The Steel Guitar Forum

I will be playing in the house band for the Colgate Country Showdown on Sunday (September 9)at Hershey Park, PA. I believe the show starts around 1pm (although the rehearsals are at 8am).
Little Jimmy Dickens will be the host of the festivities. (may even get to play a song or 2 with the legend)
It's always a lot of fun to play these gigs and hear
some new talent. You never know who may end up
being a star !
Come on out if you have a chance.

Bob Miano
Derby/Zum/Carter D-10's

Hey Bob,
I played in a badn that used to do thstate and regional finals in the lower midwest. Ain't those rehearsals a hoot!!! Have a great show and maybe you will get to bring Jimmy on with raisin the dickens!

We have a little club then, cuz I played in that house band one year too!

I am honored to be in any club with you Jim. I did one of those shows in a animal showing arena. came home with woodchips on every piece of gear I owned. Long days, decent pay, good food. ( I love fair food! hehehehe) all in all not a terrible gig. (I've done worse!)

Not to take away from your gig, I wonder why they don't use a local band. Used to be some good pickers around the Harrisburg area (Maybe "used to be" is the reason??).

I'm from Mechanicsburg and everyone was Union in the mid 60's when I was playing in bands in the Harrisburg area. You couldn't get a gig if you weren't Union. Is that still the case or maybe another reason they aren't hiring a local band??

Hi Guys. I've never played the Pa. finals but I've been doing the W.Va. and Ohio State finals for the last 8 years. I do a regular summer schedule of 8 - 10 shows throughout the 2 state area leading up to the finals with a band called "Smokin' Section" led by Chuck Lipps . This year we won't be doing the Ohio State finals as they've hired a local band that will also do sound for the show .
It's always an interesting time for sure . Sometimes you wonder how some of the contestants got picked and other times they'll blow you away .
Have a great show . A little more classy having Little Jimmy D. hosting . That's just cool !!!! RT

Yes, having Little Jimmy D. is cool for us oldepharts but I wonder whether any of the contestants has any clue about who he is. I rather doubt it. Well, I guess his appearance is for the audience, not for the contestants anyway, and there's likely to be a few more oldepharts in the audience, I s'pose.

We play this gig on a yearly basis. I think this is number 5 or 6. We also do the Massachusetts Showdown and the PA one as well. (I guess they like having the same band do it since the shows are in our general area. Since we're a New Jersey band, I guess our general area is Massachusetts, PA, New York, Maryland
and of course New Jersey.......what's a few miles here and there.)

Yes, having Little Jimmy Dickens there will be a blast, and I agree.....the contestants won't have a clue. I'm sure a bunch of folks in the audience
will know who he is.

Bob

Well, just wanted to say it was a fun show at Hershey Park, as always. The contestants were all very good.
The highlight though, was meeting and playing a song
(Out Behind The Barn) with Little Jimmy Dickens.
He entertained the crowd with his stories and kept
everyone laughing. Jimmy was very appreciative of our band backing him and made sure he told the audience how great we were and how hard we worked
all day for the Colgate Competition. He is a genuine down-to-earth man who I'm glad I had the chance to meet.
WHAT A CHARACTER !!!

Bob

One of the great pleasures of my life currently is getting to back up Mr. Dickens on a regular basis. The Po Folks Band has been backing him up quite often lately around the country. He truly personifies the title "legend." A wonderful, jewel of a man. Come out and see our show if we're ever in your area. They're callin it "Little and Po."