The Steel Guitar Forum

After spending 19 years in the teamsters union and 12 years as a police officer, August 15th will be my last working day. My wife and I are going to do a little traveling.
I have family in Kansas City Mo. and we will be there for the family reunion Sept. 15th. We plan on going to Branson and I am hoping we can meet some steel players that are members of the Forum. Also any advice on the shows to see in Branson will be greatly appriciated...Thanks

I used to live in KC (until I retired) and remember steeler Jack Hensley and picked with son Danny that picked lead. Are you related to them?

Not that I can rememeber...however the name Jack seems to ring a bell

Bennie, we'll be having our steel guitar show in Baxter Springs, Kansas on Oct. 6-7-8 if you're still in the area then. Would love to have you drop by and visit. We're just straight south of Kansas City, Kansas at the SE corner of the state. Come by and see us if you're in the neighborhood. Ray

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Ray Qualls
President(KSGA) www.rayqualls.com

<SMALL>August 15th will be my last working day.</SMALL>

Bennie, a word of encouragement from one who has been there.....expect to wake up on August 16th feeling kind of lost and unsure of how you feel about having completed your last day of work at a job where you have invested so many years of your life.

But, you quickly become involved in your new life and the anxiety goes away, and you are having so much fun that you wonder why you didn't retire sooner.

Good luck in your retirement my friend, and enjoy all the things that you never had time to do before.



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<img height=100 width=70 src=http://genejones.bizland.com/Scan10095.jpg>
www.genejones.com

Same thing Gene just said. I woke up the next morning after i retired and did not know how i was gonna make the day. Thing,s started happening and now stay pretty busy playing music. Good luck=Jim Harper

Bennie,
Congrats on your upcoming retirement...It's a milestone...
On a Friday, at 3:30 pm, I was on a job that I had been working for 35 years...At 3:31 pm I had no job.... retired...At 4:00am the following morning, I was on my way to Bill Jobes picking party in Urich, Missouri...Haven't looked back..You will wonder how you found time to work...
Come to the Baxter Springs show in October..you'll be glad you did...and we will to...

RP...'come on in'...

Bennie, congratulations on your retirement. I'm into my third month of retirement, and really enjoying it. I'd say that it took me six weeks or so, to get used to the idea that I wasn't going to work. Best of luck to you.

Happy retirement, We have a time share in Branson and love it.. Be sure you get down to the lake. Other spot to hit are Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Tn and of course Nashville. Be sure you stop by and give Bobby S. a look see. Enjoy every minute of a well earned rest.

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Thomas SD10 3/4,Thomas D10 8/5 and Desert Rose S10 3/4. Beginner

Bennie Congrats ol' buddie... keep in touch! Dave

awesome Benny..Congrats.

t

Hi, Jack and Bennie, I use to work with Jack Hensley with the Jerry Finley show what a great steel player and a fine guy! I think his daughter had a record deal at one time too I never met his son but heard he was a good picker.

Bob

Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragment.Gene, thank you for being a friend I can count on with steel issues. Dave Burton, we don't have to wait for the Spokane jam to get together you know where I live, call me when you come to Yakima.
I don't know if we will make the Baxter Springs jam, we were thinking we would try and be back in Yakima the first week in October. Pray for us to have a safe trip..Thanks again....Bennie & Donna

Congratulations Bennie on your retirement. We were just to Branson and found steel on 3 shows. If you stop over in North Platte or Kearney Ne some of the Cowboy joints there have bands with steel.

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The Lone Prairie Steeler Pat

Knew a fine guitarist (jazz) from Tenn. named Ron Hensley and understand he had two brothers pretty well known around the Washington D.C. area, just wondered if you might be related to them.

Hi Benny,
I'm new to my retirment.I'm six months into it.I was in Steelworkers union.I took early retirement after 31 years with a major industrial company in upstate N.Y.I have always played music since i was in high school.I think I found my ninche.My wife and I decided to move to East TN. Knoxville,Pigeon Forge,area.So far it's the best move i've ever made.I was playing music 4 days after we got to TN.Because of my heart disease,My music is still one thing that keeps me going.For me,it is the greatest therapy i can think of.When i'm playing,i feel no pain.I have been very fortunate to meet so many nice people since we moved here.I have played some blugrass,gospel,and now i'm in a pretty tight 5 piece country band,playing at least 3 nights a week.Grant it,it's not big time,but it's givin me the oppurtunity to live the dream when i retired.That is to play and write music.They don't even care if i am just an old Damn Yankee!
Have fun on your retirement, follow your dream,don't look back!I didn't and i'm having a ball.Good Luck Benny
Fellow Steeler,Gary

Bennie, if you are thinking that you will have trouble finding something to do after your retirement, you needn't worry. I have been "retired" for 8 years and am busier than ever. Good luck on your "Retirement".

Thurlon, I don't know if I am related or not. My Dad was from Kentucky so I guess it is possible.