Long Aston Steel Guitar Festival

[Digby Hardy]

For those who prefer a poster, here is one from the latest December issue of Aloha Dream magazine:

[Jim Pritchard]

Over a thousand viewings for this event and limited commitment
Well I've done it!, cancelled my 4day country w/e, lost my deposit and 3 paying sessions. .
I have paid up and thanks to Digby I am now on the playing schedule . As this will be an annual event for all genre of steel, I feel we should give this as much support as possible. So, where are you?

[Digby Hardy]

Jim

Thanks for the comments, one has to put up a lot of money, time and effort to get an event like SESGF off the ground.

Players should be aware that tickets must be bought before the event so we can create the ID badges to identify all participants. The festival will run over two days and there will be a lot of expensive kit lying about; we must do our best to protect it. As a result we will not admit anyone to the festival who has not already booked a ticket.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU BOOK YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THE FESTIVAL.

[David Hartley]

When I first saw this advertised many many weeks ago, I made the commitment to attend and support. I cancelled a gig and booked accommodation also. I hope other players will make the same effort. OK, there might be a few bands playing on that weekend without steel players, because they'll all be here in long Ashton, it gives the bands guitarists to work harder that weekend, that's all, no big deal. There's been plenty of notice of this festival and plenty of time to make your arrangements. Let's have some more players confirming they're attendance here! And don't try and get a stand in steel player for your gig if you have one, get a lead player or cancel, this has got to be the place for all steel players to be this weekend. Oh, and there's loads of bed and breakfasts near by. Just google. Like I did. Or bring a sleeping bag and a pillow for your car.

David.

[Digby Hardy]

I have posted a list of possible accommodation in and around Long Ashton on the SESGF website. Just click the VENUE button and then the ACCOMMODATION one.

[David Hartley]

So, who is coming then?

[David Hartley]

At the time of posting this there were 1254 visits to this thread.
This has been well advertised many weeks in advance.
As soon as I saw the commitment from Digby at a VERY early stage of organising this, I had to commit myself also to attend and support. As much as I personally try to encourage you all to at least say yes or no to attending, I feel some are avoiding commenting here. I have received a personal call from a player who's name I am obviously going to keep anonymous, saying that players are being put off by admission price and playing time. I completely find this surprising. You are letting yourselves down by not supporting this event. It's a measly £15 for two days entertainment and a chance to play as well. Travelling, ok, so it's a cost that you can't avoid and these sort of things can't be on everybody's doorstep and Bristol is probably one if the easiest places for anyone to travel to by any means. For a two day event, ok, you may want to accommodate yourself in one of the many bed and breakfasts locally which to me, makes the whole weekend a short holiday experience. Or, kip in your camper if car!

I have been in touch with Digby who is determined this is going to be an annual event and it's up to us all to make this one to support. At least 1254 of you who have visited this thread could make your feelings known. As i say, you will be letting yourself down personally by not trying your best to attend or at least support with your comments and feelings here this thread.

If you're gigging, cancel, SIMPLES !

Now, I rarely get time to visit this forum, but i hope you will all have a good think and do your best here for yourself, other players, and Digby too.

I will hope to see some commitment from you all the next time I visit this forum and this thread.

There is so much talent in the British steel guitar scene and let's get a good thing going here from the start.

If you're playing your gig and don't attend, I hope there is a BIG RED ARROW pointing down on your head saying, here sits the player who should be in Long Ashton tonight! And if your strings break all night and your out of tune and your amp blows up and your car has a flat tyre when you load up at the end of your gig in the pouring rain,
I kind of think I have made my point!

[Dave Nutt]

David, As one of the 1254 viewers of this post I feel I should respond.
When considering the LASGF event I personally have to make a choice between 'playing for pay' or! 'paying to play'
on this occasion I will be 'playin for pay'one can wish shame on me for that decision, its a simple question of economics.

A point that may help- Over the last few months I have tried to access the website address given on earlier page, to date(including this evening) I have not been able to access it, page part loads then hangs up, may well be a problem this end, however I have no problems accessing any other site. If this is happening with others,that could be a reason for guys and gals not committing to the event.

Also- The event seems to have an aoustic/lap/hawaiian feel about it, for me that would be a definate no! no!, I can take so much of that. Just my view.

Whilst appreciating your committment and enthusiasm for the event, I respectfully doubt that any tongue in cheek (I certainly hope it is.lol) barracking wont reverse the apathy being shown to this venture.

Dave.

[Digby Hardy]

For those of you who are planning to come to SESGF, the bookings are going very well and it looks like the first festival will have more attendees than I thought. I note that there is some talk on the German Steel Guitar Forum of people coming from Europe - I hope it works out, it will be great to meet some of our continental friends.

This is the first steel guitar festival in the UK for many years and is very different form those of yore. Here everyone plays, it's the way forward for the steel guitar if it is to survive. It's not just PSG or Lap Steel or tricone or hawaiian leis or cowboy hats or cajun - it's for all steel players. Personally I want to move the steel guitar into modern genres as well.

A month or two ago I spoke with Gerry Hogan who explained that he can't come because he has a gig in Italy the weekend of SESGF but he supports the festival and sends his regards. Hopefully we'll see him in 2012. It will always be a problem for professionals who must put their gigs first. In any case the festival is for players of all standards to meet in an atmosphere of togetherness and equality. Each player will have two 20 minute sessions, it doesn't matter how advanced or novice you are or whether you can play for 20 minutes, even if you can only play one tune we'd love to hear you. Just come along, meet like minded steel guitar lovers and enjoy yourself.

Below is a list of those who have registered for SESGF so far:

Digby Hardy PLAYER
Chantal Hardy SINGER
Basil Henriques PLAYER
Pat Henriques PLAYER
Jim Pritchard PLAYER
Rod King PLAYER
Rosemary King PLAYER
BJ Cole PLAYER
Shaun Winning PLAYER
Ron Kew PLAYER
Angela Kew SUPPORTER
Stephanie Williams SUPPORTER
Kate Williams SUPPORTER
Jade West SUPPORTER
Aaron Williams PLAYER
David Hartley PLAYER
Fran Allum SUPPORTER
Mary Higgens SUPPORTER

[Digby Hardy]

Only two weeks to go to SESGF 2011. Come on guys, stop sitting on your hands and book your playing slots.

Don't leave it to the last minute it just adds to the difficulties of organising the event.

Digby