California Western Swing Society

Jim Simon · From: Moses Lake, WA

While on a road trip to play some concerts in California I was treated to a side trip to the monthly meeting of the Western Swing Society in Sacramento. Sunday afternoon and the place was packed. Probably 300 in attendance. Got to meet a ton of pickers. Mostly old timers like me. The band playing when I arrived was atleast 10-12 piece. Steel, twin fiddles, horns, guitars, mandolin, and even a BANJO. Sorry bOb!

Great time. Y'all in that area have a wonderful thing going. I think Bill Enyard is honchoing the event. Stand up singer and standard player from way back. Played with him at the Mustang Club a ton of years back.

Billy Tonnesen · From: R.I.P., Buena Park, California

I was last at the WSS in 2006. Since then I have not been able to get back. Going to the monthly meetings is like a trip back in time. Great Big Bands, Swing Dancers, no line dancers, thank goodness, and great crowds. I was inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 1992 which was really a high point in my life.

Scott Shewbridge · From: Bay Area, N. California

I became a card carrying member a few months ago and its a regular for me now. It is a real kick. You might not have seen it, but in the back room, behind the kitchen and the bathrooms, there is an open jam session too. Lot's of country and some of us are even pushing down into the western swing repertoire. Dana Wills, Bob Wills' niece sits in on occaision and does her heritage proud. There are a couple of other forum participants too, including Paul Sutherland on his beautiful steel.

Next session, on July 4, I will be bringing chord sheets for about 20 western swing songs. I am a novice at western swing, but hope some of the ringers will step up and help pass on this tradition to some of us neophytes. Hope to see folks there.

http://www.westernswingsociety.org/

By the way, the meetings are rain or shine, holiday or not. Super nice folks too. I'm lovin' it.

Late addition, here are some pictures from the Jam Room:

Paul Sutherland

Me

Jim Simon · From: Moses Lake, WA

Scott:

I was escorted by my host to the "Jam" room. Right across from the men's head which is good planning for us old tiny bladder guys. The jam was packed and very warm. So what. The whole deal was a blast. I hope everyone does their part to keep this thing going. Heritage is important.

Bryan Daste · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Is Jim Gray still pickin' at their events? I met Jim at a WSS event in 2003 or 04, took my first PSG lessons from him!

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

Bryan: Jim Gray does occasionally play at these gatherings in Rancho Cordova (Sacramento). I have met him briefly but I didn't really hear him play, as I always head to the jam room, and he tends to play on the big stage. He's playing a new MSA, probably a Millenium.

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

I was inducted in 2003 and it was an especially bittersweet time, since earlier that week my father-in-law had passed away. I wanted to stay in MO with the family after the funeral but they insisted I go accept the award.

Lots of fun, got to hang with Chuck Wright, play music with Skeeter Elkin, share lunch with Junior Barnard's widow, pick with Tommy Turman, and more. Saw Dayna and hubby too. It was a great experience, the memory of which I cherish.
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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Bill Cunningham · From: Atlanta, Ga. USA

I attended several WSS events back in 96-98 when I was practically living in the Bay Area. It was very nice. I met Vance Terry, Mylos Sonkos (sp?) Dana Wills, Johnny Cuvello (sp?), Dean McKinney and/or Evelyn Moore and several others. Jay Riley played the heck out of a single neck 6th tuning that he had built himself.

Their event is a living history book!!
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Bill Cunningham
Atlanta, GA

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

Glad to see the WSS getting such great press here in the forum. For those new to this gathering... they have their monthly dances on the first Sunday of each month, starting at 1:00. There also are always food and beverages (including the "adult" variety) available. These dances are indeed like going back in time... and glad to see folks outside of the Sacramento area traveling to visit them!

The really huge event is their annual "Hall of Fame" 4-day celebration. It's held the first weekend in October (Thurs-Sun), and the music features western swing bands from the entire West Coast (San Diego to Seattle), as well as others traveling as far as the greater southwest area of the US. Usually around 7 or 8 really great PSG players!

I'll be posting more on this as the event draws closer.
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Dave Wren
'96 Carter U12,7X7; 1936 7 string National; Line 6 HX Stomp; Quilter TT-15/TB202; Quilter "Steelaire"; DV Mark "GH 250"with 15" 1501 BW; Boss "Katana" 100 Head w/Line 6 Cab; Telonics VP.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

My band is taking the 4th of from our regular Sunday gig. Maybe I'll make the trip this time.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting.

Scott Shewbridge · From: Bay Area, N. California

I'm heading up on Sunday. I live in the East Bay and have a van that can take 6 without gear, or 4 with gear. If anyone wants to carpool with me and share gas and driving, send me a PM. I'll be leaving between 11:30 and noon and returning between 5 and 6.

Fred Thompson · From: Zephyrhills, FL

Does my buddy, Bob Gaisson, still take part? One of the finest guitar players and gentlemen I ever had the pleasure to work with! Plays a beautiful Guild.
Fred

Scott Shewbridge · From: Bay Area, N. California

I'm still learning names, but if the man standing behind this 1961 Guild X-350 is Bob, then the answer is yes!

Fred Thompson · From: Zephyrhills, FL

That's Bobby! We picked together back in the 60's. He played guitar for Dick Curless before Dick signed on with Buck Owens. FANTASTIC PLAYER! Hasn't changed in looks and still has hair. (more than I can say for myself) Sad

Thanks Scott.
Fred

DeWitt Scott · From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA * R.I.P.

Hey Herb - I was inducted into the Western Swing Society in 1998. It was awsome! What made it even more awsome is that Curly Chalker was inducted that same year. He had already passed away but it was still an exciting time for me. Scotty

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Scotty
My 2003 induction was with Clint Strong (ex-guitarist for Haggard), Paul Anastasio (ex-Asleep/Wheel fiddler), Dusty Stewart (Hank T's steel player after Lefty Nason), and 21 other guys I was unfamiliar with.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Fred Thompson · From: Zephyrhills, FL

Dang! I mis-spelled Bob's name, as usual. It's Giasson. (sorry Bob) Embarassed

Regardless how I spelled it, he's still one FANTASTIC guitar player!
Fred

Kenny Yates · From: Hattiesburg Mississippi

Heck, I feel like a real old timer here, I was a Charter member (Before they got selective)Around number 7, I think. They have some fine Steel Playing out there, as mentioned here, Jim Gray, Jay Riley (He's ugly but can play good)Hubert (Brownie) Brown, The fabulous Dave Wren (Did you know that Dave's mom was a great Steel Player and his dad played Bass), I think that Chris Ivey still comes around sometimes. Lots of other great pickers hang out there like Bud Duncan, and Red Gillian...I better stop here before getting in trouble for not mentioning someone, but I will say I did play with Bobby Gaisson a great picker and then there is Gene Albright, Lolli Jones (I think she still stops by when she can)

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

Hey Kenny, thanks for the kind words. Wish you could join us this Sunday!!!

I'll be playing with Buck Ford and his Pure Country Band this Sunday (8/1). If you haven't heard Buck Ford yet... this will be a fine time... he's quite a talented young man!!! Guitarist Jon Fine and Fiddle great Ronnie Elkin also will be performing..... and of course after us the regular house band, The Dry Creek Band will take the stage, featuring "Brownie" Brown on steel... one of Sacramento's best kept secrets... for years.
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Dave Wren
'96 Carter U12,7X7; 1936 7 string National; Line 6 HX Stomp; Quilter TT-15/TB202; Quilter "Steelaire"; DV Mark "GH 250"with 15" 1501 BW; Boss "Katana" 100 Head w/Line 6 Cab; Telonics VP.

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

Had a great time, as usual, at yesterday's WSS dance! Both bands were sounding right on and it was so good to see my old pals Jay Riley and "Brownie" Brown again.

Forumite Scott Shewbridge stopped by, and it was great meeting you Scott! Also forumite, and fellow Placervillian Paul Southerland was there, playing his vintage Emmons in the jam room.

Can't wait for the next WSS event! Remember the 4 days of non-stop western swing music is coming up in the first weekend of Oct.!
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Dave Wren
'96 Carter U12,7X7; 1936 7 string National; Line 6 HX Stomp; Quilter TT-15/TB202; Quilter "Steelaire"; DV Mark "GH 250"with 15" 1501 BW; Boss "Katana" 100 Head w/Line 6 Cab; Telonics VP.

Scott Shewbridge · From: Bay Area, N. California

Nice to meet you too David. You and the rest of Buck Ford's band sounded great. I really think he has a chance of becoming "someone I knew when...."

I won't be at the Labor Day weekend meeting, but plan to be at the Hall of Fame events in October. I'm making a standing open offer to carpool with folks from the Bay Area. Anyone who is interested, send me a PM.

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