Deep South Steel Guitar Assoc-down, not out!

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 30 Nov 2005 4:20 pm

Hurricane Katrina really punched us down in that bout with us on Aug.29. DSSGA went down for the 8 count- but on Feb 4th, 2006, round two will commence. A heavyweight champion in our steel guitar world will be in our corner. The great Ron Elliott will be in the ring when that bell rings. And the greatest Cajun steel player in the world will hopefully be in our corner and on stage also. And this is only the beginning of a bigger and better DSSGA. Stay tuned for the exciting climax of this bout when Ron brings home the championship belt on Feb 4, 2006 here in Gulfport, Mississippi.( With Jr. Martin and his great Cajun Band, there will be more than one champion here).
Bill Stafford

Buck Grantham · Post by **Buck Grantham** » 30 Nov 2005 8:14 pm

Hey Bill, that sounds great. Ron and Junior are both great players and great guys. That will be a great show for sure.

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 1 Dec 2005 3:43 am

That's always such a good show, and I'm looking forward to it. I treasure the friendships I've made there.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum SD12U, Carter D10 8/8, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Fender Steel King, Understanding wife. http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 1 Dec 2005 6:48 am

Hey, Bill.

Jr. Martin emailed me last week, at your suggestion, and we shot several emails back and forth. He is really a swell guy. He and I are only a few years apart in age. We talked steel guitar quite a bit -- and even got into the subject of accordians, as he has a company that manufactures Cajun accordians and my old boss, Pee Wee King, was an accordian player. Jr. is excited about getting the new Excel he has on order. Sure wish Laurie and I could make it, but we will be tied up in Tennessee on a medical problem our little 3-year-old grandaughter has.

Thanks for introducing Jr. Martin to me.

Merry Christmas to all DSSGA'ers.

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

[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 01 December 2005 at 06:49 AM.]

Ron Elliott · Post by **Ron Elliott** » 1 Dec 2005 8:38 pm

Bill, thank you so much for your kind words and such a great compliment...I only hope I could ever live up to them...and again, thank you for your kind invitation, and I'm really looking forward to sharing the stage with such great players..I am truly honored. Our deepest appreciation to you,your lovely bride, and your hard working staff. Ron & Les

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 5 Dec 2005 3:57 pm

Mery Christmas to all! Jr. Martin just gave me and all who will be in attendance at our next DSSGA session Feb. 4, 2006 in Gulfport, Mississippi a great Christmas present.
Confirmation received today that Jr. will bring his great Cajun Band to the DSSGA stage. Couple this with Ron Elliott, Buck Grantham and all our regulars-a great day of steel guitar music from Hawaii to Nashville to Cajun land! Plenty of Cajun food, Mississippi style, will be on hand for the taste buds. See you all soon.
Bill Stafford

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 5 Dec 2005 7:43 pm

This looks like it's going to be a good show. Plenty of fine players and friends will be there. I'll just have to leave a little early as usual but it'll be a great day for steel guitar on the coast. See ya on Feb.4th.

Tom Harris · Post by **Tom Harris** » 6 Dec 2005 5:58 am

Cant't hardly wait Bill,,lookin fwd to seeing all yall again,,sho nuff good show at Mcgee last saturday,,every player did a great job,first time to see Mr. Don Helms,,he was just as great as i expected,,i thought sure i was lookin at Hank Williams ,,when Chris was singing,,that boy was some kinda good....lookin fwd to Feb..........
Tom Harris

J PARKER · Post by **J PARKER** » 6 Dec 2005 8:36 am

Wow Mr. Bill what a great show this seems to be. I am looking forward to being there and playing with some of the nicest people ive ever met at any steel show. Happy Holidays to everyone and will be looking forward to seeing all of you there.

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 6 Dec 2005 4:35 pm

Thanks so much for all this wonderful support. Our Confirmation Department has been busy this week. Just this afternoon received confirmation that Joe Wright will also be on our program. The way the players list is growing, we might have to go to six days-ho ho ho! That is for all to have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Our Catfish King, R.J. Buras confirmed that he and his crew will provide the catfish and his delicious seafood gumbo. And with Jr. Martin and his Cajun Band on stage the taste buds will be felt and heard loud and clear. Will publish the players list soon, so stay in touch. More surprise guests in store also.
Bill Stafford

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 6 Dec 2005 6:56 pm

Bill......I'm looking forward to being there in Feb. as well.....and it sure was good to see you at Magee.....too......

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Be Blessed........HAL
'85 Emmons LeGrande D-10,(8 & 5) 95 Carter 8 & 7 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.

Lana Rosselli · Post by **Lana Rosselli** » 6 Dec 2005 7:41 pm

Oh my, the South is doing it again! I just may have to celebrate my birthday in Gulfport!

Lana Rosselli · Post by **Lana Rosselli** » 9 Dec 2005 1:36 pm

BUMP!!

Bill Napier · Post by **Bill Napier** » 9 Dec 2005 5:11 pm

ChiefSan,

What is the hotel/motel situation in Gulfport? Are motels in Diamondhead the best bet for Feb Jam? Judy and I can hardly wait to see our friends and meet new ones at what sounds like a super jam in the making.

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 9 Dec 2005 7:17 pm

This support is so wonderful! Thanks to all of you so very much.
Currently, the motel/hotel status is just bad. Hopefully by Feb. it will be better. The Imperial Palace HOtel & Casino in Biloxi will be opening on Dec 30th. Will update the status of the room situation as time passes. The motels on Hiway 49, close to the VFW on Dedeaux Rd., are all filled up with workers -and their swimming pools are full with the dolphins from Marine World. The Marine World Park was completely destroyed.
The Diamondhead motels were destroyed completely also. Some will probably rebuild, but no status there. At this time the Imperial Palace Casino and Hotel in Biloxi is the best bet. Will get their new phone number when they open up.
Ms Lana, thanks for the information about James Shelton. It will be great to have him on our program-and even greater to have you gracing our stage. Thanks for that special honor from all of us.
Bill Stafford

Ben ODell · Post by **Ben ODell** » 10 Dec 2005 5:27 am

Here we go again,,,,,,,, Re: Bill Stafford and his nimbly ,,,, phone dialing/emailing fingers, doing the scheduling for the DSSGA programs. FINE JOB BILL !!!!!!

I am personally looking forward to a somewhat, better, year in 2006. We have had more than our share of the bad stuff come down the tube here on the coast in 2004 and 2005.

It will indeed be great to have all that "SUPER" talent assembled on our stage again. Really looking forward to seeing Ron, Junior, Buck, and Joe, along with all our regular local folks perform.

GONNA BE A GOOD-UN !!!!!!!
Ben O'Dell

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

Dean Batye · Post by **Dean Batye** » 10 Dec 2005 4:40 pm

HELLO BILL,
i want to wish you merry CHRISTMAS&
a happy NEW YEAR,i am geting readey for
MASA AZ. IN JAN.glad you got through katrina
okay.FEB.is looking real good,i am trying
to come down for dssga show,is there rv
hook up?
YOUR FRIND
DEAN BATYE

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Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 13 Dec 2005 2:07 pm

HI folks, thanks so much for all this great support. Dean, I will check into the status of the RV hookkups and see what is left in that respect. Will let you know later.Will be good to see you.
Ms Lana has highly recommended that we invite James Shelton to our Feb. show. He comes highly recommended. Ms Lana knows steel players-so I just got off the phone with James and he will be here. This is really getting to be a great start of a bigger new year for all of us here in the Deep South, in spite of Katrina. lol.
I had asked James if he would like to go on the program after Ron Elliott and before Joe Wright or after both of them. His comment was that "...it doesn't matter". Boy, I am sure anxious to hear this guy play. Our show is building and with the great Bob Saxton, Ben O'Dell and our great list of talent on board, we will get underway in flying colors.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Bill Stafford

Lana Rosselli · Post by **Lana Rosselli** » 13 Dec 2005 8:00 pm

What are you trying to do Bill, give me a heart attack? Putting those three in a row regardless of order? Make sure the oxygen tank is close by and I have plenty of water. Not to mention having to turn the AC on! Next thing you're gonna tell me you will be playing after them and I'll be down for the count for sure!

Seriously though, thanks for the confidence Bill. Everyone knows I do not play and actually know very little about the steel guitar, but I do know when I hear something I like. I hope you all will enjoy James too.

Miss Lana

Lana Rosselli · Post by **Lana Rosselli** » 15 Dec 2005 10:03 pm

50 days and a wake up to go!

Ron Elliott · Post by **Ron Elliott** » 15 Dec 2005 10:16 pm

Lana, sounds like a little "military expression" to me.....sounds good! Ron

Lana Rosselli · Post by **Lana Rosselli** » 16 Dec 2005 3:17 am

Yes Sir!

Ron, will you be playing some of your songs from Hats Off to the Ladies CD? That is a wonderful collection of songs you picked. And, will the next one be ready by the show? I'm sure Miss Leslie will have a few copies for the folks to nab up.

Looking forward to seeing you this month and since I won't hear you play, I'll be waiting anxiously for February!

Miss Lana

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 16 Dec 2005 3:35 am

48 and a wake-up! Been there a lot of times. lol.
Lana, that clip you sent to me of James Shelton playing "Sweet Spot" is an eye-opener. His playing has many, many sweet spots and this show with Ron and Joe will certainely give us something to boost our spirits here on the Mississippi coast. Thanks to all of you for this wondderful and most appreciated support.
I will post a line up of talent as the count-down is closer.
Merry Christmas to ALL.
Bill Stafford

Bill Cook · Post by **Bill Cook** » 16 Dec 2005 8:05 am

Bill,
Great show you have lined up. This is a formal invitation for all of you to attend THE ALABAMA GANG'S Super Jam on Feb, 26, 2005. Just bus em up and send North to Montgomery. The TRU-TONE boys will be there. All are invited.
Bill

Ralph Higgins · Post by **Ralph Higgins** » 17 Dec 2005 10:13 am

Hi Bill, you don't know me but i am true Country music.I, played country music over thrity years. i sing all the old stuff. I love the steel guitar. i wish i could be in Mississippi for the Big show but my helth wont let me.but i was in Nashvill in oct. and met Don Helms, Ron Elliott, Smilley Roberts, Billy Robinson and James Shelton, and ather great Steel Players.I am an old friend of Dewitt {Scotty} Scott, Miss Lana can tell you about me, She is my Babby Girl and i am very proud of her. she calls me daddy but all my friends calls me Hound Dog Ralph,