Steel Guitar Shows In The Seventies

Dave A. Burley · From: Franklin, In. USA

Back in the mid-seventies I put together a lot of traveling shows with some of the worlds greatest pedal steel guitar players. Buddy, Curly, Maurice, Doug and Julian were a big part of these 'Jamfests'. Scotty told me that the shows I promoted were the first 'steel guitar shows.' He told me that he had his Convention in St. Louis but I promoted the first traveling shows that featured those great steel players in different cities and that was the beginning of what is known today as Steel Guitar Shows in many of the big cities around the world. I don't expect any credit for that but there have been a couple people that have been posting about these 'Jamfests', with pictures, in San Antonio, Texas. The person posting those pictures claims that he put on on this show. HE DID NOT. He had a music store in San Antonio at the time and did help me by transporting some of the pickers back and forth to the airport. He also allowed me to put up posters in his store and to find a local niteclub to put on the Jamfest. I appreciate that but I promoted all of those shows with basically just me, myself and I. I found out real quick how long of a trip it is from San Antonio Texas to Dallas, Texas. We had a show in San Antonio and the next night in Dallas. I flew all the guys but I had to drive. ...... I am really dissapointed with the steel guitar world. I put a lot of effort and probably years off my life promoting all of those Jamfest's and the Cavalcade Of Guitars in Dallas in the mid seventies. Never, one time, has the steel guitar community, as a whole, gave us any credit for exposing the pedal steel guitar to the jazz world putting the top steel players together with people like, Les Paul, Howard Roberts, Tal Farlow, Bucky Pizzarelli, Herb Ellis, Slam Stewart and Louis Bellson. I have never asked for any recognition for all of those promotions in the mid-seventies but I don't want someone taking credit for the hard work I did back then. You all will never know how close I was on finances, sometimes having to sell the album, 'It's The First Time,' my first production, just to get gas to go to the next city in Texas, Michigan, Indiana, Tenn. and other places to promote a Jamfest. Maurice knows the struggle I had. .... Traveling with my sisters borrowed old Ford without a spare tire and sometimes a vintage old bread truck converted to a camper. Yes, I was really on the edge of total destruction. Had it not been for Les Paul, many things would have happened with the steel guitar back then. That is another story that is almost unbelievable. No sour grapes, just the fact that I was the one that promoted those shows, not someone from San Antonio. Those shows I promoted led up to the concert, Cavalcade Of Guitars, in Dallas with all of the Jazz pickers and pedal steel guitar players. I have requested pictures from that Jamfest in San Antonio but I only get to see them when the guy that claims he promoted the Jamfest posts them on FaceBook. There was no finacial gains during those years, just a lot of stress and hard work trying to promote the pedal steel guitar to another world.
Thanks,
Dave A. Burley
_________________
Dave A. Burley
P.O. Box #211
Franklin, Ind. 46131

Buddy Emmons/Jimmy Bryant live $15.00 includes shipping.
It's The First Time(studio)$15.00 includes shipping.
Curley Chalker/Julian Tharpe live $15.00 includes shipping.
the Cavalcade Of Guitars live $16.00 includes shipping.
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Evelyn Whitney · From: Muskegon, MI 49441 USA

I want to back up Dave on this story. When he brought that group of guys through our town in Michigan you would have thought it was the biggest thing that ever happened there..These guys played in our store ( it was packed to the max) and at some lodges etc, while Dave had them here...The musicians in this town will never forget when those men were here...so many of the ones Dave mentioned...Dave certainly deserves the full credit for that package of musicians...It was a thrilling time...and I'm sure no one else had ever had such a package up to that time and maybe not since. Thanks for some super, fine, memories, Dave.

Daniel Policarpo · Posted 10 Sep 2012 4:08 am

Dave, I know exactly how you feel. Thank you for having the guts to push the vision through.
I bet those shows were something else!
-Dan

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I was in Kansas City, Mo in the mid 70's. I never heard of any of these shows. Apparently KC was never one of the cities or I was totally out of touch with what was happening in KC. I knew about Scotty's show but that was the only one.

Promoting is a risky business and I admire anyone that has or will do it. Just as I've heard of Nashville singers that go out on a tour and "expenses" eat up everything and the singer winds up with nothing (or even in the hole).

Dave A. Burley · From: Franklin, In. USA

Jack,
These promotions were mostly by one man, me. I had no money but did manage to travel up and down the roads between Muskegon, Mich. and San Antonio, Tx. promoting steel guitar Jamfest Seminars. Concerning the Cavalcade Of Guitars concert that was held at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, without any funds to advertise in the trade magazines I had only the local music stores to help me. Maurice Anderson was a big help and I could not have done it without his help. I did get one small free mention in the Guitar Player magazine and even had a couple guys fly in from England for the concert and that was because of that free add. Had I had money to promote the concert it would have been full. Even without promotion, word of mouth brought people in from all over the United States. It was very stressful but I am proud that I did do it but would I do it again today? That is a very tough question.
Thanks,
Dave A. Burley
_________________
Dave A. Burley
P.O. Box #211
Franklin, Ind. 46131

Buddy Emmons/Jimmy Bryant live $15.00 includes shipping.
It's The First Time(studio)$15.00 includes shipping.
Curley Chalker/Julian Tharpe live $15.00 includes shipping.
the Cavalcade Of Guitars live $16.00 includes shipping.
Pay by PayPal to: dab7875159@aol.com

Evelyn Whitney · From: Muskegon, MI 49441 USA

All of that surely would have happened for you, Dave. Again, I will say, when you brought the shows to Muskegon Mi , word of mouth between the local musicians spread like wildfire...think of what could have happened with actual advertisement...we would have needed an outdoor park setting. Money, really does speak. Evelyn

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

Maurice came to Erie, PA in the early 70's and gave a steel guitar seminar. I am guessing 1972 and maybe at Dick Bulling's world of music or maybe Osiecki's Music Center. First time most of us ever saw someone playing a LOT of stuff above the 12th fret. It was still the golden age of steel guitar!

Greg

Reece Anderson · From: Keller Texas USA, R.I.P.

Dave Burley has never received the credit he so richly deserves for his contribution to steel guitar. I further believe that because of Dave's unselfish efforts during the 70's era, steel guitar enjoyed a "giant leap of recognition" because Dave provided a way steel guitar could be presented in a wide variety of genre's to a LOT of steel players, other musicians, and music enthisiasts.

Speaking of the show in San Antonio, I will never forget.....when we arrived, everyone got their guitar.....but me. When I told Dave Burley (the show producer) what had happened, he immediately got on the phone and learned it had been sent to Mpls. Minn. Between Dave and the airline, he had my guitar delivered to me at the venue we were playing, just in time for me to take the stage. I also remember my friend and great steel player Bobby Dardemann, was kind enough to take me back to the airport for my flight home that evening.

Even today, musicians and enthusiasts still talk about the show Dave put on here in Dallas. I was privileged to help Dave, only with the selection of the venue, and even back then I quickly realized the complexity and logistical problems associated with putting on a show of the magnitude in which Dave successfully achieved.

Thank to Dave, I experienced some of the most memorable moments of my musical career.

Evelyn Whitney · From: Muskegon, MI 49441 USA

Reese, I want to personally, thank you, for this comment on remembering Dave's contribution to the promotion of the steel guitar...His dedication to all of that in those days is just unforgettable. He is still at it and I'm pretty sure, always will be..gotta love, Dave.
And I want to thank you and your wife for coming to the Shows in Grand Rapids Mi and helping L T and myself when we were trying to do some of that here.
Your wife was a great blessing to me there as the venue was not up to par and she jumped right in and helped me pull some things together. One more thanks to you for helping with L Ts Hawaiian show in St Louis that time we corralled you. Looks like we all owe you a whole bunch of thanks...

Dave A. Burley · From: Franklin, In. USA

Thanks Maurice for the kind words. Thank you also for jogging my memory about the lost steel guitar. I have forgotten many things that happened during those years because I was traveling much too fast. Yes, putting that concert together in Dallas in 76 was a monstreous task. To this day I cannot figure out how I pulled it off. It will never be done again on that scale. Of course, there are only three left out of the 13 that were on stage during that jam session. Boy do we ever miss them. All of the jazz guitarist's were big names at the time of that recording and it's hard telling what would have happened for the steel guitar if Les hadn't put a monkey wrench in the whole thing. In the contract I had with a major label, the label was to release the album as a 'top of the line' product which meant that it was guaranteed to be in every major record distributing venue in the world. The world was at our fingertips as far as the steel guitar goes. We did get a little bit of it but nowheres near what would have happened had it been released as originally scheduled. Thanks again for the kind word's and for being part of my world. You too Ev my favorite lady from Muskegon, Michigan.
Dave A. Burley
_________________
Dave A. Burley
P.O. Box #211
Franklin, Ind. 46131

Buddy Emmons/Jimmy Bryant live $15.00 includes shipping.
It's The First Time(studio)$15.00 includes shipping.
Curley Chalker/Julian Tharpe live $15.00 includes shipping.
the Cavalcade Of Guitars live $16.00 includes shipping.
Pay by PayPal to: dab7875159@aol.com

Todd Brown · From: W. Columbia , South Carolina

Dave, for us younger guys and those that don't know, please fill us in on the deal with Les Paul and psg. You mentioned little bits about him a few times. I for one would like to know the full story. Thanks!

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

It's a lot of work for one man to get a good show together. Funds are limited and no money is usually made. I can certainly understand that from the three steel shows I've put together here in Mississippi. Once folks know about a show, they'll start helping with it though, which is a blessing. I can't image trying to do steel shows on a traveling basis. Man that sounds like a big, big load to carry. Luckily though, steel shows have popped up all over the USA. I do plan on having some more MSP(Ms Steel Players) shows in the near future. I've just reopened one of my businesses again and as soon as, things get busy, then I'm planning on starting to travel everywhere to play on steel shows, if they'll let me. Ha! Being self-employed frees up the time needed to do the music shows and travel. That's my plans for the next 20 years or so. I'm 55 now, so it shouldn't be a problem. Dave, I think I may have a copy of one of your shows on CD which features several players. I'll have to look at it again and see. Thanks.

Dave A. Burley · From: Franklin, In. USA

Todd and others....
I really hate to say much about why the album was not released in the mid-seventies. All I will say is that every one of the musicians agreed to a certain amount of money for their release of their recording rights. After the concert was over and was recorded, the musicians honored their agreements except for one of them. That musician reneged on his original agreement and would not re-negotiate a reasonable release which made it impossible to have the major label release the album. There is a long story here but I don't feel I want to say anything about it at this time, especially now that most everyone from that concert is now gone. I do have the corespondence between I and that musician which states his demands which were abosolutely impossible, financially, for me to honor. The original agreement was made with a gentleman's handshake.
Thanks,
Dave A. Burley
_________________
Dave A. Burley
P.O. Box #211
Franklin, Ind. 46131

Buddy Emmons/Jimmy Bryant live $15.00 includes shipping.
It's The First Time(studio)$15.00 includes shipping.
Curley Chalker/Julian Tharpe live $15.00 includes shipping.
the Cavalcade Of Guitars live $16.00 includes shipping.
Pay by PayPal to: dab7875159@aol.com

Jeremiah Hanley · From: Springfield, Missouri, USA

Dave, this is the first I've heard about your shows. I sure wish I could have attended one or more of them! Like you said, Scotty deserves a lot of credit for the interest in steel guitar. No doubt you have inspired a lot of people to play the steel guitar! I know sometimes good deeds go unnoticed and unapplauded, but when you do something as good as you did with those shows, the satisfaction that you did a good thing, exceeds the applause that you get from others. I spent over 30 years traveling in these United States holding revivals in different churches. A lot of times, I received no recognition from others. But the deep satisfaction that I had in my own heart for getting to do what I did was worth more than the recognition or applause. When you do something that's good, you don't always get to see the results from doing the good thing. I'm pretty sure that you have inspired a lot of steel guitar shows that you're not aware of. So, appreciate the satisfaction that you have in your heart for doing a good thing!!
_________________
Jerry and Venda

Todd Brown · From: W. Columbia , South Carolina

Gotcha, Dave. It's a shame one big ego had to screw it all up. I see what you're saying. A major label release of that could have been a big hit, turning alot of new people onto steel guitars and all that they are capable of.

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

I think the CD I referred to is probably something else other than one of the shows. It has Jernigan, Rugg, Green, Emmons, Tharpe, West and a few others on it I believe. It also has horns and some lead guitar work with the steel parts.

Russ Wever · From: Kansas City

Tommy Minniear · From: Logansport, Indiana

Dave,
Didn't you do a version of the show with Buddy Emmons, Doug Jernigan, Maurice Anderson, Jimmy Bryant, Johnny Gore, Henry Strzelecki, and Louie Bellson? If memory serves me correct, the show I attended was done in the afternoon at a club in Marion, Indiana. I know that I attended a show with what I believe was this lineup of players somewhere in Indiana. Seems like the club was called the High Hat or the Top Hat...something like that. I think a steel player by the name of Max Winchester held the regular house gig in that club. Does you recall this show or venue?

Anyway, it was an awesome show that left a life long impression on me and I would like to thank you for the sacrafices and efforts you made in promoting these shows.

Dave A. Burley · From: Franklin, In. USA

Thanks to all for the comments. Russ gave the correct information concerning the album, 'It's The First Time.' Tommy, you are referring to one of the 'jamfests' that we held in Marion, Indiana. I don't remember the name of the club. Doug Jernigan, Julian Tharpe, Maurice Anderson and Jimmy Bryant were on that show. We drove all night after that show to make it to Muskegon, Michigan for a big show at the Horseshoe Lounge. We recorded that show. I recall how tired everyone was as Maurice flew in from Dallas and the rest of us drove up from Nashville, Tenn. and on to Muskegon after the Marion show. Buddy flew in from Nashville for the Sunday show at the Horseshoe and Scotty also flew in for that show which featured, Buddy, Maurice, Julian, Doug Jernigan, Jimmy Bryant and Johnny Gore. Toughest week of my life I believe. That show in Muskegon was recorded and will be released sometime this year. Every one of the 'jamfest's' that we had on the road found me just one step behind financially. Thank God that so many of the steel guitar players in the different areas supported the shows enough to barely keep me half way afloat. Remember, there were no steel guitar clubs in those days and I do thank Scotty for giving me credit for being instrumental in starting the steel guitar clubs. My soulmate, Margaret, also was so instrumental in helping me chase that dream. My main dream was to promote the steel guitar to new fans from many different music worlds. We finally did that with the 'Cavalcade Of Guitar' in Dallas, Tex. which put five of our legendary steel guitarists on the same stage with five of the worlds legendary jazz standard guitarists. Some of the things that happened during those few years are unbelievable. I still have enough recording from that show in Dallas to put out a couple more cd's. I have individual 'showcases' by each of the artists involved. Les Paul, Tal Farlow, Herb Ellis, Buddy Emmons, Bucky Pizzarelli and some others. Julian and Chalker's individual showcases from that day in Dallas have already been released. Check below. Thanks again for the kind repsonses.
Dave A. Burley
_________________
Dave A. Burley
P.O. Box #211
Franklin, Ind. 46131

Buddy Emmons/Jimmy Bryant live $15.00 includes shipping.
It's The First Time(studio)$15.00 includes shipping.
Curley Chalker/Julian Tharpe live $15.00 includes shipping.
the Cavalcade Of Guitars live $16.00 includes shipping.
Pay by PayPal to: dab7875159@aol.com

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