taking a trip to Washington DC.

Dean Holman · Post by **Dean Holman** » 27 Sep 2013 9:38 pm

My wife and I are going to Washington DC around the last week of October starting the 27th. I was wondering if there were any good country bands with a steel player that plays around that area maybe even around Arlington or Baltimore. I just want to go hear some instead of play it for a change.

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 28 Sep 2013 3:45 am

Dean, the DC area is plentiful with accomplished steel players but for a good country band recommendation, well, I never venture out to see whos who. For sure, two working steel players that are a must to see are Curry Coster and Tommy Auldrige. I don't know Curry's band De Jour but I do know Tommy plays with a SUPERB guitar player, Chic Hall. Having not heard Tommy's band or Curry's association, I've had the privilege to hear and jam with them both, as we have frequent garage jams. Those two guys play their rears off....
I'm playing bluegrass if you'd like to hear some cutting edge atonal banjo picN
gL

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 29 Sep 2013 4:23 am

Hi Gary; you haven't quit playing steel have you? I hope that you are still performing with your psg. I have always enjoyed listening to you.

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 29 Sep 2013 4:46 am

Charles,
I played steel with a swing group (Django, big band jazz pop) for about two years called String Theory, but they disbanded about 5 months ago or so...To answer your question, I have not given up on steel as the challenge requires my continued attention. One day I'll know what, why, where and how.....

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 29 Sep 2013 5:26 am

Gary, I'd like to hear your playing with the Gypsy jazz group; got any mp3s or vids you can share?
Cheers,
Jim

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 29 Sep 2013 6:55 am

Recorded on a Zoom hand held doohicky, strategically placed by my amp for later on review and learning purposes....Not a stellar mix....

https://soundcloud.com/gary-lee/49west

https://soundcloud.com/gary-lee/zs

https://soundcloud.com/gary-lee/faithless-love

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 29 Sep 2013 11:50 am

I was just in dc and Baltimore . Saw Susan alcorn playing an amazing set of improvised music last night . There is a country karioki thing at a place called madams organ in dc i think on wed nights . I didn't check if they used a steel player though. Check what is going on at iota and the birchmere in va. Many of he touring acts use steel .

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 29 Sep 2013 12:30 pm

The Birchmere and Iota are more like concert type venues with out of pocket entrance fees, large like. And I believe Dean's said time period indicates NO "good country band's" booked at either of Bob's suggestion. Two clubs that feature country music catering to two steppers, if that is your cup of tea, are Nick's http://www.nicksnightclub.com/ and Cancun Cantina http://cancuncantina.com/
Just to reiterate, find out if Curry and Tommy are playing during your visit, you won't be disappointed as they play good country music catering to their tastes, not two steppers.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 29 Sep 2013 2:06 pm

I was trying to find the video he put up a while ago, but the band Gary mentioned with Tommy Auldridge and Chick Hall features Tom Gray on bass. I'd seen 'em on Tom's FB wall, but I just came up empty. Good stuff

Travis Lyon · Post by **Travis Lyon** » 29 Sep 2013 6:56 pm

I play at a place called Madam's Organ in the Adam's Morgan neighborhood (clever name, eh?) every other Wednesday and my calendar shows I'll be there October 30th. I'm a pretty mediocre steel player but we play great songs (classic/outlaw country, Waylon, Willie, Hank Sr. & Jr., George Jones) and a little classic rock like Little Feat and The Band. Madam's is a great bar with a real stage, though I warn on Wednesdays when we play there's a $4 cover, which goes to pay the band. I'll be playing poorly executed Ralph Mooney licks on steel and half-decently executed James Burton licks on guitar all night.

Dean Holman · Post by **Dean Holman** » 29 Sep 2013 9:14 pm

Thanks for all your suggestions guys. I don't get to go out and hear live music very often as I play six nights a week myself. Some people would think why in the world would I want to go hear music if I play six nights a week. Getting to hear some music in a different atmosphere especially in DC will be a treat.

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 30 Sep 2013 4:04 am

There's a nightclub in Alexandria called Nick's, the band may or may not have a steel player, as they change every week. I'll be there this coming weekend.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 30 Sep 2013 4:20 am

Is the Tin Dipper/Big Dipper still going on US1 in Beltsville Md?

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 30 Sep 2013 8:15 am

Keep up the good work, Travis. You can't go wrong with Mooney and Burton.

Jerry Touval · Post by **Jerry Touval** » 11 Oct 2013 11:43 am

Check out JV’s Restaurant, probably the last surviving real honky tonk in Northern Virginia, just across the Potomac from DC. Music can be hit or miss there, but when its hit, its really good. Here’s the link - http://www.jvsrestaurant.com/home.html

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 11 Oct 2013 2:40 pm

Tommy's playing with Patsy Stephen's band with the Hall Brothers. I'd Google her to see what her schedule is like.

As far as I know Tommy and I are the only "regular" steelers that play JV's with our respective bands.

Now, Sara Jory played there a couple of weeks ago. That was killer!!

h

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 11 Oct 2013 2:49 pm

Oh...

Does your stay extend to Nov 13? The Time Jumpers play the Birchmere in Alexandria.

What's there not to like?

h

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 11 Oct 2013 3:54 pm

As far as I know Tommy and I are the only "regular" steelers that play JV's with our respective bands.

Howard,
I'm working JV's on the 20th, an unregular, on banjo....ISNT THAT SOMETHING, doesn't that count?

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 11 Oct 2013 4:13 pm

Gary Lee Gimble wrote: Howard,
I'm working JV's on the 20th, an unregular, on banjo....ISNT THAT SOMETHING, doesn't that count?

hmmm..Can I get back to you on that?

h

Jerry Touval · Post by **Jerry Touval** » 12 Oct 2013 5:23 am

Howard – let me know next time you’re playing at JV’s and I’ll stop in. I missed Sara Jory because I had out of town guests and JV’s wasn’t on the agenda. I had plans to see the Time Jumpers next month, but just got word from work this week that I need to be on a plane as the Time Jumpers are taking the stage at the Birchmere. Need to improve my luck, although I did get to see them a few years back at the Station Inn when John Hughey was with them.

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 12 Oct 2013 5:34 am

Will do Jerry.

Fair warning that Gunsmoke and Cheap Perfume does not play much classic country. We are basically a roots rock/alternative bunch. Whatever that is.

We do manage to sneak in a shuffle or 2 and/or swing to shock to crowd.

I'm "Howard Parker" on Facebook if you are so inclined. I'll add you to the event invite list.

cheers

h

Jerry Touval · Post by **Jerry Touval** » 12 Oct 2013 8:17 am

Howard - sure, please add me to the list.