Seymour did Great Steel Show in Massachusetts

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 16 Jul 2001 6:21 am

Bobbe Seymour flew into the Mass Berkshire mountain resort of Lee and anchored a great Steel show. Bill Hankeys Steel bash drew steelers from as far as Texas and the Northeast and was a great success.Smiley yes he had the shorts but was great.Jim Cohen was just super. Jim Smith from Ft. Worth TX I could go on and on . Refer to Events and announcements for the great list of talent that participated.

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CJC

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 16 Jul 2001 10:05 am

Joe.
I'm sorry I coul'nt make that one. I know I missed the best one yet! Bill Hankey, and Doug Beaumier, sure did a great job setting it up. Of course they had an excellent mc!! What was his name? Joe Stacey?or Stoe Jacey? Seriously though. Congratulations to all that made it a success!! Leigh

ArtPalazzini · Post by **ArtPalazzini** » 16 Jul 2001 10:19 am

Lest we foget to mention those great singers that lent the voices to the show. Good to see and hear sing again Joe.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 17 Jul 2001 4:18 am

Lee.Most certainly you would have been a great added attraction and you were surely missed.Looking forward to our get together in Sept.

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CJC

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 17 Jul 2001 10:38 pm

Joe,Thankyou to you and to all for making this "Bash" so wonderfully great! You worked so very hard and sung so well.Next time we'll go through the songs you sing and get some of YOUR favorites! You sang my songs in my keys with no argument,AND SOUNDED GREAT!
I never saw so many people care so much for each others feelings and being so considerate to their fellow man.It was a wonderful thing. Joe, please be there next time I play, OK? R.K.S/ the Doctor is in.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 17 Jul 2001 11:03 pm

Yes, Bobbe put on a great show. I particularly enjoyed his version of Sweet Georgia Brown played in "Travis style" picking on C6. Wow! How does he do that?

Joe, you did a great job on the mic... MC and vocals. Leigh, you would have enjoyed this show. Like Bobbe said in another post, it was like a giant family reunion. The burgers were frying, the sun was shining, there was a lot of good energy and good music. Leigh, even Al Cote, Dick King, and Joey Baer were there! It was the social (and musical) event of the season.

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www.dougbsteel.com

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Jul 2001 3:47 am

S.G.F.M.

For those of you who were present at The
Massachusetts Steel Guitar Bash, it is my hope that you would concur that the BASH could be likened to a huge dam of talent, with the clock controlling the gate valve. Could you ever imagine what would happen, if the restraint valve had
been turned fully counterclockwise? We regret that many of the favorite musical renditions, are held within the dam.The featured steel guitarist would have gone over a list of favorite selections, and had chosen several to draw from in a brief presentation of technique, originality, control, selectivity, and
always mindful of audience responses. I wish to thank everyone who attended the 19TH MA. STEEL GUITAR BASH, and for all
the patience, and attentiveness throughout the day. Bill H.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 21 Jul 2001 2:40 am

Myron L.,

Thank you for all of your contributions
on the forum. Your inspirable replies
have sharpened my interests in future
MA STEEL GUITAR BASHES. The raffled
new acoustic guitar was a gift from SEAN
and CLAUDIA BARRY. More information will
be available soon. The gift will impel
me to respond in kind, by striving to
move forward, and present The 20th Steel
Guitar Bash, next year, and the years to
follow with great enthusiasm. Bill H.

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 21 Jul 2001 1:06 pm

..I'm just surprised that there weren't a whole bunch of Lee natives standing in line to get in to hear a whole day of world-class music right in their own town, and all for only 7 bucks a head!! I took a drive around, and I didn't see anything better going on in Lee that day...

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 21 Jul 2001 1:58 pm

Pat,
Tanglewood, just up the road, brings in
a lot of varied musical concerts, but leans toward classical. I think most folks up Lee/Lenox way tend to lean towards that.

Otherwise, there would have, and should have been, long lines of townfolk.

Then again, I don't believe the bash is extensively promoted. It's still pretty much word-of-mouth. JAT

Chip

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 22 Jul 2001 3:56 am

Pat and Chip,

The 19th MA Steel Guitar Bash has been acknowledged by the local residents who
participate unpredictably, at intervals,
and support a cause of which is not a
part of their everyday life. Keen judgment is an integral part in the plan
of presenting a show to the satisfaction
of those in attendance. Three years ago
The Bash was held at THE NATIONAL MUSIC
FOUNDATION, in Lenox, MA, which is just
walking distance from TANGLEWOOD. There
never has been a problem with local clientele participation. The July 15th
STEEL GUITAR BASH drew support from 15
states. My sincere thanks to those who
participated, after travelling hundreds
of miles to be in attendance. Bill H.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 22 Jul 2001 11:21 am

When Bill Hankey first started the "Friends of Steel" bashes he mainly invited people he could reach or had met personally.It then became a word of mouth sort of thing and he would recieve calls from players who wanted to be added to the list. Every year it seems it grows and the talent just gets better and better. I don't believe Bill has ever cleared expenses for any of the shows.Also a special mention to Tom Garrity who at one time lent his MC skills and vocals to a good number of the bashes.It was nice seeing Tom and the Mrs. again.I hope "if the Good Lord is willing to keep me around",to be at the 20th. Bill Hankey is one individual who has promoted the Steel in the Northeast with an all out effort through the years and deserves recognition from the SGHOF of some sort.And also this Forum was largely responsible for the info we all needed to make our efforts to attend this year from so many other states.Thanks to all..And more so Thank you Bill Hankey from all of us.

out of a 5 smile rating this show was a 5 plus

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CJC

[This message was edited by Joe Casey on 22 July 2001 at 12:31 PM.]

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 22 Jul 2001 5:34 pm

I agree Joe. This show has snowballed into something really special.

Pat's point about the locals not being interested in a pedal steel show is well taken. We steel guitar fanatics travel hundreds of miles to attend or play at a show, yet the people who live in the area largely ignore it. I think that's true of every regional steel guitar show. The world of pedal steel guitar is and always has been a very tiny part of the music business. The average person on the street has no idea what a pedal steel is and really doesn't care to learn, unfortunately.

We had a great turnout at the Mass Bash this year. The room was full. Folks travelled from every New England state, NY, and beyond to attend. It's a quality crowd... one that loves steel guitar music. We also had a fair number of local musicians and fans attend. The locals who come are true music lovers and enjoy the show.

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www.dougbsteel.com

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 22 Jul 2001 5:38 pm

...hope I wasn't misunderstood...I just meant that anyone living nearby who, for whatever reason, missed the opportunity to hear such great music by such talented musicians missed out on a great show...

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 22 Jul 2001 5:45 pm

no problem Pat, I just like to rant sometimes!

[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 22 July 2001 at 06:47 PM.]

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 22 Jul 2001 6:04 pm

Joe, I just saw Tom Garrity last night at a block dance I played at in the Berkshires. He always spoke highly of you and he was really excited that you were at the Mass Bash this year. He seems to think that you and I worked together at Billy T's for years. I think he went down there on the nights when I was filling in with your band.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 23 Jul 2001 6:30 am

Doug I sat in with you so many times I feel I should get you some social security benefits down the road.It was a sad thing seeing Al Cote in the shape he was in after his Stroke. Al always took care of me on Sundays at the old C&W lounge when I had a night off. His brother got sick sunday (diabetes) he was hoping to get up with you and do one on your set. There never is enough time is there? Smiley and I had something worked out we never got to do either.

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CJC

[This message was edited by Joe Casey on 23 July 2001 at 07:40 AM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 23 Jul 2001 9:17 am

Joe,

Lest we forget, our thanks go out to THE DOOLEY AUSTIN BAND. They were working hard all day to provide the backup that was so necessary to achieve the success which most of us witnessed at the quaint and cozy LOG CABIN (VFW). The Dooley Austin Band, which is considered by most to be the most outstanding country band in the Berkshires, is well suited to be our choice to back steel guitar instrumentalists, and we included Berklee College's jazz guitarist, and lap steel enthusiast, MIKE IHDE, and RANDY ROLLMAN on jazz bass. What's not to like?? I went out last evening to enjoy DOOLEY AUSTIN, at the ITAM Lodge, in Pittsfield,MA., and I would like to say, for those who missed their arrangement of " GONE, GONE, GONE," it was awesome. My point is, their presence at the MA BASH, is well known, and they have contributed much to the success of our show. Bill H.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 23 Jul 2001 11:24 am

Bill it's always easy to overlook the background in any situation. Bob Sweet is probably one of the most talented all around Guitarist and singers to come down the pike,And this man has his own style imitates no one. Add Timmy Kole (subbing for their bass player who I'm told spent the day doing the sound.) and the Drummer Leeb and they can back anyone up like the record. Plus put in Pete Adams and the ultra talented Lady that sings with them ,I wonder why they don't have a big label putting out their Music.It's got to be the Geography because this is a great group. I'm sorry if I didn't mention them I certainly didn't mean to overlook them. I did focus myself on the Steel and am overwhelmed still by the playing I heard.I wouldn't hesitate to get my tickets for next year should I be invited again.

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CJC

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 24 Jul 2001 3:55 am

Hi Joe,

Your reporting has been excellent in
bringing out every detail concerning
the activities that pertain to THE 19TH
MA. STEEL GUITAR BASH. You have gone
the extra mile, and beyond for those
who have devoted long hours practicing
their favorite musical instrument, the
steel guitar. The MA BASH staging area,
and facilities of local club scenes,
particularly the The LOG CABIN (VFW),on
route 102 in Lee, Ma. feature the great
performances of steel guitarists from
many states in New England, and elsewhere. All efforts are greatly
appreciated by attendees and others who
are able to relate to the extraordinary
entertaining qualities of the
steel guitar. Those of us who enjoyed
The 19TH BASH, will certainly want to
be present next July, to compliment the
performing steel guitarists, as they
share their musical accomplishments
with attendees. Bill H.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 30 Jul 2001 8:52 pm

Huh? Hillbilly Heaven,Thats when I woke up!