L.A. Steel Jam: April 21 & 22, still some open slots

Mike Maddux · Post by **Mike Maddux** » 17 Apr 2012 8:51 pm

Folks, please remember to bring the minimum amount of gear needed to jam....this is a music store....you will have to check in every piece of equipment that you bring in....and check out on the way out

Anyone who is interested in handling any of the Southern California Steel Guitar Association duties, please let me know at the jam.

There will be "Steel Guitar Player Discounts" available thru me on both days for whatever gear you may want at the store.

Any questions
Mike Maddux
562-468-1107

Billy Woo · Post by **Billy Woo** » 18 Apr 2012 8:55 am

Hi Mike

It's been a while but I'd like to come to the Sunday Jam and pick a little with the guys if there are any slots open, I'm planning on bringing my Emmons which is new to me which I bought from Larry Petree in Bakersfield, Btw Larry says hello to everyone and wanted to attend but unable too also was trying to get Norm Hamlett but he is on tour (those Bakersfield steel players keep busy)
anyway let me know if feasible, it'll be good to see you and some of the familiar faces again.

Thanks,
Billy aka
Bronco Billy

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 18 Apr 2012 9:17 am

Billy Woo wrote:Hi Mike

It's been a while but I'd like to come to the Sunday Jam and pick a little with the guys if there are any slots open

You got it Billy. You're in, It will be good to see you again.

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 19 Apr 2012 10:11 am

I'm leaving today for a few days of recording and gigging in Santa Cruz, so I'm going to have to miss this year's get together. Mike P., Jim E., John Mc., and the rest of my SoCal steeling buds, I'll miss my annual visit.... but I'll be checking on the forum for pix!

Anyone else in NorCal left behind can join me at the Crepe Place Sat. night to co-miserate

Mike, thanks for hosting this great jam, yet once more time!!!

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 20 Apr 2012 8:50 am

Darrell Owens · Post by **Darrell Owens** » 21 Apr 2012 9:29 pm

Had a great time jammin' with the pickers today. This was my first time to get in on the jam. It is a very casual arrangement, and everyone gets a chance to play. I am sure Sunday will be good, too. Thanks to The Sam Ash store in Cerritos for being great hosts.

Billy McCombs · Post by **Billy McCombs** » 22 Apr 2012 9:07 am

Darrell, I was there yesterday and enjoyed listening to you and your Zum.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 22 Apr 2012 9:45 am

Darrell Owens wrote:Had a great time jammin' with the pickers today. This was my first time to get in on the jam.

Darrel, I hope it won't be the last one. You are hereby invited to come back next year and every year after that, whenever you want.

Billy McCombs · Post by **Billy McCombs** » 22 Apr 2012 12:54 pm

Mike, I was only able to stay and listen a few hours Sat. but I really enjoyed the time I was there. Thanks for putting the jam on. Billy

Jim Horan · Post by **Jim Horan** » 22 Apr 2012 4:37 pm

Thanks to Mike Perlowin and Mike Maddux and the Great picking there was a good time had by All. Thanks to Sam Ash Music Jim

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 22 Apr 2012 5:41 pm

Thanks also to Jim Eaton for being the "BIAB-master," and playing the background tracks for us all.

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 23 Apr 2012 7:13 am

The Southern California Steel Guitar Association and Mike Muddox (plus all the employees of the Sam Ash Music Store) were very happy to make everyone have feel welcome.

As several mentioned larger group than last year. I think there were more steel players there not playing than playing. I am not sure the number there but it was well attended.

Great to see everyone

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 23 Apr 2012 1:02 pm

Had a lot of fun doing the BIAB & playing at the jam again this year. Here is a link to a clip that was shot on Sat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRvbGwrNvrs

JE:-)>

Ron Epperson · Post by **Ron Epperson** » 23 Apr 2012 2:43 pm

had areal good time at the pear jam on sat. thanx again mike good job tried to make it back on sun but got tied up at a rib bbq. see everybody next year

Mike Maddux · Post by **Mike Maddux** » 23 Apr 2012 9:45 pm

Mike Maddux · Post by **Mike Maddux** » 23 Apr 2012 9:58 pm

Thanks again to all the awesome players that played both days! Thanks to Mike Perlowin for organizing all the players spots! Thanks to Jim Eaton for providing the BIAB! Thanks to Joe Naylor for coming all the way from Arizona to LA and for bringing out his steel guitar seats! www.steelseat.com And thanks to all the spectators that were able to make it out to enjoy 2 days of sweet-sounding steel guitars!

This years jam was by far the best yet! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves whether they were there to play or just to watch. Sam Ash Music in Cerritos, CA were great hosts and were very excited by the turnout! They have assured us we are welcome to have our jams there anytime.

If anyone has any additional pictures, please post them or e-mail them to me at mikemaddux@verizon.net

The Southern California Steel Guitar Association thanks everyone for their continued support! Looking forward to the next one!

Mike Maddux
Southern California Steel Guitar Association
Founder/President[/url]

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 24 Apr 2012 7:05 am

Yeah, it was a fun time. Thanks to Los Dos Mikes and Jim E.
Till next year...

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 24 Apr 2012 3:42 pm

My thanks, too, to Mike P, Mike M, and Jimmy E, great job, gentlemen.

I have a suggestion for next time:

• come up with a set list of pre-selected songs we'll do

• before the round of soloing, play a short verse/chorus version of the song, in the BIAB key, so folks who've never heard the song get an idea of how the melody goes. (I was surprised how many didn't seem to know Crazy Arms!)

• If the set list can be posted to the forum far ahead of the jam date, then people could also source vocal versions and do some woodshedding ahead of the date.

This is a bit more work, but would enable more players to show their skills better, and just be more comfortable if we all have a chance to know tunes ahead of time.

I'd be willing to create those short verse/chorus versions by finding songs in a close-by key and shifting to the BIAB key using Amazing Slow Downer if need be; or Jimmy, you could just match the BIAB key to a vocal version, that might be easiest.

What y'all think?

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 24 Apr 2012 9:15 pm

Great pix!.... looks like everyone was having a great time.. great to see JayDee was there!!!

Nice to see the acoustic tile on the walls too

... missed being there, maybe next year?

admin · Post by **b0b** » 24 Apr 2012 10:15 pm

Why does everyone look so miserable?

Darrell Owens · Post by **Darrell Owens** » 24 Apr 2012 10:58 pm

John,

Your suggestion is a good one. It always makes the playing more enjoyable if the players know the songs. There were a few songs I sat out because I had not played them before, if we had a set list a few days ahead, we could be more prepared.

It is a challenge to your playing ability to throw up a chart and go at it. Even if you don't know the tune, you can play the chords and get though the song, but in the interest of a better experience for the listeners, I would agree with you that a set list and maybe some demo trax would be helpful.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 25 Apr 2012 2:09 am

b0b wrote:Why does everyone look so miserable?

Cause You weren't there Bobby. All we did for 2 days was complain that we missed you.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 25 Apr 2012 2:28 am

John, like you I was surprised at how many people didn't know not just Crazy Arms, but many of the standards we all used to play at the all club gigs we used to do back in the 80s. The closing of all the clubs has not just diminished the number of opportunities available for newer players to get on the job training, it's diminished their opportunity to learn all those songs.

Since Jim E took over the job of BIAB-master, he decided which tuns we would play. I assume he did so spontaneously.

When Jim Baron ran the BIAB in the past, each player would pick a tune, which led to a greater variety of tunes played. Personally, I prefer that. But of course, that would preclude the idea of set lists.

Perhaps you and me and Jim E and maybe some others could meet discuss these and other ideas and make some plans for next year.

John Phinney · Post by **John Phinney** » 25 Apr 2012 8:34 am

As one of the "young" guys that knew none of the songs (yes I've never heard or played Crazy Arms) I might find it useful to know which songs were on the steel jam's playlist, but even without knowing the songs (or being a country music fan) it was a neat experience.

Kudos the Mike P., Jim E., Mike M., John McClung (who sang the melody for Crazy Arms to me while I tried to follow the BIAB chart), Sam Ash and everyone who was involved in putting together the jam.

See you next year. I probably still won't know Crazy Arms though.

Ron Epperson · Post by **Ron Epperson** » 25 Apr 2012 10:04 am

i say if u dont listen to the great RAY PRICE u probaly shouldnt play steel guitar its like not knowing steelguitar rag if u want to play other styles of music on the steel thats is fine but please know where steelguitar music came from the real country music even toby kieths steel player knows crazy arms common

The Steel Guitar Forum

L.A. Steel Jam: April 21 & 22, still some open slots

Mike- if any slots open Sun, Pls put me down. Billy Woo

Re: Mike- if any slots open Sun, Pls put me down. Billy Woo

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