Iowa: A Big Thank-you

[Craig A Davidson]

I just want to thank Lefty and the gang for the great show in Waterloo Iowa this last week-end. The music was great including Mr. Joe Wright who was really in the zone. I won't name people involved because I always manage to forget someone. I only hope our show in two weeks will be as good. Thanks again guys and gals.

[Bill McRoberts]

What Craig said!
Even with the great players that were missed due to travel conditions from the storm down south, It was a great show.
Craig, I'm already fired up for your show. We'll see you in two weeks. Bill

[Kevin Mincke]

Another GREAT show and fellowship indeed put on by the NE Iowa gang where'd Roger go

[Burr Oxley]

Another excellent show put on by the great folks who manage this event. The players were excellent, the staff congenial and very family-like, Joe Wright was one of the 7 Wonders of the Steel Guitar World as usual, and the remodeled Electric Park Ballroom was great.

And it was great to see the premier House Band in the Midwest doing their thing. Roger Miller, Glenn Runnells, Harry Lange, and Mark Krutke swung their buns off in support of the many fine steel players who performed. Jeff Isaacs, the regular House Band bassist who is still recovering from some health problems, put in a welcome appearance so all in attendance could acknowledge his contributions over the years.

The NE Iowa Jam is one of the brightest spots in an otherwise rather dreary Winter! Thanks again to everyone who played and who facilitated the event.

Now it's two weeks until the "Udder" Jam, and then a 51-week wait for "Waterloo 2009!"

[Dennis Detweiler]

Compliments to Lefty for keeping the player schedule on time despite some players not able to get to the show because of weather and illness. And thankyou to the players that volunteered to stretch their sets to get the show schedule back to normal by 5pm on saturday. And thankyou to those players that filled empty time slots on short notice.
The ice storm stranded featured players, Ron Elliot in Nashville and Scotty in St Louis along with the Steel Radio Crew. Thanks to Joe Wright and his wife for driving in from Michigan above the northern line of the same ice storm to highlight the featured segment of the show. Joe is such a great talent, showman and instructor. When you book Joe for a show, be sure to insist on having his wife sing. Whew! Great voice! We were fortunate get them on short notice.
And how about those 14 steel guitars facing each other in a circle at the friday night jam? And the great lead guitar players sprinkled into the mix? And vocalists? And many listeners and dancers? A fine bunch!
Lefty, you pulled a rabbit out of your hat. Great job! Any complaints, call Kirk and bring combat boots.

[Roger Miller]

Kevin I was there all weekend, looking for you, just ask Mark Wayne. I asked him, "where is Kevin",
he didn't know either.
I sure missed Scotty and Mary, and Ron and Leslie. Thanks to Joe for coming on such a late notice, what a friend we have in him.
Thanks to all the fine players, you guys ROCK.
Next year!!!!!

Roger

[Roger Miller]

Denny, That wasn't Lefty's hat, and it's wasn't a rabbit. Do you know why bears like rabbits?

[Dennis Detweiler]

Roger, Is this the right forum to get the answer to "why bears like rabbits?"
XXX?

[Dennis Detweiler]

Better yet, any complaints, call Roger Miller and his brothers and bring an M-60 tank.

[Dennis Detweiler]

The staff band already got a good compliment, but I must add, it's a good sign when you see money thrown onto the stage instead of tomatoe's.
"Hundreds of licks were flying off their fingers faster than hundreds of flys licking off their fingers."

[Chuck Thompson]

just wanted to say congrats to Lefty and all involved in the show - the part I heard was fantastic!! The band was top top notch and the steel players too! I dont know if it was a mild case of the flu or the wendy's at 1am saturday but sadly I was sick and had to leave mid afternoon saturday, I missed Joe Wright's set, but I did get to hear him down town tearing it up on Craig D's fingertip and also at the jam, in fact at the jam I had the best seat in the house - directly across from Dennis D who had the most incredible tone and licks and right next to Lefty who played such beautiful things I wanted to cry, Lefty got up for a bit and Joe Wright sat down at Lefty's steel (talk about rabbits and where they come from!! I birthed one!) - any way as a newbie on steel, it was an honor to get to sit around playing with and being encouraged by 13+ great steel players and other musicians and even steal a couple of licks (thanks Bill mc, Dennis and Lefty) - ohh and Roger Miller grabbed my guitar and melted the neck! and how about Billy McRoberts jr!? wow!

[Lefty Schrage]

Thanks to everyone who helped make our 2008 show a success, e.g., especially the extra efforts of Kirk & Kim, Dennis, and Dale & Linda, and the rest of the crew! The winter storm that moved across the Midwest south of us a day or two just before the show caused cancellation by several players including Scotty & Mary and Ron & Leslie Elliott, Mike McGee (and Michael and Lana). We were very disappointed you guys couldn't be with us. On the other hand, we are very grateful Joe Wright found it possible to help us out on very, very short notice. Thanks loads, Joe! Your performance was absolutely awesome as usual and, as someone pointed out earlier, Connie did a wonderful job singing with you Saturday. You make a great team! We look forward to using your instructional DVD's with our Jump Start students.
We had a great weekend of outstanding music and visits with many, many friends. The family is growing larger each year!
...lefty & barb

[Kirk P Dighton]

I believe that having the Friday night jam at the ballroom is a keeper of an idea. It was very informal and we were able to meet and greet old friends and make new ones too. Joe was great as always and his lovely wife Connie has a voice that just blows you away. Joe spent some time with each new Jump Start Student during the show to give them advice and really helped us out with his lesson material.
There was a little bit of juggling that happened since we had players that could not make it due to weather and also one player that didn't show up and didn't call (not sure why) but, we had a very successful show. The house band was great as always including the new addition of Roger "Yoder" Not sure how he practices without electricity and indoor plumbing but.....

Thanks to all who came, played, listened and helped.

Kirk and Kim Digthton

[Warren Cohran]

I think the steel shows are lot more entertaining when you have these good singers . Thats why Ilike Bill Ferguson set. HE has a great band with 2 great vocalist.And also Russ with his beautiful wife Laney her vocals adds so much to his set . And Terry Crisp and his wife's singing adds so much more to his set .Not to forget MR Rob Parker his vocals are great . And now Joe Wright with his wife Connie singing with him really adds lot more to an already a great entertainer . anyway thats just my 2 cents worth.

[Mark Wayne]

Dennis D....thanks for the dollar.

[Roger Miller]

My coins were punchouts from electrical boxes, I think Dennis is an electrician. I'll use them in Pepsi machines though.

[Dean Dobbins]

Roger- My wife's Dad was an Electrician-she was his first shock!