goodies done before I read my mail about the next one. The ole thumper can only take so much.

For all you folks that did come out to be with us, "Thanks a million and we really enjoyed seeing you all and look forward to seeing you again in the near future".

Ben O'Dell

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If it ain't got steel in it, It Ain't[This message was edited by Ben ODell on 05 June 2005 at 08:54 PM.][This message was edited by Ben ODell on 06 June 2005 at 06:45 PM.]

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 5 Jun 2005 8:31 pm

Yes sir, brother Ben. I agree with you 100%. Great show and you done some wonderful bass playing Friday & Saturday. I've already got people calling about the next G'port show! See you soon.

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 5 Jun 2005 9:09 pm

Ben and Billy, I agree! What great fun we had this weekend. I'd like to thank Bill Stafford and RJ Buras for their hard work, making it all possible. Thank you Ben for your tireless efforts to make the show what it was. Great job!
What a surprise to have Joe Wright pop in as well as Bob Saxton on guitar! Met great forumites like Bobby Duncan, Larry Moore, Fred Shannon, Jeff Bridges and others! So cool to put faces to the names!
Barney Miller...you are too much! Great to see ya! To Billy, Danny, Royce, Big Will, John Hughey, David Easley, Mike Brewer Scotty and Johnny Bonvillian, you guys made the day very special! Oh yeah....Larry Hicks, thanks for playing drums Friday night and keys Saturday! You are great!
(Billy tell THE LEGEND thanks for me!)

Larry Moore · Post by **Larry Moore** » 5 Jun 2005 11:08 pm

We are home after a great weekend, and Ben you are right it was a GOOD-UN
I would like to thank Bill Stafford for a good show and to let me be a small part on it.
Just great players all day.
The back up band well what can I say. They were at it all day
Looking forward to doing it again
Thanks Bill & Ben
Larry & The Jewelry Lady

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 6 Jun 2005 5:25 am

Now y'all have just gone and done it....telling me aout such a great show (lol)....sure hate I had to miss this one and the "Friday Frolics" out at RJ's Lakeside Fish Camp, along with all the pies "being thrown around" or should I say consumed.......Bill and the gang at DSSGA are always working hard to put on the best, and with the list of names that were there, I know that it was one mighty good show....'til the next one keep steelin' guys and gals......HAL

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Be Blessed........HAL
'85 Emmons LeGrande D-10,(8 & 6) Hilton Vol. Pedal, BJS Birthstone bar, Rack w/Evans Pre-amp, Lexicon MPX500; (2)1501-4 BW's in custom built cabs by T.A. Gibson, & Sound Tech PL802 Digital Power Amp.

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 6 Jun 2005 5:56 am

It was an honor to jam with two of my heroes [Bill Stafford and John Hughey] at the end of the show. They thought I made a mistake on the last jam chorus I played -- but I did it just to see if they were listening. They thought I went to a "D" instead of "F", but it was really my special dissonant inversion of an F chord. [FmM7AugDiminished13 sus4 b9 b5] (LOL).

All kidding aside, it was by far the best Gulfport show to date. I have been encouraging Bill and Ben to do a big one each year and fold me into the player list.

I also had a chance to visit with my old friends, Barney and Mary Miller from Atlanta and DeWitt (Scotty) and Mary Scott, who drove down with two grandchildren from St Louis. It was too bad that the young granddaughter had to spend most of her time in the hospital with tonsillitis.

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Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.

Winston Street · Post by **Winston Street** » 6 Jun 2005 6:50 am

Don't know what John had underneath his display table but he always came back up from behind it wiping his mouth and grinning.

Did you see the size of that piece of pie that RJ brought out to his table Friday night???????? Don't know what John was doing with the fork in one hand and the knife in the other, but I was afraid to reach for any of the pie.. Just went to another table and Billie Carr, his wife Glenda and I just ordered us a piece of our own to keep from getting our hands stuck.... I can say this, that was some fine strawberry pie and the picking was great.. Especially Billy and Joe Wright.. Thanks for the great food and entertainment RJ. Keep it up...

J PARKER · Post by **J PARKER** » 6 Jun 2005 9:16 am

Mr. Ben i have already heard that that was a GOOD UN as you always say. Hate i had to miss that show but im making my plans to be at the next one they have. With all those great pickers all of you had to of had to be a great show. Best of luck to all of you and keep steelin. Jim Rains D10 Nashville 400

Jeff Blackwell · Post by **Jeff Blackwell** » 6 Jun 2005 10:39 am

The great one...Ben O'Dell...you honor me, my friend!
It was a hoot to MC the Gulfport show on Saturday. Bill Stafford was so accommodating and made me feel at home.
There was so much fine music...and what a variety....it made the heat more bearable.
Looking ahead, your next show falls on the weekend of Scotty's ISGC in September, but I'll be back over for trips to the Fish Camp and for the show in December.
By the way, the website you listed in your earlier post is for my "day job." The t-shirt site (the fun job) is www.steelguitargear.com.
Main thing is, keep me on the invite list. I really enjoyed meeting all of the great players...every one of them were fantastic!

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Jeff Blackwell
Emmons D-10 LeGrande - Nashville 400

Having a steel guitar show you want to promote? Add it to the calendar at www.steelguitargear.com

[This message was edited by Jeff Blackwell on 06 June 2005 at 11:40 AM.]

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 6 Jun 2005 11:28 am

Jeff......the next one should be the first Sat in August.....so there won't be any need to miss it.........just a heads up for all........and hope I can make the next one, too.

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Be Blessed........HAL
'85 Emmons LeGrande D-10,(8 & 5) Hilton Vol. Pedal, BJS Birthstone bar, Rack w/Evans Pre-amp, Lexicon MPX500; (2)1501-4 BW's in custom built cabs by T.A. Gibson, & Sound Tech PL802 Digital Power Amp.

Jeff Blackwell · Post by **Jeff Blackwell** » 6 Jun 2005 1:12 pm

Brother Hal:
Ben O'Dell and I were discussing this, so I'm not sure which month. However, if the next Gulfport show is in August, I'll be there!
Thanks!

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Jeff Blackwell
Emmons D-10 LeGrande - Nashville 400

Having a steel guitar show you want to promote? Add it to the calendar at www.steelguitargear.com

Gary Moore · Post by **Gary Moore** » 6 Jun 2005 1:18 pm

HATE I MISSED SAT SHOW BUT IT WAS GOOD FRIDAY NITE AT RJ CATFISH HOUSE GOOD EATING & GREAT PICKING MIGHT SEE YALL NEXT TIME.

DeWitt Scott · Post by **DeWitt Scott** » 6 Jun 2005 2:31 pm

Mary, myself and our grand children, Randy and Samantha Headrick, arrived back in St. Louis about a half hour ago and I want to thank everyone that was at the show for supporting Bill Stafford and his desire to bring steel players to Gulfport Mississippi. It was a wonderful show and it was a pleasant surprise to see my old friend Ivan Reddington there. My grand daughter, "Sam", had to leave the show for a rest and take some medicine so I had to miss his part of the show but I heard that it was a good one.

I enjoyed my set primarily because of the excellent back up band. The PA sound was excellent. I want to especially thank Bill and Betty for putting us up in their home and making sure that our two grand children got do all the things thay wanted to do. A boat ride in the Gulf, shopping for souvenirs and even do some fishing off the dock. A special thanks to Betty, being a nurse, she went to the hospital emergency room with Sam shortly upon our arrival Thursday, to make sure everything went OK. Sam had a 114 temperature due to a tonsel problem. "Sam" and Mary spent a day and a half and two nights in the hospital. Not what you would call a wonderful vacation for the two grandkids. She is OK now.

Everyone made us so welcome that Mary and I will be make it a point to make a return trip when my schedule will permit. If you missed this show, then make it a point to be at the next one in August!

Scotty

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 6 Jun 2005 4:30 pm

Nothing is possible without the support and wonderful friendship and talents of all who was here this past weekend. Our Deep South newsletter will be mailed out soon and there I will thank all who lent us their hands and talents and friendship this past weekend.
But I will put the major credit to Jeff Blackwell for controlling our show with his MC duties all afternoon. What a voice! Had many great compliments about how smooth this show was conducted-and all due to the professionalism of Jeff.
I had all the help we needed to move the players on/off the stage very efficiently. Thanks to everyone who just pitched in and did this for us.
It was a delight to have Larry Hicks and his piano as part of the band. Great job here too.
Many major surprises showed up in the names of Bob Saxton and Joe Wright. Bob played guitar almost continuously with the band all afternoon and was an instant hit with all of us, and especially me. You are certainely appreciated Bob Saxton. Thought Chet was back with us and on the band stand. That guitar you have is gorgeous and sounds just perfect.
Every one knows about Joe Wright!! Thanks Joe for giving us your talents also. Glad you and SERA are getting together with the Disney folks. Watch for this duo folks. Big things are in the works. Major talents here.
More later in the newsletter.
Just thanks to everyone for sharing all with us this past weekend.
(And I am not forgetting John and Jean Hughey, just do not have enough words in my vocabulary to thank them enough here-will do better in the newsletter-I hope).
It was a great show and fun time for all.
The VFW mgr apologizes deeply for one of the two large ac units going off line. They worked hard for a few hours to get it up and running again. They did provide us with the fans to help out a little until the ac unit was back up and running. Things mechanical do break down, the important thing is that ac folks were called in immediately to get it back up and running. DSSGA apologizes to all for this.
Special thanks to Mary and Scotty for gracing our establishment. Our Jerry Byrd Apprciation Day was a big success with him and Ivan Reddington and Billy Carr with their lap steel guitars. Scotty with his 1932 Fry Pan and Ivan and Billy with identical National D-8s. This was my favorite part of the afternoon. And then along comes John Hughey with Bob Saxton, SERA with Joe Wright and Barney Miller, Roy Ayres etc etc etc and it was all my favorites..

Bill Stafford

Laurie Ayres · Post by **Laurie Ayres** » 7 Jun 2005 10:00 am

Bill & Betty: Roy and I had a wonderful time and at the best show we have been to! You did an awesome job of putting it all together and Betty is so supportive! We love you both and we are so blessed to have you as our friends. We will see you in St. Louis in Sept. We were also happy to see so many old friends and hear such wonderful music. It was also awesome to remember Jerry Byrd and the impact he had on the steel guitar world. The band was also GREAT! They couldn't have been any better. We can't wait until we can come to another one so keep us informed! We wouldn't want to miss all the fun. See you soon. Love to you both, Laurie

John Hughey · Post by **John Hughey** » 7 Jun 2005 7:28 pm

Just want to thank Bill Stafford & Ben O'Dell for a great time in Gulfport. There was a lot of effort and work put forth by these guys to make this show a great one. The hospitality was great, as you have already heard. I'm still full of catfish and strawberry pie. Ha!! RJ, you are something else. Thank you so much.
Thank you Bill & Ben, you are great people and we love you very much.
Give Ms Mickey & Ms Betty a big ole hug for us.
John & Jean Hughey

Ben ODell · Post by **Ben ODell** » 8 Jun 2005 8:07 pm

MR.JOHN HUGHEY (ESQUIRE)
It was indeed a great honor to have you and your lovely wife Jean with us this past weekend.

As the ole saying goes, "Get hot or go home". Well we accomplished one half of that ole saying. FOR REAL !!! It was some kinda hot. But, just think back on them ole days when you used to go out on the front porch and sit till bedtime. That was fun to !!!

We would certainly entertain the thoughts of having you back with us soon. Maybe we can shoot for a winter time show with no heat. JUST JOKING. But that is a good thought.

Thanks for being with us and we love you "BROTHER"

Ben O'Dell

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If it ain't got steel in it, It Ain't

Tim Bridges · Post by **Tim Bridges** » 9 Jun 2005 5:34 am

Thanks Bill and Ben for a really ggod time. Thank you for letting me be a part of it as well. My daughter really enjoyed RJ's Fish Camp. She met one of RJ's daughters (I think daughter; I know a relative) and they hung out everywhere, ate great food and met alot of great people. She wants to go to more shows!

RJ, little did I know that our waitress was the huge tallent. And I'm talkin' HUGE. When Sera and Joe Wright did their thing Friday night, I was blown away. Two really super tallents.

I hope to see you all before next year in Gulfport. Thanks again.

Roy Rosetta · Post by **Roy Rosetta** » 9 Jun 2005 6:42 am

Ben and Bill,
Because of my prior committment to the Western Swing Festival in Wichita Falls, Tx. I'm really sorry that I couldn't make the show in Gulfport, I know it was super. What a line-up of talent. Bill Stafford again waved his magic wane and gathered a great group of performers as he always seems to do.
I'm really, really sorry to have missed all that strawberry pie, catfish and shrimp at R.J.'s. My one consolation is that I know my buddy John Hughey took care of eating enough for both of us. What a guy !!!!!
I did get some wonderful home made pecan pie, cookies and fudge in Tulsa at the O.S.G.A. show made by Ms. Donna Newberry and boy, can she put it together.
Hopefully we can make one of the DSSGA shows in the near future and get to see all of our deep south friends.
...Roy Rosetta

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Music is a "gift" with many wrappings....
....Roy

Ben ODell · Post by **Ben ODell** » 9 Jun 2005 7:10 pm

Roy,,,,,,,,, that door to our show is stuck and welded, in the open position, for the great Roy Rosetta, "NEVER CLOSES".

And a big Uh-Huh on John taking up the slack for you. He put a whooping on that strawberry pie.

Help me out here Roy. They, (R.J., Mickey, and John) caught me on the stage when they brung out the strawberry pie, and waved it under my nose, then left. By the time I got back to the table, there was only a saucer lickin left for me. I think a good scolding is in order.

But you hit on my favorite. "PECAN PIE". Just can't seem to get enough of that wonderful stuff.

Sure hate you couldn't make this one. It was a Sho-Nuff Good-Un !!! Uncle John had them glued to their seats. Hot or no hot. I'm sure you turned the ole heads in Wichita Falls. HUMMMM,,,, Ah them ole days at Sheppard AFB. Two times through the Jet Engine Tech School there. LOVE THAT PLACE.

Catch you later. We'll get Billy's magic pen and telephone a working on the next one.

Ben O'Dell

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If it ain't got steel in it, It Ain't

Roland Buras · Post by **Roland Buras** » 9 Jun 2005 7:38 pm

Wow! what a great time, Big Ben you and Bill Stafford did it again, it was the greatst show ever. I want to thank everyone for coming by the Lakeside Fish Camp Friday night. i really enjoyed meeting you and to be able to serve you some of our good ole southern hospitality. Thanks Mr. scotty it was my pleasure in meeting you and your family. Thanks Mr John Hughey and miss Jean for being with us. We have made Strawberry Pie part of our Menu. and Thanks to Ben Odell and Miss Mickey for helping with the music part. Thanks to Roy & Laurie Ayers{Roy I will have Tenn. Waltz bad to the bone next show} Thanks to Tim Bridges & his Daughter{ Tim that was my Grand Daughter Callie} Thanks to my Great friends, Reggie Duncan, Bill Burns, Danny & Susan Harrell, Billy & Glenda Carr, James & Nancy Mcphail, Herbie stewart, Gary Moore, Jeff Shannon, Bobby duncan, Jerry & Darlene Jaye, Larry & Yvonne Moore, Larry Hicks, Al Starnes, Royce Tarver, My Good Friend Gary Miles, Doc hearl, fine guitar playing Doc. Joe Lumpkin, Don crowe, Jerry Stewart, Howard & Mrs Tate, Barney & Mary Miller, Billy Bolster, J R Jones, My Good friend Jeff Blackwell, Great MC job jeff, & Randy Blackwell, My Son's Joby & Jason, My Daughters, Heather & Sera and to my Father Miles Buras,cooking in the Kitchen, And our surprise guest Mr Joe Wright. I may have left out a name or to i will edit later , However Thanks to you ALL, you're the Greatest.

R J Buras/ Lakeside Fishcamp[This message was edited by Roland Buras on 09 June 2005 at 08:51 PM.]

Larry Hicks · Post by **Larry Hicks** » 9 Jun 2005 9:29 pm

R.J. >>>>
Thanks for making us all feel so welcome at the Fish Camp. What a great place! Do you make hush puppy shipments?

Most of all . . . thanks to Bill Stafford and Ben ODell for all the work it takes to put together events like we had in Gulfport last weekend. What a pleasure! Liz and I met lots of new friends that we hope to see again soon. LOTS of talent under that roof!
Larry[This message was edited by Larry Hicks on 09 June 2005 at 10:32 PM.]