The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Meet & Greet: Attn. GDP members in the Arizona territory.

Attn. GDP members in the Arizona territory.

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- Rated: 83 ↑
Mar 21, 2008 11:38 p.m. Mark Synchro:

This is early, but I'm thinking about organizing a Tucson jam, probably in the fall. I know that my time will be precious most of the next few months but this fall I'll have some time to devote to organizing a jam or shocking proportion. So here's the idea, a jam at a great location in about 6 months, held down here in the Old Pueblo with lots of space and no neighbors to complain about the noise. Throw in some good (soft) beverages and chip-in for some pizza and we'll have a great time.

So, I'm just looking for preliminary interest at this point. I can probably take care of the PA system, anyone with some good recording gear? I have a venue in mind already that's convenient for Tucsonans and EZ to find for people coming from the Valley of the Sun or even up from Yuma. Any Southern Californians that choose to attend may be searched to make sure that they aren't carrying any Granola.

I like the idea of what Wenzel and his gang did; plan out the songs ahead of time and try to cover several bases: Rockabilly, Electric Blues, Country, Western (think The Good, the Bad and the Ugly), Surf/Instrumental-Rock, maybe even a Jazz tune.

All I'm looking for right now is a gauge of interest and an idea of how many GDP guys are in the area. So . . . how many of you want to be part of the Arizona GDP Posse? We can finally bring law and order along with "That Great Gretsch Sound" to Arizona Territory.

P.S. Any former residents of Coolidge that have used water tanks for reverb are welcome too.

P.P.S. Active duty members of the U.S.AF. from all locations are welcome if you can hitch a ride on a C-130. I'll pick you up at D.M. on my way.
- Rated: 93 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 5:59 a.m. Pappy:

I'd be interested if I could make it out there, but that looks doubtful this year.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 6:39 a.m. LHR:

Pencil me in.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 7:10 a.m. Century Bob:

I`m in. I think I know the venue you have access to.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 7:31 a.m. 229someday:

I'm probably one of the most inexperienced players, but it would definitely be something cool to do and I live in Tucson. Pencil me in as well. I'm curious about the venue though...
- Rated: 50 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 8:18 a.m. jukebox:

Are you serveing cat? Oh thats right he's your bass player!
- Rated: 19 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 10:51 a.m. Century Bob:

229.. knowing Mark, he probably lined up some old garage in midtown.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 11:09 a.m. 229someday:

Ahhh, I love midtown. Had plenty of things stolen out of the garage and the backyard when I lived by Catalina High School. Even had to move a mattress out of the backyard that appeared between when we bought our house there and moved in.

Good pockets and bad pockets in any 'hood though, I liked it there. I'm up by Sabino Canyon now.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 11:36 a.m. Mark Synchro:

I started my day serving two cats. More specifically, I served breakfast to two cats, neither of whom respect my inalienable right to sleep in on a Saturday morning. Not only is Smokey my bass player, he's also the brains of the operation. Right now I am in my recliner (What are the odds of that? About 100%) and he is lying between my knees.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 11:39 a.m. Mark Synchro:

Century Bob said: knowing Mark, he probably lined up some old garage in midtown
Actually, the hobo that lives under the 6th avenue overpass seems like he's getting a little shaky these days. I figure by next fall I could probably run him out from under there with my 1.25" long Swiss Army knife. No one would complain about the noise.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 11:44 a.m. Mark Synchro:

Hey, it's a starting point. Let's try to keep the idea alive and maybe start thinking in terms of a target date. Any thoughts Bob? If I could find an old garage up in mid-town are there any pizza places nearby? Maybe we could pose for our "class picture" by that wall up on Grant road with the crazy western mural painted on it. Ritchie Fliegler used it as a backdrop for a bunch of photos in his "Amps!" book.
- Rated: 93 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 2:01 p.m. Pappy:

229Someday, whenever we visit Tucson my wife always insists on going to Sabino. We hiked Seven Falls and that was... Long. We forgot the water too so halfway back I had to take off my ring because I was swelling up, BUT the view of the falls is particularly breathtaking.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 3:25 p.m. 229someday:

The Canyon is beautiful, but it's changed a bit after two years of flooding. I've done Seven Falls on the way around the Bear Canyon loop with my running buddies. It's a cruel 17 miles round trip.

The Phoneline trail is real nice too. We're lucky to live about a half mile south of the canyon in one of the small stucco boxes that blight the landscape up here. Wish I could find a rehearsal space in the same zip code though.

Here's a pic of the dirt trail out of the east end of the parking lot at Sabino from last winter. A rare sight indeed.
- Rated: 10 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 3:49 p.m. reddog:

Wondering when where and how long I live in colorado but I got raft pick me up at the canyon please. I'm joking, but I'm thinking I got pto comming.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 3:51 p.m. Century Bob:

Mark, the famous "Farmer John Meats" mural is hurtin these days. They will tear it down eventually. So it looks like about 4 people are up to it. I know we have to have more members around the state. I can round up a drummer pretty easily.
- Rated: 93 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 9:02 p.m. Pappy:

Thanks for the pic, 229. My wife will be pleasantly surprised when she sees the computer's new desktop. Our goal is to someday get one of those same stucco boxes. I'm a big fan of the adobe/pueblo style houses and Arizona is just a great state to be in.

I wish I could come to you guys' jam. I'm sure I wouldn't be able to play with you guys but I know it would be fun to watch, and maybe pick your collective brains on mini lessons or something.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Mar 22, 2008 10:49 p.m. Mark Synchro:

Bob,

I'm sure we'll pick up more as time goes on. I think that Roger, my old partner in musical-crime will come too. I'll make a call to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and get Wenzel and Pappy transferred to DM. I'm sure that when I explain it to him he'll see the importance to national security. I'm pretty sure that there's a person or two in Phoenix that plays a Gretsch too.
- Rated: 50 ↑
Mar 23, 2008 8:07 a.m. jukebox:

Depends on when this big shingding is ,you never know I might show up. I haven't eaten cat in a while!!
- Rated: 93 ↑
Mar 23, 2008 8:11 a.m. Pappy:

Mark, if you were somehow able to get me cross trained to a job that's stationed at DM and then get me stationed at DM, I'd be FOREVER in your debt.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Mar 24, 2008 2:57 p.m. Mark Synchro:

JukeBox said: I haven't eaten cat in a while!!
That's OK, Smokey said he hasn't eaten filet of Barber lately either.
- Rated: 41 ↑
Mar 24, 2008 3:21 p.m. J(et)D:

I wish I could. I was in Scottsdale last fall for business, right down the street from Gretsch/FMIC

Four hot days, but I fell in love with the climate and terrain.

It was my first time "in" Arizona, and not just "passing" through.

I'll be there in "spirit"
- Rated: 50 ↑
Mar 24, 2008 3:33 p.m. jukebox:

When are planning this shingding! Labor Day weekend? Or sometime the like the week end before? Or the week before Labor day weekend Or how about Labor day? Anytime around Labor day works for me!
- Rated: 83 ↑
Mar 24, 2008 10:58 p.m. Mark Synchro:

I'm thinking September but I'll have to see when the venue is available.
- Rated: 50 ↑
Mar 25, 2008 12:39 p.m. jukebox:

Labor Day weekend is in Sept.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Mar 25, 2008 5:38 p.m. Mark Synchro:

Because of weather and venue considerations I was thinking of the weekend of Sept. 20 - 21. Labor day weekend can still be monsoon season and for those not familiar with our local weather you don't want to do anything during a monsoon. By late September the weather here in the Tucson area is starting to show its very best face. An afternoon-into-evening jam in an indoor/outdoor venue during late September would be delightful beyond description.