Scotland...SCOTTISH STEEL GUITAR WORKSHOP

[Donny Johnston]

After having a short talk with Malcolm, I thought I would start this thread and see if anyone was interested enough to hold a regular steel guitar night around the Glasgow area. There has been an awful lot of apathy on the site recently, and I thought maybe this could spark some interest in our instrument. If you think it's a good idea lets hear from you, if you know anyone who is a bedroom player but is not a member of this site, or just if you know anyone who plays let them know. It's got to be worth talking about.
PS: You don't have to be Scottish, anyone welcome.

[Peter Nylund]

What a "greet" idea. Are even Finns allowed?

[Donny Johnston]

More than welcome Peter, Bring Mette, Shes better looking than you.

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Donny,with only three Jocks who post here I doubt if anyone could get something off the ground regarding a regular meet.
Your post is a couple of days old and already has attracted 33 hits and one reply.
I have only had one occasion to sit face to face with another steel player and at that time I was a complete newbie.
I know that a few of our players in Scotland visit one another at their homes and trade licks or ideas,I always thought it a good idea to do this but any attempts to try one to one never got anywhere at all.At My house We would have to contain our playing to the times of the tv commercials.
I know I am sounding negative but I fully believe that if it were possible to find a venue for a meet We would probably have no more than two or three players who would attend.
We are pretty spread out geographically which is a drawback and the fact that a few will be working weekends would mean that the meet would have to be a week night which would not suit the early risers.
I apologise for being negative but I am as well saying it rather than not posting anything.
Best regards
Billy

[Donny Johnston]

Billy, I completely understand your point of view, and I would probably agree with you as this has been bandied about for years. Can't we try and rise above the apathy? phone people we know, get there opinions. There's you, me, Malcolm, Willie, Bob Adams, Davie Holland, Mark Daniels is waiting for his Bennett, should be here in September, I have 1 guy, Reg Sutherland come to me every 2wks, and Billy Lindsay that just bought the Sheffield. I went down and played at Uncle Roys monthly meeting and after talking to some of the guys most would agree a regular meeting concentrated your practice regime, and increased youre repertoire. I know that everyone would not be able to attend every meeting for one reason or another but I still think it's worth a try. Thanks for the reply, as you say at least you responded. Donny

[Malcolm]

Sorry slow in getting back on this, had a real busy spell at work.Initial thing to do would be to find a venue that would suit all who might attend, has anybody have any ideas?Peter we will have to finish early so you don't miss the last bus home.

[JTDavidson]

I'd be up for being involved in this

Great idea...

Tim

[bob adams]

Greetings, I’m out of town but just catching this.

The guys mentioned have all seemed to be up for it when we’ve talked about it in past months, I guess the issue for most of us is time and the age old ‘what suits one, never suits another’ but if we had some indication of a ‘possible best week night’ that would help.

As for venues, they are about you just have to pursue them, there are endless larger halls but I think the best bet is likely to be a scout hall or the likes that would be more the ideal size for us, preferably one with a ramp, stair lift, disabled toilet and respiratory equipment for us ‘auld farts’
Anyway to that end have a shifty at these.

http://www.113.org/about/hiring-the-hall.html

http://www.20thglasgowmilngaviescouts.org/

http://www.thomsonlocal.com/BusinessFinder.aspx?phrase=Halls%20for%20hire&where=Glasgow&type=ty&sr=24135&ad=0&pg=1

As you will see Milngavie for instance charge 15/hr…min 4hrs for an evening stint, £60 split between us all shouldn’t be a major obstacle I wouldn’t have thought! Could be a good wee gig for us if y’all fancy it. The regularity would likely depend on the success of the inaugural bash I guess!

There would also need to be some sort of small PA or at least something to put tracks through, to achieve a 'play along' or 'round robin' element if desired, apart from on to one stuff, I know John would come to my aid on some tracks for that.

The important thing with these events is that we all muck in any way we can otherwise one poor sod gets it all to do and the rest swan in and out contributing sweet FA.

Your thoughts??

[Malcolm]

Tim missed you Saturday, you should play with her Rock'n'roll outfit as well.Malcolm

[Donny Johnston]

This is what I was hoping for, positive thinking. Thanks to all who have posted. As I have previously mentioned, I went down to Bristol and played at Uncle Roys meeting, everyone just brought there own set up for playing. I took my laptop & BIAB tracks, I played the tracks through a small Fender Champ , And the Williams through the Steel King. There was know pa. As for the round robin you can just change the amount of repeats on the BIAB and every one can have a go. This is good I look forward to some interesting posts.