Fla gathering- let's get it rolling

[Pistolero]

OK folks, I'll try to get this ball rolling, and keep it rolling this time. First, let's work out the place. After this, be thinking about a time frame and I'll post another poll to help decide that. But first let's work out the place. Since I don't know any of you personally, nor do I know your tastes, I'll let you decide. In other words, some like Hilton and some like Motel 6, hehe. If you want to hold it in the Jax area, I'm sure either myself, Lisa or someone else will be able to find a suitable location wether it be a fellowship hall of a church, restaraunt/listening room, or other. If you want it in a more central location like around the middle of the state, I can find something and offer a suggestion or two. Regardless of where it's held, someone will have to travel so lodging accomadations are a consideration. If we were to meet at an Orlando/Kissimmee area hotel, I would expect that we could get a decent group rate as well as use of a meeting room for the jamming. Also, a promoter that I play for often has access to a fish camp that his brother bought on Lake Panasofkee, just off of I-75 south of Ocala near where the turnpike meets. We had a gathering afew months ago there of some musician friends and it worked out nice. The rooms are a little rustic compared to a modern motel, but are clean and self contained. It is on the water so there's usually a good breeze. There's shade trees,a fire ring, dock, grills, as well as a couple of the rooms are large enough things could be moved indoors if the weather got ugly. I'm sure I could bargain a group rate from Steve, the owner as well. A link to the camp is at http://www.lindentertainment.com/Tracys_point/TRACYS_POINT.htm . Another similar alternative would be the Spirit of the Suwannee music park in Live Oak, but scheduling there may be a problem as they stay pretty busy. Great place though with cabins, stages indoor and out for a possible open mic thing, and space for RV's if anybody wanted to bring one. The link there is http://www.musicliveshere.com/ . Miami was mentioned a time or two, I know nothing about the area but Stratokatsu mentioned an idea or two, so it may be worth looking into as a location. I'll put this into a poll, and leave it up for a few days and then maybe at the first part of next week start a poll for a date that works for the most. A couple of you mentioned around the first of November. Also labor day weekend was mentioned, but that is pretty short notice to try and put this together. Just be thinking about it in the meantime. Also, any other suggestions for location are welcome, I'm just trying to narrow things down to something that can be put into plans.

[ricks]

Well, count me in. As long as it does not get caught up in scheduling, I'm good for any of the locations. I didn't vote yet cause there are several good options there. I would suggest we pass on the Live Oak and Miami areas this time around. The schedule at Live Oak might be a problem like you said, and for many of us Miami is the south side of the world.
I'll make a suggestion here. Let's try to keep this first time go round to a smaller more casual thing. Go for the Central Fla to Jax areas that are more easily within driving distance. Just shoot for one day, sort of like the small one we did before, and then we can maybe hash out some details to do a full weekend in the near future.
I really like the idea of the river side camp for a weekend get away.
But that might be a bit much for some folks. So let's try to get our feet wet and then expand the idea.
A little cooler weather and the jam's outside sound like a blast. Right now, we would all sweat to death and the amount of DEET needed would kill all the guitar finishes we could find.

[TaylorGirl]

If you do it Labor day Weekend I'm there with bells on.. Errm, or something like that.. I'll be in Quincy/Talahassee(spelling!?) and Ft.Walton Beach areas from Sept 1st to 12th.

Sharon

[bagelsgirl]

I voted Jax area, but if I could vote second choice I'd vote Orlando.

Then again, I'm only off the occasional weekend day or night, depending on the weekend you guys pick, I may or may not even be able to take part. So take my vote for what it is worth. I'd like to meet you guys and jam a bit, if possible that will be cool. If not, hey just miss me a whole lot ok?

[flaggerphil]

Depending on when it's scheduled, I could make it down for either the Orlando or Jax areas. I could also make it into the Tampa/St Pete area. Miami and the other areas would be tough.

[MJH]

Like I said in the other thread, if it's at Christmas time and in the Jax/St. Augustine area, I will try like heck to get there.

[April]

yeah me too. :)

[Omster]

Cmon people, Miami is where its at.

[beach bob]

Thanks pistolero for taking the time...

I voted for Tracy's Point... but either that *or* ORL would work. But really no location is a deal breaker for me. Any place a couple hrs. or more away, I'm gonna stay over, so it's more or less a weekend commitment for me anyways. That way if there's folks wanting to pick into the wee hours, no biggie (other than getting thrown out the hotel :eek: ).

I've never been to Tracy's point but it sure looks nice. More to my speed re: picking setting than some meeting room at a Ramada...

[MJH]

Where is Tracy's Point and what is it?

[Fishing The Sky]

I live in Orlando, and I may be able to help secure somewhere for us to meet. I voted Orlando not just because I live here but also it seems to be fairly central as far as Florida goes...so noone from South FL gets left out or vice versa. I hope something works out!

[beach bob]

Where is Tracy's Point and what is it?

It's located a bit west of Wildwood (which is at the end of the turnpike where it joins I-75). Figure about an hour northwest of Orlando. It's a rustic fish camp on a lake, looks very peacful to me. Check the link in the first post...

[MJH]

I'm really sorry!

I didn't read the first post entirely, just read the responses and voted. Sounds like a great place, but out of my travel area.

[Pistolero]

I voted for Tracy's Point. Reason- it's centrally located somewhat, but out of the way from the tourist trap stuff of Orl/Kis, is laid back and the owners there will cater to any needs that we may have. Kinda adding a little personality to the accomodations. I stayed there before and intend to go back. Plus, I'd bring my boat and hopefully get a little time in on the lake. :D It's about a 2 hour drive from Jax, about an hour from Orlando, about an hour from Tampa. I figure some will have to stay overnight regardless of where it's held.
My second choice would be Jax, just because it would be easier for me to try to put it together from here. In the past I have served on the board of a fairly large music association that gathered once a month for a picking session at various locations. I also have organized or helped organize rallies for a group of boaters from all over the country, so this aint my first rodeo. ;) But I would like for this to be a group effeort, with group decisions. I'm not trying to take over, I just want to get things moving in a direction. I like using polls since it gives everyone an oppurtunity to make a choice and explanation.

Where ever you folks decide, I plan to try and be there and bring plenty of guitars for everyone to pass around, I expect the same. :D Can't wait to meet you guitars.... er, I mean you people! :D

[tbondo]

Assuming (dangerous, I know) that the schedule date is do-able, I can make any of the proposed locations.....I voted for Orlando cause it's closest, but Jax is fine too, as is everywhere else......Tracy Point sounds very laid back, and I like that a lot, too.....the more time we get to hang with each other and play guitars together, the better......keep on rolling....what can I do to help?, since I'm currently unemployed....time is on my side...yes it is.

[ricks]

OK there Pistol Packer, I checked out the site for Tracy's Point and I'm with ya there. That looks like a wonderful weekend, even if I didn't get to meet a bunch of fellow addicts, I mean pickers. BTW, I won't bring ALL my geetars.
Never on the first date. LOL

April huh, and first post. Could this be our resident photographer now on the forum?????

Tom, unemployed???? Should I even ask?

[tbondo]

Ricks,

It's the summer of no work, since you asked......I've had job offers/interviews since arranging to be RIF'd from the last company in the spring after two years of wheel spinning (a cul-de-sac, I would say), but the offers have been less than perfect....I'm looking for the right job, not the first job this time.... I may get less choosy when I get closer to expending my "go to hell" money, but I'm golfing, playing guitar and tennis and reading alot (in addition to job hunting).....

So far so good with the cyclone season (and EOC ops) for you, yes?

So, are we going to plan a Tracy Point weekend????

[tbondo]

Bump...hope I didn't accidently kill this thread.....c'mon c'mon let's get together.....Pistelero, you got your ears on?

[beach bob]

FWIW I'm still watching this thread...

I was gonna post "yeah, have the poll, give people the sense they have a voice / vote, then go ahead & do it at Tracy Point anyways" but I thought that might be off-putting :roll:

tbondo, best of luck on the job hunt; it's tough out there... my wife is in the hunt as well... goin' slowly...

[tbondo]

Thanks Bob, hope it goes well for your wife.....recruiters and headhunters are a different breed, aren't they?

I would change my vote (if allowed) to any site where we would actually get together for the weekend and have a good guitar time...could play a little golf or tennis, too!

Pistolero, come on back!

[Pistolero]

I never left guys, just wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to see this and give input. At this time, 14 people have voted and it's a split for Jax and Orlando. About the Tracy's Point, I plan on heading down there at some point anyway since I know the owners and really enjoyed my last stay there, so if anybody wants to join me we can easily plan a weekend, in addition to the main AGF gathering.
I'll post a poll soon asking about the dates that will work best for the most people.
Let me add a comment or two here. I have suspicion that if we actually make this gathering a standing tradition, a couple of things can be expected to happen. I think that the fairest thing for Fl members to do is to rotate the location, have a gathering in the northern part of fl and then maybe the next one towards the southern part. So regardless of where this event is held this time, the next time would be a trade-off. I also expect that as it becomes a standing tradition, it will grow. Is this something that everyone would want to do yearly, or twice a year (say in the spring and in the fall etc)? It would be extremely cool to me to see it grow to a point where the people attending could even bring a fellow forum member in as entertainment, like Jim Tozier, Eric Skye, Bagel'sGirl as example's, I'm sure there are alot of members worthy of hearing. Just a couple of rambling thoughts. Maybe it could be discussed by members at the gathering in person. I expect there to be a dozen or so present, but I'm sure we're gonna have real good time and word will get out about it, so the next time will be more people. :D

[ricks]

Back from the Charlotte show, and back to work today.
So I'm running a little behind.
All sounds good to me so far, and the idea of rotating the location is a great idea. Not only change the scenery and venue, but might give some people a chance (or excuse) to go to another part of the state.
The "pro" players coming in is another great idea, but from what I can see Pistolero, we already got us one pro signed up. Can't wait to try and learn something from you.
So now it's just the details to figure out. Hopefully we can come up with a date that fits into the majority of schedules.

Tom, sorry to hear about the job man. Seems to be a LOT of that going around right now though. Hope it works out for ya soon.

BTW, don't worry about your geetars there Pistol. Guy tends to exagerate somewhat.

[gteague]

<del>
BTW, don't worry about your geetars there Pistol. Guy tends to exagerate somewhat.

only somewhat? i think i'm somewhat offended. [g]

but seriously, hope you guys get it planned out and have a great time. i'm going to try to make the collings gathering at the end of next month down in wimberley. i may not stay for the whole time but i'll drive there for at least one day just so i can say hi to everyone. i wish you guys could make that one if you found yourself accidently in the area.

/guy

[ricks]

Won't make Wimberley this time Guy,
but next summer for NAMM I expect to see you there with bells on.
(that's so we can keep track of ya) LOL
Have fun and give my best to Kevin and the rest.

[TaylorGirl]

Won't make Wimberley this time Guy,
but next summer for NAMM I expect to see you there with bells on.
(that's so we can keep track of ya) LOL
Have fun and give my best to Kevin and the rest.

Wimberley? Texas? My home town! You better be coming to see me!

Sharon

[Jim Tozier]

Someone please let me know when a date is decided. If I can afford (the time as much as money!) to fly down for whatever weekend it happens, I'd love to attend. There are several folks in FL I'd love to see again, and many I'd like to meet, too!

[Pistolero]

Ok guys/gals, I'll keep trying to help get this thing planned, but only if yall keep it a secret from Jim Tozier! <bg> :D

[gteague]

Wimberley? Texas? My home town! You better be coming to see me!

Sharon

as the chinese proverb goes: best to watch what you wish for! [g]

i've got it down as thursday the 29th - sunday the 2nd:

http://collingsforum.com/eve/ubb.x/a/frm/f/4551037871

i'll bet in a town the size of wimberley you're likely to run across the group--even if it most likely won't be many more than a half-a-dozen or so--at least once during that period. of course one hazard is that hearing a couple of collings might end up costing you money in gas.

i promise i'll quite hijacking this florida poll sometime in the future ...

/guy

[Pistolero]

Gteague and Taylorgirl, I sure wish i could make that get together. I've been lurking at the Collings forum and following that, but there just isn't a way this year. I went to the factory in Austin once a few years ago when I was doing some workshops for Collings. It's a great bunch of people there and you'll have a great time. I did a workshop there at a local music store, don't recall the name of it, and afterwards the guys took me to Chuy's for mexican. I'm really looking forward to getting out there again.

Taylorgirl, let me apologize in advance, but I'm pretty sure planning this AGF fest while you're here in Fl in 2 weeks would be just impossible to do in such a short time. I do intend to send you a PM soon, however about a possible meeting while you're down. I would love to see your Morgan guitar. I live a couple of hours from Tallahassee, but while you're there you may get some time to visit Ken Miller's shop, he and his wife Virginia are good folks and would be happy to let you play/see some of their guitars. I maybe could swing driving over to see them at the same time. His website is www.kenmillerguitars.com if you want to see their work. (I say their work because she does the inlays)