SPBGMA

[Bobbie Dier]

I can't go this year http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Kevin K]

I plan on being there Saturday. Shayne, you gonna bring your Passernig? I would love to see it and maybe play it if you didn't mind.

Kevin

[Dusty]

I have been several times and it is a great time if you like picking until the wee hours of the morn. By all means, go by the Gibson booth and see Big Joe. He often has several big name pickers around the booth and generally a Loar or two someone has left for safe keeping that he is pretty good about letting all us novices play and "smell."

[chris]

I Plan to be there, Will have a freshly strung up one piece Red Spruce top F mando in the white if anyone would like to take her for a spin.

[Big Joe]

I'll be there with Brutus and Blondie. They are such a nice couple. I try to get them to take me to dinner but they never buy! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif .

[Kentuckyken]

I'll be there too. I've got a mandolin or two that you will have to play to believe. I'll be at the Silverangel booth.

[Kevin K]

Ken,
Will your booth be close to the main lobby?

[Stephen Perry]

Gordon Roberts, formerly of Eastman and now of GAS LLC should be there. Tim Finch of Eastman, nice guy who has posted here before will be there. I'll be there and so will Gianna. Our new guy, her brother (another Steve) will be there, too, I think. He does most of our mandolin setup and finish work now.

[jim_n_virginia]

Hello,

...well about a week of so till SPBGMA! #mandopLuker (shayne)
At the risk of sounding like I live in a cave here in the flatlands of Virgina... what the heck is SPBGMA?

Does it stand for Short People in Blugrass Music Assoc.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Jerry Byers]

Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (http://www.spbgma.com/)

[Kevin K]

Shayne,
That'll be a good thing, the more mandolin players the better, make 'em b*njos run for the hills. ; )

[Big Joe]

Jim...If that was the meaning of SPBGMA I certainly would not be allowed in the door! I would have to go to BPBGMA (Big Peoples Bluegrass Music Association http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ).

[Bobbie Dier]

I want to go

, http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif ,
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[Grandude]

I'm going for the first time, mainly for the pickin'. #

Is the awards show something that is a must see - anyone know if tickets for the show will be available at the door? #I've tried repeatedly to reach the promoter Chuck Stearman, but his phone is always busy. I understand that he secures some rooms so that pickers can stay at that hotel. #It has been booked for weeks now. #If anyone knows of how to get a room at the Sheraton Music City Hotel for this, please let me know.

[Soupy1957]

If it is anything like S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A, it MUST be a lot of fun!!
-Soupy1957

[MandoGordon]

Damn, I thought it stood for "Society For The Prevention Of Bluegrass Music". Now I'll have to cancel my trip. I had all my banners made and my signs printed. Never mind I can use them at that "Incarcerate Bluegrass Musicians in America" (IBMA) protest meeting later this year in Nashville.
Gordon
ps. Lots of goodies to show you all at the show!

[JEStanek]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif Gordon, you so crazy!

Jamie

[kymandolin29]

ill be going down thurs....cant wait to try those mandolins of ken radcliffs....if i could sell my chec rep F-5 id order one from him....i want to check out the gibson booth and let them play my fern its been a yr or so since theyve seen it...in past yrs the comandos met in the pit where the bar is next to the lobby ...just pick a day and time......mr

[Ken Berner]

If it were named "Security from Promotion of BanjoGrass Monsters in America", there might be more mandolin-pickers instead. But, "everybody has to be somewhere".

[Soupy1957]

S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. = Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. (FYI)
-Soupy1957

[Crowder]

If you've never been, you'll be amazed at how many people are picking inside that big complex. In the lobby, hallways, stairwells, hotel rooms, everywhere. Most people are really friendly. We saw some really, really good picking outside the main venue.

[Mark Walker]

I've never been to SPBGMA, but if it's anything like IBMA, you'll see talent that will overwhelm you. #I recall family bands, groups and individuals jamming in the hallways, and many of them had talent equal to or BETTER than the 'headliner' groups on stage! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

It amazes me the amount of undiscovered and unknown talent around, and how many of those talented people actually prefer to remain that way! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Enjoy your experience there - whomever might be going! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kymandolin29]

big joe...do yall have screws for tuners..i need one for the post on my old fern...is something like that available??? kymandolin29@aol.com

[Brian Baker]

Well, it looks like I'll be braving the nasty ice storm they're predicting. I'm going to SPBGMA from Greenville SC tomorrow afternoon, and the weather could be quite dicey...

Anyone else gonna plow through the snow & sleet?

SPBGMA or bust,
Brian

[Stephen Perry]

No problem getting here from Knoxville at all. I'm all set up typing this, listening to it start to warm up in here! A good time will be had I'm sure. Said hi to Big Joe and a bunch of other folks.

[Mark Walker]

Shayne - thanks for the update. Glad you got to meet Ken & Laura Ratcliff. My wife and I visited them at their beautiful home (up on the top of a mountain) and they're the most humble and gracious people. The even insisted on buying us lunch.
And they make GREAT mandolins too! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Sounds like ya'll all had a great time. (Meanwhile, I'm stuck up here in West Michigan in the middle of blizzard warnings!) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Dusty]

Shayne, It was a fun time. I spent all Fri. nite in Lloyd LaPlant's room picking with he and John Perk. John was the last guy to play and record mandolin with Kenny Baker. Man was he smooth and an incredibly nice gentleman. There needs to be more days but especially more evenings of picking. What a time. I enjoyed meeting you and putting a face to some cafe members. I guess I'll just keep playing my old Master Model. I know it's weak but I am getting used to it!! You forgot to mention the rare '24 Fern Loar we ogled.

[red7flag]

Shayne is was great to meet you man. Sorry we did not get together again. I really wanted to see that Nugget of yours. I ran into Shayne talking while talking with Chris Stanley. Chris was like a magnet for good people. I also got to meet Ken and Laura Ratliff while talking with Chris.
Tony