The Steel Guitar Forum

It has been two years since I started posting
on this Forum,,it feels like yesterday, and you know what a lousy day yesterday was .

Ooops,,,,only kidding,,,dont get yer backs up.

I have read many posts,,some interesting,,,,,
some long and boring like mine. But it always
fascinated me to read some of the comments from people who refer to themselves as "old timers" with little to offer these days with
all the fine players of today.

It made me want to look further into what these people were all about.

They refer to themselves as "old fashioned" and bedroom players,,,casting little or no importance to themselves.

Most all of the time...their comments went un-noticed,,,like "who cares"...I refer to that as self absorbed inconsiderate people.

Hey who wants to hear about you..you old bedroom player??? that is basically what it tells me,to see these people go un-noticed in this community,,,its about themselves and not the other person.

Well my friends,,,,thats not me,,,I have taken the time and spent a number of e mails
asking for tapes of these "so called" old timers as they attach little or no importance to themselves.

They enjoy participating but seldom has anyone really taken notice...I HAVE....

ROOTS,,,,we forget or forgot our ROOTS....thats a real problem here.

There are at least a few of these unselfish
old timers who could play like hell,,I have
been stubborn enough to keep after a few to send me a tape of their playing.

Who am I?? Im not a critic,,I just like to see just what they refer to as "old guys" who now play in the bedroom.

Well I started playing in the bedroom years ago,,,and to this day I still do on occasion
sometimes I switch to the bathroom where the
acoustics are better.

I heard a fellow Forumite play his old fashioned (as he calls it) way of playing.
YEAH RIGHT,,,,,,he played his a$$ off,,his name????? RAY MONTEE...with his quad Bigsby.

Then another old fashioned (as he called himself) player and Forumite,,who sent me a tape after my begging for it,,,he plays his a$$
off,,,here we have two people with out A$$'es
and that is a problem.

Then still another,,,who posted of his past and many times overlooked,,,,like "well who gives a damm.....well I DID...he sent me a tape after much asking and e mailing back and forth....he plays GREAT and like the others mentioned about also has played his A$$ off,,,now we have a group of people without A$$"es and that presents an even bigger problem....who wants to walk around without an a$$??? well they do,,obviously as
they have played their A$$'es off for years.

Today I am happy to announce that I have found
still another member of the "NO A$$ CLUB...

I received a tape of what I feel is the roots
of the instrument that first attracted me years ago,,no not western music,,not so called "hillbilly music" but much more beautiful music.....Hawaiian Music,,that is what called my attention to this instrument we now know as the Hawaiian Guitar,,,the NON
pedal guitar,,and the infamous Pedal guitar.

Sure the steel has advanced and the players of today are great,,but we must not forget our ROOTS,,,,those who made the steel guitar what it is today,,,you know how they are,,,look up your history books...

George Keoki Lake,,a man with a fantastic sense of humor who brightens every day for me
with his "daily "e mail" and helps keep me smiling,,he sent me a tape and apologized and wrote...Its not good Jody...he was right..it was not good,,,,IT was GREAT.

His authentic style and Hawaiian touch made my ears stand out,,,his vibrato,,,his tasty fills,,,,his overall playing ability with a fine Hawaiian group,,,it made me think
of what attracted me to the Hawaiian guitar years ago.

His playing is excellent,,,he plays where he should and knows when to lay out,,unlike many players of today,,,,,this was NOT a Steel Guitar solo with "Vocal Backup" he played where he should and did the JOB.

Why should I post this????????? who gives a damm??,,,well I DO...I have been critisized many times on this Forum,,,,but I dont care..whats another one mean to me...Frankly
it means NOTHING..I dont really care......

After reading the topics of the past weeks regarding controversy and arrogance,,,and add
hard feelings to that scenario,,,it is things
like this that interest me..not KNOCKING SOMEONE,,,are we the JURY??? Who is the JUDGE?? No not again,,I cant stand anymore
bickering,,,,my reason for this was to acknowledge those people who have offered their friendship to me and their prayers,,these are the people I care about..
not the Haters,,,if I need that,,,I can tune
the radio into "hate radio" and listen to the "hate mongers"...I dont need that here.

The names of the "old timers" who say little
or nothing of their playing ability.........

Ray Montee
Paul Graupp
Gene Jones
George Keoki Lake

This is "Old Time Religion" to my ears,,,and you can give me the "OLD TIME RELIGION" any
day anytime...It was good for my momma a poppa and its surely good enough for me.

If any of you "bedroom players" who think little or nothing of yourselves..send me a tape,,Im not a critic,,,but I beleive we all started somewhere,,,hobby or no hobby,,this is the instrument we all care about,,so who cares what others think..Its the enjoyment
that you derive from your instrument...thats
all that matters...

How many times have you heard me say........
I'm finished with this Forum?? 3 times??? 4 times?? well,,after this past few weeks,,Im
tired of the bickering and the name calling while bOb Lee has to be the teacher in the "kindergarden" my 7 year old grandaughter
has more common sense that many who complain
and moan and groan on this Forum.

Im tired of that...give me the Bill Staffords
one of the great pedal players who still keeps the roots alive with his magnifcent playing,,,,add Tom Morell to that recipe & I'll eat it up...

This my good friends is THE END....and remember my words.

YOU DONT STOP PLAYING BECAUSE YOU GET OLD

YOU GET OLD BECAUSE YOU STOP PLAYING.

Thats the end of my long career here on the
FORUM,,,many thanks to all of you who have had the patience to endure what may have been a painful expierience,,

GO BACK TO YOUR ROOTS and get that

OLD TIME RELIGION,,,,ITS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME & ITS SURE AS HELL GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU......

Im glad thats over with too... Im one less
ya'll have to put up with...let me hear that
drum roll,,,,HURRAH HE'S GONE.....Hi Yo Jody,,,awaaaaaaay,,,who's that masked man??? ask's Tonto goodbye.

Keep your eyes on the TODAY SHOW,,,ya never know when or where,,,,but it WILL HAPPEN..you can bet your A$$..and then some.

Edited to find my a$$...I misplaced it.damm.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 25 June 2002 at 08:35 PM.]</p></FONT>

Thank you my friend!
www.genejones.com

You are always such a very thoughtful guy and I appreciate your kind comments regarding my pathetic "talent"...coming from you was a tremendous boost to my otherwise fragile ego...(especially after the total misunderstanding in another thread). God Bless you both Jody and Marilyn.

I know I'm several years younger than all of you; but I find it interesting that every "old timer" I've ever heard play just facinated me with their sound. Of course I'm very prejudiced:

I consider myself the Will Rogers of steel guitar. I can say that I've never met a steeler I didn't like.

Wiley Post didn't play steel guitar.

Rick

Jody,

I was born while Nixon was in office, so I don't fall into the "old timers" category; but it is the old timers who I look up to for their wisdom which can only come from years of playing. The tips, advice, stories, and humor that you, Ray, Paul, Gene, Keoki, Bill, and others share to the younger generations are the invaluable seeds that will keep us growing and loving steel guitar. You are the steel guitar heros! So please keep sharing...what may even seem to be the smallest piece of advice, can have a major postive impact on someone's playing. Some may not always heed the advice, but the words never fall upon "deaf ears"...someone heard it....and it did make a difference!

I've never met a more friendly, good-hearted bunch of guys (and gals) ready and willing to help a novice player anyway they can. It's been said that our instrument is one that you never stop learning...but IMHO, without all of you "old timers," the learning wouldn't be very fun.


We will miss you, Jody...But please don't be a stranger...you're more than welcome to drop in anytime!


Aloha,

Jeff

All to generous JODY..........

Many thanx for your most kind comments. I'm not sure I deserve to be included with such a fine group of established musicians....but I enjoy seeing my name there. THANK YOU.

What do we have to do to retain these kind, giving, sharing and concerned fellow Forumites? Far too many have faded away into the shadows and BIG NAME PICKERS too?

Is there a message there? I wonder????

Perhaps it's time some of us re-evaluate our posts. Are they worthwhile? Do they educate? Do they entertain?

Or......are we guilty of name calling, criticism and the like?

re: Old Time Religion

If you want to see, hear and learn the entire history of the steel guitar I would suggest you attend either the Aloha International or the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association conventions (dates below).

Although these conventions are primarily Hawaiian steel oriented you will in the course of the three day conventions most likely hear acoustic Hawaiian, electric Hawaiian, Country, Western Swing, bluegrass, pedal steel, popular standards etc. all
played on a variety of steel guitars.

The participants/performers are friendly, open and willing to share tips, playing techniques, tunings, etc. with whoever shows interest.


Aloha International Steel Guitar Convention
July 11-13, 2002 - Winchester, Indiana

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association Convention (stateside)
October 3-5, 2002 - Joliet, Illinois - Holiday Inn Express

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association Convention (Honolulu)
May, 2003 - Honolulu/Waikiki

------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 26 June 2002 at 01:16 PM.]</p></FONT>

Jody: From the bottom of my heart, The One Rose sincerely thanks you for all you do for Steel Guitar. May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You and Yours in the Palm of His Hand !!

Warmest Regards, Paul

Paul
You are a "PRINCE" of a man,,I will never forget the story of how your mom would place cups of custard on the back fence on a cold winters day,,and how you kids would come home
to get the custard treat covered with snow that had fallen upon the custard. That is something I will never forget. I have to try to tell this story as told to me by Paul,,
When Paul was a youngster he and his family lived in rural Pennsylvania.

It is obvious they were a poor family according to Paul,,they had no refrigerator and Paul goes on to tell of this event that was a ritual in his growing up.

His story as told to me,was mom would make custard for the children,,but to cool the freshly made custard would place the cups containing the custard on the fence outside
the house.

He goes on to tell how excited he and his brothers and sisters were to hurry home and walk the old dirt road to his house where in hopes the "goodies" would be waiting.

Imagine this if you close your eyes,,,a dirt
road many years ago,,,children dressed in warm clothes and more than likely "knickers" for the boys,,"can you see Paul in knickers?"

The excitement waiting for them as they got closer and closer to home when all at once..there was the custard jars lined up on the fence,,covered with new fallen snow,,this
was an extra special treat for Paul and his
family,,,but more so a treat for me as well..
I would have given anything to have been with
Paul that day so many years ago.

I dont know about you,,but this story tells what a man Paul is,,he shares these things with me,,he knows how to get into my heart.

What many are not aware of is that Paul & I
have never met,,we both worked for Fender Musical Instruments,,Paul wrote the publication "FRETTS" while I was a Fender Salesman.

I had heard about Paul from Fender co-workers
at the Fender Office in Santa Ana, California
we were near,,yet so far,,as we have never met. Pauls contribution to Fender with his
Fretts publication was something that made Fender something special. It was at a time
when money was not the main objective as it is today. Paul gave Fender a sense of human interest with his publications of Fretts.

Fender was a much smaller and intimate family
back then and all of us salesman knew the impact Fretts had upon our Fender dealers and
customers alike.

Somehow I always liked that man, even though we never met,,,Don Randall,,Jim Williams who
co-ordinated Fretts with Paul had a high regard for him. How was I to know that all these years later over this Forum would once again come to find each other.

Sure I have my problems seeing what goes on here on this Forum,,but whatever I feel as to my non participating any longer,,at least
I can give the Forum a "Thank You" for giving me the opportunity to for once and for all to know this wonderful human being.

If I had one wish,,it would be to spend a week or so with Paul and Gene Jones who is another sweetheart of a guy,,and Ray Montee and George Keoki,,,,that would really make a dream come true,,imagine the stories we could tell,,,these are FINE people,,,they will never be replaced in my heart,,so you see,,,,the Forum has been good to me after all,,,its just that it has become overly controversial and much anger towards others,such as the Reece,Bradshaw conflict..
This is NOT a court of law,,we have NO RIGHT
to pass judgement pro or con..those who were
invloved should have done this in a professional manner and not "air the issues
here for the world to see.

Who ever is right,,and whoever is in the wrong should be decided by someone higher than us,,,we (again) are NOT the JURY,,nor are we to JUDGE as to who is guilty or not guilty,,,I have no comments as I was not invloved,,,I would rather think of this Forum as I have stated before,,,a place for friends,,,not a place to show hate and arrogance,,,thats not for me,,I would and will remember it as a place I met the fine people I mentioned above.

The sermon is over,,I, proud to have been what I have been and where I have been over the years,,,those people Paul,,Gene,Ray,Keoki
are every bit as important to me in my later
years than anyone in my life and that includes Leo Fender,,,Don Randall and all those who lives have touched mine.

Remember,,,I'm not leaving with a bitterness
in my heart,,but Iam disappointed that we could not have shared a closer and more friendly relationship with each other.

Hey,,,I tried my best,,I couldnt satisfy everyone,,but those I did will be in my heart
and prayers for as long as I live. I had to edit this to tell Paul's story as I remember
it,,and if it dont touch your heart as it did
mine,,,well then I just dont know. I wished
I was on that dirt road with Paul,,many years
ago,,and YES Paul,,,I love Custard,,if a man can express himself to another man without fear of being accused of something that may be misconstrued,,(spell??)correct?

Well,,,,I have to admit,,,I love those guys.

If anyone deserves the best that life has to offer,,it is you, you are the BEST in my book.

You have company in that select group,,along with George,,Gene,,Ray,,and others who I admire both a musicians and as people.

I have known many fine musicians who fell short of being "real people" I dont judge a person as as to how well he or she plays,,but
the person within is whats most important to me..So Im a corn ball,,,so what...and yes I did take the "bait" and come back for this one more little story regarding your mom and your brothers and sisters on the farm many years ago..

It was worth it,,,,,be well my friends and I'll be in touch via e mail,,,,they cant take that away from me..who sang that?? Sinatra I think??

God Be With all of you as he is with myself and Marilyn..... so what,,Im a corn ball,,,so was Lawrence Welk,,,look at his success story.
thanks to you all,,,appreciate and I held on to every word I read.

You are truly the "cream of the crop" here.

CUSTARD INCLUDED W/ CREAM <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 26 June 2002 at 09:51 PM.]</p></FONT>

Jody, my eyes are all misty from reading your thread (above). You say we are all your "cream", and I am happy to be included amongst those you named even if lately some may think of me as being the sour cream !(ha) Seriously, were it not for b0b's Forum, I would never have "met" you or even had heard of you. It was your interesting, (and yes, very lenghtly) threads which brought me to the decision, "Hey, I've got to meet this guy, if only via e-mail". Best decision I could ever make. Our friendship has grown, we have laughed together and you have shared your current personal situation with me...now, that's friendship! Whether or not your departure from this Forum is to be permanent remains to be seen. I do hope it isn't....I'm sure b0b will always keep the door open for you. I share your thoughts about the Forum being a place where steel guitar friends should meet to discuss intelligent issues instead of bickering and critisizing one another. I fear if this hurtful attitude is allowed to prevail, more "jody carvers" will be soon be dropping away. Finally, I hope you will reconsider your decision re the Forum. A person such as yourself, with such a wealth of information, tips and history to share with the younger generation along with olde pharts like 'yours truly' is a treasure to the world of the steel guitar. We need you. God Bless you pal...you're the BEST!

.........

Jody, Thank you for letting me know you. I too love Custard.....al

Thank you all,,,Al,you are a pro as I have said before. I have been told that 80% of the
people who particpate in the Forum are not regarded as pro's,,,

I know there are many out there who are reluctant to posting,,since they feel uncomfortable and have little to offer,,so they sit back and watch. I know this for a fact, as I have received e mails telling me how they feel.

Its a sad day when people cannot feel comfortable particpating here,,,this is for everyone. The other thing is the question often asked,,,,,,"Why is it that the Pro's dont post on the Forum"?? well I cant answer for them,,but so far as pro's on the Forum,those of you who have replied to this thread are everymuch as big a pro than any of the well known's,,,I dont judge a person on how well he plays,,I judge the person on what he is and not "who he is".

My last complaint is simple,,,,I see threads
started where a post will come up,,and then another post directing an answer or comment regarding the issue,,then another post will come up,someone trying to particpate in the subject thread,,,,he is often ignored like "who's this?? I think that is not only rude,,but it shows a lack of CONSIDERATION...

I have seen many threads posted and the number of replies are "O",,,I often try to "break the ice" by simply acknowledging the person. This really gets to me.

There are many people who shy away from this Forum for reasons like I mentioned,,sure they
may be "lurkers" but some are somewhat feeling they have little or nothing to offer.

If we consider ourselves pro's,,,why dont we
encourage those who are afraid to post something??,,,were we all born with a steel guitar in our hands??

This is a main "gripe" I have about this Forum,,Im sounding off because I feel its time,,I have nothing to gain or lose,,,my philosophy is show some old fashioned

C-O-N-S-I-D-E-R-A-T-I-O-N to others,,,or have we lost that???simple is it not?

I have a good friend who has brought much fun and clean humor to this Forum,,and he is also one of my favorites,,in fact,,I dont know what I would do without him............
Howard Rienleib..a friend that you would find
it difficult to replace, I love that guy as much as I love "Custard".

These are only a few of the reasons I have decided to pack up my troubles in my old kit bag and smile,smile,smile.

I recently saw something re-Carter guitars and Bobbe,,,that made me feel awful....this
is NO PLACE for that,,,and I REFUSE to be a part of it,,if thats what the future holds for this Forum,,,,sorry bOb,,,thats the bottom line my friend. It hurts but its true.

Take care of yourselves,,and I dont HIDE my e mail from anyone...I have nothing to hide.
If any of you ever wish to email me you can do so,,,Thanks again,,,,,you are all Pro's in my book.

e mail....hotclub@ptd.net The first 5 people
who e mail me gets a "free Paul Graupp" Custard,,,,with "pecans" on top. No returns accepted,,,,and dont return the empty cups
for a refund Goodbye to all of you.......

Jody edited for CONSIDERATION...<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 28 June 2002 at 01:15 PM.]</p></FONT>

Well said; I happen to be one of those old timers, I learned to play a Hawiian steel guitar as a teenager, played all through WW2. Kinda got away from it when I came home, I think we were all a little crazy for awhile, til we got settled in and comfortable with our selves.
It me a long time to get back into playing, I tried A regular guitar for awhile, then a Mandolin, Fiddle, Banjo,.Nothing suited me, so I started looking for a steel guitar. The music store people looked at me .each other, didn`t know what I was talking about, then I said Dobro, they said we dont sell them. I had to order one,sight unseen. Long story then I found a Benoit, I play at home, bluegrass meets etc. Having time of my life

Thanks for the kind words

jonesgtrmn

BEING NEW TO THIS FORUM,,I LOOK AT POSTS MADE IN THE PAST,THIS IS ANOTHER NICE POST
COMPLIMENTING FORUM MEMBERS. I HAVE COPIES
OF YOUR PLAYING MADE FOR ME BY A FRIEND OF ALL OF YOU AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW,I THINK ALL OF YOU PLAY GREAT..IM A TROMBONE PLAYER
BUT MY HEART IS TUNED INTO STEEL GUITAR.

GREAT STEEL GUITAR AND YOU DO IT JUSTICE,,ALL
OF YOU MENTIONED HERE.

THANK YOU
GREG SULLIVAN HAPPY NEW YEAR
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Greg Sullivan on 13 January 2003 at 01:12 PM.]</p></FONT>

Jody, don't forget about the folks you met here that appreciate your humor, your knowledge and wisdom, and your kind, funny, sardonic, and outrageous words.

I am one of them, and I count myself lucky to have met you. There are many others here who feel the same way. There are still others in the future who will only know of you as a legend. They will only get to know you second-hand, and for them I feel truly sorry.

And for those who dont appreciate you, and have the bad taste to criticize or hack on you, piss on 'em I say.

Happy trails my friend. And dont forget that life is a revolving door.
This I know for a fact, as my friggin foot gets stuck in it every once in a while...
-andy-

GENTLEMEN
I WAS NOT AWARE THAT MY REPLYING TO THIS TOPIC WOULD BRING IT FORTH FROM LAST JUNE.

I READ IT FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY AND I FELT
COMPELLED TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS. I MEANT NOT
TO CAUSE ANYONE ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE UNCOMFORTABLE.

IF I IN FACT I DID SO,PLEASE EXCUSE ME. I'M A FRIEND OF JODY'S AND WHEN HE RETURNS HOME,I'M
SURE I'M GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THIS.

IT SEEMS AS THOUGH MR.ZYNDA IS UPSET AT WHAT
I ENTERED HERE.I DID NOT INTEND TO OPEN A CAN OF WORMS.

IF I COULD WITHOUT BRINGING ANY ATTENTION TO
WHAT I ENTERED,I WOULD DELETE WHAT I WROTE.

I WAS NOT AWARE OF JODY'S FEELINGS WHEN HE WROTE WHAT HE DID.

IM NOT SUPRISED HOWEVER,HE HIDES NOTHING AND
TELLS IT THE WAY HE FEELS.I DOUBT HE HAS ANY
MALICE TOWARDS ANYONE. HE'S A REGULAR GUY WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR AND A BIG HEART.

IF A FRIEND OF JODY'S WERE IN A STREET BRAWL
THEY COULD BE OUTNUMBERED 10 TO 1 AND KNOWING
ALL TOO WELL HE COULDNT WIN,HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE HIS FRIEND. I KNOW,BECAUSE I WAS THAT
FRIEND A LONG TIME AGO.

JODY IS UNDERGOING THE CHALLENGE OF HIS LIFE
RIGHT NOW,AND I PRAY GOD GIVES HIM THE STRENGTH TO STAY WITH IT AND NOT QUIT THE FIGHT. I WANT TO ADD..JODY DONT GET UPSET WITH ME,I MEANT NOT TO START ILL FEELINGS HERE.

MY BEST TO ALL OF YOU AND JODY AND HIS WIFE INPARTICULAR. THEY HAVE THE BIGGEST BATTLE OF THEIR LIVES RIGHT NOW WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS.I ADMIRE HIM FOR HIS SENSE OF HUMOR
IN SPITE OF THE LIFE THREATENING PROBLEMS BOTH HE AND HIS WIFE FACE. HE'S ONE HECK OF A GUY. I WISHED I WERE LIKE HIM.

I THINK I NEED MORE PRACTICE ON MY TYPING.
HOW DO YOU GET THOSE LITTLE SMILING FACES???
I DONT KNOW HOW TO USE THE COMPUTER TO APPLY
THEM.

THANK YOU, AND IF I OFFENDED ANYONE IM SORRY.
NOW MY WIFE IS AFTER ME,OH BOY I REALLY STARTED SOMETHING.

Jeepers, never looked at the dates!

No problem Greg, I just get a bit Big-brother-ish about Jody.

I should have looked before I leaped.
-andy-

MR ZYNDA
I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DATE THIS WAS STARTED.
FURTHER MORE I DIDNT REALIZE IT WOULD APPEAR
AT THE PRESENT TIME. YOUR COMMENTS ARE VERY
NICE AND I KNOW JODY WOULD WELCOME WHAT YOU WROTE.

HE IS NOT WATCHING THE COMPUTER AS I HAVE E MAILED HIM AND HAD NO REPLY,WHICH IS UNUSUAL
FOR HIM. I'LL CALL HIM AND SPEAK WITH HIM &
GIVE HIM YOUR REGARDS.

I WOULD DELETE THIS IF I THOUGHT I WAS OUT OF
LINE. I WAS TOLD BY MY FRIEND TO THINK BEFORE
PLACING ANYTHING. IM NOT SORRY I STARTED THIS
AGAIN,BUT DIDNT WANT TO START WW3.

THANK YOU AGAIN

GREG SULLIVAN

Greg I see nothing that should offend anyone in what you posted. It came from the heart, I dont know Jody personally , but I have great admiration for him . I want to be his friend,even long distance.

He is in my prayers, I pray God will take care of him and his family.

R. L.

Greg -
Don't worry - nobody is upset. All the people that have posted on this thread are friends of Jody (even those of us thousands of miles away ) - and we know you are too - closer and longer than most of the rest of us.
When you talk to him, please give him and Marilyn our best wishes.
And best wishes to you and your wife too
Nick

If I'm not being too personal, and nosy, may I ask what's wrong with Jody? I've seen several references to his condition, and I'd like to know what's wrong. As I say, I'm not trying to intrude, I enjoy Jody's posts, but I was just concerned. E-mail if you don't want to post, and tell me if it's none of my business. But whatever it is, Jody's in my prayers.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. I CALLED JODY AND SPOKE TO MARILYN.JODY WAS UNABLE TO
COME TO THE PHONE.

IT SEEMS HE HAS NOT BEEN TAKING CARE OF HIMSELF WITH TREATMENTS ETC,MARILYN TOLD ME
HE IS WEAK AND TIRED. HE HAD BEEN PUTTING OFF
HIS SCHEDULED TREATMENTS SO HE COULD HELP MARILYN. THE TREATMENTS HE RECIEVES MAKES HIM
WEAK AND HE DIDNT WANT TO LEAVE HIS WIFE TO DO ANY WORK. THIS WOULD DISABLE HIM,SO HE PUT OFF THE TREATMENTS AND IT CAUGHT UP WITH HIM. THE DOCTOR CALLED AND TOLD HIM HE MUST
START TREATMENTS,HE SAID TO THE DOCTOR,,IM
BUSY,START WITHOUT ME AND I'LL CATCH UP WITH YOU LATER DOCTOR. HE'S A CRAZY KIND OF GUY.

HE WALKS HIS PUPS 4 MILES A DAY AND IN THIS BITTER COLD,ITS NO WONDER HE FEELS ILL.

I TOLD MARILYN TO SAY HELLO FROM ALL OF YOU.
HE HAS TO EAT MORE AND GET MORE REST, HE HAS LOST WEIGHT AND CANT AFFORD TO LOSE ANYMORE.

I APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND I WILL BE CAREFUL IN THE FUTURE NOT TO BRING ANYTHING FROM THE PAST BACK AGAIN. I THINK YOU HAVE A GREAT COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS ON HERE
I WISHED I PLAYED STEEL GUITAR,BUT ONE OF THESE DAYS I WILL.I PLAY TROMBONE SO IN A SENSE I CAN SLUR NOTES AND DO SOME OF THAT GREAT MUSIC YOU FELLOWS DO.

HOW DO YOU APPLY THOSE SMILING FACES??? I HAVE TRIED BUT I CANT FIND THE ANSWER.

MY BEST TO YOU.

GREG SULLIVAN

Greg -
When you are typing a post, there is a line on the left of the screen that says "Smilies Legend" - that tells you all the variations.

I've disabled the "smilies" on this post, so I can type it:
this would be a smile
this would be smile + wink
this would be big laugh

Enjoy!
Nick

You should turn off your CAPS LOCK key, Greg. It's hard to read ALL CAPS, and it might appear that you are SHOUTING.

Don't worry about it. We were all new at one time.

Brother Jody is in my prayers.