Duloe Nov 2009
Another great gig hosted by John Davis at Duloe Village Hall.
Even with a fairly sharp arrival time I found the hall well filled and had difficulty getting a piece of floor space to set up the steel. Players from far and wide with varying degrees of experience were already getting all fired up and keen to learn something new, with the more experienced players passing on their licks and tricks but also some fundamentals for those just starting on the PSG. The event as always was very relaxed and friendly with all the guys feeling at home and willing to have a go. There is no criticism, only encouragement. The event generally splits into 3 sessions; a couple of hours for the newbies, a couple for those who are comfortable on the PSG followed by the guys who are not unaccustomed to the limelight and of course the guest steelies.
Check out the galleries page for the stills!!!!
The event was headlined by Derek Thurlby whose prowess on the instrument is well known. We also had Mark Dunn who was demonstrating his latest development (a multi function Switching unit) more on that shortly. Other known players included John Roche, (who for many years backed Frank Ifield) Kevin Bartholomew, Richard Burton, Johny Rondo and many more. Other stars of the evening were Rod King and Basil Henriques who were super to listen to on the lap steel. Both players have had many years experience on the instrument and both are more than willing to pass on their knowledge to others.
We also had a guest singer in John Lindsay (ex of the Alabama Hayriders) who gave us some blasts from the past amply backed by ‘the band’
A guest appearance was also made by Digby Hardy bringing us up to speed with the European Steel Hall of Fame and their coveted medal. (see Digby sporting it on the Galleries page)
The evening closed with a Jam from Derek Thurlby, Mark Dunn, John Davis and myself on a range of numbers from ‘sweet memories to rocky top’! It was the round off to a great evening with no one in a hurry to leave.
If you are not too far away, and even if you are, try to make the next one, it is scheduled for 24th January and a larger venue has already been booked!
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