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Topic: The Mesa Show - reflections |
Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 26 Jan 2025 1:17 pm |
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Four years of medically-enforced retirement have seen me detached from the world of professional music and musicians. I'm contented enough, but I've missed the banter and the special relationships that I enjoyed as a pro.
That, and encouragement from a handful of pals (Catt, Rick Schmidt and Doug Livingston), as well as the knowledge that the Mesa Show, while being a tedious distance from Naples, FL, was the place to hear steel guitar in a variety of musical settings. I'm fond of country music at its best, but I have my limits.
I know it was two weeks ago, but I was the recipient of a bad cold (courtesy, I believe, of United Airlines: all those germs AND air-miles? How do they do it?) which has sapped my energy. I have a better perspective now on the first steel show I've attended in over twenty years.
My real motivation was the chance to see Jaydee Maness. Yes, I know what I said about country music, but nobody plays E9 West Coast country/rock like Jaydee. He's my favourite E9th player and has been ever since I first heard 'Muddy Mississippi Line' over fifty years ago. Along with my first student-model ZB, I acquired the 'Suite Steel' album. Sure, I loved many of the tracks - Buddy's Wichita, Sneaky Pete's fingerstyle - but nothing raised the hair on my neck like Jaydee. And he still does, even at eighty years old!
I will start by crediting the most amazing assembly of house-musicians, many of whom played individual sets on their steels. In no particular order: Peter Freiberger, Doug Livingston, Skip Edwards and Dan Range (the two hardest working men in show business that day, anyway), Chuck Back, Rick Schmidt, Boo Bernstein, Dean Parks (!!! Yes: THE Dean Parks) and Christopher Woitach. These guys can play anything, and play it right.
Special thanks goes to Doug Livingston: Doug interrupted his weekend so he could pick me up from the airport Thursday night. Delivering me at the Doubletree by 8.30 pm, he urged me to visit the 'Infinity Room' 'before you go to bed': Frank Carter and Jim 'Pali' Palenscar occupied the suite for the entire event and it was where several guys kept their steels set up (most notably - for me - Jaydee!) I was warmly welcomed by everyone there, including a surprise attendee, Travis Toy! TT and I have only 'met' online before so that was a delight.
Within a few minutes, I was in a huddle with my hero of fifty years before, Jaydee. I found him accessible, communicative and very willing to impart anything I asked about his playing. It wasn't long before he was at his Emmons and showing me some of those delicious chromatic runs that are his hallmark. That was worth the trip all on its own.
Various natural catastrophes had prevented some scheduled players from attending: the fires in LA and a snowstorm in Nashville. This meant that some players did double-duty in an ever-moving schedule.
At last! I met Jim Cohen; Jim and I have enjoyed an internet-connection for so many years that it feels as though we know each other. The same goes for Steve Cattermole (Catt didn't play this year, sadly), Jim Palenscar (always so helpful to anyone 'in trouble' fixing their steels), Rick Schmidt - a Skype-buddy for years now, Boo Bernstein and more.
I bumped into Nashville's Chris Bauer (to whom I'd delivered a JCH just weeks earlier) and Bob Blair, met Frank Carter, John Corzine (they both played fine sets!); Chuck Lettes was terrific on non-pedal!
Friday at 4.00 am saw me awaiting my Uber to the local dialysis clinic. Doug, who was endlessly at my disposal (I had no car) offered to collect me after my treatment; he drew the line at waking in time to take me there! 
The early dialysis meant I was free to see almost everyone play their sets. Stand-outs for me were Doug Livingston: his wide-ranging repertoire of exquisitely arranged pieces (Bach, Brian Wilson and Bacharach) were a music-lesson in themselves. Accompanied beautifully by Slim Heilpern on harmonica, his music is so thought-provoking. My gratitude for his last-minute addition of my favourite pop song, 'Alfie', dedicated to me!
Jim Cohen: so smooth, and equally at home on either neck. His 'That's All' was especially good. Boo Bernstein - spirited and engaging and thoroughly entertaining. We're now pals! Christopher Woitach: right out on the edge both on guitar supporting other steelers and on his own steel in a riveting set. Dean Parks! So expressive, his single-note steel-lines sounding like a vocalist. I was tickled at his announcement for 'Little Rock Getaway': 'Here's a tune I have no business trying to play!' It was great, Dean.
Rick Schmidt: such a complete musician. A terrific singer, one is distracted from appreciating his monstrous setup - a double-twelve Infinity with endless pedals and KLs! His set was over too quickly.
I didn't quite see everyone play. The pull of the Old Boys' Club in the Infinity room was strong. Jaydee welcomed me filming a couple of his ascending chromatic licks (in the end, I don't feel good about copying anybody note-for-note, but it was a thrill) then, Travis and I got to discussing his fine track 'Entry Point'; he spent a moment to recollect how and where he'd played those big chords, then showed me that my ideas had been off-the-mark and several frets away.
A word now about Paul Haarker. This is a very accomplished player, but I was dismayed to hear him talking Travis into joining him for his set - the last set of the weekend. Paul played a few tunes then announced TT for 'Working Man Blues'
'Uh, oh' - I thought: 'Watch out!' TT displayed what is surely the most flawless right hand technique in the business, and all on a borrowed guitar!
Still, top-billing (for me) belongs to Jaydee Maness. By his own admission he admitted : 'I can't play like I once could...'
It doesn't matter. He knows how to start a solo that will grab you by the ears. He twists his phrasing at will, but with the most impeccable sense of 'time' that you're lifted by the sheer exuberance of his styling. And his tone! I even found myself pondering an Emmons PP until the realization that 90% of what I was hearing came from that special right-hand.
He's drily funny onstage, is in complete command, and remains one of my favourite players of all time. He was generous with his time and, while we may not be pals after that weekend, I couldn't have asked for more.
My grateful thanks to everyone in the SWSGA who worked so hard to pull it all together. My first steel show in two decades was an outstanding success!
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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John Macy
From:
Rockport TX/Denver CO
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Posted 26 Jan 2025 6:00 pm
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Wish I could have been there! I had to settle for a knee replacement but will be healed for Dallas!
_________________
John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar |
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Bob Watson
From:
Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
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Posted 26 Jan 2025 11:19 pm
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| Thanks for sharing this with us Roger, that was a nice description of your experience and all of the great steel players you got to hear! I wish I could have been there. |
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Skip Edwards
From:
LA,CA
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Posted 27 Jan 2025 6:55 am
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It was a pleasure to meet you, Roger, after seeing you on the Forum for so many years. Thanks for making the trip...hope you get to do it again, or make it to the Dallas show.
Cheers... |
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Chuck S. Lettes
From:
Denver, Colorado
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Posted 27 Jan 2025 8:14 am
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As I mentioned when we had breakfast together, hearing my steel playing friends is a treat, but the best part is the "hang." Great to finally get to meet you, Roger.
Chuck |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 27 Jan 2025 8:54 am
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You too, Chuck!
What a fine set YOU did! Such tone!
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 27 Jan 2025 9:11 am
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Doug Livingston:
Jim Cohen:
Dean Parks:
Rick Schmidt, me and Jaydee
Jay Dee......
With Travis Toy. I should point out that TT towers over me; here, he's sitting at a steel.
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Carl Williams
From:
Oklahoma
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Posted 27 Jan 2025 9:54 am
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| Well done and said Roger…appreciate your taking the time to post your narrative and photos. 👍 |
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Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 27 Jan 2025 1:46 pm
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| Roger -- I was so happy that you made it to Phoenix ... and thank you for the kind words! I posted it elsewhere, but it bears repeating. Even though I had only met you online, upon meeting you face to face, I felt immediately like I've know you forever. And it was wonderful to see you embraced by everyone there! |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 27 Jan 2025 1:53 pm
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Thanks, Boo - it meant a lot to me.
We'll meet again, have no doubt!
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Last edited by Roger Rettig on 28 Jan 2025 3:57 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 27 Jan 2025 9:37 pm
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It was a joy to meet you in person, although it felt more like seeing an old friend for the first time in a while, since we’ve had such a warm social media connection! I appreciate you mentioning me in the same post as these other remarkable players, most of whom are personal heroes of mine. I am so fortunate to be invited to participate in the SWSGA show, and to get to play guitar for such phenomenal players. As a person who makes their living playing music, it’s extremely rare for me to be part of an event like this but I wouldn’t miss it unless I was unable to come - seeing musicians who have become friends, getting to get up and play for them (which is terrifying, I must say!), and getting to meet people like you feeds my soul in a very special way.
Thank you for such a great description of the event for those who couldn’t be there, made it come to life!
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 28 Jan 2025 6:34 am
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Christopher:
Thank you for your response to my observations. It brought an awareness that, for as long-winded as was my original post, it was woefully inadequate!
What we had was a roomful of dedicated musicians, the common bond being the pedal steel guitar. Beyond that, though, everyone's musical journey is so different (I am including myself here, although I didn't touch a guitar all weekend): our influences, where they led us, what we took from those who'd caught our ears, we each 'heard' things differently.
I watched your excellent set and was struck by how much you're 'at home' on a tuning that baffles me! Bb6: it lacks nothing, clearly, as your performance demonstrated. I know you were a guitarist first, steel only coming into your world a bit later, but you now have your own voice on steel.
That was the great part of the Mesa show: so many different 'voices', yet each one speaks of a unique musical journey.
I feel as you do: we've enjoyed a connection online for so long and now, finally, we've got to shaking hands. Just like myself and Jimbo or Rick Schmidt......
Funny, isn't it? Everyone I spoke to professed to be terrified before 'going on', yet nobody sounded as if they were.
========
Off-topic:
I do love my Super 400 but, if I'm honest, I wish I'd got something a bit smaller and lighter!! A thin-line L-5, maybe? Too late now.
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Christopher Woitach
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 28 Jan 2025 8:33 am
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As far as the Super 400 goes - for nearly 20 years I’ve played my Ithaca Stringed Instruments Jazz Oneida, which was built for me, and is much smaller and lighter than the Super, and it is an amazing guitar. Getting the Super was a fluke, since I never own more than one of any particular type of guitar, but it was a guitar I’ve always dreamed of, plus the neck being milled to a much thinner D shape makes it a lot more like the neck I’ve become accustomed to.
The body size has turned out to be fairly easy to get used to, thankfully. What I really love about it is how different the tone is - it’s the classic sound I’ve always loved, and now that I’ve played it in several different settings - duo with singers, quartet, organ trio, swing band - I’m really pleased that it fits what I do so well.
This gives me the chance to send it back to the builder for a 100,000 note maintenance session, binding needs work, frets, wiring, etc, to get it back to its best.
The Bb6 S12 - it’s funny that Bb6 has turned out to be the perfect way for me to play what I hear on pedal steel, but I was lucky to have Maurice Anderson in my life to get me started, otherwise who knows what I’d be playing?????
Thanks again for your support and kind thoughts, they mean a lot to me. I’m always full of “imposter syndrome” when I play steel, so it’s great to get a different perspective!
_________________
Christopher Woitach
cw@affmusic.com
www.affmusic.com |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 28 Jan 2025 9:02 am
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Imposter syndrome:
An airborne virus prevalent in, but probably not exclusive to, the steel guitar world.
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Slim Heilpern
From:
Aptos California, USA
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Posted 28 Jan 2025 9:07 am
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Beautiful write-up Roger, and wonderful to meet you!
- Slim
_________________
Chromatic Harmonica, Guitar, and Pedal Steel (Williams U12 Series 700, Emmons lap)
http://slimandpenny.com |
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Steve Cattermole
From:
California, USA
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Posted 28 Jan 2025 2:34 pm
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| Hi Roger, it was really nice getting to meet you face to face, it felt like I knew you for years.Fun hanging and chatting with you.Glad you got to meet everyone including your hero JD. He's my hero also,ever since I heard Sweetheart of the Rodeo.He is also one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He'll show you any lick he knows and will help you learn it. Again,really glad you made it to the show, I knew you would love it. We,ll talk soon. CATT |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 28 Jan 2025 9:56 pm
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What a great experience for everyone involved!
Thanks for sharing.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Joe Rogers
From:
Lake Charles, LA USA
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Posted 29 Jan 2025 6:03 am
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Great write-up Roger..!! I'm a big fan of everyone you mentioned. I sure wish I could have attended..!! I miss that show!! So good to see you had a great time there..!!
Joe Rogers |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 29 Jan 2025 8:45 am
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Thanks for the responses, guys!
Slim: thanks for your beautiful counterpoint to Doug's playing. You enriched the entire show. Doug makes the strongest case I ever heard for extended E9th as the master-tuning!
(That was by no means a snipe at C6, Bb6, D13th or whatever.... )
Steve: Back at ya! And yes, Jaydee is a real gentleman, isn't he? I've been in awe of his work for so long and I got the chance to tell him so. Seeing him play his extended sets during which, apart from a handful of mandatory tunes (Misty, Tears..., etc.), he pretty much winged it by inviting guest singers (boy, was I tempted!!) to fill the time, I was struck by the endless variety of his bag-of-tricks! He can get from the 3rd fret to the 10th (and beyond) by means of deft chromatic runs that seem to engage all the wound-strings on all the frets in between! And it's never the same twice.
(He generously spent time sharing some of these tactics with me in his leisure-time: all I need now is his right-hand! )
All this, and with such solid 'time'! That's what defines a great player: you can feel the groove just listening to his steel part.
Brad and Joe: you'd both have loved it. Joe - I hope to see you 'down the road' when you Byrd-guys next come to FL.
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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David Farrell
From:
San Diego, California, USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2025 7:49 pm
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Roger,
It was great to meet you.
The whole weekend was just overflowing with wonderful people & impossibly good music.
I have to say that when Rick & his band full of maestros (Jay Dee on steel) played Liza Jane, they pretty much stole the whole show.
To say it was an all star band is an understatement!
Everyone was amazing & worthy of note!
Oh what mighty time it was!
Dave
_________________
Dave
Fender pedal steels, amps & guitars. '73 Sho~Bud PRO 1 CUSTOM. Emmons ReSound'65 S-10 4x5. |
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Chris Templeton
From:
The Green Mountain State
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