Thats really cool that Gretsch does these giveaways. Congrates to the winners.
Texas Rockabilly Revival '09: LIVE with Gretsch
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- Rated: 67 ↑
May 12, 2009 7:43 a.m. Diggey:
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- Rated: 91 ↑
May 12, 2009 10:38 a.m. Ratrod:
Hmmmmm.....get a bunch of colorfull Gretsches, go to musical events such as this one, bring a camara and ask girls to pose with the guitars.
Expensive but effective way to hook up with the ladies.
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- Rated: 22 ↑
May 12, 2009 11:04 a.m. PopeyeMJK:
If the event's close enough, then it wouldn't be all that an expensive thing to do! Yes, definitely a great way to meet the ladies! Cept'n of course, if they're attending with their ol' mans... which I bet, bigtime, is mainly the case! hahahahahahaha!
MJK
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- Rated: 68 ↑
May 12, 2009 1:26 p.m. Timthom62:
Proteus said: I don't suppose it's occurred to anyone to wonder how all the people-n-gits pics happen.
Actually I've been curious about that and appreciate you taking the time to explain the process. It's good to know that the subjects of the photos know where to find their pictures on the 'net, as that would make for a pretty cool souvenir.
Once again, my thanks to Proteus, Joe and the usual suspects at Gretsch/FMIC for the excellent coverage of TRR09.
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- Rated: 314 ↑
May 12, 2009 3:12 p.m. Proteus:
Remember Roggie?
She was there with her daughter, and both were having a great time.
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- Rated: 314 ↑
May 12, 2009 3:23 p.m. Proteus:
People
... who helped make it happen.
Slim Jim'n'Kim
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Slim Jim'n'Kim'n'Orlando too
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Kim & Frin' & Danny B)
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Hoss. (Give a listen to RHH coverage in music thread.)
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- Rated: 24 ↑
May 12, 2009 7:12 p.m. redrocker:
Prote -- I love all the portraits!
Remarkable!
Good stuff all around.
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- Rated: 314 ↑
May 13, 2009 12:58 a.m. Proteus:
Conversations: Orlando Rios
Orlando is the guy who, inspired by Rev Horton Heat and pyschobilly, started an online rockabilly newsgroup while in high school - then turned it into a low-budget publication soon after.
That interest has set the direction of his life so far: he majored in publication-related areas in college. As Rockabilly Magazine continued to grow and evolve, he left school to devote himself to it as his career.
From being a one-man show - with Orlando as writer, editor, designer, production, ad sales, circulation, and distribution – Rockabilly mag has begun to grow a staff.
Promoting the Texas Rockabilly Revivals has fulfilled another of Orlando's long-term goals of bringing the music he loves to the all-music town where he lives. Having his early and continuing hero Jim Heath headline his first show in 2008 was another moment of glory.
This year's show, moved to a larger and greener venue, was with its lineup both more Texas and arguably more rockabilly than last year's – and the Rev was back. Orlando also checked another box by performing at the Revival with his rock/punk/psychobilly band Lowdown Shaky Chill.
But this year's show was not without its frustrations, as Lemmy Kilmister and The Head Cat had to cancel at the last minute thanks to Lemmy's illness.
Orlando and I had a long conversation Saturday afternoon, and he explained his vision for the TRR. He intentionally slants the roster toward the harder psychobilly side of things; he says there are already great festivals featuring more historical and conventional forms of the music, and rather than compete with them, he wants to bring the young (often more extreme) bands to their audience.
He explained that he has all the respect in the world for traditional roots artists of every shade of 'billy, which is why he gave us a night of not-so-psycho fare. The genuine kick he got from introducing Levi Dexter and Wanda Jackson was evident. He doesn't see any conflict between the sub-genres.
Orlando's a young guy on the path he wants to follow, involving himself in every way he can with the music he loves. That's the kind of guy who gets things done, rather than just whine about them.
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Plus a delightful girlfriend who's with him every step of the way. I doubt he's making a bundle with the magazine or the Revival - but it looks to me like he's doin' alright!(I even got to borrow her for a pic.)
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- Rated: 314 ↑
May 13, 2009 1:17 a.m. Proteus:
Conversations: Hot Rod Walt & The Rev
Walt and I often found ourselves standing together, watching the bands and sharing comments, or talking about the roots & 'billy scene, the GDP, cars, and other miscellaneous topics.
The Psycho Devilles, based in Florida, has worked hard in the last seven years, with frequent touring through the southeast and further afield. Walt prides himself on his songs, the solid sound of the band, and the entertainment value the trio provides. That's a good old-fashioned, even conservative approach to being a music professional.
It's working for them, and Walt enjoys a lifestyle that many of us might envy: he tours and plays the music he loves, making it pay for itself, and goes home to work on hot rods - both his own and for hire as a bodyman/painter/pinstriper.
We talked about the fashion and musical variety within rockabilly culture, and he was as mystified as I am at the ridicule and disdain lovers of one rootsy genre sometimes direct at lovers of other genres.
Good guy!
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After the Rev's soundcheck on Saturday, he joined a bunch of us at a table under the trees for some lunch. I worked on content for this coverage, Mrs P read a book, and Walt and Mr. Heath talked hot rods and the rigors of the road. The Rev is working on finishing up a long-gestating rod project.
While he was kicked back relaxing, Gretsch Artist Relations dude Jason Herndon was doing a setup on the Rev's guitars. He had been experiencing some intonation weirdness, and had pulled the pins to reposition the bridge. Jason did some fine-tuning and bridge re-positioning - which is why the bridge was taped for the gig, until it could be re-pinned.
The difficulties had likely resulted from out-of-spec strings. It happens to everyone!
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- Rated: 314 ↑
May 13, 2009 1:23 a.m. Proteus:
Girls-n-Guitars: Jaye
You remember Jaye - she wore the white dress with pin dots on Friday, and posed for a number of pics.
Jaye had told us ("us" includes Mrs P, whose background as a seamstress made her an enthusiastic participant in fashion discussions) she'd be wearing her pink almost-prom dress Saturday, and wanted to be sure to get another pic - this time with a red guitar.
By the time we hooked up Saturday night, the guitars were all packed away. But she looks great anyway, huh?
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- Rated: 22 ↑
May 13, 2009 1:28 a.m. PopeyeMJK:
She's absitively, posilutely BREATHTAKING!
;^)
MJK
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- Rated: 314 ↑
May 13, 2009 1:43 a.m. Proteus:
Conversations: Shelby
The Chop Tops' Shelby and I talked for nearly an hour Saturday night, covering his band and its touring schedule, life at home, bridges, and his 1963 green Annie.
This guy is a true believer when it comes to Gretsch, with a commitment to the guitars that goes way beyond his "Gretsch-endorsed artist" deal. He bought his Annie 20 years ago, and it's been his number one guitar since. It goes everywhere he goes, and it's been rode hard and put away wet more than once.
So what's the story on the pickups? It came with Hilo'Trons, which he knew right away weren't going to cut it for his tone. He knew he wanted DeArmonds, and he found the white-topped vintage set and installed them himself.
As he said, the Annie wasn't a vintage guitar when he put the pups in - just an old one - and to make the pups work, he cut it up in ways he wouldn't now. But to a committed Dyna guy, it was worth it. (From his tone, I suspect his white-tops may be the hotter "non-Gretsch" versions from the 60s.)
The guitar is stuffed with foam to combat feedback. And he thinks the truss rod may be slipping, as it seems to need more frequent adjustment than in the past, and the adjustments seem not as positive. There may be some serious work in the guitar's future.
And what does the guitarist in a hopped-up rockabilly band do after weeks of noise and fury on the road? He sits in the yard of his house in the hills above Santa Cruz, looks out over the ocean, and sometimes plays an acoustic guitar. Mostly he likes it quiet.
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AJ (fjr_wertheimber, GDPer 1st Class), Shelby, Proteus, & Joe near the end of the weekend.
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- Rated: 314 ↑
May 13, 2009 1:45 a.m. Proteus:
Cheryl really wanted a picture of AJ's associate's arm. I'm a bit hesitant to ask for tattoo pictures, but she just goes for it!
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May 13, 2009 1:47 a.m. Proteus:
Girls-n-Gretschs
Joe took these pics. I don't feel I need to say anything.
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- Rated: 314 ↑
May 13, 2009 2:01 a.m. Proteus:
What kinda people listen to rockabilly?
Is there a dress code? Are there socio-economic requirements? Is it a class thing, or some kind of culture war?
I sometimes get that sense from comments made online - I've never once felt it from anyone at one of these events.
I'm thinking maybe they're all just people - with a wide variety of interests - who like music based in a range of American musical styles dating from the 20s through the present (but largely avoiding the pop of the last 30-30 years). Some might like traditional forms, whose heritage is worth preserving and extending. Some might like hot new variants, cross-pollinated with modern forms from "outside" the music.
And maybe some are in it for the clothes, or the dancing, or the cars – or a sense of identity – along with, or beside, the music. Maybe they're lifelong rebels, or weekend warriors – young punks or old nostalgiacs.
I can't see what's wrong with any of that. And at least at these events, they all seem to get along.
Check 'em out.
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- Rated: 314 ↑
May 13, 2009 2:11 a.m. Proteus:
And that's all I got.
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- Rated: 51 ↑
May 13, 2009 4:18 p.m. troy6120:
Great coverage. Thanks again. It was a great read.
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- Rated: 38 ↑
May 13, 2009 6:35 p.m. jetbunny:
Thanks Tim. Makes me feel I was there. Great coverage. I enjoyed reading all the pages just now.
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- Rated: 22 ↑
May 13, 2009 6:53 p.m. PopeyeMJK:
Not enough photos.... guitar pics.... etc etc
Hahhahahahahaa! Just kidding brother!
Next time I'll make sure to be there to pick up the slack a bit.... Heh heh!
Thanks!
MJK
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- Rated: 27 ↑
May 13, 2009 8:59 p.m. fjr_wertheimber:
Awesome pics and coverage, Proteus... It really was such a singular pleasure meeting you and Mrs. P. For those who haven't had the pleasure (yet), you're missing out on spending time with a fantastic guy with great Gretsch love...
Great to meet Joe, too. I'm always interested in meeting the guys "behind the scenes", it's always neat to hear the stories behind the stories, so to speak.
Of course, meeting "The Rev" and Kim was just (supremely delicious) icing on the cake, especially when you consider it was topping off a weekend of amazing music.
If you guys get a chance to check out The Chop Tops, Psycho-DeVilles, or Hillbilly Casino, do yourselves a favor and GO. All of 'em put on an amazing show, and to make things even better, all of 'em sling Gretsches!
Hey Proteus, thanks so much for posting all those sound files in the music thread! I was ecstatic to see you posted the tribute to Lemmy on there, so all the friends I've been yammering to incessantly about it can actually hear what I've been talking about.
For those of you who don't know what I'm referring to, let me just say: The Rev + Ace of Spades = Awesome
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- Rated: 27 ↑
May 13, 2009 9:31 p.m. fjr_wertheimber:
Okay, PopeyeMJK, here ya go:
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- Rated: 14 ↑
May 13, 2009 10:45 p.m. bodr1:
Great pics Proteus!!!!!!!! 12th picture down on page 6 pretty much proves you are photo ninja.....
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- Rated: 22 ↑
May 13, 2009 11:45 p.m. PopeyeMJK:
Okay PERFECT now fjr! Except'n now you started a new situation with that last pic! There is NEVER enough shots of Kim with or without ANY guitars in her hands! Or covering that sweet bod' of herz! Heh heh!
But thanks! MJK
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- Rated: 38 ↑
May 14, 2009 1:11 a.m. jetbunny:
FJR,
Those are good photos!
Care to share your setup and settings? Love it!
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- Rated: 91 ↑
May 14, 2009 5:24 a.m. Ratrod:
Thanks again for the great coverage, Proteus.
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