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lapsteelguy
New
Username: lapsteelguy

Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2011
Posted on Monday, April 18, 2011 - 10:36 pm:   Edit Post

It was a pleasure meeting you all at the Alembic gathering, this past Saturday. I am the guy with the National Guitars t-shirt and the Panama hat at the gathering. The 8-String McKenna resonator guitar and the National Resolectric that spent most of the day sitting out in the snack and guitar display room were mine. I brought them on the basis of a logic concept called A Error vs. B Error but (not being a rocker) I found no place for my style within the music being played. Not a criticism, just reality. I enjoyed the different styles a lot.
After warming up a bit I decided to let them sit out as conversation starters. In fact I had a fine discussion with Ron about my instruments and the adaptations I have created allowing me to play. I also met and discussed slide guitar with several attendees.

I have to add that I was quite impressed with the overall quality of the music presented on stage.

In my own playing and singing, I tend toward story songs with simple melodies and cord structures that fit my limited vocal range and that I can play on my various lap guitars (in spite of the physical limitations caused by my lifelong right side paralysis). Unfortunately, my appreciation of fine music, the music in my head and my OC perfectionist nature greatly surpass my physical abilities. Still, since I discovered the lap steel guitar in 1969, playing music has been an essential part of my life. I actually had to drop out of college twice due to chronic pain caused by over reaching my body's ability to recover from the physical stress I put on it, when I play. Many things have come and gone in my life but playing music and singing is the one thing that assures me life is worth continuing, even in the darkest times.

If you are interested in my simple self created style, I have a few of my favorites from a 2007 show at a local pub, with me singing and playing lap style on my National Resolectric on YouTube, also under the name lapsteelguy. I am especially happy with my renditions of Midnight Hour Blues, Sabu Visits the Twin Cities, Eurotrash Girl and Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues. If you look close in the very dark videos, you may recognise the bass player accompanying me on a 5-string Alembic.

PS: Ron,
How about a line of Alembic 6 & 8 String lap steel guitars? Get Cindy Cashdollar and Dave Lindley to demo them and they will sell like hotcakes.
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1338
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - 9:55 am:   Edit Post

Welcome aboard Don- I can't view videos on YouTube from work, but have made a mental note to check them out when I get home.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 10163
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 3:44 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Donald; I enjoyed your playing early on at the gathering while folks were first arriving. Glad you made it by here.

Here is the YouTube site. Sounds good; and yes that bass player does look a bit familiar.

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