MAY 1, 2011 "MASSBASH"

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 1 Jan 2011 11:36 am

The 25th "MASSBASH" is scheduled for presentation on May 1st, 2011, at The ITAM LODGE in PITTSFIELD, MA. The event will be held from 1:00 P.M.- 8:30 P.M. Eighteen confirmed steel guitarists will be featured for afternoon and early evening performances. A complete listing of players will be featured here on this forum, as we move closer to the scheduled performances. Further information available by phoning or e-mail. Thank you for your support at the 25th "MASSBASH". (ADM.- TEN DOLLARS COVER AT THE DOOR.) The ITAM is located on 92 WAUBEEK RD.

Sincerely,

Bill Hankey
1-413-442-5198

Sam White · Post by **Sam White** » 2 Jan 2011 2:06 pm

Hi Bill glad to see your going to have another Mass Bash. I can't promise you but Anna and I might make it it is not a sure thing as of now.We are now living in North Carolina and it is a good ride to come up there but you never know.I will keep a eye on the Forum and see how it goes.
Sam White

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 3 Jan 2011 5:41 am

Hi Sam,

Thanks in advance if you can make the trip. A number of familiar faces will be in attendance. I wish a Happy New Year for you and Anna. The roads are becoming more crowded with each passing day. Drive safely!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 3 Jan 2011 3:46 pm

"MASSBASH" Listing Of Confirmed Players:

RUSSELL BENNETT- MA
FRANK CARUSO- MA
EDDIE CUNNINGHAM- MA
JOHN DeMAILLE- NY
MICHAEL DUFFY- MD
JERRY FESSENDEN- VT
DANA FLOOD- ME
SAM GIBSON- MA
BILL HANKEY- MA
MIKE IHDE- MA
SMILEY ROBERTS - TN
CHARLES RODRIGUES- RI
RANDY ROLLMAN - NY
JIMMY ROULE- MA
RICH SULLIVAN- NH
TERRY SUTTON - CT
CHUCK SHERMAN - FL

Eddie Cunningham · Post by **Eddie Cunningham** » 5 Jan 2011 7:49 am

Hi Bill , Thanks for including this old geezer and his non-pedal steel !! Should be a GREAT show with all those pedal steels !! I'm really looking forward to your "BASH" !!! Can you post the street & # address so I can set my GPS location gadget ?? -- ole geeze , Eddie "C"

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 5 Jan 2011 8:48 am

Hi Eddie,

Thanks for checking the particulars with me. It will be easy to locate when May 1st rolls around. The Lodge is on the lakefront of PONTOOSUC LAKE, only 1/2 mile off route #7. Heading north, turn left on Hancock Road, by the Pontoosuc Dam, a few tenths of a mile, turn right on CONSTITUTION. A hundred yards further will bring you to the 92 WAUBEEK RD. where the ITAM LODGE is located.

Feel free to e-mail me for information.

Keep warm, and drive safely.

Bill H.

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 6 Jan 2011 5:41 pm

To the top. Looks good from here...Might just bring my wife and come over there! Glad to see you looking forward Mr. Hankey. Great lineup, are you as involved in the promotion and details of this as you once were? I thought I read that you had some health issues that took you out for some time.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 7 Jan 2011 5:19 am

Rick,

I would be delighted to meet both you and your wife at the May 1st, "MASSBASH", here in PITTSFIELD, MA. Yes, I've reached the age that can foster problems rather suddenly. I'm doing fine now. I feel more involved these days, (If that is possible) than in my younger years. These gatherings were derived, after carefully considering how a steel guitarist would like to be treated, during performances.

I'm hoping that the weather will not interfere with traveling plans among attendees. By all means, I want to thank you for your support.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 7 Jan 2011 8:26 am

Looking forward to it, Bill! Thanks in advance for all the hard work it will take to pull this all together for the common good.

Best wishes for 2011 and beyond,

Jim

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 7 Jan 2011 10:40 am

Edited due to a cancellation.

Barry Hyman · Post by **Barry Hyman** » 8 Jan 2011 1:00 pm

Very cool, Bill. Glad you are doing this in our neck of the woods. I'll make a point of getting down there if I don't get a gig that day, and, since it's a Sunday, the odds are real good I'll be in the audience. Looking forward to hearing and seeing all the talent you have pulled together!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Jan 2011 1:52 pm

Barry H.

It would be my pleasure to share the fun and excitement of the day with you. I'll be hoping for the best chances of meeting you at the ITAM LODGE on SUNDAY, 5-1-2011. Please contact me, or leave messages, to answer any questions. Thanks for your EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT NOTICE.

Bill

1-413-442-5198

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Jan 2011 2:25 pm

RANDY ROLLMAN, from the GLENS FALLS area, of NEW YORK STATE, is a great supportive professional. His steel guitar artistry is well known by fellow players. I first heard about RANDY, from "AGED IN THE HILLS" bandleader GEORGE SCHACHER, when steel guitarist and bandleader GEORGE S. booked his band at the ITAM LODGE, years ago. GEORGE was very explicit about RANDY'S abilities as a steel guitarist. RANDY has visited and performed at past "MASSBASHES". There is a good chance to see RANDY once again, at the ITAM gathering. GREAT NEWS!!

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 12 Jan 2011 12:30 pm

Bill, I'll be having surgery this friday the 14th..Had my pre opt test today..If everything goes well I hope in a few weeks I can start making plans to drive up for the bash..

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 12 Jan 2011 2:04 pm

Hi Joe,

Yes, good buddy, I'm keeping up on your surgery scheduling. Berkshire Medical Center relieved my discomfort 15 years ago, by the same procedure. I'll keep in touch with you as soon as you return home. The "BASH", while in its anticipatory stages is shaping up very well. It will be great to renew some old memories. Thanks for your spirited friendship. I know that you are not known as "COUNTRY JOE CASEY" due to happenstance. You've earned that title.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 20 Jan 2011 4:16 am

Joe Casey,

I'll be keeping The "MASSBASH" afloat each time it becomes necessary to point out that there will be no shortage of talent in PITTSFIELD, MA at the scheduled steel guitar show on May 1st, 2011. I've been following reports on your progress in Florida, after your surgery. I'm anxious to speak with you.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 22 Jan 2011 6:11 am

Bill,I'm about 99% feeling better as of today..I would have recovered sooner if they did not have to go back in the next day..Spoke with Smiley and he's up for the ride..(I'd never let him drive I don't have enough shorts).

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 22 Jan 2011 6:55 am

Joe,

Thanks for the good news. I appreciate hearing that you've made great strides in doing the things that will allow you to enjoy the music that has been a big part of your life. It will be great fun to see SMILEY ROBERTS again. He is a treasure trove of country music savvy, and for our pleasure, one of the most gifted steel guitarists on this planet.

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 26 Jan 2011 3:31 am

Hi Bill. I wish it were possible for me to attend the bash this year. I'd love to see all my old friends, and sing a duet with Casey! He could do the Kitty Wells part!! : ) I'll be thinking of you all, and I'm sure it will be a big success!! Take care my friend.---Leigh

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 26 Jan 2011 10:32 am

Hi Leigh,

Beth and I were very pleased to hear from you. No longer are we able to cover 50-60 miles to get together as we once did. I can still see you heading into Billy T's Lounge to play the 4 hour gigs. I was there the night that Terry Sutton dropped in to say "hi" to the band members. During the opening days of the Big E Exposition, it was fun to be there to see who would stop by for a cool one, and listen to you and the band provide good country music for everyone's listening pleasure. I can easily picture you and your band on Billy T's mini-corralled stage. Those memories from the 80's are great to recall. Thanks for the kind words, as we approach the 25th MASSBASH on MAY 1st of this year. Best wishes for a happy NEW YEAR.

Your friend,

Bill H.

Chris Caruso · Post by **Chris Caruso** » 26 Jan 2011 4:24 pm

Hey Joe, It will be great to see you and Smiley again!

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 27 Jan 2011 8:58 am

Chris likewise,I'm looking forward to the drive up.I may spend a few days in Nashville before the ride up,who knows who will want to take a ride with us..Certainly Smiley ain't going to get behind the wheel

[/b]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 Jan 2011 2:10 pm

Chris & Joe,

Thanks for your great support. All signals are pointing to an exciting event. One big advantage for visitors to THE ITAM LODGE, is the extra large parking lot there. Really, it is second to none in PITTSFIELD, MA. There are no stairs to contend with. The parking lot is paved, and the entrance has double wide doors. I'll pray for a nice spring day, that will not hamper the attendees.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 2 Feb 2011 5:38 am

Hey Leigh ,Hows them winters in Scotland?.Theres nothing I'd love better than to be on stage again with you..Listening to that CD you sent me sounds like you have not missed a step..But the Kitty Wells part

I think I'd be better at doing OM Pa Pa mow mow..Ala Sterban than wild side of life unless I could find some real real tight shorts..

Sure miss the old times..

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 4 Feb 2011 7:10 am

bump for the show is up coming fast.

The Steel Guitar Forum

MAY 1, 2011 "MASSBASH"

MAY 1, 2011 "MASSBASH"

Sam

Can't wait till May 1st. !!!

Mass Bash