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!
