Irish Steel Guitar Festival 2014

[Ivor Greenwood]

Well the big event has come and gone for another year

The show was very good ...Well done the whole committee....A serious amount of work and phone calls go into this weekend.

Mr Buck Reid did himself proud on both days......I have to admit though, for me .... when he was turned loose, back into his comfort zone ....playing alongside the wonderful ......Lionel Welding.....Boy did he come alive....If you can find it on Youtube, have a listen to Lyle Lovett and his big band, ....,Playing White freight liner blues.......Buck is on the ball in that video....The video seems to have been removed but I'm sure some wiz kid will find it on there

It was very nice to meet up with all those old guys from Scotland but sadly no Bob Adams or Donny Johnston..... Hopefully , they will be back next year.

Some time ago I had a crazy lapse in concentration, and foolishly sold my MSA D10 Millennium to Bob ADAMS ......He really is lucky that he didn't show up this year....He would not have got back to Scotland with that steel........I still have his money in Scottish currency , Waiting for him to came back......
..
I must say , I have met many friends in the steel guitar world ....Ted Nesbitt has been a life long friend, and one of my biggest regrets in life, was not listening to Ted many years ago, when he tried to persuade me to go to the Irish steel guitar festival in Drogheda and also learn to play a steel guitar

I am also very pleased, to now include , I hope, is a new long time friend ....Mr Ken Byng........Ken is going to try and give me some direction on playing steel....Little does he know what he's letting himself in for........Ken is a real gentleman and a great guy to be around...

Ken did a really nice set, on both days and I hope his playing shows up on Youtube, for lots of people to hear...He did some very nice stuff, and also did two numbers each day unaccompanied which really showed up the big sound of the showpro, and the new Telonics Combo amplifier. ... Mark Dunn is importing those amps from the USA to the UK, and if you want to sound like Buck Reid or Ken Byng,....then you got to have one....Not cheap, But how good do you want to sound ......Ken was also crazy enough to come and spend some time with me after the show....When he was here , he hooked up his Showpro to my Telonics Rack system and played a few numbers......Well I have to admit I am very impressed with the big bottom end and complete midrange tone of the Showpro......The sustain of that guitar goes on forever and it really is a lovely looking guitar.......Mr Jeff Surratt, did a great job on the build quality of that instrument.
...There wasn't a bad player on the stage all weekend.... Richard Nelson got a great band together a few years ago and they are still going strong...Absolutely superb bunch of guys...As good, as any band I have heard here or in the USA............Please keep good health guys and come back next year .......

Hopefully next year the superb... Miss Sara Jory will return....Also ....Derek Thurby and Dave Kirk ..... you were all missed this year.
Ok That's the big scoop from me....Ted and I are already booked for Dallas were we hope to meet up again with the Scottish Dynasty and all the guys from the UK

Keep well...Cheers Ivor Greenwood

[bob adams]

How times has moved along! In the early days we were, ‘to a great degree’ still ships that passed in the night, bowever, loyalty, respect and genuine friendship over the past few years has created what, I believe we now consider our family! Willie phoned me the other night obviously still inebriated with ‘the love’ No not the black stuff, simply the after effects of the ISGF weekend! I bled a little having had to ‘take a rain check’ but I was transfused by Willie’s enthusiasm, hearing many of the gems of the event! I said, Willie it is quite unique, (bollocks, that’s a contradiction in terms) it is TOTALLY UNIQUE in its all encompassing love of PSG and those who make it there passion. Dallas or no Dallas I believe the ISGF to have the upper hand where lasting friendship is concerned!

Why did I just say all that! Because I am ‘Gob Smacked’ By this epistle from Ivor! One who so rarely puts ‘pen to paper here’ and who’s mind goes at Mach 2 (Yes I have been on Concorde!Wonderful but Noisy! 3.5hrs to NY. Wow!) I am impressed with your account of events! Mr Greenwood! Thank you!

I am so sorry to have missed Buck’s and all others playing but events were out-with my control! Sorry Ted I really missed sharing that space and the craic with you as I know 'O' did with Joan and Francis!

My absence was joined by Sarah, Derek, Dave and his lovely Carol bless her! Do keep her in your thoughts and prayers guys! Mega important! ….. Mr Hartley, Fran, and of course our own Donald J! …………2015 could be, ‘A Good Year for the Roses!

If the committee catch this, you have missed one mega stalwart for PSG UK, one who gives an inordinate amount of his own time, especially for newcomers to PSG! Mr John Davis! He has ‘The Passion’ without a doubt and his contribution cannot go un-noticed, as his passed meetings demonstrate, John can fill a 30 min slot and some! Time he was invited over guys!

Lastly Ivor!......It would not surprise me if you still had the 'Wad of Scottish Notes' stashed, but two chances! The M3 is staying with me! Best thing I ever did! Thanks for the M3 and for your account of …… The 2014 Weekend!!


Regards all, Bob

ps! as I'm signing out! I missed, all the players but also...'Roy & Silv / 'Richard Stanton' / 'Eugene' / 'Uffe' /'Pat & Family' / 'Mr Kappen' / and, and!! catch up next time! B

[Ken Byng]

...There wasn't a bad player on the stage all weekend....

Keep well...Cheers Ivor Greenwood

So true Ivor. I was really impressed with all of the players - all top drawer. I missed a trick over the weekend. I should have brought one of my other pedal steels over and given it to you for safe keeping. I could then fly over at a fraction of the cost of driving and and getting the ferry, and if invited to appear again sometime in future years just get you to drop off the guitar. One of the hazards of playing Day pedals is that you are likely to be the only one one on a show to do so.