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Topic: Tommy Auldridge - are you on here? |
Dave Horch
From:
Frederick, Maryland, USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2004 7:27 pm |
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I saw/heard a steel picker at local (Walkersville, MD / USA) fireman's carnival tonight. I'm sure it was a local band. The picker played a S-10 Emmons P/P. He had "Tommy Auldridge" done with press-on letters on the front of his axe.
I was just wondering if he (you) are on this forum. It seems we've got so many skilled pickers around here (even just within Frederick County, Maryland) - but we never seem to meet each other.
Anyway, Nice work Tommy. -Dave
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Mullen D-10 - It's still one smooooth puppy!
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Chris Forbes
From:
Beltsville, MD, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2004 1:14 am
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| Dave, I don't think he's on here. But my buddy, fellow forumite, Paul Vendemmia knows him if you wanted to get in touch with Tommy. Speaking of Paul, he plays every friday night not so far from you in Olney, may I recommend stopping by to see him pick sometime? |
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Gary Lee Gimble
From:
Fredericksburg, VA.
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Posted 10 Jul 2004 2:38 am
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Dave, Tommy is one fine steel player who I had the pleasure of jamming with a couple of times in Braddock. Tommy doesn't live there but another steel player by the name of Jessie Bell does. He has a get together a couple of times a year consisting of mostly steel players. I'll be seeing Tommy tomorrow and I'll ask him to confirm what I believe to be true, he doesn't post on the Forum. So, you haven't come out to hear me play in over two years. Yep, I haven't gotten any better either, same old slop, kinda explains your absence. Next Saturday the 17th we'll be at the Winfield Carnival located on 1320 W Old Liberty Rd, Winfield, MD.
Here is our web addy: http://jayhenley.com/appearances.htm [This message was edited by Gary Lee Gimble on 10 July 2004 at 03:41 AM.]
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Chris Forbes
From:
Beltsville, MD, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2004 7:05 am
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| Gary, I wish I could play half of the "same old slop" you play!!! |
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Dave Van Allen
From:
Doylestown, PA , US , Earth
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Posted 10 Jul 2004 7:39 am
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Tommy was the first local steel player I ever met when I was just starting out; I had owned my li'l 8string 2 pedal Emmons a few months, and was feeling very isolated in Kensington MD. I thought I was the only person who had any idea what a psg was anywhere near me.
I went out for a walkaboout in my neighborhood on a fine summer afternoon. Imagine my surprise to hear the sounds of a pedal steel wafting from the back yard of a house only 8 blocks or so from mine! without hesitation I walked up the driveway tresspassing onto a stranger's property and introduced myself.
We both moved after that meeting, but would touch base at Steelin' for Hearts every year-Memory is foggy, but I'm pretty sure Tommy was at the first jam Sonny Hunley put together,(a non public event) where we (Sonny, Dean Black, Tommy's brother Mike, me and Tommy A) all sat in a circle and stared at each other trying to figure out what to play next- I guess a year or so before the VFW show that launched the series of Jams that became Steelin' For Hearts...
at least that's how I remember it |
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Gary Lee Gimble
From:
Fredericksburg, VA.
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Posted 12 Jul 2004 11:35 am
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Dave, some locals for you to meet and go hear!
Curry is the areas best! I hate him for it too  He plays around your area, I suggest you go check out his superb sounding p/p before you do anything else when it comes to steelin! I'll email you his schedule.
Buddy Griffin plays in numerous groups I've been told, I forgot to ask him where we can pull up a chair, first row, to steel his chops and licks. He doesn't live that far from me, henceforth he'll need to invite me over so I can pick his brain.
James Hann is Virginia's bests kept secret. This guy knows his stuff and he picks the snot out of banjo, fiddle, sax, mandolin and whatever else I forgot to mention. Yep, he is one of those. He leads up a band named The Brandy Stills Band. They have a web page where you can check out their schedule at www.brandystills.com
You mentioned Tommy and there really isn't anymore I can add to what you said, the man is "skilled," and you just didn't even hear the half of it!
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Dave Horch
From:
Frederick, Maryland, USA
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Posted 12 Jul 2004 4:59 pm
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Thanks for those great pics, Gary. Yup, that’s Tommy all right! I know/ have met Buddy Griffen. In fact, he was the one who inspired me to finally start learning PSG after about 20 years of “just thinking about it”. About 6 years ago, he came over to my home studio and played on a few tracks for a friend of mine. I sat about three feet away from him and couldn’t help being knocked out and thinking “I bet I can do that!” (fool that I was...  ). I’ve never met Currie, but I think I’ll try to make to his Waynesboro gig and introduce myself.
The thing is... You cats have had about a 20 year jump on me on the PSG, and I’m a tad bashful about my lowly ability. Sure, I can gig and fool most of the audience, but I think/worry another “real” steel picker would snicker just a bit and think “rookie” – correctly. I guess one remains a rookie for at least 10 years... Also, I don’t know the “standard fare” that country bands would do on a given set – not being a real student of country music as most of you guys seem to be. I wouldn’t know the intro, or the solo, or the ending – I’d just be making something simple up – which wouldn’t do, I’m sure. Occasionally, I get an email from someone asking if I can fill in for a steel player – so far I’ve always declined, just for the above reason(s).
I’m know we ALL have been worse pickers than we are today. And I’ll bet most of us are never really satisfied with our level of ability. So on that level, perhaps some patience and understanding can come. So when/if you hear me play, think of something positive to say. Like; “Nice guitar!”, or “Gee you seem fairly in tune...”
Grins! -Dave
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Chris Forbes
From:
Beltsville, MD, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2004 1:20 am
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| Dave, I've been playing for less than 4 years and none of these guys have ever busted my chops for being horrible. Just the opposite, they've been exceedingly supportive and more than generous with their time and knowledge (especially Paul and Gary, I would REALLY suck instead of just kinda suck without those guys). Don't be afraid to play, just go out and do it. Heck, bands are dumb enough to keep hiring me over and over and over and I can't play squat compared to these dudes. The only thing I have over them is I have much better hair than any of them!!!!!!! |
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Curry Coster
From:
Glen Burnie, MD USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2004 4:12 am
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Chris-
You just have more hair---not necessarily better...
Dave--don't be shy-come up and say hello--we were all rookies once. (And don't believe anything Gimble says...)(snicker)
Curry |
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Chris Forbes
From:
Beltsville, MD, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2004 4:43 am
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| Yeah, the problem with Gimble is he speaks from both ends!! LOL!!!!!!!!! |
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Buddy Griffin
From:
Derwood, Maryland, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2004 8:02 am
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| Speaking of hair, where're the pix of Paul and Gary. How's it goin Dave. Chris, let us know where you're playing so we can check you... I mean support you. You too Dave. Paul, thanks for havin me at your pickin party. |
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Chris Forbes
From:
Beltsville, MD, USA
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Posted 14 Jul 2004 8:44 am
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| Buddy: Friday July 30th: Bangkok Blues, Arlington. Saturday August 7th: JV's, Falls Church. Both with Ken Giese and the Idle Time Band. The rest of my gigs are on bass with that singer you saw me with, and Bobby Martin on steel. Bobby was freakin' out when you guys showed up, he said, "what, do they travel in packs to make us nervous!!??" Fortunately, I have no shame and don't care, heck, I was brave enough to get up in public to play your steel!! Lookin' forward to seeing all of you guys again (and I'll assault your ears again with my pickin'!!). |
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Gary Lee Gimble
From:
Fredericksburg, VA.
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Posted 14 Jul 2004 11:39 am
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"travel in packs"
Yep, and there was an abundance of froth from our jowls, dripping in our beer to give an appearance of a quality brew.
"where're the pix of Paul"
His mug caused a severe case of cataracts in my camera lens. |
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Dave Horch
From:
Frederick, Maryland, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2004 6:41 am
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Chris wrote:
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| Don't be afraid to play, just go out and do it. |
Oh, don't worry, Chris! I'm not afraid to play! I'm just afraid "the pack" might have to listen to it. To protect myself, I generally play for old hippies who think of the steel in terms of 1970's LA country rock (not that there's anything wrong with that!)
(I guess I should leave it at that, lest another war/rant start about that "steeler". It's just easier to cop some of those licks and fool some of the people).[This message was edited by Garcia on 15 July 2004 at 07:42 AM.] [This message was edited by Dave Horch on 15 July 2004 at 07:50 AM.] |
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Chris Forbes
From:
Beltsville, MD, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2004 9:35 am
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| Dave, I really enjoyed some of the country rock steelies. I thought Buddy Cage was super, I always really liked John David Call, but maybe I oughtta keep my opinion on "that steel player" to myself. I had a funny visual of "the pack" roaming the country side foaming their cheap beer at the mouth and intmidating steel players in roadhouses along the way. What really sucked is that I was the 5th best steel player in there that night, yeesh!!! Sigh, I'll just have to keep practicing and one day maybe they'll let me join "the pack" to come see you!!! LOL!!! Take care!! |
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