Central Oklahoma? Stillwater, OKC, Tulsa, ?

[riorider]

Just checking to see if there might be some interest along the way for a gathering near the Mother Road...

I've not attended or know what organization goes into one but would be willing to help.

PM or reply posting. No specific dates in mind, but other than July and August and December, January, and February we have excellent weather. Inside venues during those times would be great. I have a couple of ideas for locations.

rr

[RogerC]

I'd love to be part of another git-together :) . I know Chris (reddcee81) would like to come as well since he lives so close (OKC)

[cjjtulsa]

I missed the last one, but if I got a chance I'd like to stop by and meet some folks. Check out some of the fine guitars, too. My schedule stinks, but I try to maintain hope....

[soundman48]

Arkansas isn't too far away........keep me posted.

[bam]

I am in Tulsa when not in Nashville and would love to make it.. Keep us posted ...

[riorider]

We'll start working toward some kind of a get together. I'm in Chandler, so Tulsa, OKC, Stillwater are all possibilities for locations. I'm swamped until after Memorial Day, but we can start tossing some dates around.

Thanks for the interest. I'm mostly interested in meeting some of the forum budds, seeing some nice guitars, sharing some snacks and cold drinks.

Stay tuned!

Phil

[Thin Crust]

I'm in. I made this trip once before............5 hours driving each way for a few hours of great playing. It's a good trade off. ;)

[RogerC]

I'm in. I made this trip once before............5 hours driving each way for a few hours of great playing. It's a good trade off. ;)

It's probably a little less than 5 hours without the detour, right :D

Seriously, John, I'd love to get a chance to play your new Paragon. The other 2 you had were out of this world!

[reddcee81]

So, I basically dropped off the face of the earth as I was finishing my bachelor's degree, but I'm back! Has this idea just been dropped? I'm game if it's still a possibility. I'd love to see Rog, Thin Crust and anyone else that would be there.

[riorider]

I had ceased thinking about it, too, having had a too-busy spring. But maybe sometime this fall?

Would need to find a location - already checked and the home loc is not an option (besides being too small).

Would want to know what everyone would like to do - other than check out some nice gits and chat.

rr

[Thin Crust]

I'm still up for something in the fall. I have a new Paragon to show off........and I know Phil has some real tasty bits of his own.

[soundman48]

I'll be there.......just tell me where and when.

[Thin Crust]

Shoot, let's get a whole enterage from Arkansas. ;)

[jlott00]

i could probably make it......if its in oct...ill have my ken hodges complete to bring along

[Mary]

I'll be watchin' this thread. I know a few men who may drop in to say hello, too. One might bring his McKnight. ;)

[riorider]

Thanks all. I'm working up some ideas. How does the last weekend of October look? Friday/Saturday Oct 24/25? How much work would you expect in planning? Or is this a "mingle" - pretty much structureless?

I was thinking something like a get acquainted dinner Friday night - keep it simple and inexpensive if possible? And then a day of show and tell, breakouts (flatpickers over there, fingerstylers over here, strummers in that room....), maybe if a luthier wants to come and chat to the whole group for 30 minutes.. Then a BBQ or similar Saturday evening..

Is this a "gathering"? Or is this mini-convention way more than what everyone would be interested in doing?

For any "organized" events such as meals together, I'd need a close idea of numbers. I have some ideas for sharing that so it wouldn't be as expensive, but to have a nice place with some decent food and possibly some guitar entertainment it will take a bit of green.

PM me if you wish - or email to riorider@earthlink.net. I'll build a mailing list and start doing some serious preliminary planning depending on what I hear.

Thanks all...

Phil

[riorider]

I'm still kind of planning in the dark here.. but visited my local winery yesterday that has a great venue for an open mic on Friday night, and talked to the owners, and they're very willing for this to happen. I'll figure out the financials.

The date will change to Oct 17-18, with the open mic get together on that Friday evening. I'm still thinking to get a somewhat larger place for whatever we want to do Saturday, but let me know if an open mic that Friday is something that would be of interest.

Phil

riorider@earthlink.net

[RogerC]

I replied to your email, Phil, but I'll post here too...

I think the open mic thing sounds like a blast. You're waaaay more organized than I was :D . I'm really looking forward to our lunch tomorrow too. see ya then.

rog

[RogerC]

I'll be watchin' this thread. I know a few men who may drop in to say hello, too. One might bring his McKnight. ;)

That would be awesome, Mary. I'd love a chance to play a McKnight since I hope to be ordering one some day. ;)

[Mary]

Suddenly, I have butterflies in my stomach. I'm in the midst of writing out my own final jam agenda for this weekend. I sure hope I do things right. I've never had a jam. Since I'm planning all this on my own, I worry that the guys might starve to death or walk away and say, "Strange neighborhood" as it isn't an area you'd normally want to visit.

I have everything as well planned and prepared as I can possisbly imagine.

Sigh... Do you guys think Friday and Saturday are to close to change my mind and forget all about this? :rolleyes::confused:

[SongwriterFan]

Sigh... Do you guys think Friday and Saturday are to close to change my mind and forget all about this? :rolleyes::confused:


You can cancel it, but we're still coming. :roll:

I worry that the guys might starve to death or walk away and say, "Strange neighborhood"

The only thing "strange" about it is that Lightning Bugs still live there! As I said when I was there, I don't think I've seen any in YEARS!

[Mary]

OK ~ Deal.

Maybe, I'll just cancel it and not tell anyone else! When everyone shows up, I'll pretend it is only for a pleasant visit and they all wanted to bring instruments to entertain me. :lol:

If you are OK with this house, neighborhood, freaks who live here, then I guess I won't worry about the others newbies. If I run out of food, I will tell everyone to go to the local firehouse where the local ladies are feeding people for a small fee that night. :D

In my little bubble of the dream world, problem solved.

Sorry ~ This isn't my thread. I can talk about our place on the McKnight thread.

[riorider]

That's ok (that you are "thinking outloud" on this thread!! I'll be watching yours to see how it goes.

I have confirmed the open mic night, and the owners are looking forward to it. Still working on the Saturday venue, plan, etc. I'm hoping one of our forum luthiers might be close enough or coming through to visit and give us a talk on their work, the state of luthery, answer questions, show their work, etc.

This is not close to any big cities, but is on the road to everwhere!! (I-35 north/south through OKC; I-70 E-W; I-44 NE/SW; and of course it's ON the "mother road")...

More updates soon...

Phil

[reddcee81]

Ok, so I disappeared for a month again and it looks like some planning has taken place! I THINK I'm game, but will definitely need to clear it with the boss...I mean the wife. What's the deal with the open mic night? We gonna hear Rog bring the vocal skills?? I'm IN!!

[SteveS]

Just thinking - If I flew in, could someone give me a ride and a room?
I'm kinda from Oklahoma - Idabel.

[RogerC]

What's the deal with the open mic night? We gonna hear Rog bring the vocal skills?? I'm IN!!

Dude, I'm alllll over it :D. After all, we'll be among friends, right? (at least they're friends before they hear me sing :roll: )

Just thinking - If I flew in, could someone give me a ride and a room?
I'm kinda from Oklahoma - Idabel.

I'll bet we could get you hooked up, Steve. It just depends on when you flew in, and if you don't mind sleeping on a couch, you could bed at my house.

[showngo2000]

Hey guys, I might be in as well. I live near Tulsa so anywhere half way close would be awesome for me. BTW, you're not thinking of the winery in Drumright are you? That's a pretty nice place if that's what you're talking about. Anywho I'm pretty sure I'd like to come if the dates work out. I'll keep an eye out here.

[reddcee81]

Steve, man, not only would I pick you up but you could have your very own room (with a bed) and your own bathroom at my house for free! You could just fly into OKC and I'll take care of it from there.

Rog, if you're going to unleash the skills then I just MIGHT consider doing the same. It could be fun.

[riorider]

Where I've arranged for that Friday is at Greenfield's Winery - about 4 miles north of Chandler (highway 18). Here's their website: http://www.greenfieldvineyard.com/ . I have been friends with the owners there for a couple of years. They've hosted several music events, including a new artist series for original music.

So far, it is only a casual open mic arrangement. They will be providing some hot hors doevres (at my expense), and will have the winery open and expect to have a few regulars as well as whoever shows up for our gathering. They have beer as well as their wines, and soft drinks too.

I have not yet been successful at finding a venue for any activities Saturday - nor do I know whether that would be of interest or not. It may be that the Friday night will be enough "planning" and we can all go our separate ways for the rest of the weekend. Let me know and I'll decide how much effort to put into it.

There are two small motels in the Chandler area, and a couple of B&Bs. There are a couple of acceptable restaurants, and a small number of the standard quick food places. OKC and Tulsa, of course, are well stocked with motels and eateries.

If anyone in Tulsa or OKC (or Stillwater or...) has an idea for Saturday and would like to put something together - great.

There is a performing arts high school in OKC which has an outstanding guitar program. I've heard one of the students and he would blow you away. I think he headed for Oberlin this last year. I will be checking to see if they have any performance events for that weekend. That would be worth seeing, although as usual it would be humbling.

Thanks for keeping the interest in this alive! More as plans progress.

Phil

[riorider]

Here's a pic of the upstairs of Greenfield's, where the tasting bar is. We will likely setup "stage right" of the bar (to your left in this view).

Doubtful there will be this crowd there... but I thought you'd all like to see the venue.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg207/riorider_bucket/Upstairs-Tasting-Room.jpg