Kannapolis Show a Great Success

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 5 Jun 2006 4:33 am

What a spectacular weekend it has been in Kannapolis North Carolina. The featured guest was none other than my pal John Hughey and what a performance he gave the crowd. The fun and laughter we all had are always the times I personally most cherish and the steel playing was great. The band did a great job and all who wanted to play and enjoy these times cetrtainly had an opportunity. I would like to mention a dear friend of mine who has been working hard at learning the steel. I remember when he started and this weekend he gave a stellar performance. His name is Russ Kern from Pennsylvania. His playing is clean and smooth and he had great tone. Russ if you are reading this buddy....great job...I am so proud of what you have done with the steel and I know how hard you have worked on it...but its paying off now. Boy I saw so many friends that I have not seen in a while.

Ken Latchum...once again did a great job keeping things running like a well oiled clock. Thanks Ken for all your hard work. I can not mention all the players because this would be three pages long but I can say they all did a great job and they all had fun.

Finally none of it would have been possible without the hosts. E.R. and Carl together with their lovely brides worked hard and long to bring this show as they do each and every time. Thank you so much boys and girls for giving this to us and I look forward to the next one sometime around October....but most of all...thank you for your friendship.

Folks keep an eye out for their next show and make plans on finding the time to just go out there and have a big and fun weekend with folks who will treat you with the best Southern Hospitality you could ever hope to experience.

Ray Walker
Walker Seats and Cases www.walkerseats.com
PS and please remember that this is all sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Steel Guitar Association. Please follow the link to read about our fine club and how you can become a member. www.masga.org [This message was edited by Ray Walker on 05 June 2006 at 05:35 AM.]

Joe Smith · Post by **Joe Smith** » 5 Jun 2006 4:55 am

Ray, I agree. Great weekend. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Glen E. Lanning · Post by **Glen E. Lanning** » 5 Jun 2006 8:37 am

Good weekend! The fellowship seemed to be much more relaxed than others, and the music was TOP notch. Worth the trip and looking forward to the next one!
Thanks ER & Carl and their wives!

------------------
Past President, MASGA
New Mullen U12 (2004)
Dekley 8/4 (1984)
ShoBud Professional (1970)D10 8/4

[This message was edited by Glen E. Lanning on 05 June 2006 at 09:38 AM.]

Russ · Post by **Russ** » 6 Jun 2006 6:44 pm

Hi Everyone, Just had to say what A great Weekend we had down there at Kannapolis. You have to know that it has to be one of the Best that there is Anywhere Or I would not drive the 600 miles each wayto get there. This is got to be the best Organization for Steel Guitar there is. The people Down there are the Greatest they sure make me feel so Welcome every time. With guys like Ray Walker,Glen Lanning,Ken Latchum,Jerry Flemming, Bryan Adams,ER Chandler,Carl Epling,Joe Turner, Mike Calloway,Tony Prior,Kenny Dail,Chuck Campbell, Joe Smith,& the List goes on & on, Everyone is just so great down there. I Just want to say thank you to everyone for all your kindness & support. You sure know how to make Betty & I feel good.

------------------
Russ Kern

Joe Smith · Post by **Joe Smith** » 7 Jun 2006 3:18 am

Russ, you sure sounded good. Enjoyed your set.
Best wishes.
Joe

Russ · Post by **Russ** » 7 Jun 2006 3:48 pm

Thanks Joe I Also really Enjoyed yours Also Just a Great Weekend

------------------
Russ Kern

Ken Latchum · Post by **Ken Latchum** » 7 Jun 2006 8:22 pm

Hello Everyone:
There is a lot of people to mention for making this weekend a total success. I will try to mention the ones most responsible.

I want to thank Mr.& Mrs John Hughey for being our guest for the weekend. John sure is a fine gentleman and fantastic musician.

I want to thank ER.Chandler, Carl Epling and their wifes for all the hard work and committment to the MASGA in making this a total successful weekend for everyone.

The back-up band was just fantastic. Mr. Hughey and all the steelplayers had no problem at all. Woody Ledford on the lead guitar, His son, Dale Ledford on the bass, and Ken Upright on the drums. Thanks fellows. Super Job!

Thanks to all the steelplayers that committed to "Showtime" Mike Calaway, Joe Smith, Jerry Fleming, Arnett Mills, Chuck Campbell, Tony Arrowood, Glen Lanning, Bryan Adams, Wayne and Linda Hetzler, Joe Turner. and Mr. John Hughey. We also would like to thank a host of singers that performed for us, Gary Ray, Jack Strayhorn, Terry Rodgers, Chuck Campbell and Linda Hetzler. Great intertainment and listening music all evening.

Thanks to all the steelplayers that came out to perform in the morning and afternoon Jam. Everyone gets a chance to play. No one gets left out at the MASGA events.

Thanks to all the Venders that came and made available their steeguitar supplies and materials. Fran Newman (Jeff Newman material) Ray Walker (Walker Seats)Wayne and Linda Hetzler(BSG-Steelguitars) and all the Steelplayers that had training CD's and Performance CD's available, Bryan Adams, Joe Turner, Tony Prior, Tony Arrowood, Joe Smith, and of course John Hughey. Thanks Everyone.

Thanks to the Moose Lodge for having a fantastic facility available and they provided great food right there on the premises. No one had to leave to go eat. Plenty of vehicle parking. RV parking and RV services available there too.

I wouldn't want to close without mentioning my Good Friends that drive 600 miles one way to come be with us. Russ and Betty Kerns come all the way from PA. We just wish they would move on down here so they wouldn't have to drive so far. We (The MASGA) are proud to say that we were the first to encourage Russ to play out in front of folks for the very first time. Russ has come a long way and is now playing in Church. Thanks Russ and Betty !! You mean a lot to the MASGA and especially to me.

Thanks to Kenny Dail for bringing that Lap Steel and performing for us. Super Job Kenny.

Fantastic Sunday Gospel Service. We had a good number of our Steelplayers perform during our Gospel Hour. Steelplayers not already mentioned include Larry Jenkens. We also had a super Gospel singing group (The Hagen Brothers) perform.

The MASGA event went very smooth and I would like to invite you to come out and join us at one of our MASGA show and Jams. You will be glad you did!!

If I happen to miss anyone, I am sorry but will be glad to correct if notified.

Thanks to everyone that played a part in the total success of this event. I just really don't know how they can get any better.

CHECK US OUT!! OUR WEB PAGE www.masga.org

Regards
Ken Latchum
President MASGA [This message was edited by Ken Latchum on 07 June 2006 at 09:24 PM.][This message was edited by Ken Latchum on 07 June 2006 at 09:30 PM.][This message was edited by Ken Latchum on 07 June 2006 at 09:36 PM.][This message was edited by Ken Latchum on 08 June 2006 at 01:38 PM.][This message was edited by Ken Latchum on 09 June 2006 at 08:54 AM.]

Joe Smith · Post by **Joe Smith** » 8 Jun 2006 5:52 am

Ken, I would also like to commend you for the wonderful job you did. Keeping the show organized is a really hard job, but you always make it look so easy.
Best wishes,
Joe

Glen E. Lanning · Post by **Glen E. Lanning** » 17 Jun 2006 8:15 am

I have a few jam pictures posted on the web site. I have been out of town, but should have many more up next week as well as adding names to the pictures.
Sorry for the delay! www.masga.org

------------------
Past President, MASGA
New Mullen U12 (2004)
Dekley 8/4 (1984)
ShoBud Professional (1970)D10 8/4

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 17 Jun 2006 4:00 pm

Ray Walker, just the fact that you and Ken Latchum were there would be enough to make it a success.
I only played this show once, I was sick, had a lot of trouble getting there, the weather was horrible and I played poorly but the wonderful folks attending and playing made it a wonderful day I'll always remember.
Thank you,,,,,you wonderful "Tarheels", you guys are second to none.
Ray Walker, you are a jewel. Ken L., I've never been treated better. You were a wonderful host.
Bobbe Seymour
("The China Grove flash!") [This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 17 June 2006 at 05:01 PM.]

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 19 Jun 2006 4:56 am

Bobbe...brother you are so much fun that when you show up...even feeling under the weather...the whole place changes and the fun and laughter begins. You just gotta plan another trip down our way. I'm plannin a trip out your way this summer and get over to see ya.

Ray Walker

Glen E. Lanning · Post by **Glen E. Lanning** » 20 Jun 2006 2:25 pm

Pictures now published on our web site. If I have spelled any name wrong or you see any mistakes - please email me and I will make the corrections.
www.masga.org

------------------
Past President, MASGA
New Mullen U12 (2004)
Dekley 8/4 (1984)
ShoBud Professional (1970)D10 8/4