SOUTHERN IL SHOW APR 17-19

The show in Mt Vernon IL is NOT a small show. It is a big show in a small venue - and they always have good ones! A number of our NTSGA members from Nashville were there to perform as were steel players from Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and beyond. It was a three day showcase with Thursday for most of the NON- Nashville players followed by two days of Nashville steel players joined by some of the best from elsewhere. We are hoping for pictures so we can do a full report. Meanwhile please remember this one. It is worth traveling to see in future years. This show is always well presented and managed by Bobby Reed and members of the Southern Illinois Productions group. Scheduled talent included:

Eddie Dunlap
Lee Brothers
Jeff Suratt
Bud Hall
DeWitt Scott (Scotty)
Don Curtis
Don Helms
Lynn Owsley
Russ Hicks
Terry Crisp
Doug Jernigan
Ron Elliott
Joe Wright
AND MANY MORE

There is more information at their website:

http://southernilproductions.com

APRIL JAM IN NASHVILLE

April 1 was one of our quarterly Jams here in Nashville Tennessee. It was fun as usual. We like to get various steel players together and let them swap ideas and styles on songs they choose on the spot. The first set were veterans of the road and TV shows. Featured were Billy Poe who was Charlie Prides first steel player and the steel player still seen on repeat satellite broadcasts of the Billy Walker "Country Carnival" TV series. Next to him was Van Coffee, a steel player who worked the Las Vegas and Nevada circuit. On the right of the stage was Smiley Roberts who played the Opry and the road for years with the Compton Bros and others. Surely three different styles, and a great set. All three of these are singers as well as steel players, and we were happy to hear some examples of that on the set.

The second set featured our rising stars, Eddy Dunlap and Chris Castle. These two are still in their teens, but playing  well beyond their years. Keep your eyes on them. The future of steel guitar looks bright with talent like these.  

The final set were two of our superpickers who play hand in glove on a variety of songs and types of music. Instead of a jam, Russ Hicks and Randy Beavers treated us to twin steel which they had rehearsed to perfection. This is an outstanding combination. To hear either one is to hear a top steel guitar player, but to hear them both on songs they have arranged is a treat usually only available here in Nashville. If you have not had this experience, we recommend putting it on your todo list.

PICTURES