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Mikey D...

I had the honor of being hired by Tom to serve as art & advertising director for Steel Guitarist Magazine. Great guy to work with and for, we were very proud of that publication, and I view it as the dream job of my whole life and career, merging my art and music interests so completely. Gratifying that so many of you STILL enjoy that zine! And you guys have NO idea how much work Bradshaw put into getting that thing out the door!

Way to go, Big Tom!

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E9 lessons
Mullen D-12/Carter SD-10/Webb amp/Profex II+Lexicon MPX-110 OR Line 6 Pod XT

[This message was edited by John McClung on 08 September 2006 at 04:57 PM.]

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

But, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, and someone who dearly loves the steel guitar. Congratulations and take care.

First of all, I had nothing to do with my induction. I didn't attend the Convention Board's meeting last year, except via a conference call at my home. By the time they were able to get through to me, there had been a lot of discussion about all of the nominees. By then, they had narrowed the field down to Rico, Reece and me. I was able to voice my concerns about the pairing of Reece and myself, but they knew Reece and me very well and obviously settled on those they inducted. The Board practices a democratic voting process, and I know that it takes so many votes to vote anyone in. One vote apart from the majority doesn't change the final outcome. Because they knew all about the nominees, they also knew the following:

Reece Anderson and I began our "journey" with the steel guitar at the same time. Back in the '60s our paths were intertwined by our collaboration in many projects, in particular the beginnings of the steel guitar shows (that others would eventually take over and make a success of). Our first show was in 1967 in Dallas. Reece supplied the location and I did all the promoting to alert people that he and I were throwing the "party". Reece and I had such a good time, that I decided to put on my first "West Coast Steel Guitar Show" (near Napa) the following year. Reece came and helped me out (Vance Terry, Noel Boggs and Chuck Wright helped out too). Following that, we tried to out-do ourselves in 1969 when we put on the "Exhibit and Show" in Dallas, Texas. By standards, it was a great success, with Curly Chalker, Tom Brumley and a host of other fabulous players participating. Reece and I ended up with a $15.00 "profit" after the ton of work we put into it. He and I both concluded that others would have to take on such projects from that point on. [However, I hadn't learned my lesson, because in the 90's I began it all over again with a series of more West Coast Shows, at which many major players appeared.]

Reece and I continued our mutual efforts with the production of several of his albums ("The Moods of Maurice Anderson"), along with a couple of dozen show/clinics all over the U.S. as promotional efforts for MSA guitars. Curly Chalker was also involved in those concerts, with Reece and Curly appearing as a duo. I did the promoting and they did the playing.

I chose Reece as the first cover story when I began publishing Steel Guitarist magazine in 1979. I also was a promoter and dealer of MSA guitars in the firm's first run. After that, we both kept our hands in steel guitar. Reece went on to distinguish himself as a teacher, concert performer, recording artist and promoter of the instrument, as well as many other steel-related endeavors. I continued promoting the instrument through a variety of activities. For those who expressed concerns for not knowing who Reece and I are (or have been) in another posted topic, I will be adding the full text to my web site of my daughter's summary of my activities over the past 50 years, given during her Convention presentation of me. What she recited at the Convention was just 6 minutes of the summary (as was Scotty's request of all acceptance speeches be short due to time constraints). As most know, I do write too much (as is the case here too). My web site summary will still be a "limited edition" of my activities with the steel since I began my serious involvement with it in 1965.

So, for those who might be wondering what led to the Board choosing us as this year's HOF inductees, this was the logic in their decision. Maybe they had other intentions, but they sure didn't share them with me. Besides all of this, Reece and I are now in our 70's and maybe they figured we both were not long for this world, so "embarrassing" us at this late date was something they needed to get out of the way.

Because the award is for a lifetime of achievement, it is usually given in a recipient's twilight years. Gosh I hate to own up to that, but he and I were depression babies, so I guess we will have to deal with that reality.

I thank everyone who expressed their appreciation here for any contributions I may have made to their enjoyment of the steel guitar. Contributing to the advancement of the instrument and its players was always my main goal. ...Tom

[This message was edited by Tom Bradshaw on 09 September 2006 at 07:56 AM.]

First, though Tom and I have corresponded for over 38 years (he couldn't possibly remember, but I do), we've only met face to face a few, perhaps a dozen, times. Yet, his way of communicating, straight forward and with great efficiency of the language, gave me a feeling of familiarity and trust from the beginning.

He is a pioneer. Do any of y'all remember the Brads-Rack, either Z-shaped or grapevine? I do!

Witness his endeavors based on trust... the Steel Guitar Record Club, the money-back guarantee way he sold products, Steel Guitarist magazine... some of which turned around and bit him on the butt.

I do believe that Tom Bradshaw is the most selfless, altruistic (look it up ), promoter of steel guitar the instrument has had, so far.

It was also an honor to serve with him on the Steel Guitar Convention Board. The man knows his stuff.

He is now the owner of Webb Amplifiers. I am a happy Webb player, and own two of those puppies. I was concerned about the future of the product with Jim Webb's unfortunate passing. My fears have been relieved. I'm sure Tom will bring the same attention to detail and quality.

Tom, "you da man."
HS

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Well deserved!award!

Yes, Herb, I remember the Brads Racks on Chuck Wright's Sierra guitars. Very solid and good idea. Chuck's guitars were beautiful too.

Tom-I also want to thank you for inviting me to bring my Gibson 6 pedal 8 string Electra-Harp to your first West Coast show in Napa, Californian in 1968. This is where I got to personally meet Reece, who has been my friend for 36 years. I tried out his MSA S12 and it sounded great, great tuning too. Bb6maj7.

Thanks again Tom, for all you have done for the Steel guitar community. You have finally been recognized for all your contributions during your lifetime...al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

when he finished, he turned to me and said, "$50?" i was stunned that someone would do that quality of work and essentially give away their time.. but i was to learn that that is the bradshaw trademark.

tom would rather do something right... even if it takes re-doing it a couple of times... than deliver anything he feels is sub-par. he hand-built a ball-bearing nut roller for the zb universal he restored for me three times before he was satisfied!

add to that his "i'll just ship it to you and if you like it you can pay me" style and you realize you're dealing with a unique guy.

he has clearly contributed in a major way to the instrument and community... from coining 'copedant' to publishing steel guitarist magazine to creating the largest pedal steel mail order business (and then donating it to the forum) to forcing msa to (finally) offer their resolution process to purchasing and preserving the webb amplifier... his motivations and actions have benefited us all.

congratulations, tom... now get back to work on my next guitar! 8-)