The Steel Guitar Forum

Around this time every year, I get a little teary eyed missin all you guys and the comradery we enjoyed at Scottys Steel Show in St. Louis . . . just sayin !

You're correct Nick. I've met a lot of fine folks in St Louis over the many years that I attended the convention. I will always consider them friends!

Scotty introduced me to Speedy West at the hotel check-in desk... I listened in amazement at how great all of the players were: heard Larry Sasser say he was going into get a good seat for Buddy's set and "get a lesson". Hal Rugg, Herby Wallace, Doug Jernigan (who just gets better with age), Bruce Bouton, John Hughey, Jimmie Crawford, Russ Hicks...

Paul Franklin took time to answer my teenage questions instead of brushing me off so he could change strings before his set.

From 15 to 18 years old, it was a yearly pilgrimage for my Dad and I, to listen, learn, enjoy, measure myself, find the guts to try and get better instead of giving up. It was the best event, with the best collection of players, and I'm sure glad it was a part of my musical education and memories.

I'm with you Nick. I miss it.

David Spires

Nick,

Sent you a pm

Count me in on those thoughts. Golden Age for me anyhow.feel lucky to have attended twice.

Yep me too,
For 40 years, I would have spent days checking out and packing recording equipment, only to get up at 2 am TODAY and begin the journey to St Louis.

I made so many friends there, that I could never even begin to count how many.
Fortunately I have remained friends with so many thanks to the Forum and Facebook.

I thank all of you that took the time to come by the sound booth and talk to me and my crew. It was surely the best era to be alive.

Bill

I feel very lucky to have experienced St. Louis a few times. I can still remember how smoky that big old ballroom got! heard some of the greatest music of my life and got to meet and rub elbows with most of my steel guitar heroes: Emmons, Mooney, Rugg, Brumley, Hughey, Maness, Crawford and so many more... and they were all as kind as could be. I only wish I'd taken more photos

always figured we'd have the ISGC but that's not the case. Dallas has taken the mantle as the annual place to be for all things steel guitar and I'm going to try and get there more often. as of now, I've only been once.

here's hoping things normalize soon and we'll have more shows to attend in the near future, be they international conventions or local jams.


much gratitude goes to you Bill Ferguson for all the audio and video you were able to capture for the rest of us to enjoy. it may be the end of an era, but it lives on thanks to you sir

I use to go EVERY year for gawd I dont know how many, that was the highlight if my life for sure ! Glad I wasnt married back then because it sure wouldnt have lasted very long! I would always come back home with a new Steel or amp or gadget that i didnt need, heh heh ... I still have some of those the neat things, and guess I will till I’m gone, too bad my Emmons cant tell stories.. peoples ears would be bleeding, I know mine are ringing heh heh..

Don't I agree. I lived for this show. Every year for 28 or so conventions. And because of this great show I found out about the other shows in Knoxville, Texas, Hot Springs Arkansas, and Baxter Springs Kansas and others. I spent my vacation days at all of them. God bless my sweet wife for the endurance of my habits. None topped the ISGC at Scottys, but I loved them all. Can't wait to get back to another show asap. Thanks to Bill Ferguson for keeping our memories alive.

I lived across the state in Kansas City. From 1978 to 1996 I was at every one. Moved to Florida in 96 and was every other year for a while.

Not sure when the last one I attended. We would combine visiting our son and daughter in KC and then stop at the ISGC on the way back to Florida.

Got to do some jamming in the Fulawka room one year.

It was a hell of a haul for me every year, about 1600 miles each way, wow. that little van loaded down to the hilt.
But I sure do miss it, especially the years I got to play on the show.
Those were special years for me, first rep. for Bob Rains, then Rep. for Kyle Bennett and MSA.
Then Rep. for myself and Justice Steel Guitars.
I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.
aren't memories a wonderful gift God gave us all.

I never got to go. Does anyone have a few photos that they could post? I would sure enjoy seeing them. Thank you.

Mitch

Mitch, check out Bill Ferguson’s YouTube videos. Better than pictures, they’re the actual shows. I was fortunate enough to be behind the camera for some of them.

Thanks Roger!

Mitch, Here's a link to the photos I posted on the Forum in 2013, the year I was asked to be the staff photographer for the ISGC in St. Louis.
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... highlight=

I hope these work for you. Cheers, Jim H.

Here is the front of the flyer from 98, that they used to mail out every year.

Very good memories of St.Louie

Thanks, Scott, for highlighting the website address for me - I don't know how my attempt didn't work!! Best wishes, Jim

What ever happened to the Hall of Fame plaques that were mounted on the wall downstairs? Anyone know?....JH in Va.

Last I saw posted about the Plaques, they were in a basement collecting dust.

I suggested they be shown in the Musician's Hall of Fame in Nashville. That suggestion went nowhere.

Labor Day Weekend is not the same without Scotty's Convention. I started going in l975 and got to hear many of the greats. I miss the musicians and friends from those Convention days. Here's a photo by Dr. Wayne Yakes from around 2001. Fond memories.
Chuck

Forum members at ISGC. Not sure of year, but I think 2001.

I'm in the front row middle in black shirt. Don Sulesky is next to me, to my right (left in picture).

I too am missing St. Louis. Went many, many years. Shook hands with all my Hero's. Met a lot of others that at the time had never heard of. What some great memories and as others have said did not take near enough pictures. But thanks to Bill and Jim we have a lot to look at. I was their the first and second year that Sara was their. What a Memorable time. Have seen her many other times as well and at Dallas. What a performer, all ways. And as fine a picker as you will ever hear. I guess you can tell I like her! J.R.

In the ISGC photo Jack posted

That’s me ... front row, 2nd from the left