Suggestions for some new additions to our festivals

[Basil Henriques]

I demand that, if asked by my steel playing friends, and with the approval of the organizers, I may be allowed to participate in the intended spirit without a mean-spirited attack on my abilities.
Butch

DEMAND eh, OK, but since when did an informed personal assessment become a mean spirited attack ?, as an amateur psychologist I can (in an partially informed and independent way) assure you that Eddie's intent would never be "Mean Spirited" in fact he would tend towards approbation and plaudits. (when due)

You, coming from the land of "Free Speech" should know that everyone has a right to express their own opinions..As you have done also here. This is a forum, forums are where debates occur, without debates forums wouldn't exist, without varied opinions debate wouldn't exist.

Sometimes it's difficult to read betwixt the lines when the demarcation point becomes blurred. That's when Oracles rather than spectacles are at their best. Fortunately I have amongst my friends MANY such, and I've deferred to their superior knowledge regularly, and also plagiarising their collective opinions, I HAVE been known to make posts that are both vitriolic and full of Ire, innuendo and blatant self opinionated waffle.. But NEVER have I done so in your case, so Why, oh Why, the criticism, and in such an impersonal way ?

Even my Doctor and proctologist call me Basil, not withstanding my bank manager, the only one to call me Mr. Henriques, would be someone I have yet to become acquainted with. (Other than you of course)

(Edited to reduce the proliferance of spinning reso's)

[Basil Henriques]

Back on track after that diversion, of course there is a new festival proposed, The South of England Steel Guitar Festival
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=454

The new designation is a much more viable alternative as it isn't venue specific..
I'm sure Ron Kew would welcome a vocalist as Ron's speciality is backing singers, to which he is par excellence.

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

Welcome to the forum Butch, you seem to have come in with both barrels blazing, a kinda' 'Shock and Awe' introduction, if i may say so, but your very welcome to join your fellow steelies all the same, but like Basil, i'm a little bit dismayed to be accused of saying things that i actually didn't say, at no time did i ever complain about your attendance or participation in the events, you are always made welcome, I have conversed with you in the past at previous festivals, although you probably wouldn't remember, as dozens of people talk to you, and make you feel welcome, i did mention you in an earlier post, but only in a small context of a much wider issue, regarding festivals, and that was that you seem to be the only vocalist that gets a slot, year in year out, and i was merely asking, could we not have a change instead of the same old same old, all the time, Ted Nesbitt responded with a very polite post, explaining the difficulties of getting the likes of mike denver to perform, and also explained that one certain big name [in ireland] failed to show, so i can understand his difficulties, particulary with regard to certain singers expecting to be paid big money, however, i will say this, there are lots of good singers out there, who would love the exposure of performing at a steel guitar festival, and IF i was asked, could i try and arrange a good singer to appear, i am sure my friend and colleague John Staunton, from Westport Co Mayo, would be delighted to sing a few country songs, he was hoping to attend this years festival, but i forgot to tell him when it was, his only probable stipulation might be to have me accompany him on lead guitar, i would also love that, give me a chance to play with one of our top steelies, and i am sure there are dozens out there would love to be asked, but thats not my call butch, nor yours i think, as for me getting up and singing, well like you, i am not a pro singer, i am a lead guitarist, pedal steel guitarist, backing vocalist, in that order, but having paid for my entrance, and as a long standing member of this steel players forum, i have every right to my opinions, and i have every right to defend myself from this 'friendly fire' , and of people misquoting me, in fact the two people you let rip at, are arguably, among the best on this Steelies forum at defending themselves, i am glad that this thread came back to life, as i think it still has legs in it, as a good lively debate,

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

If it snows any more I`m gonna have to buy me a shovel !!

[Basil Henriques]

If it snows any more I`m gonna have to buy me a shovel !!

They're all in use here with Eddie and myself...

[Uncle Roy]

When I started this thread I was not expecting it to change to a slanging match( Hope I have spelt it right ) Come on chaps back to the thread

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

its only healthy debate uncle roy, about what different people see as different directions for festivals, i have in the past clashed with Basil over different issues, until i realised he could tie me in knots with his inbuilt dictionary and knowledge about everything, i also think he realised he couldnt entirely win with me, cos im incredibly stubborn, and maybe, just maybe, slightly outspoken, but we get on great now, cos i think he is a brilliant, knowledgeable, very helpful, likeable character, who does set the bar high, but why not? i also think he has seen the good side of me, what im trying to say is, healthy debate and disagreement doesn't automatically mean world war three, its good for the forum, after all its been very quiet just lately, and lets be honest, all these 'happy birthday to who ever' is totally boring, a bit of a debate is good, and far more entertaining,

[Ken Byng]

Well I think its good that the forum has suddenly come alive after a week of relative inactivity.

Butch has certainly opened up healthy debate in a thread that had appeared to run out of steam.

[David Hartley]

In no particular order..

Tony Smart
Bob Haskell
Melvyn Duffy

[Uncle Roy]

Good selection David