Pedal Steel Convention - Vancouver, Canada

[David W.D. McCormick]

Hi All,

[Apologies if I've posted this to the wrong section of the forum]

I am on the organizing committee for a brand new pedal steel convention that will be taking place in Vancouver, BC, Canada, over the weekend of February 6-9th. Vancouver has a young and thriving country, folk, and roots music scene, and there are lots of steel players up here (relatively speaking). We have a number of sponsors lined up, three days' worth of studio time available for session work, several local venues booked day and night, numerous working professional steelers attending as delegates, and various bands performing throughout the weekend. We are planning to begin promotion this month and I will follow up with more details soon.

We are hoping to benefit from the wisdom and experience of those who have attended prior conventions (i.e. Scotty's). While our organizing committee has a great deal of experience with events, promotions, and business/legal, nobody has ever organized or attended a steel convention.

I would GREATLY appreciate the input of this wonderful and supportive community. If you have attended, organized, or assisted in any way with a steel guitar convention, please DM me to set up a 10 minute phone call, or post in this thread with your thoughts and experiences.

We are particularly interesting in gaining input on:

1. The general structure of how conventions have run in the past, including what specific events and seminars are a "must";
2. Pitfalls to avoid;
3. Logistical challenges and solutions; and
4. Suggestions for individuals to contact for guidance or assistance.

Thanks so much in advance and happy thanksgiving to our American friends.

David

[Larry Ball]

Yes.. this post should be in the “Upcoming Events Announcement “ section..


I thought I would pass on my “Two Cents”.. First a “Steel Guitar Convention “ is a great idea. but two months from now.

You mentioned “Professional Steelers “ Who are they..

Dallas, Scott’s .. took years to grow…

To develop such a Convention will take a lot of time and effort.

[Herb Steiner]

And be prepared to lose money. Decide beforehand how the losses will be divided. Seriously.

And two months away? Hmmm...

The SWSGA Convention in the Phoenix area is in January.

The TSGA Jamboree is in March, in the Dallas area.

Attendees have been planning to be at these two shows for many months, have made hotel reservations, etc.

How many folks are you estimating to attend, and from what general geographic areas will they travel, bearing in mind that Vancouver is the functionally the farthest west point of Canada and America?

You've got a whole lot of work to do. Plan on the show being one day... two days at the max. Be aware of how much monetary commitment you can realistically handle.

And consult with the folks who run the Denver Steel Show. They've had the experiences you're about to embark upon.

[Bob Blair]

Sounds like a different kind of event than the TSGA and SWSGA and should be a blast.

[Jim Robbins]

Sounds like a plan. I'm there.

[Bob Blair]

Hey Jim Robbins! Me too.

[John Lacey]

Herb’s got some important tips there. I would start small and work your way up, year by year. Definitely count on losing money, although sponsors will help. Are the Dave McCormick former dj from jr country? Just asking.

[David W.D. McCormick]

Hi folks,
Short update for those who are supportive and/or interested. You can follow our instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/cryintimestee ... onvention/ for more information. Tickets are now on sale.
David

[Cappone dAngelo]

I purchased a pass! Looking forward to seeing the detailed schedule - hoping for lots of masterclasses and other interactive sessions.

[Ross Shafer]

These folks are putting on a very different type of Steel Guitar show from those we're used to. This one is much more about bringing sweet steel featured music to the public.

Reaching out to the public in hopes they'll come listen to, enjoy and get hooked on this instrument we all love, has been sorely missing from the traditionally shows we've gotten used to. While there's certainly nothing wrong with gatherings of all us who are already "in the club" ....it's definitely better for the future of our beloved instrument to entice music lovers from the general public into shows where they just might see the light and join the fray!

In the interest of full disclosure. Regardless of what the poster says, I will not be subjecting anyone to my lack of playing ability. I will however be giving a workshop covering just how these contraptions work as well as their proper care and feeding.

Hope to see a lot of you there, if you make it, find me a say howdy!

[Chris Templeton]

Alright! Nice to see a steel gathering taking place! People getting together.
I used to have lessons with Jerry Byrd at Harry's Musicic, in Honolulu, and one time he said, "music is a reflection of society".
In this post-Covidian Era, this event is getting back to normal and reflects our love of the steel guitar.

[Lee Rider]

Thinking about attending. Is there a preferred or discounted hotel list near the venues?

Looks like it will be a great event.

Best,

Lee Rider

[David W.D. McCormick]

[Chris Bauer]

Looking forward to playing this with The Steel Amigos! (Bob Blair and Sue Decker are the two others amigos.)

I think this festival is a brilliant idea. Historically, steel guitar shows are almost entirely for steel players. This show will be bringing bands and singers together with the common thread of using steel guitar. Seems to me that this is a far better way to get the non steel-playing public aware and interested in the instrument, not to speak of being a great hang for all the musicians involved.

Hoping to see/meet some of you all there!

[Les Ford]

This was great fun! I'm hoping it happens again next year. There was a wonderful spirit of camaraderie around the instrument, and some amazing performances to take in.

The events were well attended and the beautiful old Wise Hall sounded great as always. These old wooden rooms are real treasures.

A big thanks to those who put this on!

[Shaan Shirazi]

Brennen Leigh was my first paid steel gig over 25 years ago

[Ted Smouse]

I wasn't there, ...but know some of the talent that was involved on-stage, and your lineup of players was strong. Looking at what you put together from about 2,300 miles away, I was quite impressed with your inaugural convention event.

Keep at it, there's so much going on in the steel guitar world today with great talent emerging all over the place.

My best,

Ted Smouse