Open letter to the Steel Guitar Forum

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 24 Dec 2003 10:32 am

I wish to take the time during this holiday season to try to put into words, the impact that this Steel Guitar Forum has had on me. Maybe more along the lines of acknowledging all that I am thankful for (I’ll limit this post to my musical life)

It just blows me away the amount of talent and the "musicianship" that can be found in the members of this forum. I've seen (or heard) it time and time again, and almost without an exception, every time it is yet another piece of ‘gold’ from this goldmine called the Steel Guitar Forum.
I have a directory on my ‘puter for just steel guitar related items gathered over the past year, and just the number of songs and sound bytes is over the 260 mark. That’s well over 300 Megs of mp3’s I have downloaded, all of which were the result of info I’ve obtained from the forum. I have over 240 documents culled from this forum that cover about every facet of the steel guitar. Every bit of this ‘data’ I consider to be valuable resource material, gathered from who knows how many years of collective experience (I would assume over 1000 years) The styles and ‘colors’ that are represented here on this forum are mind boggling. I can only laugh to myself every time I read that steel guitar is a ‘country’ instrument. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
I have read posts from newbies like myself, to the who’s who in the steel guitar world and everyone in between…all of them contributing to the collective good of this instrument. I am not going to mention specific names because in my book, all of this material is equal in importance, as are the contributors. I personally value it so much, that in my opinion, I don’t think I could have taken on this instrument without the forum. I have not been let down yet with any question I have had. If not by direct posting, then by a search of past posts. All the answers are here!
Let me close by thanking each and every one of you, from the fine folks who run and moderate this forum, to the members, as I can and do truly appreciate all of your posts (technical, musical, humorous, new ideas, viewpoints, etc.) and to let you know I will never take this forum for granted by typing before thinking, letting mole hills become mountains, or any other actions that would detract from this unique and varied ‘family’.
I am honored to be in your company

Jay

Post by **b0b** » 24 Dec 2003 11:19 am

Thank you so much for the testimonial, Jay.

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 24 Dec 2003 12:09 pm

Jay,
I have looked the world over trying to find the words...You have found them, and I thank you for saying what I have been wanting to say to this fine forum for a long time. You said it all FOR me.
Thanks.

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 24 Dec 2003 1:22 pm

Well said Jay.....for me, the Inter-net begins with THE STEEL GUITAR FORUM.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 24 Dec 2003 1:32 pm

Thank You, Jay and well put; Sir !!

Regards, Paul

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 24 Dec 2003 2:05 pm

I make the Forum a part of everyday life for
me now. Thank you bOb.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 24 Dec 2003 4:15 pm

Jay, You said it for many of us!!

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 24 Dec 2003 4:20 pm

Yep!!!!!!

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Bill Ford

Alvin Sydnor · Post by **Alvin Sydnor** » 24 Dec 2003 7:56 pm

Thank you Jay for expressing my thoughts on the forum.
Keep on pikin
Alvin

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 24 Dec 2003 8:25 pm

Right on! Jay, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours......al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 24 Dec 2003 10:04 pm

You said it Jay!!!!!!! So as always..big thanks to b0b....he knows we appreciate him........but it doesnt hurt to tell him once in a while.......Merry Xmas
Tony

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 25 Dec 2003 1:08 am

Ditto

Merry Christmas to the moderatOrs, b0b and the rest of the great Folks here

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 25 Dec 2003 1:21 am

Jay, good on you, for putting into words what many of us must be thinking.

For me it is also a english language home away from home. It gives me a surprisingly good cross section of how america, in the city and the heartlands, is thinking too.

Then add the international component, where people rather isolated from traditional steel info, can really get a handle on it's many facets. As well as contribute their varied points of view.

And special thanks to the "old timers" (in the nicest sense) and living legends who take the time to participate. An INVALUABLE source of info and encouragement for so many here.

Thanks Bobby Lee.
Viva le forum des steel au pedal!![This message was edited by David L. Donald on 25 December 2003 at 01:52 AM.]

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 25 Dec 2003 2:03 am

Thanks everyone!

Tom Cunningham · Post by **Tom Cunningham** » 25 Dec 2003 3:41 am

Add me to that list Jay. Thanks bOb et al
Merry christmas everybody
TeeSee

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 25 Dec 2003 7:00 am

Welcome to the Forum TeeSee. Hope you and your family are having a Great Christmas.

[This message was edited by Roger Kelly on 25 December 2003 at 07:01 AM.]

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 25 Dec 2003 7:05 am

b0b, This is an incredible service you offer the steel guitar community. Thanks so much, Happy Holidays, and a Great New Year to you and your family and everyone else on the Forum. .. Jeff

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Jeff's Jazz
[This message was edited by Jeff Lampert on 25 December 2003 at 07:06 AM.]

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 25 Dec 2003 7:15 am

I'll tell you how it is for me: If it wasn't for this forum, what I now know about steel guitar"A---Z" would be nothing. Aside from hearing(but not really hearing--if you know what I mean) some occasional steel on an album here and there I buy at Wal-Mart. A year ago, I hadn't even heard of Buddy Emmons, believe it or not!! Steel guitar was always that weird instrument that only "Wizards and High Priest" new anything about it! So when I say I'm a NEWBIE, I come qualified!! Now I'm on my second guitar--learning the C6th neck as well, and playing steel in our band. Not bad for one year ago, December 15th! (my biggest obstacle is tearing myself off the computer so I can practice!!) This forum makes it possible to FAST TRACK oneself. Thanx b0b, and all the members who always contribute.

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 25 Dec 2003 9:43 am

My thoughts exactly Jay, Merry Xmas to everyone!!!

Kenny Foy · Post by **Kenny Foy** » 25 Dec 2003 10:03 am

Well said Jay and THANKS everyone.

Ed Naylor · Post by **Ed Naylor** » 25 Dec 2003 10:13 am

The Forum has really had an impact on Steels and players. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the finest "PEOPLE" you will never forget.Even tho there are differences among Forumites this is O K because we are AMERICANS and have a right to our opinions. Thanks b0b for providing a source of info that has helped so many. Ed Naylor Steel Guitar Works

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 25 Dec 2003 10:23 am

When I first got started looking into learning PSG about 4 years ago, I went to a local music shop and a salesperson there pointed me to Dave Ristrim who was in the store at the time. I knew nothing about PSG and had never met Dave, but just about the first thing he said (after giving recommendations on guitar buying) was to go logon to the Steel Guitar Forum (known as www.b0b.com at the time). The Forum has been absolutely invaluable since. And my family now includes b0b & family as personal friends of ours.

Our world clearly has become a better place because of the SGF.

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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?

Wayne Morgan · Post by **Wayne Morgan** » 25 Dec 2003 3:00 pm

what a post,,many of us feel this way and are thankfull for you saying it. It is a daily reading for me and I will always cherish the friends I have made in this community.
b0b thanks for letting me be a small part of this.

Wayne

Robert Jones · Post by **Robert Jones** » 25 Dec 2003 3:52 pm

Very well put Jay. Funny thing about my reading..... I don't subscrib to any newspaper, but I read the forum almost every day. There are things in here that is pricless. Thanks to all who contribute.

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Mullen Royal Percision D-10 Red Laquar Pearl inlay 8&8
www.dbcooperonline.com

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 27 Dec 2003 5:13 pm

Even tho there are differences among Forumites this is O K because we are AMERICANS and have a right to our opinions. Thanks b0b for providing a source of info that has helped so many. Ed Naylor Steel Guitar Works

...actually, Ed, we're not all Americans...

[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 27 December 2003 at 05:18 PM.]