Bay Area Lap/Non-Pedal Gathering Idea

Larry Chung · From: San Francisco, CA, USA

Hello Fellow Forumites:

After receiving my lovely (and I mean lovely) Clinesmith cast lap steel earlier this month, I had several inquiries from friends, neighbors and fellow steelers about it: how does it sound, how does it compare to X, how much does it weigh, how can I order one, etc. (Answer to all of the above - it's awesome.)

Long story short, it got me thinking that a non-pedal steel gathering might be in order and a whole lot of fun here in the Bay Area later this year. It's been awhile since something like this happened - an opportunity to meet fellow steel players and enthusiasts, try out a few different old and new instruments, talk shop and hobnob with one another, perhaps even have some of the more well-known players come and demonstrate a few of the guitars live, if they're willing, of course.

Is this something that folks here in the Bay Area would be interested in attending? I'd be curious to know what kind of demand there is for this kind of "conference." I know plenty of great steel players here in the Bay Area, but I'm curious to know what ideas and which players you all might recommend...

Thanks so much for any and all suggestions. Still very early in the process.
LC

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I'd definitely be interested. It's a great idea.
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Mikiya Matsuda · From: San Francisco, California, USA

Count me in!
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Mark Eaton · Posted 28 Jan 2016 9:38 am

I'm up for it Larry.
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John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Good idea, Larry. I'd suggest getting the word out on Facebook groups, too. In L.A. we were using Band In a Box rather than a live band, for the sake of cost and simplicity. Up here in Portland we have the luxury of a live band. These gathering are always fun, and you get to try out lots of gear, or at least hear it in action.
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Mark Eaton · Posted 28 Jan 2016 10:35 am

It's been a number of years since the last one, but we had some Bay Area steel jams (mostly pedal steel) and b0b himself was the "conductor" of the Band In a Box program.
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George Piburn · From: The Land of Enchantment New Mexico

I'm in favor of as many Steel Guitar (Non Pedal) events as can be created.
In my case we live too far away to be able to do much more than support from afar.

My input to these type gatherings is always to have a serious portion dedicated to Education.
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For people wanting to Play ,
if your tunes are beyond 3 chord type standards For Certain Bring your own Tracks , or have advanced communication with the Band in a Box supplier.

About a backing Band - the more versatile the better, the more advanced communication with the Band Leader the better.

For those who have been to any of the larger festivals ,
The main room has Hired Professional Players that can handle any tune.
Investing into a Band is your best bet, Getting a Room is a lot easier than getting a Band.

Best Wishes for creating another gathering, I hope to attend. Very Happy

George Boards Piburn

Jim Newberry · From: Seattle, Upper Left America

I'd be tempted to fly down...
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Larry Chung · From: San Francisco, CA, USA

Moving forward, looking at dates and have a possible location. Would be great to invite and feature a few of the super-duper players here in the Bay Area and possibly on the West Coast. Am keeping a thread on FB right now, too. Ideas for players?

Greg Booth · From: Anchorage, AK, USA

The obvious....Bobby Black!
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Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Sounds like it could be fun. Winking

Are you thinking in terms of a jam session or an event at a public hall somewhere where the public would be allowed?

As an accountant, I have to point out that if you charge for the event you can run into legal and tax problems. We have an organization known as the Northern California Association of Luthiers which meets in the Bay Area every second month. It's an organization of people who build instruments, both amateur and professional, and we meet in each other's workshops in rotation, bring along our own refreshments, etc. That system works well. If you're going to have a jam session make sure that enough people bring along regular guitars, ukuleles, etc., or you'll have nothing but steel guitarists and no accompaniment. And it's a good idea if you set up a recorder and record the event, either audio or video or both, so that you can post it for others to hear later.

Mark Eaton · Posted 29 Jan 2016 4:51 pm

Russ Cudney · From: Sonoma, California, USA

I'm interested, but the Facebook link doesn't work for me.
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Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

The Facebook link doesn't work for me, either, and I'm a constant user of Facebook. Does it link to a private group? Oh Well

Are you the Larry Chung from the Protrero District, from whom I bought a Peavey Nashville amplifier about twelve years ago? Very Happy

If so, I went onto your Facebook page but couldn't find the message that the link referred to.

Larry Chung · From: San Francisco, CA, USA

Hi Everybody:

Thanks for the input and replies. I've changed the viewing settings on my FB post, so you should all be able to see and read it if you're logged on. I've also sent friend requests to those of you who haven't been able to view it up to now. Please feel free to post there or here with any additional thoughts or ideas or suggestions. All appreciated.

As much interest as there has been (expressed), and there has been a lot, I'd like this first event to not be too huge and unwieldy, I envision a long weekend afternoon (or maybe two to make it more accessible to more people) with maybe a short celebrity demos of a few instruments, but mostly the chance for most of us to get some hands on time on some of the cool new and vintage lap steels. I also like the idea of bringing a favorite steel to "share" with everybody else, too. Pot luck. (:

Just a little history: back in the day when I was just getting started, it was the South Bay (pedal) steel guitar jams that really introduced me to a lot of the players in the area. Such a great group of folks, many of whom I'm good friends with today, many, many years later. Personal and professional connections, too. I feel like part of the future of these instruments alive and thriving is just keeping a strong local community of players and ultimately friends.

More details soon,
LC

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Larry Chung · From: San Francisco, CA, USA

Hi Everybody:

I'm putting a few more details into play. It looks like this is going to happen, mostly likely on consecutive Sundays at the shop where I teach in Palo Alto, in late March and/or early April.

I'd like to create a FB page and event in the next week and once I've heard from a few more featured folks (players, builders). Please message or contact me or follow/friend me on Facebook if you're interested. I would love to get a more accurate headcount for purposes of organization.

More soon!
LC

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