Dallas 2015

[Ken Byng]

I thought that I would start a quick log of the Dallas Show and update each day for those who are interested.

Yesterday there wasn't too much happening apart from Buck Reid's seminar and the Thursday night talent show. Buck was simply in amazing form yesterday, and Mike Fereday and I had made sure that we had the perfect vantage point in the front row. Buck was playing his Infinity through a Peavey 112 with a Telonics 12" speaker in it. He had the best tone that I have ever heard from him, and I can only put it down to the combination of Telonics pickup through the Telonics speaker. He was chuffed when I told him that I thought his tone was wonderful, and agreed about the Telonics theory.

Mike and I had Ruth from Switzerland sitting between us, who is absolutely thirsting for info and knowledge. A the very funny lady who asked some very probing questions of Buck.

I will put some photos of Buck and others on here, but I have to meet Ted Nesbitt and Ivor The Driver for breakfast, so will be back later.

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Thanks for posting Ken.
Turbo breakfast ??? Say Hi to everybody for Me.
Looking forward to hearing more from You.
Billy

[Uncle Roy]

Hi Ken, glad to hear the show has started with a Big Bang. Please keep us all updated with all the events taking place. Trust Siston's Bryan and Ken are having a ball first time there.
What steel are you bringing back next week.

[Ken Byng]

Hi Ken, glad to hear the show has started with a Big Bang. Please keep us all updated with all the events taking place. Trust Siston's Bryan and Ken are having a ball first time there.
What steel are you bringing back next week.

Hi Roy (and Billy)
I have met up with Bryan and Ken. They are loving every minute. They have been wondering around in awe as people like Doug Jernigan and Joe Wright walk past them. Joe Wright has divulged to a fellow UK man yesterday that this will be his last Dallas Show as he will be doing no more Shows after the Irish festival this year. Joe said that he is having problems making ends meet as a pro steel player, and is going to sell up and go back to his old job of computing.

Billy
I picked up my new body for my Zum from Mark Giles yesterday. I opened up the packaging to take a peek at it this morning. Wow, I was knocked out with the workmanship, and so too were the Irish Mafia of Ted, Ivor and Alan who all dropped in my room this morning to have a butchers. Even Mr MSA, Ivor Greenwood thought it was special.

Last night they started with Zane King on the main stage in the ballroom. He spent much of the time gurning as he played. I am afraid that I didn't enjoy his set at all. His use of the volume pedal was seriously playing my ears up as he was winding it fully up and down with virtually every note that he played. Whiney and tasteless in my view. Sorry.

Next was Bert Riviera, who even before he started, tripped and ploughed into Roy Rosetta's piano and knocked it off it's stand. He must have been shaken as he is an old boy, but he played some decent stuff - mainly on E9.

Next up was the perennial speed merchant, Doug Jernigan, and he raised the bar immediately. He played some wonderful ballads and of course some of the reels and speed picking for which he is famous for. He surprised the audience by bringing on Germany's Mark Horn to join him for the last 2 numbers. Orange Blossom Special got the Jernigan treatment and I felt that Mark did well just about keeping up with Doug. Doug got a well deserved standing ovation from quite a strong section of the audience.

Then came the man with the flying fingers, Buck Reid. Buck just seems so unperturbed and calm these days at the big shows. He just took the place apart. His tone from his Infinity was the best of the day in the opinion of many of us Brits sitting together. He played a few numbers from his album, including the exquisite Kelsey's Song, and finished with an absolutely rousing rendition of Alabama Jubilee. Probably played the best that I have heard him play it, and the audience went ballistic and he got a unanimous standing ovation from what was by then, a full hall.

JD Maness then came on, and treated us to his humourous side, and included his usual banter about how the MIsty thing came about, and likewise with the Tears From Heaven work that he did with Clapton. JD played well and the respect that he got from the audience showed how much they appreciated both him and his playing.

By the time Ted, Ivor, Alan and I went to bed after supper we were dog tired. Still, it's another day today with a lot more steel guitar and things of interest to see.

[coolsteel]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for posting and keeping us all informed as to the goings on in Dallas. I look forward to your daily reports, please convey my regards to Ted and Ivor.

Regards
Richard

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Thanks Ken for a well written report.
Get a hold of Paddy Long and remind Him it is His round, You are welcome to the beer He owes Me.
No doubt You will be posting pics of the Zum when You get home,look forward to that.
Enjoy the rest of the show.
Billy

[Ken Byng]

Billy
I met up with Paddy and his lady on Friday. He is a good sort and is itching to see Mark's body that he made. It is dark blue flamed maple with mother of pearl inlays. It just looks stunning, and I will be really proud of it when it is completely assembled.

I can't post any pictures from my iPhone of the show at the moment as there is no Wi Fi at the Red Roof.

[Danny Mitchell]

Thanks for sharing your exploits Ken. Absolute gold. It's really great getting this kind of info, although tragic to hear someone as gifted as Joe Wright is struggling.

[Ken Byng]

Well the Show is nearly over now. Sunday morning is always slightly anti climatic as the dealers and exhibitors all start wrapping up ready to go home. Some great picking in the main hall yesterday. Youngsters Austin Stewart and Eddy Dunlap tearing it up in the jam session of the early hours of Saturday morning was a pleasure. Buck did another great set last night, as did Tommy Dodd and J D Maness. Joe Wright did his comedy routine that has been done to death. He is going to give up playing steel shows, but he really does need to drop Theawfullness. It is simply not funny anymore, at least for me.

Telonics have been doing a roaring trade here and were sold out of pickups when I tried to get one yesterday. They sold a number of combo amps at the show, and some of the pros who bought them was amazed at just how good they are. A big pat on the back for Dave Beaty and team. I ordered a pickup from Telonics for the C6 neck of my Zum.

I picked up my pedal Hudsonator guitar. Very very nice.

No Goodrich volume pots on sale anywhere. That was a real disappointment, along with the lack of nylon end tuners.

Some of the Brits are flying home today. I am on a flight home on Tuesday, and will spend this afternoon packing all my bits and pieces. It's been a good weekend, but I suspect slightly down in numbers on last year due to zero attendees from the Scottish contingency.

Jim Harrison sent his best wishes to Uncle Roy.

I am looking forward to getting home to my dog. (And my wife )

[bob adams]

Ken, as ever, thanks for taking the time on these, it is appreciated by those unable to attend, sorry about the lack of Scots, I'll get there yet but as you know current responsibilities don't allow it so it is good to at least get a flavour of the event! Circumstances in the south with the young'n look like I will be in your neck of the woods in the not too distant future, hopefully we can catch up at some point. Thanks again for your journalistic efforts! Safe trip back to all. Bob