Ricky Davis and Miss Leslie

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

Cant help thinking, with Ricky Davis, being a world class steel player, and booked in for a few steel related gigs, why hasn't he brought his own Steel? cos surely he will also have to source a Steel in the Shetlands? [cant imagine that being easy] and then have to do the same thing again in Norway? I know its not cheap checking in a steel on flights, but its not that dear, and it is the tools of his trade, and surely could be built into his fee? i checked in my own 6 string guitar, when i was gigging in Chicago last year, cost me 40 euro, and i wasn't charged coming back as plane was only half full, and i was allowed it in overhead storage, a steel guitar wouldnt be that much more, I did look into bringing my own steel over at the time, but i have a friend in Park Ridge, Illinois, who kindly lent me an MSA, but that was pre arranged,
ps. not knocking the kindly souls who have gone the extra mile to fix Ricky up with a Steel, just a little puzzled, as i wouldnt leave it to chance like that, and of course i wouldnt expect him to bring his own backline, that would be plain crazy, but a Steel guitar? I would have!

[Zebedee]

I wouldn't like to sit down 'cold' at someone else's steel and play a professional show, the chances of the pedals and levers being exactly where I want them, with the exact same 'feel' as my steel, would be zero, and my performance would suffer.

Ricky is a much better player than me though, and can probably handle an 'alien' steel with no problem

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Eddie, I believe Ricky already has a steel lined up for the rest of the tour its just a shame this visit has been beset with problems, after watching Ricky play in Bandera Tx.I reckon if its got ten strings and ShoBud on the front ....he will do just fine......... just wish I could get up there to his only UK gig maybe next time.....

[Malcolm]

Eddie, I believe it was a combination of cost/and worrying about guitar being damaged or lost(ask Davie Holland, his MSA went missing for about 3 weeks). I may be wrong but I don't think these gigs are all that well paid, so anything that saves costs would be welcome.I remember Ricky sitting down behind my old Sho bud at King Tuts in Glasgow when he was over with Dale, and had absolutely no problem sounding twenty times better than me, a real nice guy and great player.

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

Yeah i can appreciate the fear of damage whilst in transit, but you can make provision there, wrap the case in cling film, it wont bust open with an over zealous bag handler, LOSS ? well it shouldn't happen, but i know on occasion it vey occasionally does, as for the fee he can command? well thats his business to sort out, but you have to make a trip pay for itself, i know i was in profit from my Chicago trip after my expenses were taken out, including flights from Dublin to Chicago return, and two days/nights in Nashville incl flights, AND including my collossal bar bills, maybe the tour organiser should look at him/herself if it is so besit with problems,

[Malcolm]

Eddie,you are right about the promoter, I know from speaking to Ricky that there should have have been more gigs on the tour, but non of these transpired, and most of the arrangements regarding travel and backing bands left a lot to be desired, at one point they were looking at flying backing band and steel up to Shetland and back, until I gave him contacts up there who could provide a superb backing band and a steel.What seemed to be a viable tour very quickly went down the tubes.Think it may have been a well meaning "fan" rather than a "proper promoter" who organised it.Hope they do not have anymore things go wrong.
ps as a Loading Supervisor/Dispatcher for British Airways for many years, you don't want to know what baggage handlers do with your gear.While on a trip to Germany looking out widow while waiting to get off I saw my steel (in heavy flight case thank god ) go sailing along twenty feet along the back of the baggage truck.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Malcolm your right about baggage handlers I watched out the window of the plane my old ZB in flight case fall about 20 feet off a conveyor at Campbell River Vancouver Island, the case was broken but the steel survived also had my Emmons case with a hole punched in it at Heathrow..... they are 90% animals they employ for that job...I could go on>>>
Re.Rickys cancelled gig, that lady did end up in hospital in a serious condition as I understand it, my sympathy would be more with her at this time, I am sure it was out of her control.

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

yeah i suppose the larger airports baggage handlers can leave a lot to be desired, it is a monotonous job, as you well know Malcolm, i work at Knock Airport here in mayo, (not in baggage handling] but we are only dealing with 10 -15 flights a day, so we do tend to have a much smaller, more closely knit professional team here working on baggage, unlike other airports who are handling the same volume as us, and more every hour,very often with temporary staff, who are bored out of their skulls, so yeah i can appreciate the fact that horror stories do happen, and of course it comes down to the blame game, which airports baggage handlers caused any damage? airport A or airport B?
PS. John, im gonna tell 'Knuckles' and 'Dog' [two baggage handlers at Knock] that you called them 'ANIMALS' two very sensitive individuals, who will be in floods of tears,
pps, re ZB falling 20 feet off the conveyor, and knowing the weight of them guitars, i bet there was more damage to the tarmac

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Eddie, I have nothing but respect for knuckles and Dog, I have flown in and out of Knock several times on those funny little prop driven planes and those guys have looked after me and my kit exceedingly well...... But Campbell River (some years ago) only use the grass when they run out of tarmac ....wish my ZB had landed on grass the "animals" Reside on Vancouver Island!!

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

This Tour has intrigued Me.
Looks like they are doing five gigs in three countries,without bringing a steel guitar to play.
Who in the name organised this.?
Looks like they will earn a couple of dollars each.
Billy