The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi Everyone,

My wife, Kathy took this while several folks were taking group shots of the gang.

Wow, what a turnout we had



I'm pretty sure everyone had a great time! I know I did.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone. I was made to feel very welcomed and supported, even with my limited skills. I had a blast and wore a sincere smile most all the day.

Thanks to all responsible for hosting, and to everyone there. You've got a great steel community, and you're doing the right thing to nurture it and keep it alive. You've got 'em coming from as far away as Alaska for your "local" jam, you must be doing something right!

I think I left my only lick in the bar. If any of you see it, grab it for me and I''ll get it back later. Since Larry didnt tab out his one lick for me, I had to drive back to seattle lickless

It was great meeting all of you. Now you all can see that I am as charming in person as i am on the internet

Thanks especially to J. Kardong for sitting in front of me and drawing the bridge part to every single song that had a bridge part AND for being the skill level shock absorber between me and the formidable powers of Doug Jones. You saved me J, tho i still somehow managed to screw up the one and only song I knew. SGR.

serioulsy you guys are great, that was alot of fun.
Thanks to everyone for being such great hosts. I sincerely hope that seattle gets it together enough to someday be able to return the hospitality. Till then i guess we'll keep crashing your party

I had a fun time and I'd like to publicly thank Tony again for rolling the ball on this and making those charts!

The band was fab, as always, and to them and everyone who had a hand in organizing this, a great big THANK YOU!!

Personally, I could easily go for a monthly jam

P.S.

I'd like to again extend an open invitation to anyone who'd like to sit in on the weekly gypsy jazz jams to bring your dobro and read some swing tunes! Mainly material from the Robin Nolan gig book. You can also find charts here.

I would really like to thank all the people involved with the planning, scheduling, etc. for this great Steel Guitar Jam. Having the set list in advance was a real advantage for us novices. At least we had a chance to practice in advance. I had a wonderful time meeting with everyone and playing on some of the songs for the first time.

That was a blast! It was great to hear all the different styles and to visit with all the other steelers. Thanks to everyone involved. See you next time.

Man, I had a great time too. So many cool players and cool guitars and what a great opportunity to play with your peers.

Ben, I owe you an apology - I stole your one lick. I was super excited about it until I got home and realized it's the same one that I've been using. I'll return it to you next time I see you.

Big, BIG thanks to Larry and the guys for putting the event together!!

I was struck by what a great, supportive community of players there are in the Portland area. I really felt welcomed. And Larry, thanks for your warm comments of encouragement!

As a "guest from the north" (Seattle) I wonder how it is that there are SO many really talented and solid country players in Portland? Something in the water? Or is it just the benefit of getting to play music in the "South" (Portland) ;- )

And the finale of "Steel Guitar Rag" by the entire orchestra of 30 steelers was a BIG smile!

Thanks for posting the photo, Lynn, it looks like most of the folks present made it outside in time to be included in the permanent record.

I for one had big-time fun! Every time I began to get pre-occupied with my own mistakes somebody would come up and tell me how much they really liked what I was doing (I think we probably ALL took a turn or two with that phenomenon).

It was great to see Stu and also so many new faces, lots of them from the farther reaches of the upper left edge of the map. The young guys made a great showing and I only wish there had been more time to meet everyone that I did not already know.

I wasn't able to stay for too long but I did manage to grab some good images of the steel jam and say hi to some folks! I surely hope to set up and play next time... Which is kinda daunting cause all those pickers there were GREAT!

I thought this was a pretty good venue... The place was huge and it was FILLED with steel guitars and pickers!

Panoramic shot




You can check out more of the photos at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37444294@N ... 6410/show/

Outstanding work, Michael, thanks for showing up and taking those shots, not to mention compiling such a sweet slide show to share it all...

I have to apologize for kicking off the wrong song but I guess it isn't Carnage Hall and probably won't get fired...whew. Had a great time playing and seeing or meeting new friends.

Wayne Franco

A huge thanks to everyone involved in setting this up, I can't even imagine the work it takes to get something like that going, so thank you!

I had a blast, really learned a lot from everyone and was able to sit "front row" and watch Doug Jones tear it up, was really special.

Ben, you and I will have to switch places next time so you can take all the bridges! Thanks for helping me troubleshoot my amp, what a pain that was!

I truly look forward to the next one!!

Jay

Many thanks to the organizers, the backup band, vendors, MW for the pictures and to Bushwackers for providing the venue. It was a fabulous turnout, beautiful weather, great pickin', and wonderful camaraderie. It's always cool to hear and see so many different styles and brands of steel. Young and old, newbie and veteran; it’s great to share the passion. A special thanks to those who travelled so far to help make this happen. Look forward to the next one! -DJ-

oooops! double post

Here's another view of the group shot taken by my friend with my camera he's sending a DVD tomorrow,This Jam was the most awesome display of steel guitars and camaraderie I've ever seen,Thanks to all for making me feel at home,Larry Behm your are my hero,Thanks for letting me use your amp,I got to sit between my good friends Doug Jones,and Dan Tyack.Went for Thai Food at the Pok Pok with my good friends Jon Hyde,Ben Jones and new friends Bob Knetzger,and Brian Mcgaughey...my lips are still on fire Dave Grafe you ROCK!I made a point to tell all of the "Young Lions" how great they all played ,that was from the heart they are they future of the steel guitar.More Later.

That was a good one!
Good to see/meet so many old/new friends and pickers.
Thanks to all who helped out and "Thanks, Dave!" to Dave Kellogg for the Steel usage.
Cool!
Pete B.

Well there you have it, lots of love from lots of folks who had a really great time. It lasted 4 hours and some people were smiling the whole time.


Like Stu said above it is great to see the new players out there mixing it up with the old guard. Steel is alive and well in the NW.

Larry Behm
503-722-7562

Hell yeah - that was so fun!!! Larry, Lynn, Tony and all the other organizers, thanks for putting that together. I'm still smiling from that proper gathering and half deaf from the last pass of Steel Guitar Rag. Can't wait for the next one!


Stu & The Seattle Boys - not only did you get to shred at Bushwackers, you ate at Pok Pok! It doesn't get much better than that for food in Portland friends.

Internet high five to y'all

look like a great turnout, I was wondering if west Bochon is still around or playing still?. I meet him in the Ambers club near springfield OR. in 1986 what a great person & steel player he is. I work shows from Missouri To Arizona & TX. maybe I will get to come TO one of your jams sometime I would like to you for your time , Your picken friend. Jerry Foster

look like a great turnout, I was wondering if west Bochon is still around or playing still?. I meet him in the Ambers club near springfield OR. in 1986 what a great person & steel player he is. I work shows from Missouri To Arizona & TX. maybe I will get to come TO one of your jams sometime I would like to thank you for your time , Your picken friend. Jerry Foster

If you are asking about Wes Bakken, Jerry, I believe he is alive and well enough to be on a vacation somewhere far from the Oregon rain, or at least he was the last time I heard. He lives near my folks in Woodburn, I will ask for an update from them and post accordingly.

Wes is one of my favorite players and I was sorry to miss hearing him tear it up with his big fat passing chords this time around.

Wow Dave That is great news I have a brother-in-law that lives in Springfield Or. he is a great singer & guitarist by the nickname of smokey Burch, that is how I meet West. well Dave I really won't to thank you for your time. keep up the great work out there & god bless. Jerry F.

I had a good time, I'm sorry I had to leave early.

It was worth it just to drive down from SeaTac with Stu.

Dan,that was the ultimate "Road Trip" and I do believe that we solved most of the problems in the world,can't wait until the next time.