Thanks to Scotty & ISGC

[Jim Cohen]

I want to say a hearty 'thanks' to Scotty, Mary, and the whole Scott family for another great ISGC. I am grateful to have the opportunity now and then to play at this 'Super Bowl' of steel guitar and to visit with so many great friends I've made over the years (and to make new ones each year too).

It's always a real treat to get to play with the staff band and while Bobby Caldwell was deeply missed this year since his passing, Roger and Dino did a superb job backing everyone up with taste, class and some really killer solos! Special thanks to Roger, Russ Wever, Paul Polish and Roy Rosetta for woodshedding a bit on 'Nights in White Satin' so we could pull that one out of the hat.

Finally, I also want to give a shout out and special thanks to Jim and Barbara Stahlhut who, now for 5 years running, put together another outstanding Jazz Room program. The enthusiastic audience for jazz on steel is heartwarming to see and I know a lot of people who've told me that it is a major draw for them to come to the ISGC. I hope we can create a Jazz Room at some of the other shows, like Dallas, too at some point in the future.

Thanks again to Scotty for inviting me to play a part in the festivities.

Jimbeaux

[Ron Page]

Jim,

I echo your comments on the band and jazz room. I also want to say how much I enjoyed two great sets from you on Saturday -- Jazz Show and the big stage.

Keep up the good work.

Ron

[Del Bonn]

Of course, I enjoyed Saturday at the convention: Main Stage was terriffic and the Gospel show was fantastic.....but there were some remarkable quieter moments also. Here's a couple shots of E. Robinson off stage, during a break, when he played my request for "Nola":







.....and, he let me snap his great painting:




.....and drifing around among us non-coms, happy to be at the scene of our favourite pasttime, was "Stringbender". (Sorry fella, I got the wrong moniker on this shot):




Stars and spectators.....we all had a GREAT time!!!