2009 TSGA Non Pedal Session Schedule
Friday March 13   10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    -    Sheraton Grand DFW
In The Chagall Room on the Mezzanine Floor

George "Mr Boards" Piburn 10:00 - 10:15
Chris Kennison 10:20 - 10:35
Margie Mays 10:40 - 10:55
Todd Clinesmith 11:00 - 11:15
Dick & Lois Meis 11:20 - 11:35
Ray "Skipper" Montee 11:40 - 11:55
Wade Pence 12:00 - 12:15
Captain Ivan Reddington 12:20 - 12:35
Gerald Ross 12:40 - 12:55
Kevin Brown
1:00 - 1:15
Carco Clave 1:20 - 1:35
Jeff Strouse 1:40 - 1:55
Rick Alexander 2:00 - 2:15
Chuck Lettes 2:20 - 2:35
Bobbe Seymour 2:40 - 2:55
Reece Anderson 3:00 - 3:15
DeWitt "Scotty" Scott 3:20 - 3:35
Herb Remington 3:40 - 4:00
Non Pedal Photo Session
4:30 - 5:00
Non Pedal Pizza Party for Non Pedal Participants and Pals . .
5:00 - 6:00
After Pizza Show by special guests - TBA
6:00 - 7:00
Jam Session - everyone welcome !
7:00 - 10:00

Backup Musicians:
Gerald Ross - house Guitarist
Steve Alcott - Bass
Carco Clave - Guitar
Renae' Truex - Fiddle
Scott Icenogle - Upright Bass

Rick Alexander - Guitar, Ukulele
Ivan Reddington - Acoustic Guitar

Featured Guest Singers :
Red Kilby
Ike Jonson
Technicians:
Jeff Strouse
Ken Huber
HowardR
John Ainsworth
Sonny Dasinger

Saturday March 14
Hawaiian Session
10:00 - 12:00
Ray "Skipper" Montee
12:00 - 12:30
Reece Anderson
12:30 - 1:00
Carco Clave & Renae' Truex
1:00 - 2:00
Herb Remington & Friends
2:00 - 3:00
Break 3:00 - 4:00
Rick Alexander & The Famous Few
4:00 - 5:00
Dinner Break
5:00 - 6:00
More Great Music - TBA 6:00 - ??






CLASSIC and CONTEMPORARY STEEL GUITAR DISPLAY
Fender, Gibson, Bigsby, Remington, Georgeboards, MSA


THE 2009 TSGA NON PEDAL SESSION

We used to dislike the term "Non Pedal", because it seemed to imply something was missing.
But like it or not, it has become the most recognized retronym for the instrument.
So now we wear it with pride, a badge of honor.
We don't need pedals.
We play steel guitar with our hands and our hearts.
- Rick Alexander


    This was the Fourth Annual TSGA Non Pedal Session - in Dallas TX. Originally the brainchild of premier Steel Guitar builder George Piburn and Steel Guitar virtuoso Chuck Lettes  - what began life as a 6 hour event has evolved into a gala event that spans two days and nights.  Hosted by Florida entrepreneur Rick Alexander with able associates Jeff Strouse, George Piburn, Chuck Lettes, HowardR, Ken Huber, Sonny Dasinger, John Ainsworth, K.J. Tucker and several others, the 2009 Non Pedal Session was a complete success - surpassing all expectations.
    Superbly backed by house guitarist Gerald Ross and bassist Steve Alcott - augmented by Ivan Reddington and Rick Alexander on guitars, the show opened Friday morning with excellent sets by George Piburn, Margie Mays, Dick & Lois Meis, and Ray Montee. Just before noon as Ray's wonderful set was ending - all the power went out, leaving the room in darkness for over an hour. During this time Ivan Reddington and Gerald Ross played an hour-long acoustic set with a single flashlight for stage lighting.  The audience sat there for an hour enjoying this unexpected turn of events. Then the power came back on and the show resumed, with fine sets by Wade Pence, Ivan Reddington, and Kevin Brown. Kevin had flown over from the UK to perform in the Non Pedal Session, officially elevating it to International status. Then from Nashville - primo steelman Carco Clave and his beautiful wife, fiddler extrordinaire Renae' Truex took the stage with Scott Icenogle on upright bass and Rick Alexander on guitar. They delivered a blistering set of classic country and western swing, and then Carco switched to guitar and they backed up Rick Alexander for his set. Red Kilby joined Rick for a tribute to Don Helms and Hank Williams with a classic rendition of "Your Cheating Heart"  Then came Chuck Lettes with Jim Stahlhut on guitar and Steve Alcott back on bass for a resounding set of superbly arranged tunes. Next - Reece Anderson performed as only he can, and his playing captivated the audience. Then Scotty was up - playing his Ricky Frypan, better than ever. He had some kind words about the Non Pedal Session to share with the audience.
    The legendary Herb Remington was the last performer of the afternoon session - and he began with a stirring monologue about Non Pedal Steel Guitar. Then he proceeded to tear it up in classic Remington style with Texas Playboy Walter Lyons and Rick Alexander on guitars, and Steve Alcott on bass. His set ended with a standing ovation.
    At 6:00 PM there was a group photo shoot and then the pizzas arrived. Everyone - performers and audience alike, ate their fill and sat back to await the evening show - with Carco Clave, Renae' Truex, Scott Icenogle and Rick Alexander. They were joined by Nashville singer and guitarist Ike Jonson for a high energy hour-long show. After the show,    audience members were invited to participate, and the rest of the evening was spent with informal jamming. Singer/Yodeler Shirley Alberts was the high point of the Friday night jam session, with a 4 piece band put together from audience members - coached by Gerald and Rick.

 

    Saturday morning from 10 til 12 Gerald Ross was the musical host of the Hawaiian session, in which a variety of musicians participated. Then at noon, Ray Montee played a fabulous half hour show. At 12:30 Reece Anderson played a half hour show with Rick Alexander and Gerald Ross on guitars and Steve Alcott on bass. He concluded his set by introducing his lovely wife Teresa and they performed a stirring duet of "You Raise Me Up". Then Carco Clave and the gang took the stage for a one hour show featuring Ike Jonson and surprise guest Junior Pruneda - longtime bassist with Ernest Tubb. Herb Remington then played a wonderful hour long show with Junior playing bass, Carco, Rick and Gerald on guitars and Renae' on fiddle. After an intermission for TSGA ceremonies, Rick Alexander took the stage for his hour long show. After a dinner break, informal jamming into the night brought some nice surprises - in particular steeler Rose Sinclair of the retro country band Girl Howdy who played a killer rendition of "Steelin' Home".
    The room was packed to capacity both days and nights and a good time was had by all.
Over a hundred videos of all the above mentioned performances  can be found at http://youtube.com/rickalexander47 .

 

    The TSGA Non Pedal Session is an extraordinary event in that all styles of music are welcome - and every one gets a chance to play at some point, regardless of their level of expertise.
     Several more of the top Non Pedal Steel Players have now expressed a desire to participate, so we truly have a lot to look forward to.
    It'll be back next year - bigger and better than ever!

 

- staff writer Frederick Farmer



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