Our guest of honor this year is Waikiki steeler and Steel Guitar Forumite Jeff Au Hoy. In addition to playing the major hotels in Honolulu, Jeff is appearing for two nights "on the beach at Waikiki" at the luxurious Halekulani Hotel during "Steel Guitar Week 2004". He should be warmed up for the Joliet show.
The majority of the music played at Joliet is non-pedal Hawaiian steel, 1920's acoustic Sol Hoopii style and 1940-50's Waikiki/Hollywood style. You're also likely to hear C&W, Western Swing and 1940-50's pop standards coming from the stage during the course of the weekend.
In addition to the three days of music, there are nightly jam sessions that frequently last until dawn. All musicians are welcome to attend and encouraged to be a part of these sessions. The jams are wide open. You'll hear Blues, Old Time fiddle, fingerstyle guitar, Jazz as well as Hawaiian, Western Swing etc., all played on the non-pedal steel guitar.
There will be two free workshops at this year’s convention. An introduction to Band-In-A-Box taught by forumite and technical guru John Tipka and a slack key guitar demonstration/instructional session hosted by forumites Chris Kennison and Bill Leff.
On Friday evening Jeff Au Hoy will host an informal Q&A session where he will discuss his steel guitar technique, his approach to the steel guitar and Hawaiian music.
Dress code? Aloha wear if you'd like. It's very comfortable and easily(?) hides 10-20 lbs. of excess body weight (note: the slimming effect of an Aloha shirt is greatly
diminished if you tuck the shirt into your pants, it then becomes "apple on a stick" wear).
As always, expect the weekend to be inspiring, enjoyable and exhausting. Three, 22 hour days (you'll have to sleep sometime) playing, learning, discussing/debating, jamming, living, breathing and eating Hawaiian and non-pedal steel guitar.
Visit the HSGA website for more info.
Aloha
<I><B>
Late news:
All of the on-stage performing slots have been filled. The STAND-BY list is now being compiled.
Special HSGA reduced rate rooms are still available at the Holiday Inn. Call the Joliet Holiday Inn directly (815) 729-2000 to get the HSGA discounted room rate. Your reservation must be received by the Holiday Inn before October 1st. After that date the rooms being held for the HSGA will be released to the general public. </B></I>
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 14 September 2004 at 01:12 PM.]</p></FONT>
