The Steel Guitar Forum

Posted: **15 Nov 2004 5:26 am**

Who has a report on the big PSGA show in Norwalk Ct.???

------------------
Fred Justice
Events Dir.
SWSGA www.swsteelguitar.com

Posted: **15 Nov 2004 7:06 am**

Reports coming in now ..what a great time i had.

Posted: **15 Nov 2004 7:24 am**

Attended on Sunday and had a great time.Got to hear Chuck on a Rick Fry Pan.Now I know what all the fuss is about.Whew!!!

Posted: **15 Nov 2004 8:46 am**

I caught the Saturday afternoon show and all I can say is I wasn't disappointed. All the players were great but if I had to pick one standout i'd have to go with David Wright.. Great stage presence and his playing blew me away.. I bought a couple of his cds which are currently residing in my cars cd player.. I also really enjoyed Joe Wrights set. and what more can be said about Mr Wallace..
What can I say ...another great show !

------------------
Bob Grado, Williams D10 (lefty), Peavey 1000,
Profex ll.

[This message was edited by BobG on 15 November 2004 at 09:44 AM.][This message was edited by BobG on 15 November 2004 at 12:08 PM.]

Posted: **16 Nov 2004 8:09 am**

Great show as usual. Bob, Jeff, John and everyone else who helps out, thanks, great job! It especially good to see some players new to the show. David Wright, Mike Sigler
and Mike Sweeney all terrific. And.. of course Herby and Joe spectacular as always. Especially awe inspirering was the video work
this year. Move over Spielberg.

Posted: **16 Nov 2004 9:09 am**

The PSGA show is always a terrific steel show. It's an intimate show which makes for fraternizing between players and audience. That's one of the beauty's of this show.

What I like is to be able to see and hear players that I would normally not be able to see. As I was only there for a partial Saturday this year, I missed some of the players like Mike Sigler and Gary Lee Gimble that I would have loved to see. I'm glad that I got to see Mike Sweeny, who was wonderful. I've always seen his Boot Camp threads and finally got to experience his playing finesse. Skip Krevens was another steeler who did a fantastic job. I knew I had seen him before. He's the lead guitar player in Western Caravan.

Herby, Joe, David, .....they're great in their sleep, no less on stage.

Chuck Lettes......"Nuages" on fry pan. You really know how to melt this fan. That was beautiful. [This message was edited by HowardR on 16 November 2004 at 05:12 PM.]

Posted: **16 Nov 2004 11:25 am**

Howard, I don't think Johnny plays pedal steel and I know for sure his middle name isn't Lee. And yes, a great steel show. A perfect sized room so the amps don't have to be miced and at the mercy of a sound person. Superb playing through out! I particularly enjoyed Mike Sigler's expertise, make sure you don't miss his set on future steel shows.

GaryLee Gimble

Posted: **16 Nov 2004 1:04 pm**

Thanks to all the fine folks involved with the Connecticut PSGA show. I had a great time and felt lots of love from the crowd even before I passed the hat! I'm really looking forward to next year. I'll be sure to get a manicure for the cameras (which was a great idea) and I'll have my little MSA beauty ready to be whisked up onto the stage to play again. Folks it really was that easy to get set up and play. The stage was divided in half and while a player was playing on one side, the next player was setting up on the other side. This resulted in a five minute wait time between players. A great idea with wonderful results. My hat (and hair) goes off to all of you who put on one fine show! Thanks for your hospitality and the uplifting experience. I'm looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

Next stop, sunny Arizona!

------------------
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.msapedalsteels.com">
<img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-4/1 ... Small).jpg" width=120height=120>

M.S.A.

M.S.A. Millennium
S-12 9 & 6
Bb is where it's at!
Peavey-2000-PX-300



<a <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_112.gif' border=0></a>

Posted: **16 Nov 2004 4:47 pm**

Unless someone came from an other country I think I may have the prize for traveling the farthest. It was a very nice show. I only got to be there for the sunday show. GARY Lee Gimple played great!!!!!. He is a friend of mine and that was the primary reason I went. The others guys were also great as usual. I though I'd see some of the sights on the east coast. Not quite. We got to Sleepy Hollow. While walking around in a over 200 year old grave yard promptly lost our keys to the rental car. Waited half the afternoon to get it towed back to the airport. By that time we figured we may as well go back home The headless horseman strikes again.

Posted: **16 Nov 2004 5:11 pm**

Sorry Gary. Sorry I fudged your name, but I'm sorrier that I misssed your set. I've only heard great comments of your playing.

Posted: **17 Nov 2004 10:53 am**

I liked the Q & A session with the pros on Sunday afternoon.
This was a chance to talk with Mike Sweeney, Mike Sigler, Joe Wright and David Wright and ask questions about their careers, etc.
I particularly noted the comment by Mike Sweeney that he could make up to 3 times more money playing music he "didn't like" (New Country) compared to music he loved to play, which paid miserably!
The others seemed to agree that the market for Classic Country is practically non-existent....and pays accordingly.

Posted: **17 Nov 2004 1:34 pm**

I'm grateful that I don't have to go that far to see Gary Lee Gimble play. I think that the man is amazing; then too we have some other great musicians close by also. Buddy Charlton, etc.......

Posted: **17 Nov 2004 6:18 pm**

Thanks for all the nice comments about our 31st Annual Steel Celebration this past weekend. It was a really fine show. We appreciate the cooperation of all the musical talent that assembled on stage to entertain a very appreciative audience.

I have to say this without the vital input and hard work of Jeff DeMaio and our many staff volunteers, this event would no longer exist. Yes, I oversee most of the action, but I don't deserve all of the credit. Jeff DeMaio came up with the idea of the BIG video projection screen using 3 cameras with a digital video mixer and the Artist Q&A session, of which he is the moderator, (no other show has this rapport with the name artists) Jeff is the main man when it comes to planning and negotiating all the details of our shows. He is a gentleman, a fine steel player and entertainer and a dedicated member of the PSGA in addition to the fact that he is our Treasurer. Thanks Jeff!

Posted: **17 Nov 2004 7:41 pm**

Bob-That big Video screen sounds like a great idea, with that and the other things that your club did alnong with Jeff.

You have raised the level of the usual jam up another notch . I am sure this is the kind of Steel Show is what the people want.

I am sorry that I can't attend these shows, but I want to thank you at PSGA for putting on what I hear is a great innovative show....al

------------------
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Posted: **18 Nov 2004 8:46 am**

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to jump on the forum and thank the fine players that performed on stage and the great amount of volunteers that helped pull off a special weekend. The bigest thanks goes out to the people who took time to support our Steel show and attend our two day event.
We hope to contiune to give all of you reasons to return each and every year.
Thank you Bob for the nice coments & for leading the PSGA in such a professional manner.
Jeff DeMaio

Posted: **18 Nov 2004 12:40 pm**

Great show as always. That David Wright character kept us laughing all weekend. All in fun he often twitted me about my Maine accent and reffered to me as the guy with no tone.
But I'm also aware of the other side of David. Have I not seen photos of David with his steel and Band In A Box set up in nursing homes playing for the people?
Also at Scotty's this year I noticed how he took little Jonathan Candler {the blind boy that's learning steel} under his wing and looked after him "big time" all weekend.
Yup, I guess David rounds out to be an ok guy after all. {wink}
We, the Record family, take our hats {but NOT our hair} off to David Wright.{smile}
And he's one great picker
Merle

Posted: **18 Nov 2004 12:51 pm**

If you like E9th playing, Mike Sigler was the man to see at the PSGA Show. I got to make it to the sunday show but missed Mike Sweeney's set. I did get to see Mike Sigler, who is an incredibly fast/clean player. Also, the songs he played were amazing to hear in combination with his talent.

------------------
"Eskimo" Joe Yednasty
Emmons P/P S-10
Peavey Session 500

Posted: **18 Nov 2004 7:50 pm**

I realize that we have overlooked the tremendous contributions of some very fine players that were not mentioned previously on any of our posts. These folks helped to make the PSGA and our annual show what it has become and what it will continue to be. Thanks to Merle Record who along with Dee Dee Record on Bass and Elton Record on guitar kicked off the whole magilla on Saturday at noon. They are the nicest and most accomplished musicians that the State of Maine can provide.

Our PSGA V.P. John DeMaille and our PSGA Secretary Darlene DeMaille entertained us with a very nice set of songs featuring steel with Darlene's great country vocals. Nothin' better than a husband and wife team of
entertainers. John and Darlene along with Don Cerce Jr. and "Shep" form a group that is in demand here on Long Island.

Massachusetts should make Roger Trahan the steel player of the year. He played beautifully and had great audience contact.

John Swain was a fine representative from the Garden State of New Jersey. He has performed on our shows in past years and always does an excellent job.

Gary Lee Gimble from Gaithersburg, Maryland kept the crowd in awe with his fine technique ranging from Bluegrass to pure country. His Navy Band experience was quite evident.

Bill Nauman has been on the Steel Forum for a long while mainly from Las Vegas. None of us East of the big river had any idea how he played. Since he has returned to Cresco, PA and was able to participate as part of our annual show, we were all impressed with the fact that Bill is an excellent steel player and an all-around entertainer. He sings up a storm while playing steel. Great voice and excellent steel work. If you are looking for entertainment...hire this guy!!

Fred Justice wanted a report and I thought I would fill in the blanks.

BTW Fred, at our PSGA show I recruited some additional attendees for the SWSGA Show in January in Mesa, AZ. Lookout..the Snow Bird steelers are planning to arrive.

Posted: **18 Nov 2004 9:18 pm**

Bill Nauman is an awesome bassist and keyboardist as well, few love music as does this man. You Go Bill!
Bill Bailey

------------------

Posted: **19 Nov 2004 6:55 am**

Good morning Bob,glad to hear even more snowbird steelers are coming out for the show in Arizona in January.
BTW Bob,I forgot to tell you be sure to pack your shorts,sun glasses,sandles,Hawaiian shirt,sun screen,ect.ect.you know what I mean.

(rub it in,rub it in)

------------------
Fred Justice
Events Dir.
SWSGA www.swsteelguitar.com

Posted: **19 Nov 2004 8:27 am**

Here's Merle and his brother, and his "Bass" Player!!!, she is a whole nother story!!! <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=Z ... xdm81541US' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_129v.gif' border=0></a>
<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-4/1 ... C00272.JPG' width=800height=600 >[This message was edited by David Wright on 19 November 2004 at 08:27 AM.]

Posted: **19 Nov 2004 4:29 pm**

I'm surprised the overhead cameras projecting on to the big screen idea doesn't catch on to at least some of the bigger shows.

Of course one would have to be on his toes to create a production like Jeff's. I'm talking practically T.V. quality here.

For example, I noticed plenty of light, but it was comming from slightly behind me and a little to my right shoulder side. The result was absoulutly no glare from the guitar to me eyes and none to the camera lense overhead. Very clever

Maybe Bob Maickel's background in televison broadcasting doesn't hurt the situation.

Hope I'm not giving away any trade secrets here.
Merle

Posted: **19 Nov 2004 7:35 pm**

Merle, you are correct about the professionalism involved with the audio/video setup. The Digital Video Mixer is my own equipment which I purchased while I was still with CBS-TV, but Jeff supplied his PA and audio mixer and rented most of the other video gear. Joe Wright provided the mini-cams from his production facilities, John DeMaille supplied the camcorder.

Jeff is the guy who sets it all up and keeps it running. In addition to his active steel playing, he also has his own A/V business. If that isn't enough to occupy his time, he is a cameraman for Cablevision's broadcasts of sporting events in Connecticut. AND he also is the Chairman of our annual PSGA show, handling all the planning, facility rental and booking the players.

Posted: **19 Nov 2004 7:53 pm**

Just for the Record, which one is Merle?

Posted: **20 Nov 2004 2:46 pm**

Viewing the photo L to R Elton Record, Dee Dee Record, David Wright and Merle Record.

We were honored to have family members of Merle's band from Oxford, Maine travel to CT with him, as we were honored that Jim (lead guitar) and Barbara (bass) Stahlhutt came with Chuck Lettes from Denver and of course David Blankenship (bass and vocals) who accompanied Mike Sigler. Excellent musicians!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Any Reports On Big PSGA Show In Norwalk Ct.

Any Reports On Big PSGA Show In Norwalk Ct.