The Steel Guitar Forum

Sunday 10/16/11 1 pm Branson Community Center . Nice attendance-- visitors from several states. Seven Steels and a Dobro and usual great back up band. Vice President, Charlie Steichen and Secretary and Treasurer, Venda & Jerry Hanley did a fine job of keeping the flow going throughout the afternoon.
I was especially pleased that a long time friend, Larry Gerdeman and girl friend Delores Lennox from New London, Mo. came by. (I don't know how well I'll survive some of the stories he related about my earlier days ) - Jim and Nancy Kielblock bought along visitors from the past that used to play music with them--from Nebraska maybe ? hope that's correct- I'll post pictures.
Buddy Lewis, our sound man, bass player, singer and all around great member, bought his great sounding Double Bass or as I always referred to - stand up of dog house bass , but at any rate, what a great sounding bass and played very nicely by Buddy I might add. (Buddy told me "it's sure fun but it's a lot of work") It is from The Engelhart Company (formerly Kay Company years ago) and Buddy said some assembly was required when it arrived.
I'll let Jerry Hanley and some others chime in with more info-- here's some pics to get started .



Dino Strunk Russ Burns Buddy Lewis



Multi Talented David White bought two steels and a Dobro



Eddie Lane



Association Chaplain, Jerry Hanley



Larry Gerdeman


Bob Carden



Jerry Foster



The Night Drifters then--(1975)



The Night Drifters today l to r - Art & Barbara Glines --Nancy & Jim Kielblock Thanks, Jim for that great visit to the past and thanks for my picture, it'll go in our album for sure.



Charlie put together this great picture display--be sure and bring it to our December the 11th Christmas party for all to enjoy, Charlie.



Larry Gerdeman and Dino doing a great Job on "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" Larry says "I can die happy now, I've sang with the best"



While readily admitting some prejudice, In my humble opinion, two of the best, Dino and Miss Eva teaming up on "Blue Kentucky Girl" at Larry Gerdeman's request (from the past) Eddie Lange was heard saying "Now boys, THAT'S COUNTRY" -



Buddy displaying his beautiful and great sounding Engelhart Double Bass.

Your the Man Bill, wish we could have been there, Larry

Great pictures Bill. We really appreciate you taking and posting your pictures. I want to thank all the folks who came out to enjoy a great afternoon of country music. The players and band did an outstanding job of entertaining the crowd.

We are looking forward to a great Christmas Jam Dec 11

See you then
Charlie

Great post, Bill, and the pictures say thousands of words! Everyboday looked happy except the steel pickers. They all looked pretty solemn! You'd think they weren't having a good time, or something like that! They were just hard at work! Thanks, Bill, for the great effort that you and your wife put in to see our gatherings are a success! We really, really appreciate all you do!!

We receive much more than we give guys --thank you -

thanks for the invite, I had a great time at the Jam. I want to thank brother & Sister Hanley for having me at there beautiful Home over the weekend. they invited me to there church service & it was great.I want to thank Dino & Russ & Buddy for there great Backup. I am looking forward to the next Jam with my picking Friends.god bless.Jerry & Dee Foster

Bill; Thanks for the great pictures. It was great being able to play and sing with such great band. It was also a great pleasure setting in with such a great bunch of steel players. I felt so welcome it was really a great time. Thanks again.

It was a great surprise having you and Delores there, Larry. Enjoyed reminiscing about the "good ole days" and your playing and singing. Miss Eva and Delores had quite a visit--turns out they were from the same country around Perry, Mo. and knew lots of the same people. Please come back often and relax and set deep--you are amoung friends. -

Thanks for all the good music and fellowship. I'm looking forward to the Christmas party.