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Topic: "Woodshedding" Here In The Berkshires |
Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 24 Dec 2008 3:24 am |
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| I don't head for the "woodshed" during these cold wintry days. There is no need to. My wife is a toe-tapper and she enjoys my workouts in the comfort of our home. You Tube sets me up in terms of incentives. Steel guitarists are showing up there in great numbers of late, generously sharing their music to students. Scotty in St. Louis has released more of the great performances, that he has collected over the years at the Labor Day Weekend Shows, known as The Steel Guitar International. As any dedicated player knows, it requires many hours of practice to work out arrangements for favorite melodies. What better time to concentrate on those little extras that do so much for listening pleasures? Those who are able to brave the ice and snow, can make the most of winter, by earning some spending money at local dance halls. Dancing has become very popular with couples who go out for an evening of enjoyment. The rest is up to the band. |
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Ric Epperle
From:
Sheridan, Wyoming USA . Like no other place on Earth... R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Dec 2008 3:40 am
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Yep...
_________________
MSA D12 Vintage XL 8+5
Peavy Session 400 |
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John Ummel
From:
Arlington, WA.
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Posted 24 Dec 2008 8:02 am
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Haven't gotten to work for several days due to heavy snow. No time yet for practicing though, too busy shoveling. We had so much on the roof we got worried, so I spent all day yesterday clearing snow off the roof. My neighbor came by with some help clearing the road. May have some "pickin'" time today. 
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 24 Dec 2008 3:26 pm
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John,
The pitch of the roof has much to do with problems that include collapsing. The slanted roof will allow for less accumulation, and a better run off. Your horses remind me of many old-timers that I once befriended.
I wish you a Happy Holiday Season! |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 24 Dec 2008 3:38 pm
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Ric,
Is the E-F lever located further than usual to the center of the depicted player's steel? I know the Emmons steel swings farther to the left. Is the band just tuning up before show time?
Last edited by Bill Hankey on 25 Dec 2008 3:17 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ric Epperle
From:
Sheridan, Wyoming USA . Like no other place on Earth... R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Dec 2008 10:56 pm
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Hi, Bill...
The depicted player is me. This picture was taken at the American Legion here in Sheridan. It could be the angle of the shot but the E to F lever is positioned over the 3rd pedal. It was designed that way for my dad and it fits my positioning as well.
My sister took this shot and if you'll notice, there are dancers on the far right. I believe the song we were playing at that time was "Poncho and Lefty"...
Also notice the keys at the left. I double between keyboards and steel. The guitar player is Eddie Prazma out of Moorcroft WY. and it's just the two of us. We put together some pretty good tracks that don't have that typical 'canned sound'..
This is a good club to play and the crowds are pretty good...
I'll dig out more photos and post them as time permits.
Merry Christmas..
Regards, Ric...
_________________
MSA D12 Vintage XL 8+5
Peavy Session 400
Last edited by Ric Epperle on 25 Dec 2008 3:50 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Ric Epperle
From:
Sheridan, Wyoming USA . Like no other place on Earth... R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Dec 2008 11:14 pm
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Another shot, same night...
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| Those who are able to brave the ice and snow, can make the most of winter, by earning some spending money at local dance halls. Dancing has become very popular with couples who go out for an evening of enjoyment. The rest is up to the band. |
One thing, though.. Loading up the gear after the dance in ice and snow can be darn tricky... More than once, I've fallen on my keister. 
_________________
MSA D12 Vintage XL 8+5
Peavy Session 400 |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2008 3:45 am
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Merry Christmas Ric! Thanks for posting those pictures. You would of course heard, "That a picture is worth a thousand words." Oftentimes more! To be more plucky than average on slippery ice, and packed snow, calls for footwear designed for the outside, and a quick changeover on stage. I enjoy viewing action pictures that reveal many aspects of life as an entertainer.  |
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Ric Epperle
From:
Sheridan, Wyoming USA . Like no other place on Earth... R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Dec 2008 3:54 am ice
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I know what you mean, Bill. Like a dummy, I only had my cowboy boots on during those occasions. Not the best foot wear for ice, that's for sure.
Anyway, have a 'cool yule'...
_________________
MSA D12 Vintage XL 8+5
Peavy Session 400 |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 3:23 am
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Ric,
"Woodshedding" in the Berkshires was impacted many times about 20 some odd years ago when a great majority of steel players from Nashville, Tn, traveled north in their buses. They were booked into the Hinsdale, Ma nightclub, called the Home Club. Steel guitarists by the dozens were featured with their bands. The Club was only two towns east of Pittsfield, Ma, making it possible to skip on over, if my band wasn't working. Thinking back on different phases of enthusiasm created by listening to the players at close range, makes it a little more difficult to settle into a practice routine. Now the computerized You Tube presentations offer far greater incentives by sending players dashing back to their "woodsheds". A famous Nashville steel player rang my phone to wish me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. What a wonderful gift from one of the most accomplished players in the Nashville area. Several others have sent Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season.
Last edited by Bill Hankey on 27 Dec 2008 11:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Colm Chomicky
From:
Kansas, (Prairie Village)
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 9:17 am
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John,
That is a cool photo with the horse, plow, and all. Sure looks like and old fashioned Christmas! |
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John Ummel
From:
Arlington, WA.
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 9:36 am
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Thanks Bill & Colm, we were lucky to have that horsedrawn plow so we could get out and get more gas for the genset. Very unusual for us to have that kind of snowfall here in western Wa state. Thanks for the post Ric, looks like a good gig there. I played for a month in Casper at the Beacon Club. We opened the show one Sunday afternoon for Ernest Tubbs & the TT, it was October 1975 I believe. It is still one of the all time highlights of my life. (PS, I'm happy to report that it is currently RAINING!)  |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 12:17 pm
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John,
Ernest Tubb was a natural in a crowd of country pickers. What a contrast though with Ernest and Johnny Cash. Ernest surrounded himself with some of the best steel and guitar players in the business. John made a fortune strumming an acoustic guitar, usually with no steel in sight. I still have a copy of a handwritten letter that Johnny wrote to a friend in Connecticut, about the time you were playing at The Beacon Club, in Casper. I enjoy reading about past events, that may otherwise be forgotten. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 12:21 pm
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Last edited by Bill Hankey on 27 Dec 2008 12:49 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 12:30 pm
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Last edited by Bill Hankey on 27 Dec 2008 12:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 12:31 pm
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Last edited by Bill Hankey on 27 Dec 2008 12:47 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 12:33 pm
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Last edited by Bill Hankey on 27 Dec 2008 12:45 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 12:34 pm
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Last edited by Bill Hankey on 27 Dec 2008 12:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 12:36 pm
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Last edited by Bill Hankey on 27 Dec 2008 12:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 12:37 pm
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Last edited by Bill Hankey on 27 Dec 2008 12:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 12:37 pm
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 12:54 pm
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| The Debug Mode appeared, and this is what appeared after I kept trying to submit. |
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Bo Legg
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Posted 27 Dec 2008 9:16 pm
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Bill Hankey, the man of many words and little patience.  |
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Stuart Legg
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Posted 28 Dec 2008 12:45 am
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| It's désavoué all over again. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2008 4:37 am
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Bo Legg,
Patience can be misconstrued by observing workers who spend the entire day "working" in a 6x6 square with nothing accomplished at the day's end. Does this remind you of anyone you've known? If you are paying them for their "time", pay should be commensurate with abilities. What an awakening that would be! |
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