The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello all!

I'm going to attend the 2005 Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis this Labor Day Weekend. I just made my flight reservations and also reserved a room at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Downtown St. Loui!! I'm learning to play my Emmons guitar...I've got four lessons and a few months practice under my belt. I'm looking for advice on what to expect, what to bring, what to do, what to plan in advance for the show? I'm traveling from California with a friend. He plays guitar in local bands. Does not play steel, however. I want to tour the ARCH, attend the show, and anything else you'all could recommend. Thanks in advance for any help here.
Kirk

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2001 Emmons Lashley LeGrande II, Model LST10L, E9th Single 10 String on a Double Frame with pad, 3 Pedals, 5 Knees, RKR is a double stop. 2005 Peavey Nashville 1000 Amp. Boss GE-7 Equalizer. Sho Bud Volume Pedal.

Kirk.

On the Arch, get there early since it will be Labor Day week-end, the lines are LONG.

You will hear the greatest Steel players in the world gather for a fun filled convention.

Dont plan on much rest, to much music to take in all day and night. HA

You will also be like a kid in a candy store seeing all the Steels, Amps and products for sale.

The last time we flew we took the Tram, Metro-Whatever they call it to Bush stadium and walked to the hotel, alot cheaper than a cab.

Have a great time.

Jimmy
Music City Mfg-Nashville 73-76
Emmons SD-10
Nashville 400
<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Jimmy Campbell on 14 August 2005 at 03:39 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hey Kirk,

Make sure to stop by the Carter booth, they usually give out little orange dots to be sticked on your badge, that makes it easy to reckognize other forumites. I bet there will be a lot of us there, looking for each other to meet!

Kind Regards, Walter

www.loydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

Yes, kid in a candy store is right, so if you can afford to, bring along some spending money for CDs, strings, and other gizmos that you might discover you "can't live without". And expect to make a bunch of new friends for life. But don't expect to leave the hotel much, the steel guitars will be playing nonstop about 18 hours a day! Oh, and you should definitely consider taking the all=day seminar on Friday. Anyone can get a lot out of it if they've got at least a little experience under their belt and are generally oriented to the instrument, which you are by now, so that would be a great investment of your time. Usually costs about $60 for the day, so you can't beat it. No matter what, you'll have a very memorable weekend!

Tip: Buffet = fast dine & dash back to the music.

Reccomendation: Comfortable shoes.

Don't forget: Bar and picks.

Detail: Don't forget your Musicians Earplugs if you use them (better to have 'em and not need 'em, then need 'em and not have em, eh? .

Here's a few tips for you - No Doze!!! These fellas are right about one thing, NON STOP MUSIC!

As for the Arch - Depending on when you come in you could tour the Arch on Thursday before the talent search begins (Noon) or Friday during the day. You'll miss some of the tourist on those days. Forget seeing anything else from 5 PM on Friday until noon on Sunday. The best thing about it is the Millenium hotel is within walking distance to the Arch. The Drury - a little further walk. I suppose the Millenium was full, did you try the Marriott? The Marriott is the overflow hotel for the convention and just across the street from the Millenium. Forget the Metro Link. You'll already be downtown so it won't help much but the Drury should have a shuttle you can use for free.

Make sure you stop by the SteelRadio.com booth as we will be airing segments of the convention.

Definately sign up for Joe Wright's seminar. You'll really learn some stuff from an awesome player.

Distributors will be set up in all the side rooms too. Just wander around and you'll find all types of activity. Like you've never seen before.

Tune into SteelRadio.com (24/7 - steel guitar music) plus commercials geared to steelers. And on 8/24 beginning at 8 PM CST catch the Don E Curtis show - tons of information including convention stuff. You can email me at steelinbyrequest@charter.net if you have more questions or go to Scotty's website www.scottysmusic.com and view the convention schedule.

See you St. Louis!

Miss Lana

and don't forget the wonderful Buffet for lunch..

Food for some could be an issue..
They have a morning ( Breakfast) and lunchtime Buffet ( Dogs/Burgers ) each day.

There is a Bar/Lounge on the Main floor by the Elevators where you can get an OK sandwhich..

If you are looking for more than this..you may have to search elsewhere..

IF you go out the Hotel front lobby, turn right , walk 2 or 3 blocks there are several other places to get a reasonable meal...

The Adams Mark Hotel is a 2 or 3 block walk..many folks stay there as well...

Also they do serve Beer and such inside the Ballroom....if you are into Beer and such...

Bring cash....

you all will have to have a great time without me this year..prior( no pun intended) commitments...

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 15 August 2005 at 03:51 AM.]</p></FONT>

DROOL, DROOL.
Ah well!!

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After you get there - stop and get a cooler and get some beverages and supplies to make sandwiches or something to nibble on - You'll save a ton of money and might even be better food! Then you can spend more money on "Toys"!!!

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Ron Petersen &
The Keep'n Tyme Band
Mullen Universal 12 - 1975 Session 400 - Nashville 1000 - Vegas 400 - ETC.

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by rpetersen on 15 August 2005 at 05:34 AM.]</p></FONT>

Your non steel playing friend might want to go over to LeClede's landing (5 or 6 blocks away) where they hold the Big Muddy Blues Festival Labor Day every year.
Look it up on the internet...they have a lot of top artists.

If you get burnt out on all the steel guitar music, you can always check the free Riverfront Times for other things going on at that time. I found the MetroLink was an easy and fun way to get around the first time I went.
Here's a nice Guide to St. Louis should you find yourself outside the hotel wondering what else to do.
Have a great time!

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 15 August 2005 at 09:00 AM.]</p></FONT>

For anyone coming to St. Louis, give me a holler if you need any local info.
My band is playing Sat night 9to1 in the U City loop, 1/2 a block from Blueberry Hill and the Pageant. Email me if you have any questions, and I'll definitely be there when I can.JimP

Bring lotsa money and comfortable shoes.

Mike - I'm pleased that you are coming to the Convention. The only thing that I can add to it is: CD's-the person that recorded it will be there. Instruction material-the person that wrote it will will be there. Steel guitars-the person that builds them will be there. We have 68 distributors for you to look at. The arch is right across the street from the Drudy Inn. One last word is that you will be in a "Steel Guitar Paradise". Scotty

So I've sort of decided last minute, what the hey, why not have another first in my life and drive out to St. Louis for the ISGC this year. Every other steeler is doing it. Not that I'm a steeler but, I want to be one when I grow up.

Does anyone have recommendations on what hotels near the Millenium that would be okay to stay at? I don't need anything fancy, just a one-bedroom where I could crash for a few hours, then get up in the morning and do it all over again. (Got to take advantage of being 23 while I can!)

The three reasonable options I see online are the Radisson Hotel, Drury Plaza St. Louis Arch (as mentioned by Mr. Hamre), and Adams Mark.

Comments? Suggestions? Mr. Hamre, thanks for starting this thread; I don't mean to hijack it.

It's often hot and steamy in St. Louis on a Labor Day weekend, but bring a jacket in case a cold front accompanied by rain would come through like it did last year.
Besides the hotels mentioned, there's the Holiday Inn to the north, but it's a walk best left to the hardy.
Besides the hotel food, there are downtown restaurants within walking distance.
I've heard about good food at reasonable prices at the gambling boats on the river and a shuttle will pick you up if you don't wish to walk.
There's also pizza delivery to the hotel.
Last year after the convention, I walked to the blues festival and heard some great music.

Guys, let me introduce myself.

I am young steel guitarist from Poland, Europe. I came this summer to the United States to work and some travel. St. Louis and Nashville are the most important points on my country-travel map
I dreamt of visiting USA and attending ISGC for a few years and finally this year the dream is being come true...

I would like to meet each of you! To recognize me, I will wear a t-shirt having "POLAND" inscription


I have been staying in Chicago now, and I am looking for cheap accomodation in St. Louis for those 4 days/nights. Could you recommend me something for low price? Should one of you know of a vacancy or even have one-bed place more in your room? I'm gonna only leave my baggage there, I don't expect I will have time to sleep for that 4 exciting days!


C U there,
I CAN'T WAIT,
Marcin Czop

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click here

The things we did last year.........go out the front of the Millenium...stay on the same side of the street......about 3 bloks along there is a convenience store.....sell sandwiches etc and reasonable priced beer....take a couple of six packs back and fill up the waste bucket with ice...every one was doing that.......cheaper than Hotel ..........also go about 3 or four blocks right and about 3 left a few resteraunts there........we enjoyed Fridays...good food and good price.
Didnt go up the Arch but went into the Western museum below it....fantastic !!!!

Marcin

This is great! I love to hear about folks fulfilling their dreams. St. Louis is a wonderful place to visit. So much history and beauty. You can find deals anywhere. Let me know if you need help finding a hotel. The Drury Plaza Hotel is close and a good place to stay. Ask Chris Lasher the 23 year old from Athens, GA. This will be his first visit to the ISGC too!

Stop by the SteelRadio.com booth and say hello. Maybe even get you on the radio.

Miss Lana
steelinbyrequest@charter.net

*<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 05 April 2006 at 04:55 AM.]</p></FONT>

Tony D. which direction is the convenience store from the hotel....N or S? Is it on 4th St? Thanks JO.

Yes, the store is on 4th street on the same side as the hotel. Walk north on 4th.

Marcin,

I will look for you for sure!

Kind Regards, Walter

www.lloydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf