North East steelers January 2017

[Nick Bidmade]

The next meeting of the North East steelers is scheduled for Sunday, 15 January at our usual venue, the Buck Inn, Thornton Watlass, from 12 noon.
This promises to be the best get-together yet. Anyone living within a 60 mile radius with any interest in steel guitar ought to make every effort to attend. Bring your instruments along, too, to play along to Summertime in D and Love me Tender in E. Party pieces all catered for!
Nick

[derek evans 15]

GREAT DAY OUT AT THORNTON WATLASS .GREAT TURN OUT ,ITS GETTING BETTER EVERY TIME.
MANAGEMENT AND STAFF MARVELLOUS AS USUAL.
TONY PLAYED LAP STEEL THIS TIME ,MYSELF ,NICK,MIKE,PETER ON PEDALSTEEL. THANK,S TO JIM WHO CAME WITH NICK,PLAYED
DOBRO AND GUITAR( CLASS PLAYER) .HE ALSO GAVE US A GREAT IDEA FOR A ROUND ROBIN.THANK,S TO ROD AND ROSEMARY KING
(BASS GUITAR) .DIDN,T NEED BACKING TRACKS FOR THAT. SUPER DAY. REGARDS DEREK

[Nick Bidmade]

Well done Derek - you beat me to it!
We had a 'live' rhythm section in Rosemary on bass and Keith Wilson on guitar (a beautiful Gibson ES175). Keith also plays lap steel to a good standard but he was happy providing a really solid backing with Rosemary for us to play along to. We ran through all sorts of tunes, from standards to Hank Williams, ably 'conducted' by Jim, without whom it might have become a bit if a 'free-for-all'. Pete Lynsley also came along from the Shrewsbury area with his great-sounding Sierra 12 string universal.
Tony also played mandolin which, with Jim's excellent dobro playing brought sound levels down which, in turn, brought out more sympathetic playing from contributors.
It was a great afternoon - definitely the best yet.
We next meet on 30 April, when I hope we have as good a turn-out. Rod and Rosemary King and Mike and Lyn Eacock are coming, and I hope to bring Jim along again. So, with Keith Wilson and with Keith Glendenning back in the saddle next time, we go from strength to strength!
The Buck Inn is a great venue, good beer, good food - what more could you ask for?

[Tony Russell Davis]

Somebody at the meeting wasn't sure who Billy Robinson is. Here's an interview with him, which shows some of his trademark techniques. He also does string-pull behind the bar, which is not much featured in the clip.