A Great Weekend at the SWSGA's show

Chuck S. Lettes · Post by **Chuck S. Lettes** » 23 Jan 2011 4:54 pm

Thank you Billy, Joe, Troy and Peggy (and the SWSGA) for a great weekend. I loved the clear sound on stage and through the PA, so thanks to John and Auggie and the video crew, too. This show has become one of my favorites, lots of variety and traditional steel, and I can't wait until next January.
Chuck

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 23 Jan 2011 5:02 pm

We are happy you are a part of the show. I always enjoy your set.

Sorry I did not get to talk to you more - I seemed to be kinda busy

See you in Dallas

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com and Road Cases too

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 23 Jan 2011 6:34 pm

I had to miss the last two years, but got to come this year. It was another great show. I greatly enjoy the variety of players that come to this show and the different styles they play. It was just over too soon.

Chuck, your set was one of the highlights for me, as well as Al Vescovo whom I always enjoy on steel as well as guitar, Mike Smith, Rick Schmidt, Doug Livingston, and everyone else. I didn't hear a bad set the whole weekend. The sound, and video work were awesome as well as the backup band. Didn't Chuck Back do some awesome Tele picken'? The drummer was new to the show this year but also did an awesome job, and of course Roy on the piano and the various bass players did a great job as usual.

I can hardly wait until next year.

Patrick Hickey · Post by **Patrick Hickey** » 23 Jan 2011 7:36 pm

Another Great show with so many great players. An excellent music filled weekend made possible by a very dedicated and hard working group of people, (Billy Easton, Joe Naylor and the rest of the crew) engaged in a labor of love. Thanks for a great show.

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 23 Jan 2011 8:26 pm

If it gets better than this one my old heart can't stand it. I thought the guys in the band were the tightest I've ever heard. Hand offs like they've been playing together forever. Man what a good job Ray Harrison did on the vocals. He really did yeoman duty. Doug Jernigan is not from this planet. No one picks that fast and breathes. How 'bout Doug Livingston on keys? I thought John McClung brought it out of the box on his set. Good songs and tone to the bone. Of course the pros just knock my hat in the creek everytime they play and I thank them for their efforts. I was really surprised at David Wright's and Red's performance. I guess age really does make one better.

Spent too short a time gabbing with a friend, Bobby Black. He looks fit as a fiddle.

You guys better watch out for Ed Packard and his newest scheme. Electronics for certain and soon.
In short one hell of a good weekend of super entertainment and if the Good Lord allows wild horses couldn't keep us away from the next one.

A most pleasant time and thanks to Billy Easton and staff for the effort. It was a good one.

phred and Dovie

Ray Harrison · Post by **Ray Harrison** » 23 Jan 2011 8:36 pm

Phred, Thanks for the great comments. I really enjoyed myself, as usual, and got to sing with some great players that I've never sang with.
A truly first class show. It just comtinues to get bigger and better.
Glad I got to visit with you and your lovely bride.
Take Care,

Doug Aman · Post by **Doug Aman** » 24 Jan 2011 9:28 am

This was the best steel SWSGA show yet.
I would like to thank everybody for making me
feel welcome especially Joe Naylor, Billy
Easton, Denny Beaver and all the guys in the
band. That's to name just a few however
there are a lot more involved of coarse.
I enjoyed being part of the show and have been
to the SWSGA Show five times and would'nt miss
it for the world. To those who have never attended
this show you need to make it a point for next year.
Again this is a big Thanks You to all of you.
Doug

John Groover McDuffie · Post by **John Groover McDuffie** » 24 Jan 2011 10:09 am

This year was my first visit to the SWSGA Convention! What a great time! Great performances from so many players, getting a chance to meet some legends, and getting close-up looks at some fascinating products. I'll plan on coming back!

Some things I'd like to see next year: A whole set of PSG duets by Dan Tyack and Doug Livingston! A Bobby Black non-pedal 8-string clinic! A clinic on any 4 measures that Doug Jernigan plays!

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 24 Jan 2011 1:44 pm

This show has become one of the best in the country. I'm already thinking about next year.

Thanks to Billy and Mereil Easton, Joe Naylor and his wife whose name I didn't catch, Troy and Peggy Porter, and LaRue and Jim Boyle, (LaRue, you really ought to start participating in the forum,) Vangie, whose last name I also didn't catch, Denny and Peggy Beaver, and all the great musicians in the house band and everybody at the SWSGA for making this possible.

I also want to thank my friends Al Vescovo, Peter Frieberger, and Doug Livingston for playing behind me for my set. You guys totaly saved my you-know-what.

And I especially want to thank drummer Dan Range. Dan, you did a fantastic job all 3 days. If you are there next year, I want you to play for me again.

The entire show was, as Laurence Welk used to say:"wunnuful wunnaful."

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 24 Jan 2011 2:22 pm

Ditto's on Dan Range! I'd say playing drums from 8:30 till past midnight for 3 days, while maintaining a great attitude and high energy, is like the steel show version of "They shoot horses don't they?".

p.s. GREAT sets Chuck and all you guys!

John Alexander · Post by **John Alexander** » 24 Jan 2011 10:05 pm

Darvin Willhoite wrote: Didn't Chuck Back do some awesome Tele picken'?

No kidding, he was terrific!

DeWitt Scott · Post by **DeWitt Scott** » 25 Jan 2011 12:06 am

I certainly enjoyed the weekend in Phoenix. I want to compliment the people that are the stage hands as their jub is to see that the players and their equimpment get on and off the stage quickly. They certainly helped me - even beyond the call of duty. I used two amps (thanks Margie) and they had to be seperated and Chuck Lettes loaned me his volume pedal and chords. And the band was excellent. They would back up a player that required the jazz type of rhythm and then would be expedcted to back up a true conttry player such as I required and they did it with ease. Thanks to Al Vescovo for joing me on stage for "Golden Earrings". He made the tune a success! Of course, Roy Rosetta is my all time favorite keyboard player and is now head of the International Steel Guitar Convention Staff Band in St. Louis. And thanks to Billy Easton, Joe Naylor and their crew - and don't forget the guy that provided such a great sound from the stage. After all, he has the final say on how we sound to the audience.

I want to thank the many people that complimented me on the tone of my Rickenbacker Frypan. I guess if age helps mellow things out then both the steel guitar and I are bonding together as we were both born in the same year. 1932. Scotty

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A Great Weekend at the SWSGA's show

A Great Weekend at the SWSGA's show

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