Paul Franklin - Nashville Steel Camp

[Franklin]

Hi Everyone-

I thought I'd let you in on what's going on with the Nashville Steel Guitar Camp and to give some background on why I decided to hold it now. I’ve been wanting to do something like this for several years, and the combination of pandemic-reduced schedules and just good fortune made it all come together this year. What a treat!

The Nashville Steel Guitar Camp will be an annual event, with a different theme and a different roster each year. I think the pedal steel guitar community deserves a camp where teaching and mentoring are the focus. I am not at all interested in competing with the many great steel conventions we have, I wanted to do something totally different.

This first year’s theme, if you will, is Learn From The Legends. I wanted to assemble as many of the innovators as I could. Players that have contributed their original sounds and ideas to so many hit records that have influenced us all these past several decades.

Check out the credits on AllMusic Guide for these incredible players. It's a Who's Who list of Country, Jazz, Country Rock and Pop artists. Each one has a special place in contributing to the function, the sound, and the popularity of our instrument. If you played pedal steel in a Country or Rock band from about 1965 on, you’ve likely learned the licks and styles that these players created.

There's never been a chance to meet and mingle with this kind of lineup since the peak of Scotty’s shows in St. Louis. The Camp's emphasis will be on teaching and learning. The instructors will be sharing thoughts, approaches, concepts, stories and philosophies. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to absorb a good portion of the collected knowledge of some of the most recorded, copied and beloved musicians in their field.

I want to personally thank my friends and fellow teachers for taking the time to appear and for helping me put this together. I know this will be a special event for everyone.

For those of you attending this year, we’ve got some Special Guests and surprises planned that I’m sure you will enjoy. Bring an open mind, a learner’s heart and fill your souls up with musical inspiration from this year's historic gathering of mentors.

Paul Franklin

[Dan Kelly]

Thank you Paul Franklin!

Thanks for organizing this event and for the learning opportunity. I am really looking forward to it!

[John Spaulding]

[John Spaulding]

In addition to all of the seminars, panels and classes during the day, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening starting at 7:00pm there will be a 2 hour concert/presentation for everyone to unwind, listen and enjoy.

I will kick it off Friday with an abbreviated TJ set with Wendy Moten, Billy Thomas, Andy Reiss, Dennis Crouch, and Larry Franklin.

Saturday evening Lloyd Green has something special planned as he holds court.

Sunday Tommy White, JayDee Maness, Doug Jernigan, and I will close out the camp. I also expect surprise guests to join in on the fun.

Hope to see you there!

-Paul

[Sam Conomo]

Wow,
Looks like I am
Gunna miss a great
Event.
Good luck ,and
Good fun,learning
To all.
Thanks Paul,
And your team.
Sam.

[Ron Hogan]

Great thinking Paul. Our town needs something like this.

Ron Hogan

[John Spaulding]

Full details including regular updates here: Nashville Steel Guitar Camp

[Pete McAvity]

Thanks, Sensei!

See ya there.

[Ernie Renn]

What a great idea, Paul! I imagine it will be wildly successful!

I regret that I am unable to attend to hob knob and rub elbows with all these greats!

Perhaps do some video and make a series of DVD’s. Just a thought. Really wish something like this could’ve been organized when Buddy was still with us.

[Ben Lawson]

Paul, I wish I could be there. Might there be another one in the future?

[Bill Myers]

What an opportunity! To listen to and learn from that line up is amazing!

[Larry Hamilton]

Has a decision been made whether there will be a cost effective shuttle between the Nashville airport and the steel camp?

[John Spaulding]

Has a decision been made whether there will be a cost effective shuttle between the Nashville airport and the steel camp?

Hi Larry -

Please drop us a line at info@modernmusicmasters.com for transportation updates.

Thanks,

John at MMM

[David DeLoach]

Any non-pedal steel content at this event?

It sure sounds great!

[John Spaulding]

Yes, but not table top steel.

Jerry Douglas is doing a Dobro clinic. There may be a lap steel seminar.

All the content is relevant, as the instructors are teaching musicianship: Tone, touch, taste, dynamics, phrasing, improv concepts, rhythmic and melodic development, expression, practical theory, backing a singer, finding a part, reading the room, recording tips…All the good stuff!