Working on MSP club (Mississippi Steel Players)

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 3 Apr 2007 11:03 pm

A club that showcases Mississippi Steel Players is in the making. There's a lot of talent here in MS., especially steel players. This MSP club will not conflict with the Deep South Steel Club already in existence on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We'll work closely with the Gulf Coast crew and support them as we've done. Our events will be scheduled at different times, therefore, players can enjoy two different steel shows. Our main areas for MSP events will probably rotate between Laurel and Meridian, MS. ALL Mississippi musicians will be invited and are welcome. No musicians will be charged to get in at any of our events. Players from out of state are welcome also. When more information is available, I'll post it. My number at Carr's Steel guitar Shop is 601-752-2037. Thanks.

Jim Walker · Post by **Jim Walker** » 3 Apr 2007 11:36 pm

Hey Billy, I think this is a great idea! We need more PSG events here in the south.

JW

Andy Jones · Post by **Andy Jones** » 4 Apr 2007 6:43 am

Well,Billy,you can count me in for sure.You're right,there ain't enough steel in Mississippi.This is right up my alley!I'll help out any way I can,playing(mighty rough,might I add)singing,cooking,sweeping and general flunkying.I want to help get this thing off the ground.I am also a great"hey boy" and I also shine shoes.
Andy

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 4 Apr 2007 11:04 am

I agree with the others, in that this sounds like a really good thing, Billy.

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 4 Apr 2007 11:44 am

Thanks guys. Just starting to the get everything going. Looking at first show in maybe August 07'. JW glad to see you got a pecan S-10D. I hope that cleared up the ringing problem. Builder Winston Street over in Laurel is getting closer to starting the ball rolling with the MAGNOLIA steels. I imagine these will be on a special order basis, not a production line type operation. My part with that will be promoting and selling the guitars thru my steel shop. I'm not a builder. I also have been in contact with a builder and we're talking about a non-pedal, S-8 & D-8 model guitar done in mica. Looking at setting these up with the E6th, E13th & C6th tunings for players that like the Helms, Wiggins & Byrd sounds. We also have the Curly Chalker DVD's available thru my steel shop while they last. Anyone wanting one, just email me.

Tom Harris · Post by **Tom Harris** » 6 Apr 2007 7:56 am

Howdy Billy....
Just wanted to say Congrats on the MSP steel Club,,this has been long over due,and i dont think you could have picked 2 better locations than Laurel and Meridian,,and there are some real good pickers in and around these areas,,Man,,with Deep South Steel Club and MSP club,us Mississippians will be walkin in tall cotton..

I know you and Ole Winston is excited about "The Magnolia Steel",,with you and him producing it,,I know it will have all that "Suthurn Charm" lol..

Lookin fwd. to Aug.2007 and MSP....

Tom Harris

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 6 Apr 2007 12:33 pm

Thanks Tom, good to hear from you. Yes sir, a lot of folks are excited about the MSP Club that's in the making. This club will showcase Mississippi steel players from all over the state, as well as, classic country music from the past with singers/performers working around and featuring the steel guitar, non-pedal and pedal as well. All of you guys from the Gulf Coast areas are welcome to come join us and be a part of our shows, in Laurel and Meridian. We're going to encourage everybody in the MSP club to support and attend the Ocean Springs shows also. For the remainer of this year, we're looking at a Laurel show in August and a Meridian show in November. In 2008, I'm working on two shows a year at each location. I'll see everybody June 30th. Thanks.

J PARKER · Post by **J PARKER** » 6 Apr 2007 7:09 pm

Well to all of you guys that are interested in being a part of the MSP i hope that all of you know it has my support and anyway that i can help i will. I am looking forward to working with everyone at these shows. Jim

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 6 Apr 2007 11:43 pm

Here's an early update on progress with the new MSP Club. Each day it's growing. More players are ready to join, it's starting to snowball, so to speak. I didn't realize folks were this anxious for a steel show in our area. Our first steel show, sometime in August will be dedicated to the memories of late steel players, Billy Carr,Sr.(my father) and Jimmy Dale Welborn, another player that dedicated his life to the steel guitar in this area. This first show will also feature an award for a lifetime dedication to a player(still living). This player has spent the last 50+ years helping and teaching folks to play in the Laurel area. One of our goals in the MSP is to recognize and show appreciation to players that have been truly dedicated to the advancement of not only steel guitar but other instruments as well. Mississippi steel players that read these post and want to join MSP, just call me at 601-752-2037. We will begin accepting yearly dues on May 1st. Thanks.

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 9 Apr 2007 12:33 am

Here's the latest information on the MSP club as of 4-9. I've decided to keep the steel shows in Laurel, MS. We will present a show every four months. The 35.00 fee to join is a one time fee good for as long as we have the club and present shows. Non-musician's and people attending each show will only pay a 7.00 fee at each show. Musician's do not pay, whether they play or not. All fee money and money from each show goes back into the steel shows to keep them going. Players, dealers and sellers are welcome at each show. No fee for anyone selling there items at our shows. The great Bob Saxon from Laurel, MS. will be featured on each show, once it's confirmed. Also another great player from our area that used to work with Tex Ritter and Tommy Cash, Wayne Gray will be featured, once it's confirmed. We're also working on having twin fiddles during the Western Swing part of the shows. Other parts we're working on currently are singers to do the songs of Conway Twitty, Ernest Tubb, Patsy Cline and Ray Price. More coming!

Tom Harris · Post by **Tom Harris** » 9 Apr 2007 5:47 am

Dang Bill,,with every post you make,,it get's more exciting lol,,i especially like the part about having "Twin Fiddles",,cause you know im a devoted Western Swing fan,,with your C6th sound,,and Twin Fiddles,alone with the Great Bob Saxton,it will be like an OLD MILWAUKEE",,it just dont get any better..

Bill,,i think it's grand of you to Dedicate the show to your Dad,and Jimmy Dale,,i know Yor Dad would be proud of what your doing,,and i think Wayne Gray will be a big Plus to the show,,he is a super picker and a fine gentleman.
Dont think you'll have any trouble getting singers to do Ole Conway,,Earnest,,Ray and Patsy,,,course we need to make room for a coupla of "Hank Thompson" songs lol........looking good Bill....
Tom.....

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 9 Apr 2007 7:52 am

Thanks Tom. We'll add some Hank Thompson to our list, so when you walk in, be prepared to sing. We already know you can do it. In the Laurel area, there's a real strong following for Classic Country and steel guitar, so I think everything will grow and this will be a plus for everybody. Every single day people are calling wanting to join the MSP, so it's looking like it may be a good thing for us here and we'll also be promoting the DSSGA shows as well, on the coast. More later!

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 10 Apr 2007 7:10 am

Billy , count me in .I will support this org. best I can. Glad to see this and all the interest being shown. Exciting to see you have Bob Saxton living in your area and his presence on the stage is always a big hit and a great support to all the players. Will be good to see and hear Wayne Gray also.
I am proud that you will be recognizing my dear friend, Jim Welborn. Before he passed away, he had asked me to play "Long Black Limo---" at his funeral. I was priviledged to do that. His family, and I know his wife-Patsy- will be proud of this honor for Jim.
Thanks for including me in your org.
Your friend,
Bill Stafford

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 10 Apr 2007 2:18 pm

Thank you Bill, that's like putting icing on the cake, to have your support and help. MSP will be promoting and supporting the DSSGA on the coast as well. I'll never forget the last time I talked with Jim Welborn was at a steel show in Magee. He sat beside me and we played on the same set that day. He was in pain then. To this very day, I still remember what he told me before he left the show early. He hugged me and and said, "I love you Bill, just like my own son, whatever you do, keep it goin', as long as you can." One of the things I'm really looking for these days is young folks to bring into the steel family. We need to continually past the torch on, so to speak. As of yesterday, 4-9-07, we've started accepting fee's for the MSP. I had planned on waiting until May 1st but so many folks are calling and wanting to join until we started on 4-9 with the 35.00 fee's. This is a one time club fee, good for a lifetime membership. Club members that pay the 35.00 fee will be issued a yellow card and honorary members will be issued a light blue card. We're still looking at August 07 for our first show in Laurel, MS. More info. later!

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 10 Apr 2007 11:51 pm

I've been out talking to and recruiting staff members to help with our MSP shows. Everybody's anxious and ready to go. We will have MSP staff folks that have certain things they do and take care of at each event. Each one will be wearing the MSP polo shirts with our logo, just in different colors. Our list of players and performers is steadily growing. Once we get to a certain point we will stop booking performers/players. When our first show is filled, then we'll start making a list for the next show in December. I don't won't so many performers and players until we get overloaded and can't possibly get to everybody. We want everything organized and in order, so as to keep the show moving along. Where the first show cuts off, the next one starts and we just rotate that way. Some folks have asked about PayPal for club fee's. PayPal is fine. Just use my email address, carr@bayspringstel.net and that will get a person to my account with PayPal. Fee is 35.00 and yellow membership cards will be mailed out shortly. We have the following performers' cover songs that we'll be pulling from on our first show. Here they are: Hank Sr., Ernest Tubb, Jim Reeves, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Patsy Cline, Bob Wills, Hank Thompson,Mel Street and Wynn Stewart, so far. This show is Classic Country & Western Swing featuring steel guitars as the main instrument. We'll have something for everybody. We will pause somewhere in the shows to present awards. Our first award will be presented at the our first show. MSP's 2007 Steel Player Of The Year from Mississippi will be presented at this time. More later!

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 11 Apr 2007 6:31 pm

We still have players joining the MSP everyday. It's growing. Another item I want to mention here is MSP will be selling tickets for a brand new Carter Starter that will be given to the a lucky winner at the August show. Person must be present to win. Also out of the same box of tickets we will be giving away a free MSP polo shirt, free sets of E9th & C6th strings, a free DVD of the great Curly Chalker also. This event will follow the award for 2007 Mississippi Steel Player Of The Year. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for a chance on the Carter Starter can email me or call me for prices. The tickets are very, very inexpensive. All proceeds go back into the MSP Club. More later!

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 12 Apr 2007 2:45 pm

Here's an update as of 4-11. MSP's first show will be held August 3, 2007 in Laurel, MS. The place will be at the Laurel VFW Club on Ellisville Blvd. Doors will open at 2pm on the 3rd and the first performers/players will start at 3pm. The show will go until midnight. The VFW will have an open bar and kitchen during the show. MSP will have staff available to take care of everyone at the show. This is a CLASSIC COUNTRY/WESTERN SWING SHOW featuring STEEL GUITAR as the main instrument. It's not a steel jam. Tickets for the show are available and tickets for chances on the Carter Starter that's been given away are also available. More later!

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 12 Apr 2007 9:46 pm

More members have joined today, 4-12. Our MSP staff is 90% complete. Tickets for the Carter Starter that'll be given away to a lucky person are also available. We will be selling 200 tickets for the show to local folks who want to attend, starting next week. Our line up of performers/players is steadily growing. Slots on the show are first come, first serve until there all filled. Then we start filling slots for the 2nd MSP show which will be held either Nov.30th or Dec.7th at the same location. Date for 2nd show is not confirmed yet. More later!

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 13 Apr 2007 3:32 am

More great news for our MSP show. Steel guitar great Bill Stafford from the Gulf Coast area has confirmed he'll be on the show. Bill is scheduled for the 6:30pm to 6:55pm slot. He's also scheduled to play the Western Swing part of the show from 7:00pm to 7:55pm. He'll have plenty of help with twin fiddles and Bob Saxon(once Bob's confirmed). More later!

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 13 Apr 2007 6:04 pm

Everything is set at the Laurel VFW Club for our shows to begin. They're anxious and ready. More players have joined today into the MSP Club. Our 17 slots we have for the first show is starting to be filled. Our second show has been scheduled for Dec.7, 2007. This is on Pearl Harbor Day. The MSP show on this date will be dedicated to the veterans that were involved in Pearl Harbor in 41'. We will also be honoring all of our armed forces folks from past and the present. Tickets will go on sale for the 12-7 show after the 8-3 show. We will also have a slot on the show for Xmas music. More later!

Buck Grantham · Post by **Buck Grantham** » 13 Apr 2007 7:47 pm

Billy, I will be glad to support the show up there if you can use me..and I would like to join the club if a Louisiana man can. Where do i send the check for membership? Thanks,, Buck & Mitzi Grantham

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 13 Apr 2007 8:03 pm

Hey Buck. Sure we'd love to have you. You'll have the 9:00pm to 9:25pm slot on the Aug.3rd show. Out of state players are welcome to join and play at any of our shows. Thanks. Send me an email to carr@bayspringstel.net and I'll email the other info to you. This is really turning into a great show. As of Friday, 4-13, 11:00pm, we only have 3 slots remaining for the Aug.3rd show.

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 13 Apr 2007 10:53 pm

With only 3 slots remaining on the Aug.3rd show, here's a list of the performers/players we have either confirmed or plan on having. PERFORMERS: Bob Saxon, Wayne Gray, Warren Griffin, Doc Rickles, Tom Harris, Ellis Olsen, Paul Phillips, Pumpkin Parker, Thomas Fortenberry, Tonya Hunt, Michael Courtney,Flo Holloway, Julie Musgrove, Glen Musgrove, Marty Windham. STEEL PLAYERS SO FAR ARE: Billy Carr, Winston Street, Jim Parker, Eddie Freeman, Bobby Ray, Bill Stafford, Buck Grantham. We have several other performers and steel players that I'll be in contact with, so the list will more than get bigger. More later!

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 14 Apr 2007 8:52 am

Wow....Wow....Wow....this is shaping up to be another great steel guitar show....sounds great Billy. Wouldd like to be a part of this one, too. Give me a call.....man....this LA player would like to be a part of this......HAL

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 14 Apr 2007 11:17 am

As of 4-14. Lem Smith has confirmed he'll play the 10:30pm to 10:55pm slot. Hal Higgins, give me a call or email me your number. We have two slots left. 11 & 11:30pm. Tickets are on sale for the Carter Starter. Must be present to win. Also being given away to some lucky person right after the CS, will be a brand new S-10D Fessenden. Black mica, full pad, 4 & 5, emmons set up. You don't have to be present to win the Fessy and anyone in any of the 50 states can purchase chances on it. MSP will pay shipping on it for the winner. The winner of the CS & Fessy will be posted on the forum later that night. Email me for ticket prices on a chance to win. A person can purchase as many tickets as they want. They'll be mailed to them. All proceeds go into the MSP Club for future shows and giveaways. We'll probably giveaway a new PSG at the Dec.7th show also. To be announced later. Tickets for the CS & Fessy only available to July 27th. More later!

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