The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi, I am coming over for a two week visit with Sandra,We will start off in Houston then San Antonio,Austin etc etc. What I am looking for is some info on where we can hear some good (or bad) steel playing So that we can get a plan together on the who the where and the when to visit.......Be glad of any help / coffee or info you can give...

my email jd@pedalsteelguitar.co.uk

John, be sure to visit Fort Worth there are a lot of great players there.

John, I'm playing pretty much all over the state every week...when exactly wil you be here, and I will email you my schedule.

JC

Thanks for the reply Jody, I get to Houston on the 15th April, will pick my steel up from BB, hire a car
and head towards the Alamo (always wanted to see it!)
after that we will just go where the music is.....be glad of any suggestions????????????

Thanks, John

John

Try and see Kenny Grohman and Denny Mathis in the San Antonio area. I know there are a bunch more super players in SA, but I got to pick with both of these terrific players when I played an 'Always, Patsy Cline' there in 2002.

I believe Kenny has the ugliest Emmons p/p that I ever saw....

RR

Thanks for that Roger, now I have some names, what I need now is the where and the when so I can plan my trip........
Allan, I do hope to get up around the F/W area as well, do you remember any music venues?????

Hi John

When I went to Austin, I went to the Broke Spoke, Jovitas, and the Continental Club. Try and find Ricky Davis or Scott Walls if they are playing.

In Fort Worth, go to Ernest Tubbs record shop in the Stockyards and see AJ. She knows where everybody and anybody is playing. You should get to see Gary Carpenter somewhere there.

John - If by chance you get up and around the Fort Worth area, Pearls Dance Hall in the Stockyards, or the Finish Line in West Fort Worth is a must. These are two true, country venues. I have emailed you my phone number, so when you get into Texas give me a call.

John

I just sent you a private e-mail via the Forum - did you get it? It's appeared in my Hotmail inbox, but I don't know if that was just a copy or if I misdirected it!!!! I've sent some SA 'phone numbers.

RR

John

If you are into older country and western swing, I will be playing on Saturday the 21st at Leon Springs dancehall with Billy Mata and Texas Tradition. This is a large,nice dancehall on the edge of San Antonio. Tell BB I said "Hi".

Thanks Clive, have taken notes on your advice,
Thanks R.R Yes I did receive it and have responded...
Thanks R.E I will certainly try to make it to your gig!!

As per usual!! an overwhelming response to my add...
Don`t you just love this forum!!??!!
Southern hospitality is alive an kickin!

Cindy Cashdollar Wed., Apr. 18 Maria's Taco Express Austin, TX 7 - 8:30 PM
With Danny Levin, Redd Volkaert and Nate Rowe.

Also, you may be in the right part of Texas at the right time for the Old Settlers Music Festival April 19-22, lots of great artists.
http://www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org/

The Derailers are at Gruene Hall Sat April 28 (that might be too late in the trip for ya) But if you ever wanted to experience a true Texas Dance Hall, that's the holy grail. You'll just have missed Dale Watson there on the 13th.

It's a long drive to Dallas/Ft.Worth from Austin/San Antone if you were to come up to hear steel.

There's more, this was stuff I already knew about off the top of me head, I'll see what else I can dig up.

Hey, Bill...

One of the highlights of my all-too-brief three-week gig in San Antonio was going to the Gruene Hall to see Redd and Kenny Grohman playing. My pal Larry Lucas was in the band, too - a great night, and it was like stepping back in time!

RR

Houston > San Antonio - 3+ hrs
San Antonio > Austin - ~ 1.5 -2 hrs
San Antonio - FTW - ~ 4-5 hrs (definitely drive hwy 281. Forget the interstate)
FTW > HOU 4 hrs

Very helpfull, Thank you.

I understand that Asleep At The Wheel and Dave Alexander are going to be a some park in Ft Worth on Apr 21. Would be a good gig.

Don't forget about Ricky Davis while in the Houston area !!

Thanks DG, I will make a note of that.......

DD, I already got Ricky nailed down for a visit:)
Really need a month to do this properly,thank you.

If you party too much in Austin on Saturday night, and need to go to church on Sunday morning, I play steel in the Praise & Worship band at Christian Life Church in Austin. We usually do 4 or 5 songs per service, mostly contemporary style christian music, but the steel fits well in this type of music. Most of our music is guitar driven with heavy bass and drums. Not much piano and organ. I use various effects to fit the styles of the songs, whether rock, blues, pop, or country style. We are at 4700 Westgate Street, in south Austin and we have two services on Sunday morning, 8:45 and 11:00.

John, as a Texan (living abroad, as it were), I can safely say that Austin will be a point of particular interest to you. Both in terms of steel, and music in general.

Austin rightfully bills itself as the "Live Music Capital of the World." All musical roads in the state lead there. No disrespect to the fine musicians in other areas, but Austin is the magnet that draws super-talented players from not only Texas, but from all over the country.

It's a very special place. Check the Austin Chronicle for listings. The clubs that are your best bet for hearing some steel are the Broken Spoke, Ginny's Little Longhorn, and the Continental Club.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gbase/Ca ... icListings

Check Justin Trevino's website for dates.
Check Bobby Flores' website for dates.

These guys always have top shelf steelers.

(I won't mention names 'cause I am afraid I will leave someone out!)

I know we have Rileys' Tavern in Hunter on the 18th, the Blue Bird in Kingsbury, Texas Pride in Adkins Tx on the 27th and The Hanging Tree Saloon in Bracken on the 29th, all in the San Antonio, San Marcos area, It's traditional Texas dancehall music more or less. We'll probably be adding more dates check us out at www.theemmersonbiggingsband.com nearer the time and come and say hi.

Darvin, I don`t yet have religion, but if they let me in........., I may well see you on the 22nd
Tucker, thanks for the heads up on the Austin Chronicle, great paper very informative...
Ron, yep B.Flores I must see!!

Steve, Thanks ,I have your gig pencilled in for the 18th Rileys Tavern? .......and then.........
Ricky Davis on the 20th (Bandera) then B.Flores 21st.
Sweethome Hall....
next day church.....this plan is coming together nicely, thank you all..

John, we let anybody in. We have lots of people come to our church who are not really Christians, they like to feel the energy of the music and the speaking. You would definitely see the steel guitar in a different setting than normal.

John I Will be Playing at Treys Country April 7th 9 till 1 In San antonio With The Bruce Hudson And The Most Wanted Band b.h.m.w.b.comm.Check Them Out . Then April 13th Friday At the pottet Strawberry Festival Thousands Of Folks At this One we will be on the main stage 8 Till 12.00 Friday Night. It is only 30 miles south Of san Antonio on hiway 16. Hope to see you there Randy Gilliam 210 862 8331 Cell If you need Directions.