The Steel Guitar Forum

WOW! I sat on the front row of the Northwest Georgia Steel Guitar Show today with my wife Barbara for almost 7 hours of the best steeling ever! It was awesume!! How can anyone not LOVE the steel guitar. I was impressed with everyone! But a moment that really touched our hearts was when Tommy Dodd had Brett Day play along side him. To see the compassion that Tommy showed to this young man melted our hearts. I left knowing that everyone I heard loves there instrument and plays from the heart. I was wowed at Randy Beavers and Russ Hicks playing twin and solos not to mention Russ's wifes singing. Their was so much to take in and not enough room here to say what I would like about everyone. I can say this, don't miss the next one! Rich Guy

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Emmons LeGrande III 2005
And a GFI, Nashville 1000,
Dan Electro effects

In the group "By the Cross"

Rich

Sounds like a great show. Of course, one can't help to be entertained with the line up ya'll had. Wish I could have been there. Tell me more! Tell me more!

Miss Lana

Rich, I would like to second your elation about the Northwest Ga Steel Show. There was a lot of good playing and entertainment. I do not know if an exact number of people has been determined, but there were some 200 seats in front of the stage and about 48 around the tables near the food/refresement area. At one point most of the seats were occupied. I believe at the height of the day there were at least 375 to 400 people there. I certainly had a good time. I, too, was taken when Tommy Dodd and Brett Day were on stage. I also like hearing the story about Operation Russless. The highlight for me was getting to meet and talk to one of my steel guitar heros, Mr. John Hughey. I had brought the Winnie Winston book, Pedal Steel Guitar. John autographed the picture of him that is in that book. I also got Russ Hicks, Larry Sasser and Randy Beavers to autograph their pictures that are in Anthology of the Pedal Steel Guitar. I am already looking forward to next years show. Thanks Jerry Braswell for organizing such a great event.

Kudos to Mr. Jerry Braswell and his staff, and workers,and others who helped bring a great show to the Atlanta Shrine Temple...Those that could not attend,missed a fantastic program..those that came, thank you for your support...
There was something for each and everybody.
Good picking, great stage band, good food, and good old time visiting with the musicians and the audience..
Thank you Jerry,and to all who used their time ,talents, and energies to make it an enjoyable and successful show..
But the real winners are the kids who will receive the benefits of the money generated,
for the Shriners Children's Hospital and Burn Center..
And thank you for letting me be a small part on the program...
RP...'come on in'...
<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by ROB PARKER on 06 February 2006 at 11:53 AM.]</p></FONT>

I also spent the day at the show. Some other highlights: Bob Furgerson Roger Crawford's tone and playing ability. My first time to hear each of them.

Tommy Dodd always impresses and can speed play with the best of them. Not only can he play fast but his tone is great...I guess it had a little to do with his "nameless" key-less steel guitar!

Getting to hear Larry Sasser, even better was getting the chance to talk to him. Of course the great playing ability and tone of Randy Beavers and Russ Hicks.

I loved the funny stuff from the 4 steel players who stood at the stage as Russ played the hot licks from a Connie Smith song. Russ was unstopable and Mrs. Hicks sang great!

Getting to see and hear John Hughey plus getting a picture made with him was a real treat. Herby Wallace can just flat out play, what a treat to hear him on C6.
Tim Hamilton; the steel player of the night club in Atlanta "Cowboys" was great to talk to also and a great player.

There was so much to see and hear, I know I'm leaving out some important stuff but I still can't get over how we can see and hear so much great talent in one room over the course of the day.

I don't know all their names but everyone who played on the stage was really first class from the back up band to the last steel player of the evening.

I have read all the remarks everyone has made about the show and tried to come up with something that hasn't be said. I wish I could. This by far has been the best show we have had. Not to say the pasts show have not been good. We have been so blessed in the past to have some great player to give of their time and talent for the Shriners Hospitals. It's hard to single out any one thing about this show to talk about. From the first lick played by Charlie Vaughn to the last lick played by Larry Moore the audience was more than entertained. There is not enough words or space to express how greatful I am to these players and the audience for the support they showed to us yesterday. It looks like we will be able to donate somewhere around $2000.00 to the hospitals. This is the best we have ever done from any of our shows. We appreciate our special guest, John Hughey, Russ and Laney Hicks, Herby Wallace, Randy Beavers and Larry Sasser. What a load of talent. The greatest gift we recieved is that these people not only are talented but each took the time to meet and talk to all who came to hear them preform. God has blessed us with another day of music, fun and the best fellowship you could ever want. If you guys could only know how much you mean to me and the kids that you have helped or going to help. From my heart I say thank you.

Jerry<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Jerry Braswell on 06 February 2006 at 10:57 AM.]</p></FONT>

Thank you Jerry for your heart for the kids. Your voice was perfect for Danny Boy..WOW!

Marlin,
Glad you enjoyed my playing, but it's Bill Ferguson.

hehe

Bill

Jerry and Team,
GREAT show - and wow! did you and your team work hard. I'm thinking Gloria deserves something really special from you!

For now, I'll Just mention two of the many highlights I especially enjoyed - That would be Larry Moore's version of IF and the great banana pudding. Excellent! <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Donna Dodd on 06 February 2006 at 02:29 PM.]</p></FONT>

Bill,
I'm Sorry, please forgive me for mis-spelling your last name. I know one thing for sure...you're an awesome steel player! I hope to hear an entire evening with you and your band very soon!

Marlin,
That would be great. Just give me a call.

Bill

Jerry and Team. Another Great Show. Just keeps getting better and better. Great Music, Food and Fellowship. What a way to spend a Sunday. Thanks to all, the musicians, the wives, the cooks, the staff and Jerry for putting all together for the Kids. Great Job Folks.
Bill and "THE ALABAMA GANG"

I thank the Alabama Gang for coming over and supporting our show. I'm going to do my best to be at your show at the end of the month. Thanks Bill.

I would also like to congratulate Gene Still as he joined the players on the "Wall Of Honor". We have many players who deserve to be on that wall, and I'm sure as time goes on they will be. A new committee will be selected later this year to select the next member.

Thanks again everyone for your support of the Shriners Hospitals For Children.

Jerry

Gloria, James, Ronnie, Patricia, and everyone else, AND ESPECIALLY Jerry:

Thanks so much for your hard work in putting together another great show for us. And thanks for allowing me to be part of it.

I can't add a lot to what has been said but, I'd like to add my congratulations to Gene Still also. How well I remember those 45's of him and Chief and the rest of The Swinging Gentlemen and one I had as a youngster where he backed a guy named Kenny Rhodes. And he reminded me Sunday of the time we set up in the carport at Dad's house and he showed me some licks when I had been playing a few months back around 1973!

Looking forward to the next one,

Bill

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Bill Cunningham

Although I have been forum member for some time, this is my first post.

Like Rich, I was on the front row of the Northwest Georgia Steel Guitar Row with my wife Joan for many hours. What a great treat to see and hear so much GREAT steel playing. The twin steel playing of Randy Beavers and Russ Hicks was simply incredible. This was the first time for me to hear Laney Hicks sing and was extremely impressed with the selections and vocal ability. Seeing all the steel players watch Russ play the break for "I Come Running" was hilarious. Russ got the last laugh playing the song flawlessly.

For me the highlight of the day was to see and hear my E9 hero, Larry Sasser. I loved his selections and his magnificent styling. His Zum hybrid has such full and rich tone.

Thanks to all of you who made this great event possible. I am already looking forward to next year.

Rich, Joan and I enjoyed meeting and getting to know You and Barbara.

Larry

Marlin,
Thanks for the kudos! And trust me, a night listening to Bill and the Country River Band will be time well spent. You'll enjoy it for sure.
And Jerry & crew, thanks again for a great day!
Roger