Irish Steel Guitar Festival 2014

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Yep! have a good'un all you lucky Bu£&e$ that can get to it ..... I usually get to hoover up a gig or two when your all over there but this year its as flat as a Witches Tit!!

[Ken Byng]

Aye, it'll no' be long now boys. I'm looking forward to meeting you all again. I'll be in the vicinity of the bar on Friday night. I too am very much looking forward to hearing Buck Reid for the first time. His CD is just fantastic.

I will look out for you at the bar Paul. I am the one with a haircut like a pink crash helmet.

Re Buck - if you think the CD is good - and its brilliant, wait til you hear him live. He is simply awesome. A very quiet and gentle man, but when he plays the fireworks start. His right and left hand technique is something to behold. He works really hard at what he does, and it shows.

[bob adams]

Absolutely Gutted!!

Sorry guys but alas I won’t see you tomorrow night! My father (shortly 93) is in hospital and not in super shape; some of you know already and I appreciate your thoughts and calls!

I kept my ferry booking live as long as I could but I had to cancel in the end I simply can’t leave him for four days!

You all have a wonderful weekend, you’ve no idea how much I would like to be there, so much about this weekend I wanted to be involved in!

Sorry Ted, Uncle Roy, Maurice, Ken, The Scottish Clan, and so many others, and not least to experience Buck Reid!!

Willie if you do nothing else buy Pat Orpen a Single Malt on me, I’m so fond of that man, his lovely wife and daughter! Pat’s such a star, get him up in the bar later for some Jim Reeves and give him wellie on the steel! he favours an Emmons but I'm sure he will compromise!

Thanks to all who have messaged me….. I will miss you more than you can possibly imagine!

Somebody ring me and tell me how things are going!!!

[Ted Nesbitt]

Hi Bob, I guess everyone will understand your position, family comes First. You will be missed my friend.
I will talk to you next week.
Ted

[Uncle Roy]

Bob, I had no idea of your family troubles, I am sorry to hear this I do hope your dad is being well cared for in hospital and being kept as comfortable as is possible.. Yes you will be missed my friend but we all know where your place must be right now.
Our thoughts are with you.

Roy & Sylvii

[Malcolm]

Bob, sorry you won't make it but totally understandable.Hope things improve with your Dad, having met him a couple of times he is a lovely man, pass on my best wishes to him.Malcolm

[Ken Byng]

Sorry to hear about your father Bob. It puts everything else into perspective and you have your priorities right. We will still miss you nevertheless.

Ken

[Admin]

Thanks to you all guys, appreciate it!

The old fellow got out of hospital today, home but pretty shaky on it.

You have been on my mind all day, 10.10pm I dare say the bar will be in full swing now, do let us know how your first day went!

No sore heads in the morning I trust!

[Ken Byng]

Bob
The first day has been very successful. I am told that there were more bodies in the hall this year than last. Some very fine players that I have never heard before and some, like Arthur James, that I haven't see for many years. Buck Reid was simply sensational tonight and lifted the roof off. He did a beautiful version of both Danny Boy and Night Life, and his showstopping Alabama Jubilee was just incredible. He played Scrapple From The Apple plus the beautiful Kelsey's Song. Yesterday Buck dragged me up to his hotel room to look at his new Infinity guitar. It is a real beauty and sounds so much fuller than his JCH.

The atmosphere is simply wonderful, and the Guinness is so more'ish. My wife text me today with a message. DON'T GET DRUNK! Me? Drunk? Never

I was impressed with Willie Gamble's playing. He has a good touch and nice tone. Lionel Wendling was excellent too, and Buck was impressed with his playing. I am suffering a little with too much exposure to the black stuff, so I am now off to bed.

[bob adams]

Thanks Ken, sounds like day one has been a blast, super, look forward to hearing some more when you are the better of your over exposure!!!