Great session North East Steelers

[Nick Bidmade]

Wow!
The usual suspects attended, as per. We were joined by Lynn and Mike Eacock and Rosemary and Rod King - and the music flowed!

Anyone who has heard Rod and Rosemary play will know that they provide a really tight combo that gives free reign to Rod's amazing skill, musicality and outrageous playing of jazz, western swing, blues and standards on his Rickenbacker 'radiogram'. Outstanding and really free with his knowledge, ideas and stories. Rosemary swings a Danelectro bass with great aplomb.

Mike plays a customised D10 Carter - he has used 'Spangles' for fret markers so if he gets the need for a sugar rush, no problem! Mike has also added a 'platform' for his Tascam 8 track machine just 'player side' of the changer so he has his backing tracks easily to hand. Mike plays standards but his particular forte is Hawaiian music, which he performs with great skill and beautiful tone on the C6 neck.

What was really apparent to me was the difference between 'pro' players and 'home' players (no names!). As a dedicated 'home' player it is amazing how well one can play indoors on a wet Wednesday, but take it out to a new venue with colleagues and other players watching on, the nerves set in, the string grips go and the fumbles appear... Which is why these meetings are so important and need to be attended. Whatever your level of playing, there are experiences galore to be had.

Tony gave us tips and licks on C6 and E9 and demonstrated his musical knowledge by being able to play anything! Give him any tune, he picks out the notes on the first verse, plays the second verse and improvises like mad by the time the third verse comes around. Sickening, really. Keith gave a great rendition of Nuages and the Lonely Bull on his home-made 'plank' and Derek showed his depth of country tunes and licks on his lovely-sounding Rains. Tony and Derek have the new 'Basil Bars' and, I have to say, I thought it would be impossible to improve on the BJS bars, and I know the Ben Burrow bars have been getting good reviews but the basil bars are really fantastic and add in my guess 10% to tone and a 'cut' to the sound - brilliant! I'm saving up my pocket money, but have a Ben-Rom to pay for first! Basil - put one aside for me - 10p a week pocket money... I'll give you a ring when I can!

I gave the first public outing of my new Ben-Rom which seemed to get the thumbs-up from the assembled company and I was able to bluff my way through Yesterday on E9 and Sleepwalk on the Sigler pedal - although you wouldn't sleepwalk through my rendition. We need a Sigler thread starting so that Donny can give us the full benefit of his expertise and knowledge.

We next meet on 15 January 2017 and, as usual, we offer a warm, friendly and knowledgeable welcome to any newcomers. The best meeting yet! Y'all missed a treat.

Nick

[Ken Byng]

Thanks for the report Nick. Just like we were there with you all. Your BenRom is some machine and will give you many years of service.

[Danny Mitchell]

Your meet sounds like it was a classic, Nick. What a great, and inspirational post! Thanks!

[nevada150]

Nick is right, it's the best meeting we've had so far. The additional players added a great deal to our usual meeting, they played some of their favourite tunes and joined in with our three "round robins". We may have to adopt a more open format at our future sessions, Derek suggested each attendee bringing along their own repertoire for the day, plus some pre-arranged round robins. Whatever we decide, I hope some more "guests" attend.
And I'd like to say a big thanks to Rosemary and Rod and Lynne and Mike for making the journey North.
Looking forward to January now.
Keith.

[derek evans 15]

SUPERB DAY OUT AT THE BUCK INN. JUST TO SAY THANK,S TO ALL THAT WERE THERE.
NICK SUMMED UP IT UP PERFECTLY. BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE TO SPEND TIME WITH ,AND AS USUAL THE MANAGEMENT ,AND STAFF
WHERE EXCELLENT. REGARDS DEREK.

[Bent Romnes]

Thanks for the fine write+up on the BenRom, Nick!
What a treat it was for me to work with a fine customer like you!
I hope you get many years of service from Lorelei!
Many people liked that colour. So much, that the local customer that ordered # 018 wanted the same. So here I am finding myself making one more Lorelei!!

I am glad the rest of the gang liked her as well!

[Donny Johnston]

Nick, Sounds like you had a good meeting, it makes a hell of a difference when the numbers are up. The new guitar should help your enthusiasm. Mr Sigler has not reared his head in my house yet, having some work done so the guitar has not been out the case since our September meeting, I have no where to set the gear up at the moment.This months meeting is our 4th anniversary, can't believe how it's flown in. I was a lot younger then. Is your meeting bi monthly or quarterly? with enough notice I might be able to have a run down. Regards, Donny.

[Nick Bidmade]

Hi Donny
We meet quarterly at the usual venue. Next meeting 15 January 2017. We'll fix up tunes etc nearer the date. It would be fantastic if you could make it - bring a car-load! McSteelers most welcome!

[Donny Johnston]

Nick, Had a word with some of the lads last Tuesday about coming down, Willie Gamble is up for it, it will not be January, maybe the next one,by that time I'll have talked a few more into it. Regards, Donny.

[Nick Bidmade]

Likely to be April, I'd guess Donny. It would be fangtastic (must be Hallowe'en!) to welcome you, Willie and as many as you can muster! I'll keep everyone updated.