4th Annual St. Clair County Il Steel Guitar Jam March 20th

[John McGuire]

Thanks Joe. Glad you all enjoyed yourself. We will do it again next year! Hope to see you all before then though.

[Wally Davis]

So glad that you, Gary and Lyle made the trek down. Great sounding trio of Emmons too. And nice to hear such well qualified players to play them. As well as all the others that made it. Just a really great time.

I can relate to what you mean by not getting much of a chance to visit. I unfortunately didn't catch the name of the fellow on our end with the beautiful green Emmons.

Eddie Lange stated it best. We were so lucky to have Kenny Radas and Tom La-Quet there. These two both whipped cancer and fought courageous battles against it. The presence of them looking great, feeling great, and playing great was the icing on the cake to a great day.

Thanks to all for making it such a fun and memorable time.

[Fred Rushing]

Wally and John. Thanks to you guys for putting on a great day. It was my first time to meet many of you. Everyone that helped out done a wonderful job. I knew Kenny from years back and see every now and then and it was great getting to to visit with him. The north of I70 gang, Lyle, Joe and Gary I have had the pleasure knowing for some years now and they all play great and have that knack for always having some equipment I would like to have and don"t. It was a fun day for me and my pal Gary Williams who came over with me.

The fella with the Teal Emmons was Cord Finch from the Benton area. He heads up the staff for our get together in Mt.vern. Hope you guys can make the show in april.
Thanks again for a very nice afternoon for great Steel guitar playing and visiting. Fred

[Wally Davis]

John is really the guy to thank for putting everything together. He arranges the hall, backing band, food, etc. It's all him. Great job as usual.

And what's with all of the Emmons yesterday? All of you must have got together for the Wal-Mart buy one-get 12 free.

[Larry Baker]

Glad you all had a good turn out. We had an emergency water leak at our house, so had to get that taken care of. Really sorry we missed it. Was all geared up to come. I know that Steve wanted Jean to show up!!!! Larry

[Gary Sill]

I must say that it was so wonderful to be felt welcome by the folks running the show. Even though I do not know personally most involved, I feel so good about going to this event by the pure hospitality. What was really good was Fred playing my steel. Got to hear it played from an entirely different approach. Fred you are so smooth and good tone all the time, no matter the steel. Thanks to Eddie for letting me play his steel also. Gave me a chance to play a Gary Carpenter Rains all set up. Was a blast.

A real awesome day with lots of variety, some I could do, some I couldn't.

That's the way it should be.

Gary

[Fred Rushing]

Wally!!! We all play Emmons cuz we can't afford a high end steel like a Zum or a Rains!!!!
That being said thank you for the kind words and the pixs. HOWEVER you must have had an Emmons filter on the lens I never saw an Emmons logo amongs those up close guitar shots!!!!

Gary thank for the compliment. Truth is everyone would sound great on that rig of yours. I need to close a deal somewhere.

Fred

[Eddie Lange]

Wonderful, wonderful afternoon folks!! So many great players and great people. Many thanks to the great backup pickers too who put up with 10 minute songs all day!! Marie and I love you all. Alot of good Mooney was going around yesterday as well, little did we know.......

[Wally Davis]

You're right about the Rains guys. I've heard they usually retire before they turn 21. And then keep buying property and Zumsteel guitars.

[Ron Funk]

Any pics ?

[Dave Flanagan]

You don't even need strings on a rains, they have a cd player built in the back

[Lyle Clary]

Here is a belated thanks to the Swansea area pickers for all their hospitality. It was great to see Gary and Joe and all my Southern Illinois buddies.
Come to Mt. Vernon the week after next. Three days of real Country Music!