"Operation Russless"

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 4 Sep 2006 9:14 am

I don't know if I can express what a great fun show this was. Laney not only can sing (write) with the best of them, her humor and joke timing was superb. Russ who I hope is inducted next year as he is certainly overdue, was a great sport and all of us in the audience were living what he was expiriencing as Laney was presenting us the happenings. And the lineup of greats who helped pull off this effort well I'm hoping others can describe it better than I.But to see six steels set up side by side and one by one the culphits came out and backed Laney in song. (She had a hard time laughing while singing with joe Wright tho. cracked us all up. There was not a seat to be had and S.R.O.. And no one left until it was over, all some 80 minutes of it. If you were not there I would suggest to buy the CD from them "Operation Rustless". There is a full description of all the players. Also Laneys new CD "matters of the Heart. You will wear it out.

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Florida:Where its not against the Law to get caught Steelin.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 4 Sep 2006 9:38 am

Not taking anything away from anyone else's performance,& right next to Buddy's sets,this show,for me,was the highlight of the weekend. Laney's perfomance & "comments" were impeccable! In one fell-swoop,we saw the "best-of-the-best" perform one song each with one of the BEST female Country singers goin' today. (My other is Reece's wife,Theresa.) Congratulations Laney,& Randy Beavers. You pulled off a dandy on Russ! Love you,both.

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.</pre>

[This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 04 September 2006 at 10:55 AM.]

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 4 Sep 2006 9:51 am

I agree to all that has been said. It was PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!! Glad I was there to see it.

The Newberry Clan

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 4 Sep 2006 10:45 am

Thanx Smiles,You know what I was trying to say and you nailed it.

Doc Rickles · Post by **Doc Rickles** » 4 Sep 2006 11:31 am

Laney and Teresa were the two for the singers award. This will be a highlight hard to beat.Ought to be a DVD to see this incredible show. I'll take the first one.
Laney and Russ are always great with humor, singing,playing and they have a real love for all the people. A joy and delight always.
Doc

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 4 Sep 2006 11:46 am

It was a high point of the convention for me too. The letters from the "unknown" steel players were hilarious, as were Russ's responses. And the performances were as top shelf as you can get for pure country music. Laney is not only a great singer, but a great entertainer as well.

Except she couln't keep a straight face looking at Joe Wright!

Priceless memories. You had to be there.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b2005.gif" width="78 height="78">Bobby Lee (a.k.a. b0b) - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
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Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 4 Sep 2006 2:23 pm

Hey Joe, You said 6 steels, try 10... Boy was it tight.....But worth it.

Mike Sweeney

P.S. Hope somebody will post a group picture up. I saw a thousand flashes go off while we were posing.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 4 Sep 2006 2:27 pm

Sorry Mike, You seen that I had a tough time counting especially with Smiley around.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 4 Sep 2006 2:33 pm

Ditto's. I thought there was 11 steels on stage, I was sitting off to one side and must have been counting mic stands too. LOL. This was not only Russless, it was priceless. This was the best program I've seen at ISGC since Jeff Newman did the red light stunt.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Laurie Ayres · Post by **Laurie Ayres** » 4 Sep 2006 5:07 pm

Operation Russless was priceless! If you didn't see it you miss the chance of a life time! WOW! Laney and her "helpers" were wonderful. Russ, you are a GREAT sport and we bought one of your CD's as there will NEVER be another one like it. All of our friends and idols took part....what more can I say. Your CD is GREAT and we are proud to have one! Hat's off to all of you who helped this all happen. Talent and laughs in one BIG show! What more could you want. Laney, as always your singing is wonderful and as for those back up steel players, it just don't get any better does it? We were is awe of it all. Thanks to all of you for making this all happen. Hugs and Love, Laurie

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 4 Sep 2006 5:09 pm

We bought the CD and Joe Wright played one of the most amazing intros and breaks I have ever heard out of a steel guitar.

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 4 Sep 2006 5:18 pm

Joe Wright played one of the most amazing intros and breaks I have ever heard out of a steel guitar

Not only did he do that but he stole the show with his "charactor". Joe Wright is not only a great steel guitarist, he is a true entertainer. That puts him in a class with very few others.

Stoney Stonecipher · Post by **Stoney Stonecipher** » 4 Sep 2006 5:25 pm

I tell you folks if you missed this you really missed a great show. This was one of the funniest things that I have ever seen. I have never laughed so hard.

Lyle Clary · Post by **Lyle Clary** » 4 Sep 2006 6:29 pm

This was truly historic country music in the making. To quote Junior Hayward, AKA, Ron Elliott, it had memorable lyrics, memorable melodies, and steel guitar breaks. But best of all, the incredible voice of Laney Hicks.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 5 Sep 2006 7:24 pm

The highlight for me, too. My sides still hurt!

bob

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 6 Sep 2006 1:20 am

This was the highlight of the show!! Clearly, it took many great minds to pull this off - but Laney's interpretation and delivery was BRILLIANT!!

You go girl!!!!!!!!!

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 6 Sep 2006 4:12 am

I do so wish i was there this year......but couldnt be....I do have an Operation Russ Less CD with all the guys playing on it which I treasure.......Laney Hon !!...thanks for your permanent invite into your home.....for your wonderful feed of Catfish......Just for yours and Russes Friendship........you have no Idea how much your welcome means to me...from so far away!!!!!!!.......it makes the difference between......OH Hum !!!!!....couple of days see the Ryman...and Lower Broadway then move on..........or WOW !!..lets spend a couple of weeks...go see everything...go jam with friends here and there......go see Laney and Russ......Its guys like you and that one with the nose and Moustache...that make it worthwhile for us to sped a lot of money to come over there.....we get to see the inside of things ...not the tourist type stuff
Thanks Lany
Tony

Dean Batye · Post by **Dean Batye** » 6 Sep 2006 6:28 am

Hello Laney and Russ, I got to hear you on
steel radio you did a great job hope to see you all in mesa in Jan. Thanks for the fun and great music.
Dean Batye

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Gary Steele · Post by **Gary Steele** » 6 Sep 2006 6:36 am

You guys said it all.It was a very fun and funny time.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 6 Sep 2006 7:57 am

I agree that this was a musical and entertainment highlight of the show. What is perhaps being over looked is the creativity and cleverness that went into pulling this off. Randy Bevers came up with the idea to get all of the "ringers" to submit entries. They even forwarded the entries to a 3rd party to be mailed in from unfamiliar zip codes, and had the foresight to have Laney observe on Russ' reactions to the entries as they were received. She gave the audience a full report on that. For instance, "That guy's a liar. He claims to only have 2 knee levers and I've already heard him use 4!"

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HagFan

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 6 Sep 2006 12:04 pm

It was so good all the way, and I'm glad Laney found a pretty fair player to fill in for Alma McCoy.

That's a beautiful tune, and the words Laney wrote are perfect for it. She looked beautiful in that green dress and sounded wonderful. I picked up another Russ Hicks cd too. I look forward to talking to Russ at these shows. He's a fine player and a lot of fun to visit with.

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Howard

Mark Kelchen · Post by **Mark Kelchen** » 6 Sep 2006 12:53 pm

How would you like to be in Laney or Randy Beavers shoes about now. I would imagine the wheels are turning in Russ' mind about now. Laney and Randy well may be on the receiving end next time. Never the less, what a brilliant idea Operation Russless was! Johnny Cox letter was hillarious! Memories for years to come! Great job to everyone that was involved. You all pulled off a superb performance!

Bobby Caldwell · Post by **Bobby Caldwell** » 7 Sep 2006 6:25 am

Hey, How did you all like Kenney Picket's electric hot take off gitar on Laney's show ? It was the highlite of his mediocre career. He left his guitar and amp at the hotel just in case they would like to use him on a future convention. Hiram, Kenny's number one fan.

Laney Hicks · Post by **Laney Hicks** » 7 Sep 2006 7:12 am

Hey Hiram,
I thought your pal Kenney Pickett played like a pro, and I can relate exactly to his "highlight" experience. I wanta go back and do it again...and again...and again...

The whole "Kenney Pickett Band" was A-Team quality, but, we knew that going in. To be unrehearsed and basically "off the cuff", this was the easiest show we've ever done.
Oh, yes, and I really appreciate how you guys helped me "find letter A again" when that idiot, Ludlow Bushmat,(aka Joe Wright)got me tickled and made me lose my way.

And, to Mr. Caldwell:
I know you're dealing with a houseful of steel freaks (myself included) on this particular weekend, but, oh my goodness, when "you" play, you certainly have a lot to "say". During Buddy's sets when you stood up and moved right next to him to play your solos, I knew that inspiration was about to result in something "divinely musical"...and, it did.

I'm a big Kenney Pickett fan.

Laney

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 7 Sep 2006 7:52 am

Where can we get the CD?