Jonathon Candler at ISGC

Ronald Moore · Post by **Ronald Moore** » 4 Sep 2006 10:52 am

Jonathon Candler's set at the convention was the most inspiring half hour of music I have ever had the pleasure to see and hear! In spite of his handicaps, he plays as well as anyone. Way to go, Jon Ron

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 4 Sep 2006 12:06 pm

I hope to live long enough to see Johnathan
inducted into the SGHOF on merit.

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 5 Sep 2006 12:47 pm

I am so very proud of this young Man! he just gets better and better every time I hear and play with him... He is truly the real deal friends .. and with just over 3 years of playing experience he's way ahead of the game!.. Please support him any way you can....!!! heres a pic of him and I playing in the M.S.A. room in St Louis... there really isn't words to express my fellings for this Kid!...
<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-4/1 ... NDdAVE.JPG' width=800height=600 >

[This message was edited by David Wright on 05 September 2006 at 01:47 PM.][This message was edited by David Wright on 05 September 2006 at 01:48 PM.][This message was edited by David Wright on 05 September 2006 at 01:49 PM.]

Gary Steele · Post by **Gary Steele** » 6 Sep 2006 6:57 am

Words can't describe this little guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 6 Sep 2006 7:03 am

Jonathan and his entire family are an inspitation to all of us at MSA, and we're honored to consider each of them as part of our MSA family.

Tim Sergent · Post by **Tim Sergent** » 6 Sep 2006 7:10 am

I too had the good fortune of hearing this little guy play in the Mullen room. To say he is an inspiration would be a huge understatement. He's only been playing for 3 years...that's simply amazing! Austin Stewart was in the Mullen room playing as well and boy can he ever play!!! I wish more young players would get interested in the steel guitar so it will continue to be heard after the rest of us old coots are gone. Maybe there's more out there than I know about but I haven't heard of any.

My best to these two great young guys! Keep on carrying on.

Tim

Bobby Caldwell · Post by **Bobby Caldwell** » 6 Sep 2006 7:12 am

Jonathon is one heck of a talent and a lot of fun to work with. He is also a very nice young man. I am proud to be on the bandstand with him. Jonathon, keep up the good work and hope to work with you again soon. Loaveya pal,Bobby

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 6 Sep 2006 7:47 am

This kid seems to become steel guitar music when he plays. Talk about being "in the zone"

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 6 Sep 2006 8:52 am

To turn a phrase, “What the good Lord taketh away, He may givith.” Jonathan is surely making the most of his talents with the steel guitar. The banter with the band was great too.

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HagFan

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 6 Sep 2006 12:27 pm

Thanks Tim for the kind words about Austin. He and Jonathan always have a good time when they can get together.

Donna

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 6 Sep 2006 3:18 pm

Jonathan, I've watched you grow into a monster of a steel player in the short three years you have been playing. I can recall back when you came to our jam with your little Maverick and blew us all away back then, seems like yesterday.
Keep up the good music little buddy, we all love ya!!!

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Fred Justice,
Justice Custom Cases & Cabinets,
Fred's Music, www.fredjusticemusic.com

Pete Young · Post by **Pete Young** » 6 Sep 2006 5:22 pm

I have never had the pleasure of hearing either one of the two boys But from the way everyone is talking maybe we have another Buddy and Jimmy comming along very soon. God willing I will make it to St Louis next year and will get to hear them both Would love to hear a clip of either one or both of them and wish them both all the success in the world. Keep at it guys. We need more like you

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 7 Sep 2006 4:55 am

Thanks Pete. I may should not be saying this since I am the grandmother of Austin, but sure hope you can hear the boys sometime. Austin makes us VERY PROUD. Don't know where you could hear a clip of them. They both have CD's, but the one that Jerry and Austin have is about 2 years old. Good, but Austin has improved so much since it was made. They are trying to get things ready to make a new CD. Hopefully Austin and Jonathan will be on the show at St. Louis next year and you can hear them then. I'm sure they will have both improved a lot by that time.

Oh yeah. They do play Jerry and Austin's CD on Steel Raido some.

Donna[This message was edited by Jerry Lee Newberry on 07 September 2006 at 05:57 AM.]

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 7 Sep 2006 7:56 am

I to want to add my comments to this one. Both of the young men are an inspiration to many of us older guys. I keep think just practice but know there is more to it than that.

Both Austin and Jonathon will be at the Mesa (Phoenix) Show in January these two boys have developed a friendship that is amazing. They simply cannot find enough hours in a day to play together. They push each other and the both love it.

Not only are these young men great players they are great kids. They come from very good families which is obvious in the boys but also in talking with their families.

What a big breath of fresh air.

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Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix)Desert Rose Guitar, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Association, Southwest Steel Guitar Association, Texas Steel Guitar Association, builder of Srolyan Guitars

Dana Stewart · Post by **Dana Stewart** » 7 Sep 2006 8:17 am

You are too kind Joe.

Those boys do have a great friendship going though. They were together so much at St. Louis, that we kept getting asked if they were brothers.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Arizona in Jan.

Cliff Kane · Post by **Cliff Kane** » 7 Sep 2006 8:30 am

Jonathan and his family stopped by Jim Palenscar's shop once when I was there. I was not aware of Jonathan previous to this, and needless to say, I was just blown away. He is a true natural, a prodigy it seems. He was having a ball, and he played on about five different guitars, different set-ups and tunings, all seemlessly. He's got a gift that not many have, but when you see this gift, especilly in a child or young person, it's pretty inspiring. Jonathan, it was a true pleasure for me to hear you. You rule, dude!

Pete Young · Post by **Pete Young** » 7 Sep 2006 11:46 am

You know what Joe Jan. would be a good time to take a break from this place and the snow I will see what I can do to get down there

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 8 Sep 2006 7:41 am

I have seen Jonathan play now over the last 2 years. He blew my mind 2 years ago but now, I can't believe it. His tone and intonation have gotten so much better. He will be a force to reckon with as he grows. I walked in to the big room when he was playing and was totally knocked out. All i can say is WOW! Keep it up Jonathan! [This message was edited by Ron Sodos on 08 September 2006 at 08:42 AM.]

Randy Candler · Post by **Randy Candler** » 9 Sep 2006 6:27 pm

Jonathan, says hi to all of his freinds, and thanks for all the encouraging words. He really enjoyed himself at St Louis as usual. As soon as we got him home from St Louis we made a trip to phx to the childrens hospital there. The doctor is making an effort to get his trach taken out, looks like he has a little growing yet to do as they didnt remove it yet. The friends that we have made at these shows does seem to be like family Jonathan and our family does value that alot!We are working on his website so we can get some sound bites up. And he will be in Nashville to do the NTSGA show. He hopes to see more of his friends soon, Bless you all,Jonathan and family

Pete Young · Post by **Pete Young** » 10 Sep 2006 1:51 pm

Randy
Let us know when the web site get up and running. Would love to see it and hear some clips
Pete Young

Mark Edwards · Post by **Mark Edwards** » 10 Sep 2006 2:36 pm

I didn't see Johnathon at St. Louie, but I did see him at the Dallas show. He still has those little kid qualities (espesially when David is playing around with him on the steel), and I've watched him and Austin being kids eating icecream together in the restraunt in the hotel. But when he gets on the steel this kid sets it on fire and those kid qualities turn into a young man who loves to play steel guitar. This young man has a talent, and thank God he does, it was an inspiration to me that when I feel like giving up and frustrated, I pull from the strength that Johnathon displays at these conventions.

Great job Johnathon, and great job to his parents for guiding and directing this young man to rise above any disability to give him a passion that not only helps him get through life, but helps us other steel players to draw on his strength to be better players.

Skip Cole · Post by **Skip Cole** » 13 Sep 2006 6:31 pm

I had the priviledge of hearing Johnathan pick in the Mullen room last year and this year. What a blessing it is to know that he and Austin are going to be leading the way in the future for other young folks to follow on the steel guitar. Each year we see different venues of music that steel is being introduced into ; good for those pickers that have creative ambition to step out.
I also noticed that Johnathan is not having to stand up to catch the K/L's anymore ; they grow up fast, eh?

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"I Can Only Imagine"