North East 'Steel Pedlars' first meeting

[Nick Bidmade]

Well, we finally got ourselves organised and five steel guitar enthusiasts met yesterday at the Buck Inn, Thornton Watlass, (that's North Yorkshire, for the geographically challenged) for the inaugural NESP jamboree.
Thanks are due particularly to Tony Russell Davis for organising the venue. It was perfect - good food, good beer, generous hosts - couldn't be better! (London steelies please note - all this, and no charge for room hire!! That's how tight they are in Yorkshire!!)
So, to introduce the 'boys in the band'...
I'm not sure Tony needs much introduction. He is a stalwart of the North of England steel guitar weekends. he is extremely knowledgeable on all things steel guitar (and a very good player of both E9 and C6 necks) and is obviously a whizz on the lathe - he's the only person playing a Fender D10 that is more Tony than Leo!
Derek Evans - plays a beautiful-sounding (and looking) Rains SD10 - Derek has got the chops all right, and is great fun to be around!
Keith Glendinning - Keith plays guitar and slide - apart for a Gibson 6 string tuned C6, he played a fantastic sounding 'Telecaster' and an absolutely fabulous sounding and looking 8 string C6 - both of which were made by the man himself! Now that's talent!
Tom Fletcher - Tom is a very good player. He's playing a Fessenden U12 which he has set-up as an extended E9 with 4 pedals and 5 (I think) levers, but there were some very different changes on some of the knee levers which Tom is very adept at exploiting, to make a very pleasing and interesting sound.
Yours truly - I play an E9 Sho-Bud with a Curnow undercarriage. I haven't got the 'ear' or the 'chops' of the other guys, but I make up for this with enthusiasm and a total lack of embarrassment!
We gave savage treatment to 'Green, Green Grass of Home', 'I Fall to Pieces' and 'Help me Make it Through the Night' - with thanks to Shaun Winning for sharing the backing tracks. By the time we'd swapped stories, tried each other's guitars and shared ideas, knowledge and interests, the time flew. Derek has a wealth of backing tracks of excellent quality, so he's selecting the tunes (and keys) for next time, which he will advise in due course.
Tony will advise of the date of the next meeting - probably late June, to be confirmed by availability of the room.
Keith filmed part of the meeting, so, by the time he's edited out the bum notes and cursing, there should be several seconds of quality playing which I hope he is going to post on BSS or YouTube. No still camera on the day - but, all in all, a great day and with the promise of a lot more to come.
I know Steve Hicken (and his dad) are hoping to attend the next meeting, and Derek Thurlby also indicated an interest, although he was unable to attend on the day.
I hope this write-up fires up enthusiasm from other 'Northern' steelies - all welcome. Send me a PM if you'd like to join us!

Nick

[nevada150]

Hi Nick,
Well I've failed with the Video I'm afraid. The digitiser I used to use with my old PC refuses to work on Windows 7 and it's expensive to upgrade the programme. Instead I have copied the raw Video footage onto some mini-DVD discs and I'll be posting them out to the attendees this week. Next time I'll use a programme called "Capture" take some Video with the iPad which can then be uploaded to YouTube. Do you have Tom's address by any chance?
Keith.

[Willie Gamble]

Oh No, my worst fears have been realised, no videos, oh well, I will just have to hope for some stills

Asleep at the Steel

[Nick Bidmade]

Hi Keith - shame about the video - I have a digital camera somewhere but lost during the move north!
I don't have postal addresses for anyone - only email.
Suggest you email or PM people if you need addresses - here's another reason why a small 'float' might be a good idea...

N

[Willie Gamble]

WHERE ARE THE BL..DY PHOTOS?, WAS IT A MEETING OF THE PETER BRADY SOCIETY...WHAT YOU LADS NEED IS A BOB ADAMS AMONG YOU

[nevada150]

Or maybe a Willie Gamble with a camera? You'd be welcome no doubt!
Keith.

[Jif]

Keith I could probably digitise the video for you, what format is it in? I can capture from video 8 up to full HD. Or could do it from a DVD into Youtube video's if you sent me a DVD.

[derek evans 15]

Hi Nick did you get my pm I sent you . Regards Derek.

[nevada150]

Hi Geoff,
The DVD was recorded with a Sony Mini-DVD Camcorder. I can get it to play on my computer using VLPlayer or Windows Media Player on Windows 7. Nick and Tony have had problems getting it to play unfortunately. I have now got my original PC working again and can use my Digitiser for the next time its needed. Maybe have a go with that first.
Thanks for your offer Geoff.
Regards,
Keith.
ps. I think the iPad is the way to go at the next meeting in July.

[Jif]

Hi Keith,

No probs, hope you get it sorted and up onto Youtube. Give me a shout if you need anything done

Geoff