The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi Jack, Gene played one of Dianne's session songs fo me when I was in his studio. That Lady can sing as good as anyone I have ever heard-in any kind and level of music anyone has ever heard or thought about. Have to up grade that comment-"as good as" can be changed to "better than". Would be great to have her on stage-I would never let her get off...
So glad you will be here with your "Gung-Ho" trio.
(Folks, sometimes this Jack Hammer Gung-Ho trio has as many as eight in it). Never know what you are going to get when you open up the Deep South Steel Guitar Show...
Bill Stafford

Sad to report that Hank Sasaki has had to cancel his appearance here in Gulfport. Hank called me last week and gave me the terrible news that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will be undergoing treatments immediately. Hope it can be cured soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hank Sasaki.
Bill Stafford

Thanks for the info Bill. Larry

UP

Bill, looks like I will be coming down for the show. If you need a spot filled, let me know and I'll bring my gear. I will be bringing a GREAT female singer with me. We just did a show in Branson with the GREAT BUCK GRANTHUM ? spelling.
Looking forward to your show. I've never been to the coast. See ya soon. Larry
Jean DeVore is a great singer and entertainer.

Hi Larry, wow, that is great news. I will find a slot for you. Buck G. will be on the program too. We have a great lineup and just wait till you hear "Shorty Davis" sing. I did a show in Fulton, Ms a while back and this lady just knocked me out when she did "I'm Not Lisa". This is really getting exciting. Glad you all will be here. Thanks so much..Bill Stafford

Boy, have I messed up. I got the two Jacks confused.
Jack Harper, and Jack Hammer will both be on our DSSG stage and I am certainely old enough and have earned the right to have this confusion myself. Jack Harper commented about Gene Breeden and Dianne from Breeden's studio. Jack Hammer has the "Gung-Ho Trio" and a special treat for all of us in store 25 & 26 March. So please don't begrudge me my rights to mess up once in a long , long time....Thanks.. See you all soon.
And I have another surprise for all in the audience and certainely the musicians with us. I will have two visitors in my home this coming Thursday to play a little music-at least, they will play and I will listen. Larry Bell, saxaphone player to the utmost- plays shows with Natlie Cole and anyone else he desires to play with. He is bringing a jazz pianist with him. I had to call Bob Saxton for help. Larry will be on our stage Friday to add some high class to our music. Roy Rosetta will like Larry's musicianship almost as much as I already do. Like the old saying goes-"...build a good field, and they will come to play". Working out that way here and it looks like our first ever two day show will be short lived. We can handle three next year I bet.
MOre about this after this coming Thursday.
Bill Stafford

Hey bill...things are looking real good! this is shaping up to be one of the best that the DSSG has ever had....Looks like I'm able to be available for both days ....and I'm really looking forward to it.

That is good news Hal. Thanks to guys like you that make this a fun and enjoyable time for all of us to learn a few things too. Had a great time this afternoon here at home. Jerry Jaye, Bob Saxton dropped in to hear Jerry Ball and Richard Martin. Jerry plays saxaphone and Richard is a pianist and is listed in the Jazz pianist big time line up of noted players. They will be on hand for our Friday nite show. They are playing at the Beau Rivage on Saturday with the Natalie Cole show and really big band-6 sax players, 4 violins and all the other instruments. Jerry wants to do a studio session with me and that would top off my struggling efforts with my steel guitar. See how that comes out. Jerry's part will be really good as his playing and tone is out of this world. Even Curly Chalker would have loved thisguy's playing.
Bill STafford

I just wanted to add again that I am getting anxious about coming back to this great show and I hope we have a record turnout as Bill always hosts a first class show.

Herby Wallace

Thanks Herby, and its folks like you that make it all possible. Be good to see and hear you again. Have a lot of new talent that will impress everyone.
See you soon.
Bill Stafford

More good and great news. Just confirmed that Billy Robinson and Lynn Owsley will be on our stage both Friday and Saturday. Getting better all the time.
So proud of all our musician friends who make this all possible.
Now I can finalize the players list. Will put it here very soon.
Bill Stafford

I'm like Herby, getting anxious to come to this great show. I'm really looking forward to hearing Jerry Ball and Richard Martin.
Won't be long now,
...Roy

man, i been up in west tennesee and east arkansas all week and things are really blowin' & goin' on the coast. hey, if hammer can handle it so can i.
a pair of jack's is good for openners everytime.
and billy robinson, now that is royalty. and ol' owlsley and herby and the legendary gene breeden and bill baker is comin' from missouri, well show me....... call fox news and order the camera's.
the clock is tickin' down and i'm gettin' ready to come on down, myself, see ya' friday....if not before.
country................
and hal higgins for the whole 2 daze!

We are all in for another great treat and treatment with Jack Harper on our stage. So proud he will be here.
GOOD NEWS IN THAT WE MUST UP OUR START TIME ON FRIDAY TO 5 PM IN LIEU OF 7 PM. I want to have everyone enjoy the steak dinners and then be able to include the ever growing list of players coming from all over. Thanks Larry Baker and Jean Defore for coming from the Missouri area. Will be glad to meet you two...
Bill Stafford

Bill, regretfully, I have to tell you that we will not make down after all. We have a Business Deal that came up that will keep me here to take care of.
We was really looking forward to being there and meeting some new players, and see some friends that we have known for a while, and especially to have been a part of honoring our Dear Rob Parker. Rob of course did not know a stranger, and was very encouraging and supporting when I first started playing Steel. Rob was also very helpful in getting Jean DeVore into performing at a lot of the Shows. Hopefully, we will be able to make one of your shows.
Thank you very much for offering me a slot on your show. Just wasn't meant to be this time. Larry Baker

Thanks for the heads up Larry. You and Jean will be missed too. Your consideration for this show is most appreciated. Hope you can be here in the future. In the meanwhile, keep your paying jobs intact and take care of them first of all..
Yes, Rob Parker was a friend and supporter of all of us. I had to go to his wake/funeral there in Kentuky. It was very tough seeing that "big-full-of-life" in that casket. He gave his all to us and I will have your statement read if you do not mind.
Thanks again.
Bill STafford

Don't mind at all Bill, just sad that we can't be there. Being New Home Builders, we have to take advantage of every lead that comes along. Thanks again, and I hope you have a great time. I know you will. Have some one post some pictures. Larry

Jean DeVore ready to perform on the main stage at St. Louis 2010, a word of encouragement from Rob Parker. We miss him greatly. Larry Baker

Wow, it's getting close.
Bill puts on a superb show and I am fortunate to be asked to play.

Now Bill, what about the gumbo?

And do you have a schedule ready?

And, be sure and save me a table. Hopefully in the same spot I was last year, right next to Buck & Mitzi.

You know I have to be out front of the stage, because my "warden" Barbara Rosetta always sits with me. Just kidding.
Love you Barb!

Bill Ferguson

Hi Bill, yep-all is looking good.
First off, you and Roy's confirmation numbers at the Ramada were not changed-just the arrival dates to 3/25. I called and left a message at Roy's number with that info also. Thanks for your support.
Table will be as requested.
Gumbo will be as desired. mmmmm good My sister, Gladys and her daughter will each make gumbo and my niece wants to challenge her Mom as to who makes the best gumbo. So you guys have a tasty chore in front of you.
Here is Friday evening's Schedule: (subject to last minute changes naturally)
5:00-Hal Higgins
5:30-Big Will Stewart
6:00-Royce Tarver
6:30-Ivan Reddington
7:00-Patsy Trigg w Bob Saxton & Pinebelt TV Jubilee
band("Granny Got Run Over By A Reindeer")
7:30-Buck Grantham w Wendell Gurley
8:00-Joe Wright
8:30-Herby Wallace
9:00-William Michael Morgan w Steve Sanford Band
9:30-Billy Robinson
10:00-Lynn Owsley
10:30-Bill Ferguson w Jerry Jaye
11:00-Special guest saxaphonist Jerry Ball + mystery
steel player of Jerry's choice.(Jerry has
graciously agreed to play for us this night and
apologized for missing Sat. show as he will be at
the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi with Natilie Cole
show). Jerry will have with him a very accomplished
and listed Jazz pianist-Richard Martin.
11:30-Bert Courregge
12:00-Gary Moore
12:30-Friday Nite Fun Time Frolic Steel line up
till ?
Special Guest Announcer:Randy Blackeney-noted TV producer,radio fame announcer.
Special Guest Pianist:Roy Rosetta-Every steel players favorite Legendary Musician.
Show Master of Ceremonies: Jerry Jaye & Country Jack Harper. (Jerry is a Rockabilly HOF Member and was one of the major instigators of that music genre)
Look up William Michael Morgan via Google and see a new RISING STAR in our good country music. William is already 17 years old and will definitely be in a lot of places a lot of artists only get to dream about. DEEP SOUTH STEEL GUITARS will enjoy William this weekend and the rest of the world will have him later. Thanks in advance to all here for their wonderful support...
Bill STafford

Kewl, I see my pal Lynn Owsley is opening for me!!!!

Bill F. and Bill S. it is making me really jealous that I can't be there to enjoy al this great playing.
You guys have a great time and know that I'll be thinking about being there with you.
Try to keep Lynn out of trouble and give me areport on Herby.
Take care,

Ray, we will be thinking about you. You would be in great company with the vocalists and musicians we have on this program. And if you guys think Perry Como and Jim Reeves were good singers, wait till you hear William Michael Morgan and Wendell Gurley, Jack Hammer, Country Jack Harper and our own Jerry Jaye, Patsy Trigg, Shorty Davis, Julie Musgrove and even more others....
Bill STafford