My first ISGC!

Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

This ISGC held a lot of firsts for me. I got to play on thursday night for which I am extremely greatful and would like to thank all that were involved. I got to meet some folks I have spoke with and admired for the first time. The first time I saw Paul Franklin.( i see now all the instruction I bought as a kid was well worht it!) It was amazing for me and my wife Teresa. Just some of the new folks we met were Nick Reed, Chick, Bob Deleloy,our friends from Australia, Tommy Miller, and many many more. It was absolutely awesome. Can't wait till our next steel show and next year at St Louis.
Thanks again,

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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

Mike Holland · From: Santa Cruz, California, USA

I expected to be overwhelmed, but not blown away by all that I heard and saw.
I had a blast! Thanks to Scotty and all who help him put it together and all who
came. My interest in Hawaiian was rekindled in the Hawaiian Room, and
I am going to retry to make the musical connection between my favorite type,
(Sonny Chillingworth open G “slack”)and those I heard with the more standard
Jerry Byrd flavored tunings. Being primarily a regular guitar player, my eyes
and ears enjoyed Gerold Ross on that beautiful D’Angelico. I did not know
who LT Zinn was that first day, except what a presence he is both musically
and as a performer, showman. I especially noted the amazing techniques of
Bobby Black and Reece Anderson (those slants! – who needs pedals?). I also
really liked the sound of Bill Stafford – his setup was so very quiet and full
at the same time. Just had a great time in there the whole afternoon, with the
Dancers and my first glimpse of Kayton and LT, wow!

My 1st impressions were about the performer/showmen there: Kayton Roberts,
Bobby Koffler, Joe Wright, Jimmy Queen (first night) and LT. Putting on a
show for the crowd is so invigorating and attention grabbing, I have to admire
just the guts and energy it takes, besides the playing ability. They deserve the
extra measure of applause, they earn it!

Questions: what kind of guitar was that Kayton played? Looked like a little
toy? And what were the tunings? Saw him change tunings for Bells of St.
Mary’s from what to what? Same questions for Bobby Koffler, except I should
say his guitar looked like it had fallen into a live fire at some point. Talk about
Lively! And then was that an old Williams Joe Wright played and what is his
Copedent?

I was just floored by Paul Franklin! What is the name of the Rodney Crowell
song he did? I noticed he brought a whole rhythm section with him. Do they
play with him all the time? They were excellent. Once he started to play, there
seemed to be an increase in volume and attack. Why were two wires coming
out of his guitar? Is his copedent really different or his gear set up different
to account for the overall change I heard?

I had never heard or seen Joe Wright before and I embarrassed myself by
laughing and crying so hard and long. Then when he did (was it) I saw the light
followed by Cocaine, I was just about knocked out. I figured the bouncers were
scheduled to physically remove him from the stage, and that it was all part of
The Act! The ‘no left-hand’ playing he did I will now and forever be trying to
figure out.

R and R had to follow! How to do that? But ‘Reelin in the years’ – WOW!

One of the reasons I came this year was to see/learn about the Williams Crossover
and the Excel Superb, but I was a little too shy to show my ignorance. I could
not talk to Mitsuo Fuji, but Mr. Stafford not only showed me his gear but explained
that the switch lever changes the layout something like C6 to something
like E9, and that 5up/5down is needed to do that on the 14 string.
Whereas on the Williams I heard that the lever switches the pedals and levers
to the other neck. But I am not sure I really know or understand any of it,
so, if someone can explain it better, I would really appreciate that. It seems
like these two are the latest development to the instrument.

I was impressed by David Lettes set, not just for the playing, but the song
selection: Stardust, Somewhere Over the Rainbow,Ave Maria, and
Take the A train. On Sunday, I had to leave before the end of the set where
the four great players were playing together …had to catch a plane – dang!

On the way home, and since, wave upon wave of memories have been bubbling
up. Weldon Myrick made me “feel” although I cannot remember what the songs
were. And Don Helm’s with the young Hank made it seem like a time warp.
Sitting at the tables eating burgers and talking with the other attendees
proved to me that everyone there played steel of some kind. So, I want
to thank everyone who played and everyone who came and all for practicing;
It inspires and invigorates me to practice and learn even more.

The late night set in the Jefferson Room was disappointing, not because of the
players or the music (they were awesome!), but so few people danced! I like to
dance and where I come from there would not have been enough room for all the boomers like me to dance in the back there.

During the Sunday service, I had to agree with Laney who said how precious
the time is when people come together. All people, the great players and the
great people who came to witness and share their time and attention. With
each person bringing their own faults as well as their talents and so, with each
their own uniqueness. The only thing I did not get to do was meet Smiley
Roberts and the others on this forum who continually CRACK ME UP when
I read this from this great, great site.

Thanks so much. It just blew me away!
Mike Holland
Ps I will be expecting answers to at least some of these questions. Please forgive
me for leaving out anyone or anything, I just had to chime (another thing I am
really going to have to increase my practice time on) in here about it because
it was so great, so much fun!

David Cobb · From: Chanute, Kansas, USA

Mike, I believe that was Above and Beyond, the Crowell song that PF played.
Great to hear that kickoff, and performed so flawlessly too.
During the Joe W. performance, I looked to my right about 40 ft. and there was a guy going ape****.
I'll always wonder if that was you.

Glad you enjoyed the convention.

[This message was edited by David Cobb on 08 September 2005 at 05:39 PM.]

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Walter Stettner · From: Vienna, Austria

Mike,

Kayton's guitar is 54 years old! Bobby Koefer's guitar really supports the famous story that he buried it in Alaska with the promise never to play again.

Weldon played a lot of the stuff he recorded also, like "Once A Day" (with Laney singing!). He also did a great version of "I'm Not Lisa"!

Kind Regards, Walter

www.lloydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

Bobby Caldwell · From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA * R.I.P.

Scotty, You played soooo goooood!!!!! on thurday night at the st.Louis, but I knew you would. You are a great player and someday I sure you will be on the show. I have got to work harder on that. Take care my friend and see you in a few weeks. Loveya pal and best always, Bobby

Dave Grothusen · From: Scott City, Ks

Wow Scott, there has been a lot of water under the bridge since I first meet you, and look, you are now up there pickin with the greats. Congratulatins. Just to have Bobby Caldwell make the coment he made is great.

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

From his great Diamonds & Dirt album, you might consider "Above and Beyond" a Rodney Crowell tune, but it goes back a lot further than that. It was a hit for Buck Owens.

Still, that Crowell CD is some of my favorite works of PF.

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HagFan

[This message was edited by Ron Page on 13 September 2005 at 07:51 AM.]

Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

Thanks Bobby it was, as always, an honor to set next to a super picker like you on that stage. Please tell Scotty thank you as well. and of course bobby.jimmy,starla, and roy. My super band of friends.....YOU TOO BEN!!!!!!!!!!

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Steelin' away in the ozarks and life,
Scott
www.scottyhenderson.com

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