Hollonville Opry - Great time had by all!!

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 13 Jun 2005 12:57 am

Although the schedule was affected all day long because of the weather, it was a wonderful day for friends and family!!

One of the many highlights of the show was Wayne Smith playing bass for sacred steeler, Dante Harmon and his praise band!

Others?

Bob Strum · Post by **Bob Strum** » 13 Jun 2005 3:14 am

Donna, it's always great to be with all this group and it was nice to see your friend again, Patsy Decline. See you soon, Bob

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 13 Jun 2005 3:34 am

Yes it was a great day. Even though I had had to cancel, I found a way to get there about 1pm. Lo & behold Roger Crawford had saved my spot and even moved it forward.

Since I was able to go at the last minute, I did not figure to play, so I did not take a guitar.

Thank you to "MR" Sasser for allowing me to play his new Zum. Not bad for a "hybrid" No pun intended.

Seriously, this is a super show of Georgia's (and sometime SC's) finest.

Bill Ferguson

Steve Geis · Post by **Steve Geis** » 13 Jun 2005 5:22 am

Ditto to all the above. And "kudos" to Roger, Donna D, Tommy D, and officers and staff for an excellent show/production. The show works because of all you do; on behalf of all the players and attendees, "THANKS!" Steve

Gene Willis · Post by **Gene Willis** » 13 Jun 2005 5:33 am

Hello Everyone!
It has been awhile since I have written anything in the forunm at all let alone this much but I wanted to say a few things.

First,I had a great time as well. This is the first time I have had the pleaseure of actually being involved in the GaGSA show as much as I was yesterday. I did made it to the first Jam last year but was just a spectator.

I missed the last Jam (Jam II) due to family illnesses, but I read all the news about it here on the forum and elsewhere later.
This year, Donna put me to work, complete with apron and all!

I had a blast!

I hope I didn't irritate anyone by taking all of those pictures. I know sometimes I was in positions that most people wouldn't have gotten in, to take the shots, if they were taking pictures for themselves. Just to let everyone know why I was in some of the positions I was in, I was trying to take a few pictures of each player solo and one with each player with the band and a few on stage shots as well. All of these will be given to Donna (after I get them developed and edit them of course)for use on the website/scapbook. That is...if there are any they would like to use

I also had a video camera set up in the sound booth and I was trying to make sure to get some good footage of each player and the band as well. I will also be giving that to Donna as soon as I get it on vhs and disc. Clips of it my also be used for the website at a later date, should the webmaster decide to use it for that purpose.
I am not trying to keep or use any of this material for any personal gain and was doing it all by request so that it can be used to further benefit the success of the Jams, Members of GaSGA and the organization as a whole.

These pictures/film and a copy of the edited pictures on disc, all will be sent to Donna Dodd to be used at her discretion, not mine. If anyone should want a copy of any of the pictures or video, once they are given to Donna I have no problem with it what so ever. They will then be the property of GaGSA. If anyone does not want his/her picture used on the website, you should let Donna know.
These will also be put in a scrapbook and given to Donna at a later time.

The reason I am saying what I did above is so that if I did offend anyone, or if anyone does not want their picture used and anyway stated above, they should be sure to let Donna know now before it is publicly published in any way. If anyone was offended, please accept my humble appology.

Aside from all the legal stuff above, I had a blast taking all of the pictures and video. I even got to help out in the kitchen (a little bit)

Most everywhere we go, my wife takes all the pictures and most of the video and tells me that I don't know as much as she does and that she can do it better anyway!

I cannot play a lick of music as of now on any instrument, let alone the steel guitar but I want to help the organization in any way I can and I do have time on my hands to help, if I know what to do. If anyone ever needs any help with a project please let me know. I will be glad to help, if I can.

(BTW, I am looking for a teacher within 50/60 miles of the Macon-Central Georgia area. I am also looking for anyone wanting to sell any old instructional videos that they have "outgrown".)

Thank you Donna, for asking me to take the pictures this year...I had a BLAST!
I will get them to you A.S.A.P.

Anyone may contact me for any reason at: nyte171@bellsouth.net

Thanks Again!
Eugene "Gene" Willis, Jr.

AKA: Nyte Train
Nyte Train Productions, Ltd.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 13 Jun 2005 8:40 am

Wow, the show was really amazing! I loved playing steel behind two vocalists! Dante's set was awesome, too and every steeler there was great! And I loved the Patsy Decline part! It was a great show! Brett, Emmons, S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10[This message was edited by Brett Day on 13 June 2005 at 09:41 AM.]

Larry Moore · Post by **Larry Moore** » 13 Jun 2005 10:57 am

To all despite the wet weather...
It was a great show.

This just proves for all those years we (the Ga Gang) went to other shows out of state, that we can do it right here also.

Thanks to Roger, Tommy, Bill,and all the people at The Hollonville Opry House for a place we can come together as family & friends

See you next time
Larry & The Jewelry Lady

[This message was edited by Larry Moore on 13 June 2005 at 11:59 AM.]

Bob Evens · Post by **Bob Evens** » 13 Jun 2005 12:47 pm

Hey ya'll
What a great jam and what wonderful people.
I had a ball. My amp quit just as I started to set up. Thank you Tommy Dodd for the use of your amp and your help in isolating the problem. I am looking forward to our next get together. Keep on Steelin'

------------------
Play with your heart... your hands and feet will follow
Zum D-10, Emmons D-10
DPC-750/Profex ll,
Session 400 Ltd

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 13 Jun 2005 1:57 pm

Will y'all PLEASE schedule the next one on a weekend when I ain't got to work???
Hello, Larry

.

Scott Kirk · Post by **Scott Kirk** » 13 Jun 2005 4:39 pm

First I would like to thank the GaSGA staff and everyone who put on and organized such great event.I had a great time!Also Thanks to the Hollinsville Opry House for hosting the show,What a great place!If you missed this show you missed a good one.

Shorty Smith · Post by **Shorty Smith** » 13 Jun 2005 6:48 pm

Donna, I didn't bring my steel guitar but I sure will next time. It was a great day with a lot of good steel music and some very good country music mixed in, thanks for a great day and looking forward to the next one, Shorty Smith, Columbus, Ga

Ernest Cawby · Post by **Ernest Cawby** » 14 Jun 2005 4:11 am

Donna I am getting weak already you and Tommy need to come to Gray next Sat.

ernie

Lloyd Hamilton · Post by **Lloyd Hamilton** » 15 Jun 2005 5:05 pm

I played the Opry Saturday night with my gang & after we played Roger asked me to play a set Sunday. Roger is such a nice person it is difficult to say no. I was so nervous on Sunday that I tripped over my steel setting up my equipment. I was honored to be asked to be a part of these fine players & actually had a good time. Roger even played the bass. I brought a couple of the singers from our group with & my brother Mark, who is fantastic guitar player, it made it a little easier. All & all I had a blast. So, thanks Roger & all of you who worked so hard to make it a success.

Tommy Dodd & Mike Johnson put on quite a show, but Donna adds the spark to the GSGA & the shows. Thanks Donna!

Lloyd

Barney Y. Miller · Post by **Barney Y. Miller** » 15 Jun 2005 5:34 pm

It was just great to have all those players open for me since I was the last player on the show! lol I had a ball. I believe a good time was had by all. I was really impressed with Bill Nicholson's performance especially the last selection "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" which he played solo and very beautifully. There is not many players today than can do that. Reminded me of Joe Wright, Jerry Douglas and Bill Stafford. They are known to play in those circles. I would like to thank Roger Crawford and a great staff band that made us all sound better than we really are. This Sat. June 18th, from 10am to 10pm we are having a great steel show (20 players) to honor the late Frank Crawley at the Ole Clinton Opry at Gray, Ga. Log on to: www.oleclintonopry.com for directions
Special guests, Herby Wallace, Bobbe Seymour and Rob Parker.
Thanks,
Barney

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 15 Jun 2005 6:22 pm

Several things to point out:
· All of you players did such a wonderful job – and, make no mistake – THAT’S what makes a show!!
· Lloyd, you didn’t look a bit nervous!! And you sounded great!
· We were delighted to have Moby and Mary Beth (with little Gracie) stop by to meet some folks and sing a little. He plugged our Jam on his syndicated radio show several times the past couple of weeks – and it seems to have made a difference in our attendance. Moby sang In the Garden while Brett Day backed him on steel. Moby mentioned Brett the next morning on his radio show!
· The title for best looking steel guitar was split this year between Brett’s GFI and Scott Kirk’s red ShoBud.
· Rob Parker sang his heart out and had a nice set on his steel.
· Speaking of singing – Ernie Cawby sang and played one of his originals – “If it Ain’t got Twang.” Great shuffle and terrific lyrics! Then, we all got misty-eyed when he wished his beautiful wife, Nan, a happy 55th anniversary – and shared the story of how they met many years ago when they were just preteens. They raised a model daughter in Belinda, too! She is a mover and a shaker – worked the whole show any way she could. We couldn’t have done it without her! I got an email from her the next morning with some great ideas for the December show!
· Higher Grounds couldn’t cater as they have in the past. But Roger did the shopping, and Tom Moorman and Wade Medlock spent the day hosting our food and beverage area where women swarmed around them just to see men working in aprons. You’d have thought they were two of the Village People, the way those women were acting!!

We’ve got pictures, too!!
· Speaking of pictures, Don Crawford was his usual loyal photographer for the day. Also, Gene Willis added his photographic eye to the cause, getting some very nice shots as well. It was the first time I’ve ever seen a man wearing a BBQ apron while playing Paparazzi for the GaSGA website! Thank you both, Don and Gene for your volunteer time in capturing the memories of that wonderful day!!
· Several of the guys played golf on Saturday: Roger, Jim Hartley, Rob Parker and Tommy. They were rained out on the last hole. I’m thinking they probably had a good time; but for some reason they nick-named Tommy “HOOVER?”
· As always, it was a real treat to hear Dante Harmon play! He brought two young men, both named Brian, who accompany him also at his church. We loved having them!! Wayne Smith grooved really great with them on bass, as the guests drifted into a very sacred experience. WOW, is all I can say.
· All our guest bands were excellent!
· I can’t say enough about Roger’s leadership in bringing this jam together. He puts a great deal of his time into his commitment to the organization, and is to be commended for his contributions!!!
· Thanks to Tommy for his emcee work all day after doing the HOOVER thing the day before

. Regardless of whether you helped clean up, set up or helped as a stage hand – we thank you ALL for your contributions, as well!!
· Last, but not least – we very much appreciate our wonderful house band – The two Waynes: Wayne Smith and Wayne Stowers, Johnny Thomas, Jim Hartley – and Woody Ledford, who was with us in spirit – and to whom the show was dedicated. He is recovering nicely from his surgery, and ready to take care of Rachel following her surgery this Friday, June 17th. Let’s keep her in our hearts and prayers!!
· December 4th is the date for Georgia Peach Jam IV! (Steve Gambrell, you might want to go ahead and block that day!

Donna Dodd, Secretary
GaSGA[This message was edited by Donna Dodd on 15 June 2005 at 07:56 PM.][This message was edited by Donna Dodd on 16 June 2005 at 10:48 AM.]

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 16 Jun 2005 6:05 am

Donna hit the nail on the proverbial head! Everyone was just super supportive as always. We certainly appreciate Scott and Lloyd for stepping up to fill some late cancellations. Our staff band was amazing as always. Wayne Smith may have realized a new calling in his musical career. Dante said he was really groovin' with him! We missed Woody, but it's good to know he's recouperating nicely and should be at the December 4th show. Tommy D really did work his butt off (part of it, anyway!)with MC work. GREAT PLAYERS !!!!! Volunteer work everywhere you needed it. Thanks to all for making this a great organization.
Regards,
Roger
"The Prez"