What steel show has the largest attendance now?

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 12 Jun 2014 3:59 am

I realize that exact figures are not possible, but which steel show seems to draw the largest attendance now?

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 12 Jun 2014 4:53 am

I would say definitely Dallas. About 1800 in March.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 13 Jun 2014 4:08 am

Do you run sound at Dallas, too, Bill?

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 13 Jun 2014 4:53 am

No, I co~emcee the Dallas show.

I forgot to mention that we are expecting the crowds to return to St Louis this, since the show is moving to a new location

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 14 Jun 2014 6:39 am

St. Louis is moving to a new location?

However, it has occurred to me that the "no selling of used equipment allowed" policy would probably still be in effect at that show. That means a guy like me, who has a small used and vintage instrument business, can't rent a table or booth there.

So, I guess I'll do the Dallas show this coming March. Actually, my plan is to take 10-15 Emmons and maybe a Sho-Bud and/or an older Zum that I have. That would give an opportunity for someone to comparison shop an Emmons before buying. To my knowledge it's never been done before and would allow me to "thin the herd", too. It's gotten kinda' crazy.

Hence the reason for my original question for this post.

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 14 Jun 2014 7:01 am

Never been to the St Louis show, and did not know about the no selling of used instruments, seems a rather short sighted policy to me.I always have a good look round the used instruments and equipment at Dallas, and have found a couple of bargains.I had thought about trying the St Louis show,but will not bother to try and get there as I want the widest range of instruments and equipment available, think they are shooting themselves in the foot with this policy.
Eric, you will love the Dallas show.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 14 Jun 2014 7:20 pm

I have attended the St Louis show for 25 years and looked at lots of used steels. I am not aware of a no used policy. Is this something new? Best to check with the promoter and find out. Scotty always has a room filled with used steels and amps. Most of the other venders buy, sell and trade there. When was this rule started?

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 15 Jun 2014 7:34 am

As I recall, the policy at St. Louis was/is that only Scotty could sell used gear. So, all of the used items he had were located in a separate room.

Other vendors are not allowed to bring used gear. However, there are always a few that brought a piece or two for sale. I'm not sure of the policy concerning the general public bringing items for sale.

As is always the case, it's Scotty's show and, as a promoter, he most certainly can set the rules any way he wants. I just won't be there renting a booth.

Stuart Legg · Post by **Stuart Legg** » 16 Jun 2014 8:55 am

Disclaimer: Warning!! This reply is more than somewhat negative and at times down right sarcastic!

Steel guitar convention is wonderful the first time you attend but after that it becomes a celebration of the mundane, the ordinary and obvious, something you should attend only once every 10 yrs allowing time for change of somebody or something.

There is probably no more obnoxious class of conventioneers, taken end for end, than folks returning from a Steel Guitar Convention for the first time.
They tend to hound us with every little trivial, pointless boring detail fearing we may have somehow overlooked the obvious.
After a few years attendance their enthusiasm seems to take a dip mercifully.

The alternative to the Steel Guitar Convention is to stay home and tip every third person you see.
You will then be able to afford all new gear including a steel guitar and a trailer to haul it all in with the money you save by going only once every 10 yrs.

An added perk: The wife will be so grateful to you for not forcing her to suffer through it every year that she will be happy for you to buy a new steel guitar.

Of course none of this will discourage all those frequently visiting each vendorâ€™s room pounding out a few tunes on the pedal steel all titled â€œListen to this! How could I not be on the program?!!!â€

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 16 Jun 2014 3:39 pm

Stuart, as the saying goes" if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 16 Jun 2014 6:07 pm

Since your polemic seems to emanate straight from your autobiography, I guess you should follow your own advice, stay at home, and tip every third person you see. And thanks for your contribution to expanding the steel guitar world amongst those who have yet to experience steel guitar shows.

Stuff like that, you should write in the first person, for clarity.

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 16 Jun 2014 6:18 pm

I dont say much about other peoples post..but b0b,could you shut this *person*..and I use the term LOOSLEY..UP!!

I won't name this *person* as I'm sure you will know....

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 16 Jun 2014 7:32 pm

I bought my very first pedalsteel directly from Buddy Emmons when he was with MCI at the St Louis show. I walked into the main room and it felt like Valhalla to me. Little Roy Wiggins was playing, Jimmy Day walked by and there was Buddy Emmons big as life just standing there like a regular human at the MCI table.I will never forget it. Before the internet and all the regional shows St Louis was a glorious scene. I hope things work out so it can get back in gear.

Stuart, Have you ever been to the St Louis show ? Being as you have made it clear that you don't actually play the steel guitar I can understand why you might find it uninteresting.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 16 Jun 2014 7:36 pm

Stuart Legg wrote: you should attend only once every 10 yrs allowing time for change of somebody or something.

Allowing time is no guarantee of change.

Keith Hilton · Post by **Keith Hilton** » 16 Jun 2014 7:41 pm

Junior, I double checked and confirmed that I still like pedal steel guitar. For those of you who have never played a big steel guitar show, I can explain how it feels. When you leave the stage it feels almost identical to how a cow feels after milking. With all due respect, my Girlfrind Joy calls them steel guitar recitals, instead of steel guitar shows. Speaking of recitals, Herb why don't you come up and play Terry Bethel's Show in July. Would love to hear your push pull. There is a song titled, "Time Changes Everything".

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 16 Jun 2014 7:52 pm

Keith..I know u do...I'm not talking about you...its someone else's post...

Steve Pawlak · Post by **Steve Pawlak** » 16 Jun 2014 8:15 pm

Of course none of this will discourage all those frequently visiting each vendorâ€™s room pounding out a few tunes on the pedal steel all titled â€œListen to this! How could I not be on the program?!!!â€

I went to Dallas last year.This was the 2nd show I attended and hung around a vender's room and I did hear quite a few folks "pounding out a few tunes"
As a novice, I sat down next to one gentleman and asked him how to play chimes and he graciously showed me the bent pinky method.
I also saw a father with his young son both playing ( they were novices like me) and having a great time together.
At my first show in Phoenix I remember J.D. asking everyone to support the shows and keep the brotherhood strong
I guess I'll not wait another ten years to attend the next one. Where else can novices and real proffesionals get together and have a great time enjoying something they love and have in common?
Some folks are experts at it, some folks just love it and keep trying and some folks just play experts on the internet
Support the steel shows if you can while you can

Bill L. Wilson · Post by **Bill L. Wilson** » 16 Jun 2014 9:10 pm

I Like'em!!!!I probably won't ever go up to St. Louis, but Dallas, Phoenix, Tulsa, and Baxter Springs, are all good shows that I've attended. I usually end up in the Justice room, playin' Fred's steels and shootin' the breeze with him. Look at the stuff for sale, maybe find something to buy, and head home. I always have fun, and it's a very enjoyable time for me, and once in Dallas, I even got to talk with Paul Franklin, in the Little Walter room. We all know what a player he is, but a nicer man, you'll not find. The same can be said, for Sage Benado, whom I talked to at Dallas, this year. These guys are in the big time, but they treat us small timers like we are somebody. I really appreciate that.

Stuart Legg · Post by **Stuart Legg** » 16 Jun 2014 9:45 pm

Junior Knight wrote:I dont say much about other peoples post..but b0b,could you shut this *person*..and I use the term LOOSLEY..UP!! I won't name this *person* as I'm sure you will know....

Shut me up!! We have to be able to criticize what we love, to say what we have to say. If you're not trying to make something better, then as far as I can tell, you are just in the way.

Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.

You think maybe there just might be a little room for improvement in a Steel convention.

I think the real problem is that the convention criteria is made up by steel players and not professional Convention organizers.

It wouldn't hurt to have a few balloons and a couple of clowns once in a while.

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 16 Jun 2014 10:39 pm

Stuart, what Junior so eloquently said.I have to admit that your post left me feeling the way you feel about conventions .Yes feel free to come to a convention , you can fill the position for clown and balloon.One very. unhappy "obnoxious " convention goer.And yes realise I have broken the " if you can't say something nice " rule , but feel you deserve it.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 17 Jun 2014 4:12 am

I have been to 7 St. Louis conventions and each time I have enjoyed myself. Seeing old friends, being with old friends and have never left once without making a few new friends. Oh and the music is pretty good too.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 17 Jun 2014 4:20 am

It doesn't matter whether he does or doesn't "deserve it", Malcolm. Based on your first post, it makes "you" the hypocrite.

Better to have let sleeping dogs lie.

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 17 Jun 2014 7:03 am

Take you are a friend of his graham, YES he did deserve it.

Stuart Legg · Post by **Stuart Legg** » 17 Jun 2014 7:50 am

You can't say I didn't warn folks.
I was right up front with it.
"Disclaimer: Warning!! This reply is more than somewhat negative and at times down right sarcastic!"

If you don't like criticism then all you had to do is not read it.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Jun 2014 7:59 am

Stuart, just curious: how many steel guitar conventions have you actually attended?

The Steel Guitar Forum

What steel show has the largest attendance now?

What steel show has the largest attendance now?

Check with Scotty

The Steel Shows.