Hawaiiian Steel Guitar Summit - Mahalos

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 10 Apr 2006 10:09 am

I would like to give a big ol' giant MAHALO to:

Kathy & Marv Reitz ... for giving us all ... two full days of outstanding swing music & expertly backing Gerald and Dave ...

Gerald Ross ... for playin' everything ... almost non-stop for 48+ hours.

Dave "The Hula Monster" Giegerich & Moe ... 2/5 of the Hula Monsters ... who my local bluegrass friends commented on several times ... sayin' Dave was the best Dobroist they have ever heard ... and they've heard alot !!!

And a HUGE mahalo to ...

Mike Neer, Bliss Blood, Carla Murray & Andrew Hall ... aka ... The Moonlighters ...

For flat out thrillin' everyone who came ... with a dazzelin' display of musical entertainment.

What a huge thrill for me and my family ...

And an extra special mahalo ... to Bill Schmiedlin ... what a treat to meet such a Hawaiian Steel Guitar legend!!!

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Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 10 April 2006 at 11:22 AM.]

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 10 Apr 2006 10:23 am

Photos? Pleeeeeeease..........?

Steinar

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"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 10 Apr 2006 10:27 am

A big Mahalo to you, Rick! And to Chris, Ellie, Emmie, Dusty, and Tucker...For y'alls constant hospitality, and for making the Summit one heck of a great time! I had sooo much non-stop fun. Good friends and great music...you can't beat that!

Mahalo!

[This message was edited by Jeff Strouse on 10 April 2006 at 11:33 AM.]

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 10 Apr 2006 10:40 am

Photo's will have to be posted by the Summiteers ...

My camera died after 1 photo ... and we were out of AAs ...

I didn't want to leave ... even for a couple minutes to run to the store ... too much fun goin' on ...

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Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 10 Apr 2006 10:50 am

I have about 75-80 photos from the weekend Rick.

Put $100,000 in small unmarked bills in a brown paper bag and I won't post them.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 10 April 2006 at 11:51 AM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 10 Apr 2006 10:56 am

Oh,....there be photos all right.....I'll begin my shtick this evening.

What a fun time! Wonderful music and people. A lot of laughs.

Thank you, Rick & Chris for your hospitality. I was grinnin' all the way home.

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 10 Apr 2006 11:10 am

All seriousness aside folks...

Great weekend!

Excellent, warm hospitality provided by Chris & Rick Aiello.

Many cute bright-eyed kids running around thanks to Aiello and Neer DNA.

World class food and drink.

A nice preview of springtime weather (Friday and Sunday) for us Northeners.

Too many to count once in a lifetime musical moments, especially after midnight.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 10 April 2006 at 12:13 PM.]

Vernon Hester · Post by **Vernon Hester** » 10 Apr 2006 11:38 am

Sure wish I could have been there and enjoyed all of that good music. Did anyone record any of it?
My Grand-daughter( UNC Gymnastics) was competing in the SE NCAA regionals at University of Ga Sat nite. So we had to be there.
Vern[This message was edited by Vernon Hester on 10 April 2006 at 12:39 PM.]

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 10 Apr 2006 12:06 pm

Mahalo!

...just wondering, was there extensive alcoholic beverage consumption?

If not, don't bother showing the pictures.

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 10 Apr 2006 12:12 pm

Glad to hear Bill Schmedlin was there. When I was running the show in Winchester I had to work poor Bill to death as so many people wanted to hear him. He had to play in the Am, PM, and at night for everyone great guy. The next time you see him have him play and sing Makalapua. It'l make you cry. CC

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 10 Apr 2006 12:27 pm

In addition to everything that was stated above....I'd like to add that I have NEVER met ANYONE that is as un-selfish as Rick and Chris. To open their house to a multitude like that is truly amazing. The hospitality and the food was TOP SHELF, in addition to all of the entertainment. It was a great weekend!

Thanks again Rick and Chris

And thanks for fixing my guitar.

Dinner and drinks are on me at Al's Steak House this fall in Joliet.

Harry

Les Doerfler · Post by **Les Doerfler** » 10 Apr 2006 1:51 pm

Here's just a couple of images from Rick's fantastic Summit. It really was a perfect mix of great food, wonderful hosts, the best music, and fantastic people.

Steelers really are the coolest musicians I have had the privilege of hanging around with.

I'll post more pictures when I finish editing them.

We all get a lesson about the Hawaiian War Chant.

Our own Mike Neer heating up the fretboard. Ask Mike why his left shoulder appears damp.

Gerald Ross and Dave "The Hula Meister" Giegerich[This message was edited by Les Doerfler on 10 April 2006 at 02:56 PM.][This message was edited by Les Doerfler on 10 April 2006 at 03:02 PM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 10 Apr 2006 3:08 pm

Rick in his backyard....Rick in backer...

Grillin' up a smoker belly full o' sausage with the north 40 in the background....

A scene that I've seen all too often....Rick fixing and gaussing someone's guitar. This someone was our own Harry Dietrich, with hand on chin, pondering the error of his ways....

[This message was edited by HowardR on 10 April 2006 at 04:11 PM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 10 Apr 2006 3:17 pm

Basement jam.....don't recall the fellow's name on the left.....marv, Kathy, Gerald....

Mike Neer & Gerald Ross......to see these two playing together was a treat. Two completely different styles, two fantastic musicians.....Mike on a 1930's Kona Weissenborn and Gerald on Mike's Michael Dunn Futura....finer instruments you won't find either.

Marv, Kathy, Gerald, & Harry on the right

[This message was edited by HowardR on 10 April 2006 at 04:19 PM.]

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 10 Apr 2006 3:35 pm

don't recall the fellow's name on the left

Clarke County's own ... Chip Schutte ...

A regular at Frazer Watkin's Pig Roast ... and sponsor of a Guitar Camp in Boyce Va. (down the road apiece) ... in July.

Last year I believe he had Mary Flower as a teacher at his camp.

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Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 10 Apr 2006 3:51 pm

Thanks Rick, for a moment I thought that he might be Jack Benny sitting in the middle......

Bill Schmiedlin (85 years old) in front. He sure surprised the tar out of The Moonlighter's with his Hawaiian War Chant. What a great moment that was. Harry in the back and Carla Murray, left, in the back row, taking in the scene.

Crowd scene with Rick holding Big Dust, and Ellie. Chris is screen left holding Tucker

[This message was edited by HowardR on 10 April 2006 at 05:03 PM.]

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 10 Apr 2006 5:00 pm

Bill Schmeidlin performing the Hawaiian War Chant with the Moonlighters

Chip Schutte

Chris Aiello & HowardR

Ohio's Dave Kitchen

Gerald Ross & Dave Giegerich

Marv Reitz & Gerald

Happy Kids[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 10 April 2006 at 06:22 PM.]

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 10 Apr 2006 5:05 pm

Rare photo of HowardR on Tricone. Howard just landed a Huggies endorsement that weekend.

Jeff Strouse relaxing, Chris Aiello working

Kathy Reitz & Bill Schmeidlin

Marv, Gerald & Kathy

Marv Reitz

Bill Schmeidlin & Mike Neer

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association
[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 10 April 2006 at 06:24 PM.]

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 10 Apr 2006 5:10 pm

The Moonlighters

Gerald's new Talsma uke

HowardR Spiritual Advisor - Aiello Fest 2006

Harry Dietrich skeptically watches as Rick Aiello demonstrates his do-it-yourself home vasectomy kit

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 10 April 2006 at 07:30 PM.]

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 10 Apr 2006 5:14 pm

And a couple more of HowardR

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 10 Apr 2006 5:17 pm

Wow, it looks like a fantastic time.

Rick, if you ever want to build me a house, I'm in the market!

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 10 Apr 2006 5:53 pm

More of The Moonlighters......

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 10 Apr 2006 6:15 pm

Never thought I'd want to be anyplace but Arizona in April. I'm consumed with jealousy at the time ya'll must have had!

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Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 10 Apr 2006 6:27 pm

Wow, what a cool thread! Lots of nice pics, too.

I did have a great time, and what a thrill to do it in the home of my great friend, Rick Aiello. I think we salvaged the weekend.

I want to personally extend a thanks to everyone, and just let everyone know how much I enjoyed their company and playing: Gerald Ross, Dave Giegerich, Howard Reinlieb, Dan Eason, Steve Miller, Harry Dietrich, Jeff Strouse, Bill Schmeidlin, Dave Kitchen, Marv and Kathy Reitz, Chip Schutte, John Soper, and a few others, including Dave Hancock (what a trip). Especially you, Rick, and yes, I was listening, and yes, you are my favorite steel guitar player.

Anyway, I talked with Bill Schmeidlin today on the phone and he told me, in his words, when I asked him if he enjoyed himself: "It was the biggest thrill of my life." That says a lot, considering the company he's kept. He also paid me some compliments that really made me blush. What a treasure.

And Rick Collins: No, there was no alcohol served.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 10 Apr 2006 7:18 pm

True....you had to get it yourself....

some more photos....

Dave Giegerich for "Huggies".......

Moms, (and Rick & Mike), when your little hula monster has an involuntary erruption (pilau!) don't feel pau ka pono. Reach for the Huggies. Huggies have been proven to have the best absorbtion by HSGA members throughout the world. And they're so comfortable, that I've been known to wear them to gigs. So take it from me,......though you're handy with a diaper, you still have to wipe her!

Dave playing my Bonanzinga Weissenborn

Dave on the Beltona Tricone. Harry lurking in the background.

I don't remember his name, but this man knows his hats. Really.

And, the grand finale.....dads on duty

[This message was edited by HowardR on 11 April 2006 at 08:46 PM.]