The Steel Guitar Forum

My office through September 5.

Very cool, Steve. I've got a short run of Always...Patsy later in August. What kind of amp is that?

Roland Cube 80

My 'go to' amp for many years!

That gauze 'drop' looks very familiar!

What are y'all sitting behind? Is that the 21st century version of chicken wire?

The Amarillo Little Theatre production in OKC (later in Woodward, OK) had the background vocalists behind the screen with the band in full view.

Kenny Davis wrote:The Amarillo Little Theatre production in OKC (later in Woodward, OK) had the background vocalists behind the screen with the band in full view.

I think chicken wire would be more period correct. Just sayin'...

I'm starting a two-week run (8 shows, I think) of "Always..." on Thursday in Fredericksburg TX. The fifth run of this show I've done since 1995. I don't know if "A...PC" has kept steel players longer than "Whorehouse," but it's gotta be close.

'...Whorehouse...' dates back to the late '70s whereas 'A..PC' first surfaced in the '90s, I believe.

Sadly (in my view), the older show doesn't get mounted very often these days; it's become dated with the salty language that's a part of the script. Not every community theater group is comfortable putting 'BLWiT' on, while '...Patsy' seems to soldier on for ever.

I did my first APC in '98 and I've done about thirty-six productions of it since then. As for 'Whorehouse...', however, I did it in London's West End in 1981 (with the Broadway 'leads') and on just two other occasions since (here in the US, one was a lengthy tour). I'd love another crack at it. I think it has some fine songs in the score and it's tons of fun to play!

Roger Rettig wrote:'...Whorehouse...' dates back to the late '70s whereas 'A..PC' first surfaced in the '90s, I believe.

Sadly (in my view), the older show doesn't get mounted very often these days; it's become dated with the salty language that's a part of the script. Not every community theater group is comfortable putting 'BLWiT' on, while '...Patsy' seems to soldier on for ever.

Another comparison that could be made is this: the production of BLWiT is hugely more complex and expensive, dealing with lots of actors/dancers and musicians, set construction, choreography, original music, etc.,

In contrast, APC is rudimentary in its book, and simple in staging and presentation. Likewise is another show of the genre many of us have done, "Hank Williams: Lost Highway."

Easier and cheaper is what the marketplace is always looking for.

That's a good point, Herb. BLWiT has a large cast and, of course, costs more to mount. APC, on the other hand, while it's hardly 'Chekhov', is an easy-to-stage standby in a theater's season and decent profits are usually to be had.

Having said that, I've had conversations with several artistic managers at the venues I've worked at who unequivocally stated that '..Whorehouse...' might 'raise a few eyebrows' with their usual demographic. I can see that the premise of the play, and it's dialog, would be an issue.

APC 'creaks' a bit for me but the songs see it through. It depends upon a convincing 'Patsy' and a boisterous and talented 'Louise'; anything less makes for a long night on the bandstand.

Has anyone done Always Patsy Cline with a non-pedal instrument?

Yes, Jack. I saw Jackie Petroccia at the Flat Rock Playhouse in NC. The steel was non-pedal.

I just finished the APC show here in Rolla. We did 10 shows. It was packed every show. I had no idea it was this popular.

Bodacious Bobcats at KPAC, Kirkwood, MO, Always... Patsy Cline.

I was talking with the music director/band leader of my most recent APC (Fredericksburg TX, thru Aug 22) and he was saying that this play had to be the "gift that keeps on giving" for Ted Swindley. I mentioned this thread to him and he said there could be several dozen productions of APC going on right now somewhere in the USA.

One of the perks doing APC, I get to hang with pretty young things. Diana DeGarmo as Patsy with some old guy.

Steve you don't look so bad for an old guy, just like fine whiskey! Enjoy the shows!