Here's the text from a News Release I drafted. Hope to see some more Forumites there this year--Bob Stone.

Masters of the most compelling American musical tradition to be "discovered" in decades will travel from throughout the U. S. to showcase their fiery steel guitar work at the Second Annual Sacred Steel Convention at the Sanford Civic Center, 401 East Seminole Boulevard March 30 and 31, 2001. Among the artists invited to perform are the Campbell Brothers and Katie Jackson, who have dazzled audiences throughout the U. S. and Europe with their soulful steeling and singing; lap-steel wizard Aubrey Ghent and Friends fresh from their appearance at the Berlin Jazz Festival; tradition founder Willie Eason; Calvin Cooke and the Detroit Sacred Steel Ensemble; Lonnie "Big Ben" Bennett and the Family Band from Rochester, New York; the Lee Boys from Perrine, Florida; rising star Robert Randolph, whose pyrotechnics never fail to astound; as well as Jewell Dominion steel guitarists Kim Davis, Ronnie Mozee and Reggie "Footie" Covington.

In the late 1930s, Willie Eason introduced the electric lap-steel guitar, played in a manner which closely imitated the African-American singing style, to the spirit-filled, music driven services of the House of God Holiness-Pentecostal church. The steel guitar tradition evolved within House of God unnoticed by the rest of the world for nearly six decades. A series of recordings produced by Arhoolie Records beginning in 1996 brought the soaring, moaning and rocking sounds of the steel guitar played by unknown African-American masters to the public. Critics as well as blues and gospel music lovers the world over have responded enthusiastically:

"For American music fans, it's a find like scientist's discovery of a new species." -Peter Katel, Newsweek.

"It has been decades since anyone in the secular world has played the guitar with this much soul and passion. Deeply rooted and thrilling, this is music for the ages." --Elijah Wald, the Boston Globe

Convention hours are from 1:00 p.m. until midnight both Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31. Activities will include screening of the Arhoolie Foundation's Sacred Steel one-hour documentary video, technique workshops, artist showcases, special guest performances, jam sessions and tributes to tradition pioneers. The convention will climax with the Saturday concert which begins at 7:00 p.m. Advanced registration by February 1, 2001 is $10 per day or $18 for both days. Admission at the door is $13 per day or $25 for both days.

The First Annual Sacred Steel Convention was an historic event that has kept critics, fans and musicians buzzing through the year. This year's convention will feature twice as many artists, more performance time, a larger concert hall, auxiliary rooms for vendors and home cooked food.

Participants may pre-register by sending a check payable to Sacred Steel Convention, to 925 Center Street, Crescent City, FL 32112. For further details call Marcus Hardy at 904-698-2547, or visit the convention Web site: www.sacredsteelconvention.com

[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 27 November 2000 at 08:58 AM.]

Great link on the Sacred Steel website to a Carter page for Sacred Steel Tunings!! Fantastic resource...

But please let whoever created the SS website know that "tenative" should be spelled "tentative"- software writers really ought to put spell checkers on EVERY program

[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 27 November 2000 at 08:39 PM.]

Rob, thanks for pointing out that the town name/location was not obvious. The press release will be revised.

For those driving, Sanford is about 15 mi north of Orlando.

Best,

And if you aren't religious, or aren't Christian, no worries. You will not find a more accepting community anywhere.

If you come to this show with your mind and heart open, you with be moved. I know that my playing has been fundamentally changed as a result of hanging with these guys. Not that I have been learning their licks. Because their playing isn't about playing cliches or hot licks. It is about emptying your mind of ego and 'chad', and going straight from your soul to your axe.

More info on Sacred Steelers Tunings with links to Sound Samples.

Ann Fabian
Carter Steel Guitars
617 West Kearney Street
Suite 101
Mesquite, Texas 75149 USA
1-800-969-7332 orders (accessories and steels)
1-972-288-9100 technical info
1-972-288-9169 FAX
www.steelguitar.com
The Steel Guitar Information Resource
www.steelguitarINFO.com
OnLine Steel Guitarists Directory
www.OnLineSteelers.com