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Topic: HSGA Joliet Convention '08 |
Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 15 Oct 2008 4:20 pm |
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I've recovered enough to share some "Hi-lites" ... 
I really missed my buddy Harry Dietrich ... 
I really enjoyed meeting and hangin' out with forum member Gary Vanderlinde ... 
It was great to see Howard Ah Sol ... been too long, my friend.
My buddy Jeff Strouse made his vocal debut ... backed by Paul Kim on steel ... very impressive (as is Jeff's steel playing).
Gerald Ross' command on any stringed instrument he touches ... is beyond description.
The great vibratos of Bernice Honold, Warren Slavin, Frank Della-Penna and Ian Ufton ... were awe-inspiring to me ... 
Terry Miller's jazzy style ... would impress even the most discerning "jazz enthusiast" ...
I think my buddy Phil Bender has been possessed by Jerry Byrd ... even if he does look like an "angry Elmer Fudd" ...
Alot of folks could learn much from the dobro playing of Doug Smith ... smooth, gentle, ultra-expressive ... a true "Master of Touch and Tone" (and I don't use that phrase lightly).
Steve Cheney ... the guest artist ... WOW. He told me he usually plays (at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu) at tempos much faster than he played for most of his sets in Joliet ...  ... He was as deadly accurate as guys like Speedy West and Joaquin Murphey ... but with that definitive Hawaiian flare.
But it was Paul Kim ... that gave me goosebumps (I think they call it "chicken skin" over there ) ... his playing and singing were beyond perfection.
Thanks to Wally Pfiefer, Don Weber and the rest of the Joliet Committee ... and all the folks who participated , one way or another ...
As I said on the HSGA Forum ...
Those 4 days ... did me a world of good ... |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 15 Oct 2008 7:47 pm
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Just got back to NY myself Rick.....I got waylaid in NJ until Tues afternoon....... 
So now that I'm back.....I'll post some photos......
Terry Miller playing an impressive bass....Steve Cheney (what Rick said), Duke Ching, and Gerald Ross
The Coral Islanders with Dick Martiny and Paul Kim
Terry Miller on steel.....Ian Ufton screen left....Gerald Ross screen right
Kay Koster on "Le Petite Leetar".......and Gerald Ross on WTH expression......
more to follow....... |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 15 Oct 2008 9:45 pm
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Jeff Strouse did a very nice set, I was impressed.
Rick Aiello did a good job in the pre-luau music show too. I think we all were impressed when Ian Ufton played his little six string Fender. I noticed the it was very quiet, and with no talking in the room when he played. We just can't get him to play enough!
Dick Lloyd did a great job with excellent tone and touch on his Sierra. Great sounding guitar. |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 16 Oct 2008 5:19 am
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Re: My "what the hell?" expression in the Kay Koster picture...
The four neck National guitar Kay is playing in the picture belonged to her steel guitar teacher (when Kay was a young girl). It has four eight-string necks which are not beveled. I got dizzy just looking at the sea of strings. It has four pairs of volume and tone controls. And it has four output jacks on it which are downright dangerous looking.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 16 Oct 2008 6:16 am
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| Yes......Paul Warnick posted some very interesting and informative threads tracing his discovery & investigation of Letetia Kandle and her "Grand Leetar".....as did Carl Dixon who was also a student of hers.........rare steel guitar history well documented....... |
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Wally Pfeifer
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 16 Oct 2008 2:59 pm Joliet HSGA Convention accolades
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As long as the accolades are being passed around,- I would like to look at them from a different angle.
SOooooooo------
Thanks and Mahalo to:
Millie Tipka for selling Raffle tickets and running the Raffle.
Art & Mae Lang for Program Scheduling.
Frank Miller for Decorating.
Donna Miller for Decorating and working the Registration Desk.
Peg Pfeifer for Decorating and running the Registration Desk.
Andy & Elaine Barlo for being the Lei Greeters.
Fred Campeau & Paul Watkins for the Fantastic Sound.
Don Weber for Co-ordinating and being the Chairman of the Joliet HSGA Convention. MCing for 3 days. Nice job, Don. The Committee is already working on next year's Convention.
Kamaka Tom for the Duties in Hawaii relative to the Joliet Convention.
Cord Int'l, Cumquat Records, Dancing Cat Records, Hula Records & Mt. Apple Records for their very generous donations of CDs.
Duke Ching, Cookie Isaacs, Kaleo Byrd, Donna Miller, Peg Pfeifer & Millie Tipka for Donating Raffle Prizes.
John Hatton & Terry Miller for their generous Cash Donations.
And, last but by far,--not the least,--all the attendees and players. Everyone was great.
Mahalo everyone,
Wally Pfeifer
P.S. I would personally like to thank Paul Kim for singing and dedicating "E Kuu Morning Dew" to Peg & I.
Also, Kay Das for playing "Nightime in Tahiti" for Peg and myself.
Mahalo, guys. Beautiful ! |
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Wally Pfeifer
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 4:33 am Joliet Convention
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I knew I would forget one very important person at the Joliet Convention and at all HSGA Conventions.
Mahalo to Paul Weaver who does all the video recording and still photography at every HSGA Convention wherever it might be.
Thanks a lot my good friend.
Wally Pfeifer |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 4:44 am
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Sounds like a lot of fun!
I wish I could have been able to attend this year. |
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 7:17 am
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And I would like to add Wally Pfeifer to that list of accolades, for all he does to make the convention so fun each year!!
He also provides a lot of great music in the vending area, with proceeds going to the club...I picked up some great CDs this year.
Thanks for the nice comments, Bill! It's always great to see you and Mary.
Each Joliet convention is special to me in it's own way. Not only is the music great, but the people there make it extra special...I couldn't even attempt to name them all, but they are the smiling faces that greet you every year...it's like family reunion.
I found the story of Letritia Kandle and the Letars fascinating.
Rick Aiello, those 4 days are theraputic for me too! What better escape from the daily grind, with good music and great friends! It's always nice to see you, my friend. You were awesome this year on stage and at the luau! |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 8:24 am
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It was a Great Convention! Everybody's playing get's better and better. Rick Aiello now has overcome all of his nervousness. But now his tremolo is different. 
I especially enjoyed Paul Kim’s steel playing and Hawaiian falsetto singing.
He sang my special request of the Hawaiian classic, “Wahine U’I”, which always brings the chicken skin experience.
I had one scary experience, which came from the way that Rick Aiello was looking at my 1934 Rickenbacher frypan. I had to watch him closely for fear of what he might do. 
We had some good steel guitar players missing from our family, like LT Zinn, Mike Scott, Art and Mae Lang, the Williams twins, Rick Alexander and a few others, due to illness,medical problems, death in the family, etc. They were all missed. 
Hope to see more new steel players next year at the HSGA convention.
Aloha,
Don |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 12:09 pm
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| Don Kona Woods wrote: |
| Rick Aiello now has overcome all of his nervousness. But now his tremolo is different. |
Truth be told ... I was petrified ... more so this year than ever before 
Some of my "body parts" no longer function well ...
Luckily the pharmaceuticals still do ...
| Don Kona Woods wrote: |
| I had one scary experience, which came from the way that Rick Aiello was looking at my 1934 Rickenbacher frypan. I had to watch him closely for fear of what he might do. |
You ain't kiddin' there ... your A25 is to die for.
But then I saw Doug Smith's A25 ... with those giant 3/8" thick magnets ...
I didn't think I could pull off two heists at one convention ...  ... so I opted for his ...
Apparently he hasn't looked into that new case Bill Creller made for it yet ... to find that Rondo I slipped in there ... |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 4:05 pm
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 4:38 pm
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"Le Petite Leetar"........the 8 string front neck has a space in between string 4 & 5.....so there are two 4 string groups.....one for diminished chords and one for augmented.......
Rick with Terry Miller & Gerald.......
heeeeeere's Jeff..........
here's the audience.........Dave Kolar got his cup stuck to his face......hey Don,....down in back!....... |
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Garry Vanderlinde
From:
CA
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 6:55 pm
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| Quote: |
| Some of my "body parts" no longer function well ... |
Well.. with #5 and possibly #6 on the way, that might be a good thing. 
BTW, your set at the Laua set the mood perfectly.
You should be very happy |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 7:10 pm
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Chris Kennison & Gerald......
Barb Kunz & Doug Smith
Kamaka Tom on steel with an all star line up.....Steve Cheney on bass, Ian Ufton, Duke Ching, Paul Kim........it doesn't get better than this.....
The newest line up of "The Casteels" tearing it up at the pre Luau show.......
Ian Ufton
if someone would be so kind as to identify the charming lady playing the bass.......
The couple that plays together, stays to gether.....Don Fulmer & Carol hildy
Last edited by HowardR on 17 Oct 2008 7:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 7:40 pm
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The Hula workshop......
The Drinking workshop....... |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 11:48 pm
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| Quote: |
| if someone would be so kind as to identify the charming lady playing the bass....... |
She is Virginia Grzdsinski from Michigan, who plays a great Hawaiian stand up bass. She is a long standing member of the Coral Islanders.
Aloha,
Don |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 18 Oct 2008 6:01 am
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Notice Jeff Strouse's beverage of choice?
King Cobra!
Available at finer gas stations everywhere.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website
Last edited by Gerald Ross on 18 Oct 2008 8:09 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 18 Oct 2008 8:05 am You can DRINK that stuff!?
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| Gerald Ross wrote: |
Notice Jeff Strouse's beverage of choice?
King Cobra!
Available at fine gas stations everywhere. |
I all these years I thought it was just an accelerant for starting the campfire!
Looks like y'all had fun. Sigh... maybe next year!
_________________
Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 18 Oct 2008 8:08 am
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| Much obliged for the pics Howard. |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 18 Oct 2008 9:37 am
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| Careful for what you wish.....there's more to come Bill........ |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 18 Oct 2008 11:31 am edit
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edit
Last edited by George Piburn on 21 Jun 2012 7:20 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Chuck S. Lettes
From:
Denver, Colorado
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Posted 18 Oct 2008 4:48 pm
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I agree with George. Thanks for posting the pictures. It looks like another fun weekend. I remember when I went out to the show a few years ago-it was snowing in Joliet in October! Always good to see the crew.
Chuck |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 18 Oct 2008 5:31 pm
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The "A" Team........
Pump up the jam.........
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 18 Oct 2008 8:05 pm
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| The weather for those days was better than expected, just great. Couldn't have been better. (I was surprised) |
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