Zane's View on Scotty's ISGC 2010

Zane King · Post by **Zane King** » 5 Sep 2010 4:36 am

I agree with a post I just read about the lack of info about the ISGC here on the Forum. It was my first steel show to play in over 15 years! I had a wonderful time. It was great seeing old friends and making new ones. I know the energy of the show was not quite the same as when I grew up but the love and passion for the instrument is unchanged. I suppose growing up in the shadows of Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, John Hughey, Shot Jackson, Doug Jernigan, Herby Wallace, Julian Tharpe, Speedy West, Zane Beck, Tom Brumley, Ralph Mooney, and MANY other greats.....you can see where my expectations have been guided by the past.

My favorite program was the Gospel show. What great players and testimonies! I'll write more later when I'm not bound to my iPhone. (SEE POST BELOW)

Don Lampley · Post by **Don Lampley** » 5 Sep 2010 4:52 am

Zane I enjoyed playing behind you in the Gospel room your such a great player and talk about speed I thought the Gospel room was full of great music as well as players hope to see you again.

Zane King · Post by **Zane King** » 5 Sep 2010 1:56 pm

Thanks Don! What a great time that was indeed.

It has been a long time since I was last at Scotty's. I will say there's been a few changes. I did miss the "magic" in the ballroom. Seems like the side room shows and activity have come at a sacrifice to the main show. Likely it is however very fun for the consumer to be able to see a lot of different players and music plus being able to check out all kinds of instruments and electronics. I love it. The convention just needs to experience a bit of growth in order to overcome the attendance issues in the main hall. I do think the schedule was very good with the Friday addition in lieu of the Sunday programs.

Scotty continues to do a great job with putting a premium program together. I was a bit disappointed that with one exception I was still one of the youngest players on the show even after a 15 year absence. Austin Stewart is that exception and my goodness what a seasoned player he already has become. I just was hoping to be intimidated by dozens more. LOL. I'm sure I'll be the old guy on the show soon enough but I do hope that I can contribute to our instrument by getting more young pickers engaged.

That in short was my view on this year's International Steel Guitar Convention. I look forward to participating in the future in someway.

Love to hear other thoughts from folks that might have been there.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 5 Sep 2010 2:22 pm

It was probably my post that mentioned there wasn't much posted about the ISGC this year, like it has in the past. We would see posts several times a day on what was happening, who was the new HOF members within minutes of the announcements, pictures, etc.

I used to be a "regular" every year as I used to live across the state in Kansas City. I always looked forward to going and hearing the pickers. Sadly a lot of the "pioneers" have either passed on or have "retired" and not taking anything away from the pickers that are there now, it's just not the same. The current economy probably has an effect on attendance, too.

I was there last year, but not this year. But we (my Wife who is also a picker and I) are looking forward to next year as we already have plans on going.

Zane I heard you years ago and I'm looking forward to hearing you next year.

Zane King · Post by **Zane King** » 5 Sep 2010 7:03 pm

Looking forward to seeing you again Jack. Hopefully, there can be a bit more of real time reporting done in the future for all of those following along. I know even when you can't be at a show like the one in ST. Louis it is fun to read some of the "happenings" of each day. Thanks for pointing that out.

Albert Svenddal · Post by **Albert Svenddal** » 7 Sep 2010 2:34 pm

I agree with Zane about the feeling of "excitement" which to me was clearly lacking at Scotty's Show this year. I think there are many factors for this.

1. It seemed to me that most of the Players in the Main Ballroom played mostly the same songs. When a Steel Show Performer plays the same songs for several years in a row, the fans get tired of hearing the same songs all the time.

2. The small room venue has become where the excitement is now. I believe that steel fans would rather hear a Top Player jam and do fills behind a singer. The player seems to have more fun as he is not "performing a show" but just jamming. Also, most people get tired of "all" instrumentals and really like to have some singing. This gives the steel player room for real expression and feeling which I think was lacking in the Main Ballroom this year.

3. Once upon a time, Scotty's Steel Show was the only one in town. Now days, there are so many small Jams around the country, that people can attend and not drive as far.

I did enjoy the Show though and would love to have Sundays back again as I really like having the Church Service on Sundays and the rest of the Day also.

Blessings, Albert

Zane King · Post by **Zane King** » 7 Sep 2010 2:48 pm

Albert,

I hope Scotty or someone in his family watch these commentaries. I believe there are some splendid ideas here in this thread and others about the ISGC.

I agree Sunday should still be viable.

Zane

Colm Chomicky · Post by **Colm Chomicky** » 7 Sep 2010 6:10 pm

Wished I had brought my laptop. There was plenty to take pictures of and post. I saw lots of folks taking pictures. Maybe we were all having to much fun to post, and now we are catching up on lost sleep.

PS, I do agree that the side rooms do have a lot to offer - some of it is the kind of playing many of us work on in terms of backing up a singer, etc.