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Moments, Memories, & Magic: Nashville Roundup '09

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- Rated: 24 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 12:12 a.m. redrocker:

My iPhone snaps (next year the real camera comes):

Burma Shave ... you know the lore. And if you don't, then you can read all about it.

While it's too late at night to go deep on this year's Nashville Roundup and the good people of GDP I met there, and Fred and Joe, and the good times we had, and how much it meant to me to go...

I do want to say a word about the real spirit of Hachland Farm -- our beloved Phila -- because I feel not nearly enough has been said about her.

She makes your stay all the more heavenly. It started right from the start:

Curt and I arrived early Friday afternoon, exhausted from a long all-night drive. I think SuperDave was down at the barn, but we didn't know he was there.

We pulled up, and there was Phila, and I was instantly tickled -- grinning and giddy -- because I knew I had just landed in heaven. There's just something about her. At 82, she has more voice and spunk and energy than 12 tigers put together. Plus, when you meet her, it's like deja vu all over again. You're home and you know it. And she offers you coffee (Le Monde, from New Orleans). Then she offers you a slice of home-baked almond pie. And you sit and talk, and listen. And if you keep listening, the stories start flowing...

Phila, a Southern Sweetheart of Hospitality if there ever was one... chef extraordinaire, a ferociously feisty foodie... a true epicurean enthusiast. She has rubbed elbows with Julia Child, hobnobbed with several U.S. presidents, flown the friendly skies to Europe, Japan and more, starred in the first Tennessee cooking show during the live-TV era of the 1950s... heck she even wrote the original menu for the original Cracker Barrel restaurant --- now a famed restaurant chain (where some darn good southern cooking can be had) stretching across the South.

She -- through her lively voice, amazing food and warm grace -- just set the tone for the entire weekend. And from there, it just kept getting better.

Phila, Saturday morning, making biscuits.

She was up at 5 a.m. every day, and if you came back from the barn at 12:00 a.m., there she was still, back at the house, and she'd offer tea.

The unforgettable Phila, at her oven.
- Rated: 55 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 12:23 a.m. roadjunkie:

Paul did you know in her younger days she played double bass for the Nashville Philharmonic?
- Rated: 60 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 12:24 a.m. JBGretschguy:

Thank you for those words about Phila - a remarkable woman, she!
- Rated: 24 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 12:33 a.m. redrocker:

roadjunkie: Paul did you know in her younger days she played double bass for the Nashville Philharmonic?

Nope -- but I am of course not surprised!

And now because it IS late, I will only add some brief exclamations of appreciation:

Great reporting as usual Tim, love the pics and narrative. And it suuuure was fun playing music with you.

Curt, awesome shots, too -- I do want to get some pointers on your use of flash, I'm envious. And the road trip was a joy.

SuperDave -- just keep on rockin' dude!

And Dylan... man just keep on playin' -- you are sounding good.

(More memories later.)
- Rated: 312 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 12:49 a.m. Proteus:

I guess to fill in more of the Phila blanks, we should say she was an early flight attendant - back when they called them "stewardesses." She started in 1947...
- Rated: 111 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 6:37 a.m. Curt:

Something about these that makes them cooler than the object itself.

LARGE IMAGE
- Rated: 111 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 7:21 a.m. Curt:

Paul said: STEREO COUNTRY GENT.

Bass side strings are through my '66 Vibrolux (sorry Pro, I own claim to that one!) and the 3 trebles are through Curt's now-famed-Lawrenceville-that-JB-built. Sweet tones abide.

As Phila would say, enjoy!!

Warren Plays Chet

more videos to come...

GREAT VIDEO PAUL!
- Rated: 111 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 8:08 a.m. Curt:

Ric12string: said: If you select a September date, Doug, you are going to conflict with the Northern California Roundup! Let's not get these things conflicting. They are hard enough to plan as it is.
ric, is your date flexible?

One of the reasons I couldn't attend your event was because it was scheduled a couple weeks before the Nashville event, I would have loved to have been there. Nashville has a fairly tight window for optimal weather I'm told and California is always perfect so maybe we can make it more attractive to be able to attend both.
- Rated: 312 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 8:50 a.m. Proteus:

We're evaluating our schedule for Nashville, in light not only of the NorCal Roundup, but other events as well. I'll get you in the loop on that, Curt.
- Rated: 24 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 9:56 a.m. redrocker:

NEW VIDEO (STEREO GENT DEMO):

Here's Warren Wolf again, putting Proteus's DUAL STEREO COUNTRY GENT through its paces.

For demo purposes, Proteus does some live pickup switching as Warren plays. Check out those shimmering stereo tones!!

Bass side strings are through my '66 Vibrolux (sorry Pro, I own claim to that one!) and the 3 trebles are through Curt's now-famed-Lawrenceville-that-JB-built. Sweet tones abide.

Stereo Gent Test

=>... and still MORE videos to come... <=
- Rated: 312 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 11:21 a.m. Proteus:

Along with redrocker's vids, some nominally more stereo audio of the Dual Stereo Gent. (Some of these clips might should be the soundtracks FOR the appropriate videos...)

It should probably be emphasized that this was Warren's first dance with a stereo guitar, it was cooold in the barn, and we didn't take as much time as we should have to balance the tones and levels on the amps. Anyone who's played a string-split stereo guitar knows that the sound is disorienting at first, and messes with your phrasing and timing. Some fumbling is to be expected!

Warren Wolf Stereo Gent
Warren in Stereo Too
Warren in Stereo Free
Stereo Warren IV

And, for something different...
Proteus & Steve do the Stereo Gent Boogie
- Rated: 7 ↑
Oct 23, 2009 1:09 p.m. HotRodMichelle:

Wow!! I wish I could have been there. Looks like everyone had a great time.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Oct 24, 2009 5:39 p.m. paj:

To all - I am most humbled and appreciative for letting me bring some "skin(s)" to the event.
That is the first time the Gretsch kit has been on the road, and as expected, held up great!! I had an amazingly awesome time playing with all, and look intently to next year. This week-end renewed a passion in me to play more, and enjoy more when I am playing. Thanks for the uplift!!!! It was really cool to have such an eclectic mix of "That Great Gretsch Sound" from guitars to drums, to amps.
As you said Tim, families make memories - and those of Round-up 2009 will be in my fond memory for quit a long time! Thanks for everyone's hard work and contributions both on the front line and behind the scenes - especially for organizing and uploading all the pics, video, and sound bites. Here's to next year!!!! ROCK ON!!!! Paj
- Rated: 43 ↑
Oct 24, 2009 8:31 p.m. 57 Chet :

Well, I am finally finding the time to check in ...

This week, I've been thrown back into the work fray ... making up for taking Friday and Monday off last weekend ...

What an incredible weekend that was!

Great Reportage here Proteus ... and fantastic pictures Curt ... (Next stop the audio thread!)

Some of those images of me are rather embarrassing, though ... I was serenading miss Kim at the time ... It felt right then ...

I am now sitting at home checking out my new Electromatic (door prize) plugged in ... DAMN ... I'm Impressed! ... I was congratulated and given advice, at the same time, when I won that guitar, to swap out the pickups for Filtertrons (I have the Dynas covered), "Get rid of the plastic nut and put on a Rocking Bridge" ... All good advice, but I am really enjoying her as is ... Thanks to Fred and Joe! ... Not to mention the Korean craftsmen, who assembled her... SWEET!

Once again ... thanks to everyone that were working very hard, behind the scene, to make this event so incredible ...

Special Kudos to Paul and Spud for letting me share their ride!

Very cool time !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Later ...

57 Chet ... AKA Nick
- Rated: 111 ↑
Oct 24, 2009 9:24 p.m. Curt:

This is the second opportunity I get to talk about the Executive amp that I somehow won at the Roundup! BUT I have to start out at the beginning and how loaded my Jeep was when Paul and I started out. I think we had seven guitars, two amps including that great Lawrenceville that Josh built, a pro video camera and all the other things we all seem to think we need and then may or may not use. So soon after being shocked that I won this cool amp I was wondering where it was going to fit with all the bar stools, glasses, many shirts and everything else. Sunday morning arrived and the loading began and the 29" high executive made it by a half of an inch or Paul would have had a long ride home on the roof.

I can't say enough about how these events aren't about winning anything it's about spending time with quality people.

AND what an amp it is as my entire neighborhood learned today.
- Rated: 43 ↑
Oct 24, 2009 9:37 p.m. 57 Chet :

Amen Bro!

Thanks again to Paul for giving me that Poker set ...

Things were looking pretty tight when you were loading up the auto with that new amp ...

Sheesh ... How cool was that?

Nick
- Rated: 132 ↑
Oct 24, 2009 9:58 p.m. wenzel:

Ok, so when is the Nor Cal meet? I'm leavin, on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll be back again... Please oh, please, someone inform me...
- Rated: 43 ↑
Oct 24, 2009 10:22 p.m. 57 Chet :

Chris .. I'm really sorry that you missed the Nashville Roundup again!
- Rated: 89 ↑
Oct 24, 2009 11:55 p.m. Ric12string:

Nor Cal won't be until next year, Wenzel. We will have another thread, I am quite sure. Just keep your eyes on the site.
- Rated: 51 ↑
Oct 27, 2009 9:13 p.m. FrequentFlyer909:

I may be the last one on-board with commentary...

The two months preceding the Roundup were a really horrific gauntlet for the little white dog and me, and we emerged from the worst of it just in time, though Spud was still not at 100% (he was just two weeks removed from surgery). We weren't just glad to be at the Roundup -- we were glad to be anywhere.

I had a grand time. It seemed that my primary roles were all secondary roles -- encouraging and facilitating attendance by a handful of guys who were the centers of attention at various times; being the Department of Redundancy Department with a mostly-unneeded bass (thank goodness for Steve -- what a player and nice guy!) and PA equipment (I rather like that job -- definitely liked it better this year because I didn't take the PA out of the car and set it up; and you have no idea how many 9V batteries I had in the car, had anyone needed a spare... in fact, I had no idea, but I could have powered Proteus's pedalboard all weekend with 'em and had a few left over); and of course, serving as Mascot Wrangler, and am hoping to be promoted to Spokesmodel Wrangler for next year.

It was great to meet first-timers like LiRM35 and the SuprFriends (Dave and Karolyn -- my vote for Roundup MVPs), and to hook up again with so many of the folks that I met last year and at the Jersey and Philly Roundups.

It was unfortunate that some who wanted to attend had to cancel, but at least they didn't miss the best Roundup ever -- that'll happen next year.

It was also unfortunate that Rob couldn't get his combo organ going (that was no Vox or Farfisa -- that was an Elka Panther!). We had some cheesy ideas up our sleeves that we couldn't pull off without a genuine transistor organ. Next year for sure.

We overstuffed the agenda, and didn't get to a few demonstrations. We also probably didn't get to play as much as we wanted to, too. It may be time to make this a two-full-day event.

Major gratitude to Curt and Brian_66, for letting me play along on some songs I've long wanted to do but never had the opportunity. When we were playing Words (Between the Lines of Age), I was most amused that Dylan and Steve-The-Bassist, neither of who probably heard the song before, handled the 6/8 - 5/8 time signature shifts better than those of us who had been hearing the song for 38 years. When you've got it, you've got it; and when you're a hack, you hack it.

I'm still blown away by my incredible luck in the giveaways, two years running; I think it's the plectrum. It has to be. I'm not naturally lucky like this.

Many thanks to the guys who organize, two years running themselves.

Steve Stern and Kim Falcon -- they are two delightful people to hang out with, and that resonated with me pretty strongly. It says something about the company that they have such quality folks working for them.

And certainly a big warm gracias to Joe Carducci and Fred Gretsch.

Psst, Joe: don't forget to make those lefty Dyna Clubs in Bamboo Yellow for us southpaws! I have the guys revved up for them, now.

Many thanks to everyone who held Spud's leash from time to time to give me time to play about!

And finally, much appreciation to Nick/57Chet, who is a great traveling companion -- he knows great stories and secrets, enjoys a good song, is happy to take a turn driving (took us a while to get on the same page about parking brake usage, but what the hey), let Spud ride in his lap for a couple of hundred miles, and doesn't have to take excessive rest stop breaks (it seems I'm the one with a bladder inadequate for long-distance drives).

Paul/FF909

PS: I'm still amazed that SuprDave branded his guitar. ¡Tantos cojones!
- Rated: 29 ↑
Oct 28, 2009 7:39 a.m. Brian_66:

It's the other way around Paul! I'm the one who is very thankful for you and others to help me play through two challenging Beatle's tunes.

I hope we get the chance to play some more in the future and maybe get some rehearsal time in before playing before our esteemed Gretsch brothers and sisters.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Oct 28, 2009 9:23 a.m. Suprdave5150:

Nice write up, Paul.

Reading back through this thread just instills in me the fine qualities each and every one of you have. It took all of us to make this event special. As far as me, I'm kinda Hyper and don't sit well for long, if you didn't catch that about me, so if there's something to be done I'm glad to have a hand in it and I think all of us had a turn at doing something to make it all so special. Paj, I never got a chance on here to say thanks to you and Curt for helping me load in all of the equipment on friday, you guys ROCK!!! My wife and I came away with a very special feeling from this event and actually she was the first to say that we will be there next year. I didn't expect that. I figured if anything it would scare her away but she does alright hanging out with the guys. Maybe there will be more women folk next year. Either way, I can't wait and already I miss you guys.
- Rated: 46 ↑
Oct 28, 2009 10:07 a.m. Nobody:

Thanks Paul. It does look like Roundup Nashville 2010 will include another day, for two full, unobstructed days of action. Secretly, we believed it would eventually, but also believed it needed to grow into it. We're there.
- Rated: 69 ↑
Oct 28, 2009 1:07 p.m. crowbone:

stupid tooth...
- Rated: 111 ↑
Dec 10, 2009 3:34 p.m. Curt:

I came across this.

http://blog.gretsch.com/great-gretsch-roundup-in-nashville/2009/11/

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