The Steel Guitar Forum

It's time to start announcing this year's show to be moved to the Black Diamond Harley Davidson Show Building in Marion, Il. This year's show will be two days only. (Oct 9th & 10th). Several great players & singers are already confirmed including Doug Jernigan, Ron Elliott, Perley Curtis, Lynn Owsley, Eddie Dunlap and Amber Martin. Also confirmed is world known songwriter/singer David Chamberlain to do a show. More players are expected to confirm soon. We expect to have as many as four International Hall Of Fame Members in Marion this year.
The ticket price will be held down again to $25 per day or $45 for a 2-day pass. Vendor booths are $110 which includes up to two 2-day passes.
Marion is a booming little city with several new motels and hotels within walking distance from the venue. I will post names and numbers soon. I will also send a donation to the forum for allowing this announcement post. Thanks to all....Bobby 615 419 9642

Bobby, Thanks for the post. Making plans now to attend.

This is the show you don't want to miss. Bobby always has a
FANTASTIC show. This will be the one you don't want to miss.
Mark in on your calendar and leave yourself a nice big note
so you won't possibly forget about it. Hope to see you there.
Carl "Lucky" Kilmer

I've always supported Bobby's show and will continue to do so. Bobby's one of the good guys, and the people and pro's that comes to his shows is a testament of that. If it wasn't so far and the economy wasn't so bad I would be there. Have a great show Bobby.

Hotels .com should have names & numbers of lodging in the immediate area of the Marion, Il venue for Oct 9th & 10th. There several within walking distance and more within a mile or so.
I have added the great Joe Wright to this year's schedule. He will join Ron Elliott, Lynn Owsley, Perley Curtis, Eddie Dunlap and many more. Also featured this year will be Davis Chamberlain ( writer of many # 1 country hits), Amber Martin (in my opinion the Best Female Singer Ever) and a very special guest to perform on Saturday afternoon.
Please come and support pedal steel guitar. Tickets are $25 per day or $45 for two day pass. VENDOR BOOTH ARE $110.00 INCLUDING SHOW PASS.
tHANKS AGAIN.....bOBBY 615 419 9642

Looking forward to this year's show. I sure had a blast last year.

I sure plan on being there always a good time with my Steel friends.

Only 4 weeks away! Looking forward to another great show.

Black Diamond Harley-Davidson Marion, IL.
Directions from Benton
Marion is about 19 miles south of Benton, IL
Get on I-57 S in Benton
3 min (1.2 mi)
Follow I-57 S to Morgan Ave in Marion. It's exit 54B from I-57 S
16 min (17.5 mi)
Continue on Morgan Ave. Drive to Black Diamond Dr
2 min (0.6 mi)
2400 Williamson County Pkwy

HOTELS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
I know nothing about these hotels or their prices.
Comfort Inn, Marion IL - (618) 993-0183
Fairfield Inn & Suites, Marion IL - (618) 993-3011
Country Inn & Suites, Marion IL - (618) 997-2444
Holiday Inn Express, Marion IL - (618) 993-5602

Thanks Carl for posting that info. The rates on the hotels range from $53 to $89 per night. The Comfort Inn is next door to the venue however I think it is sold out but one might check and see. Someone might cancel.
I have added the great Joe Wright to the show so don't miss it. David Chamberlain is a great singer and writer with such hits as "What's Going On In Your World, Am I Blue, Have I Got Some Blues, Without You What Do I Do With Me" and dozens of other major hits to his credit. Come and see him along with Jacob Lydia who is also a great singer and writer with cuts on Blake Shelton and others. Thanks again and see you in Marion....Bobby

Just a couple of weeks away. I'm busy trying to get things all together. I'm hoping many of you steelers and Country Music Fans will support this show and all the others around the country. We can't let this great tradition die on the vine.
See you in Marion...Thanks...Bobby

This great show starts 2 weeks from today. Make plans now and book your room.
Last chance to enjoy a really fantastic steel guitar show in this area this year.
Bobby spends a lot of time and money to produce this show every year. Let's do
our best to support it and be able to enjoy it every year. Hope to see you all there.
Carl "Lucky" Kilmer

Thanks Carl. I just added the great Dirk Johnson on piano to the staff band which also consists of Gregg Galbraith on guitar, Rick Boyer on Bass and Jim Heartly on drums. Dirk is a very well known session player and producer in Nashville and most will know him from his staff band piano work on the TV series "Country's Family Reunion" on RFD.
Thank you all in advance for supporting our show and the great art of steel guitar....Bobby

Hey Friends, you don't need to be missing this great show, Bobby really knows how to put it all together. I first went to this show a few years ago to play drums with Mike Johnson, and since becoming part of the staff band, it is now one of my "look forward to" events. By the way, great addition Bobby, Dirk is one of the very best players in Nashville, one of my very favorites.

See ya there.

Schedule for Oct 9th & 10th, 2015

Friday Oct 9th

10:00 AM Sound check w/Bobby Reed
10:30 Lyle Clary
11:10 Carl Kilmer w/Mary Lou Reed
11:40 George King

12:20 Lunch Break

1:00 PM Variety Show
2:20 Larry Dolan
3:00 Dave Bolin
3:40 Jerry Fessenden
4:20 Rodney Crisp
5:00 Perley Curtis

5:45 Dinner Break

6:30 David Chamberlain & Jacob Lyda
7:15 Ron Elliott
8:00 Amber Martin & Rodney Crisp
8:45 Joe Wright
9:30 Lynn Owsley
10:00 Eddie Dunlap

Saturday Oct 10th

10:00 AM Carl Kilmer & Lyle Clary
10:35 Bobby Reed
11:10 Dave Bolin
11:45 Jerry Fessenden

12:20 PM Lunch Break

1:15 Barry & Annette Wheeler
2:00 Tom Campbell & Friends
3:00 Ron Elliott
3:45 Rodney Crisp
4:30 David Chamberlain
5:15 Mason Ramsey w/Lee Brothers & Jack Martin

6:00 Dinner Break

7:00 Perley Curtis
7:45 Joe Wright
8:30 Amber Martin
9:15 Lynn Owsley
10:00 Eddie Dunlap

sadly i will miss this show.have gigs up in wisconsin
have agreat show bobby ....

paul wade

Looking forward to seeing my old friends.

So Excited about the Stars & Steel Guitar Show this year. Our First time in The Harley Davidson Building, In Marion IL. what a very nice venue!! I've been working with Bobby on this Show for about 13 years, I never get tired of it, Surrounded for 2 days by the best Steel Guitar Music ever, not to mention the beautiful Vocals from So Many Talented People. Every year I find myself looking forward to someone I've met at a previous show and look forward to meeting new artist to our show. I will be around doing all I can to make this the best show ever! Selling 50/50 tickets and MC' ing a little as well as making sure Our artist who traveled a ways to get here are comfortable and all their needs are met, Looking forward to seeing everyone,So if you find yourself in need of something just shout out to Jeanita "Mosquita" I'll do whatever I can to help you. Jeanita Spillman, Staff

Thanks Jeanita and all of you guys who posted. In case some like to travel by air, there's a full function airport a couple of miles away. If you fly in give me or Jeanita notice in advance and someone from our staff will pick you up and bring you to the venue. Thanks again...Bobby 615 419 9642

It's gonna be a good one . . . . lookin forward to it!

The "Stars & Steel Guitars Show" will begin tomorrow moring at 10.
Looking forward to seeing all my friends there and meeting many more.
Carl "Lucky" Kilmer

Tomorrow's the day Lucky.

bobby,
hope the show was a success. wish i could of been there. next time for sure.

best to you

Paul wade