GARY MORSE / Nashville Chamber Orchestra

Danny Hullihen · From: Harrison, Michigan

On Saturday, April 16th, Michigan Hall Of Famer Gary Morse will be performing at the Ryman Auditorium playing pedal steel guitar at the NCO Guitar Gala.

This performance is part of the NCO Guitar Gala featuring classical guitar virtuoso, Jose Feliciano with special guests, John Jorgenson. Gary will be performing the Concerto for Pedal Steel Guitar, which is a three-part movement written by Michael Levine expressly for the pedal steel.

For those of you who might not be familiar with the name, Michael Levine is a prominent movie and television composer in Los Angeles, and has been a long time fan of the steel guitar. The NCO is a 36-piece string orchestra directed by Paul Gambill who's motto is "music with no boundaries."

Gary has performed with several orchestras in the past along with Pam Tillis, but never in a situation in which the steel guitar was the featured instrument! All three movements were written entirely in standard orchestra nomenclature (not tablature)which almost goes without saying, this is not something just anybody could do without having formal education and training.

Gary studied music theory and harmony at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, and he is indeed, very knowledgeable not only as a professional performer, but in many areas of the music industry.

Although this might sound like a bit more of a biography about Gary Morse than just a simple "event announcement" knowing personally the many achievements that Gary has accomplished in the music industry over the many decades I've known him makes it hard for me to talk about Gary Morse without mentioning the giant steps forward that he has made in the music industry, both, as a musician, and particularly for the steel guitar.

As I'm sure many of you will agree, we need all the exposure we can possibly get for this instrument to keep it alive and prominent, and a concert such as this indeed does just that, and in a very big way! It's not often us steel players get to see the steel guitar being played much beyond the bars and perhaps the private clubs now and then, and I believe achievments such as this truly help to bring the pedal steel guitar into the lime light, and I'm hoping to see a lot more of this in the future.

For more information on this event,here's the website for the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. www.nco.org then click on "concert schedule" and scroll down near the bottom where you'll see a photo of Gary Morse, and more details about this event.

I'm hoping many of you will be able to attend this spectacular event which I believe is truly another giant step for the steel guitar, and I know Gary will sincerely appreciate your support. Gary is one of those guys who always "makes the time" to talk to anyone who wants to talk with him. If you ask him what time it is, not only will he give you the correct time, he'll tell you how to build the watch. :-)

Please help me in congratulating Gary, and in supporting him and the steel guitar.

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Awesome> I knew that Boy would make it BIG one day.
Way Cool Gary; make sure you tape it and send it to me like you do all the others..ha.
Ricky

David Spires · From: Millersport, OH

This is an impressive undertaking, and my hat is off to you, Gary, for furthering our instrument.

Unfortunately for me, I will be on the road the 16th, and will miss this tremendous event. I wish I could be there to fill another seat and show my support.

Great post Danny, and congratulations to you Gary Morse.

Sincerely,

David Spires

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks for the 'heads up', Danny.

I'd be fascinated to hear this ground-breaking work. I'll be working myself at that time, so I'm unable to support this event, but I hope that there'll be another chance to see it performed.

Congratulations to everyone concerned; Gary - break a leg!!! (...and not a 'third'!)

RR

Bob Lawrence · From: Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, Canada

Wow! I hope it's availabe on DVD at some point. Best of luck Gary.

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Danny-Thanks for the update on Gary....al

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Weldon Myrick · From: Nashville, TN, USA * R.I.P.

Thanks, Danny, for the info.
Good going Gary! I'd love to hear that but am working that night. Another great milestone for Steel Guitar. Go get it.
Weldon Myrick

Jim Florence · From: wilburton, Ok. US * R.I.P.

I'm fortunate enough to be unemployed at that time, and for the most part, all times, and am available to attend. Which I intend to do. But mind you I haven't allways been unemployed, I remember the days of seven per week, and sometimes I would like to go back to that, but someone would have to carry my rig, my wife used to but we're both 72, and she won't carry it anymore.
Jim

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Gary, congrats on this prestigious gig, and for advancing the pedal steel in a new direction.

I've known Gary since his late 70's Los Angeles days, and he's always strived to do unique things with psg. He was playing killer rock on steel with Chris Gaffney and Phantom Herd, and others. He was the first I knew to stand up, sling a lap steel on a guitar strap, and wail on that thing in a very prominent way onstage. He experimented with one of the first early synthesized processors, the Korg X-11, and got some way out sounds going on that (Gary, I still have the tape from your apartment when we experimented with that gizmo, it's a hoot!). And he used a violin bow on the E9 first string.

I'm sure there are other innovations, too, but just wanted the forum to realize what a pioneer he's been for us all. And of course he's one knocked out country picker, that goes without saying!

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Mark Metdker · From: North Central Texas, USA

I'm going to Billy Bob's in Ft. Worth to see this feller play tonight. All this talk has me all excited! Should be a good 'un.

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Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Thanks for the post Danny.

Gary is one of my favorite players.
I'll never forget the seminar he did at LT's show several years ago.

Congrats Gary! Let us know if a recording becomes available.

Gary Morse · From: Nashville,TN

Thanks to everyone for the vote of confidence on the upcoming concerto! It's a lot of work but I'm very excited about it at the same time. I'll be sure to post on the Forum if I find out that it will available on CD or DVD at some later date.

Jerry Hendrix · From: Manistee, Michigan, USA * R.I.P.

Go get em Gary, we know you can do it,& we all want the C.D.too. Good luck & God Bless.
from your fellow Michigan steelers.
Jerry & Sally Hendrix.

Gary Morse · From: Nashville,TN

I spoke with the director of the Nashville Chamber Orchestra and he said the concert will be recorded for sale later. I'll update when I get more information.

Jim Hartley · From: SC/TN

Gary,

Just a quick note to wish you well in this new venture. Sure wish I could be there. I have known that you were a special player since the first job we ever worked together in Fla. It's been fun staying in touch from time to time and seeing how your career continues to grow. I know this will be a huge succcess.

See ya soon
Jim

Gary Morse · From: Nashville,TN

Thanks Jim! I really appreciate the kind words. By the way, we have had two rehearsals now with the full orchestra and it was absolutely awesome to be surrounded by so much sound. Not to mention the virtuosity of the NCO musicians......

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

We're all behind you, Gary
What a wonderful PR opportunity for the steel guitar. And you are as good an ambassador as I can imagine.

Break a leg, my brother. Hope to see you in Michigan one of these days.

LTB

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
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Danny Hullihen · From: Harrison, Michigan

The Concerto was a huge success, and both, Gary and the composer received a standing ovation! Way to go Gary, and we're all very proud of you and this great accomplishment.

[This message was edited by Danny Hullihen on 18 April 2005 at 11:09 AM.]

Chick Donner · From: North Ridgeville, OH USA

I was there . . . an awesome event. Way to go, Gary.

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