Fla AGF Meeting

[Pistolero]

OK, for the sake of keeping things moving towards a definitive plan, I'll go with the first gathering taking place in Jax. We can all decide at the first one how to handle future ones, wether to toggle locations and set a standing date, etc. But the poll is fairly well split at this time with a slight edge to Jax, so that's what I'll go with. Also, do we have to keep calling this a 'meeting'? It sounds like a business deal or something, lol. Anybody have ideas? Gathering, assembly, incident, fest, etc?
Choosing a date that works well for everyone may not be as easy as location by using a poll, but I'm not sure of a better way. So here's what I propose to do. I'll use the poll function, but in 2 stages. I'll list as many dates as possible for now, and yall discuss here what dates seem to be the easiest for all, and vote in accordance. I'll leave it open for a few days, but no more than that, in order to keep plans moving along. If there is a clearly a date that seems to work at first, then that's what we'll choose. If 2 or 3 seem to split the votes, we'll narrow it down to those and put another poll up with just those dates. I'll start the available dates a month from now, simply because it will take some time to plan everything and that's about as close as I would like to cut it. There are a few dates that I won't be able to make, but this aint about me, it's about all of us. So if there is a date that seems to work for the rest, I'll still try to help plan things out but I may not be able to join the fun. I hope it doesn't work that way however, but I'll hold off on voting until I see where things are headed. I'm listing dates as a Sat/Sun format, the exact day can be decided but I would think a Saturday will probably be the most logical. So....... when's it going to be?

[Pistolero]

I'll start the discussion by saying that a couple of the dates that are out for me are both in October, the 15th and the 29th. The weekend in between them is fine but those two are out for me.

[ricks]

Didn't vote just yet, as maybe we can narrow it down a bit first.
The 25th of Sept is out for me, concert at the King center and tickets are already bought. (Pierre Bensusan)
Then in Oct. I leave for the hills around the 22/23 and won't be back for two weeks.
I'll go vote now, with this addition. Why don't we shoot for sometime the first two weeks of Oct? That would give us a month to get it together.
Then, we could possibly work out the details for another pick-in later on?
From the second weekend of Nov. would be OK with me as well.
(at least for now, don't know what might come up later)
Even the weekend of Thanksgiving would be OK. I have a long weekend and will be doing the family thing on Thursday as usual.

[MJH]

We are leaving the St. Louis area on Friday the 16th. Couldn't be there by the 17-18 because we are doing some sight seeing on the way down. The next weekend is Christmas and I know that won't work out. Have a great time. Maybe another time for me.

I may be contacting some of you to go to the Milltop one night or maybe go and see Elizabeth Roth. Bob Colosi or anyone else game for that?

[bagelsgirl]

Same for me as RickS, Sept 24 and 25 are out!

I voted for Oct 1 and 2, as of now I am free by 5 p.m. on the Saturday and nothing booked for that Sunday... It isn't like I am out of work that week either, as do have Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and Friday work, maybe I could even hold these dates open (rather than accepting any bookings that might be offered later on, you guys know what I mean)

Furthur into the future, it is hard to predict. As always there are many open dates (they don't book solos six months in advance like they do you band people) but if things go as they have always gone, (knock on wood) I'll be working most weekend evenings.

So as I said, there's my input but since I'm so unpredictably available, you should plan it for everyone else's convenience. Of course it does sound like fun, and I'd like to attend! I'll keep watching and see what you guys come up with.

[ricks]

Admit it Liz, it's you that's unpredictable ! LOL
We'll work something out, or else we will just pick a day and invade one of your gigs in St. Augustine.
MJH, by all means contact some of us when you are coming down.
Would love to do a meeting in St Augustine, we might be able to catch Liz in the afternoon and then the Milltop that night.

[bagelsgirl]

Hey, Mark! (MJH)

Hey, I just saw that. Yes, please do come see me! I'd love to see you again!

You have to check my calendar carefully to find out where I am playing though, I have been working a lot but only a fraction of the gigs have been in town. Wierd how stuff goes in cycles. I have been working in Cedar Key, in New Smyrna Beach, a bit at area hospitals and a few at a private country club, a handful of duo gigs with my buddy Vince and once in a while at specialty shows (like the City of St Aug Beach thing last week). Other than that, Tradewinds is my only once a week steady.

It feels a little wierd; not that I don't love Tradewinds after 13 years there... just wierd not to be at any of those cool outdoor garden spots like I always have been. But it isn't like I am dissing the town, or that places are dissing me particularly, it's just the way it has been lately. I guess I can't say I have "vanished" ..... if I am still playing at least once a week in town. Just that in prior years, I played four to six times a week right here in town. Hey, what can you do? You have to go where the good work is offered! For right now, I've been having more fun spreading out. And it has been worth my while to take the out of town work, even with the travel time added on. Spending a little too much time away from my family than I would like, but on the other hand, it sure has been nice to get away and practice long hours while I am preparing for this recital.

As usual, I am too long winded. But NO, I have NOT retired! You just have to check my website calendar to find me right now. (You are just not as likely to trip over me in downtown St Aug.)

[bagelsgirl]

Admit it Liz, it's you that's unpredictable ! LOL
We'll work something out, or else we will just pick a day and invade one of your gigs in St. Augustine.
MJH, by all means contact some of us when you are coming down.
Would love to do a meeting in St Augustine, we might be able to catch Liz in the afternoon and then the Milltop that night.

Ha ha! Well, I like being called unpredictable!

As I said in my last post, my gigs have been a bit unpredictable of late. If you guys plan to catch me in St Aug on an afternoon, you should shoot for a Saturday at Tradewinds. But check my calendar, as I might just be away, in Cedar Key.

Hey, have the gathering in Cedar Key!

Hey Rick, come see me sometime at the Garlic in New Smyrna. What a cool place. Great restaurant, superior food. It's not laid out as the ideal music "listening room" ; I'm strictly there for background. That being said, the customers, staff and and manager Peter have been treating me like gold, so I'm loving the place! Just so you know that if you go there thinking you will hear me, you should probably request one of the two tables directly behind me. (The sound from the monitors is the best sound in the house.)

[flaggerphil]

I could make it down from St Louis either Oct 22/23 or Dec 17/18. Everything else is out for me. It sure would be great to be able to come down.

[beach bob]

I voted Nov 5/6, but really the only no-go weekends for me are umm every weekend on Oct. except 10/1 :) I need to bookend around the 1-2 punch of the wedding (10/15) & MagFest (10/20 - 10/24) back-to-back. Block the weekends either side of that, wedding prep, then fest recovery (I tend to not sleep at Suwannee). So, early Oct, or anytime Nov, except turkey weekend is likely gonna be out too...

& I think we oughta call it the First Semi-Bi-Quarterly Lower Georgia / Upper Cental South Florida Guitar Ramble, Roundup, and Tall Tale Tellin' Weekend. Yeah, that should about cover it :D

[Fishing The Sky]

i think any time early november, ill be out of town oct. 1-10th so those weekends are out..and then i'd have to give work enough notice. Keep me posted.

[Pistolero]

OK, another date that is most likely out for me is Oct 1st. I just confirmed a local studio grand opening, and they've asked me to be a part of the ceremony with a live webcast. I'm not sure of the time though, so it may not be a problem but likely will. I've still held back on voting myself until we see which way things appear to be headed.

[Pistolero]

BTW, I just looked at the poll results, lol! This one isn't going as well as the last one did! It may be easier to put up a poll asking for what dates are out of the equation and then picking the one with the least amount of votes! :D

[beach bob]

Pistol, you about need a matrix... it reminds me of JazzFest in New Orleans, a bunch of my friends go each year , & there's a guy that actually does a matrix showing who's in town on what dates... then another one for club gigs. It's really quite obsessive behavior ;)

but it's useful :D

[Pigfarm]

I have a question. Okay, I live in the Fort Walton Beach area of Florida, so a 2 hour drive to Jax would be no problem. But here's my delima.

Should I attend something like this? I mean, I'm a complete newbie and... I guess I'm asking, Would I just embarass myself? I know most you guys and gals on here are in the rings of professional musicians. Is this something I should wait on a few years until I get a little better?

Please, don't pull any punches, because I'd rather get a "Naw, wait for a bit to attend," rather than show up and make an arse out of myself for my disgraceful guitar playing.


P.S.
Also, do we have to keep calling this a 'meeting'? It sounds like a business deal or something, lol. Anybody have ideas? Gathering, assembly, incident, fest, etc?

If I do get the go-ahead to come, uh, "Trainwreck" comes to mind with my playing. :lol:

[Pistolero]

Pigfarm, (I love that username, btw!), wether you want to attend is up to you. I would think that this 'trainwreck' will have different ideals to each individual, which is just fine. I look at it like this. We are all on this forum because we share the common ground of love for the acoustic guitar. That obviously entails playing it, listening to it, talking about it, looking at them, etc. There is no doubt that there will be various levels of talent attending, as well as various styles. For myself, it's just about having a good time by seeing a few guitars that I haven't seen before, some comraderie of fellow list members that converse here on a regular basis, and I'm sure there will be a surprise or two. I know I have a few guitars that nobody else has seen, and won't see other than mine and I am happy to share them with whoever is there and has the interest. Oh yeah, at some point in this planning we will figure out the other part that I love..... Food!
I hope you and as many as we can get decide to join us. I missed the first one here awhile back since I wasn't aware of this forum at the time, but I've heard it was pretty cool.

[tbondo]

Pigfarm,

Yes, you should come.....one,these AG forumites are generally some of the nicest and most supportive people you'll ever meet....two, everyone learns something or other at these gatherings, often new chords, new songs, new ways of thinking or approaching music...three, it's a great way to jumpstart your newfound interest in the guitar....we all go see the Doyle Dykes or Phil Keaggys or Tommy Emmanuels and want to burn our guitars thereafter, but we get over it...it's great just to know that there's some much more to discover.

People had the same sort of thoughts as you are having about going to Taylorstock (if you don't recognize this term, do an AGF search), and those who elected to stay home have permanent bruises on their butts from self-inflicted ***-kicking.

Come on in and meet the friends and family,

PS: Should I mention that one long term AGF member who attended TS and many other AGF gatherings (Monroestock as well as DC area jams) is almost never seen with a guitar in her mitts, and she plays just fine....it's all about what you are comfortable with.

[ricks]

Pigfarm, by all means you should attend. How else are we gonna get to meet you?
We have even been discussing this very issue, and I assure you no one will "run you off" or make fun of your playing. EVERYBODY had to start sometime or another. And we all stunk for long periods of time. So join us.
You may find this is a great way to improve your playing. Like Tom said we all learn a little something each time we get together with others. And if you are just starting out then you have the chance to learn the most.

Plus it is just gonna be a lot of fun no matter what or how you play.
And food, I like they way you think there Pistolero. But Lisa will tell you we really didn't get too heavy on the food our last meeting. Too busy pickin'.

And about the "trainwreck", we might now want to use that in public.
It was the name of Stixx's last band BTW. He can explain that one.

[Pigfarm]

And about the "trainwreck", we might now want to use that in public. It was the name of Stixx's last band BTW. He can explain that one.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/ubb/laugh.gif That's funny.

Alright, I'll try to make my way over to Jax in between my TDY to Dyess AFB, TX (6SEP-4OCT), brother's wedding in Illinois on the 22nd of October, and running from Katrina! (http://www.weather.com/maps/news/atlstorm12/projectedpath_large.html?from=wxcenter_maps)

I'm sure you could understand my fear of commiting some musical faux pas; but thanks for making me feel at home.

[Pistolero]

ok, in light of the recent pop up of the Monroestock thread, I think it's in the best interest of the forum to withdraw Oct 22/23 as a possible date, even though at this point it's been voted in one of our top 3. I was about to start another thread with the dates narrowed down a bit. So, I guess the best wau to do this is...... I make a motion to withdraw the dates Oct 22/23...... do I have a second to carry?

[ricks]

I second withdrawing those dates.
As I won't even be here then. I'll be a LONG ways away.

[tbondo]

That is a very wise decision.....you want to do your best to make MS Five, if only to enjoy the Friday night jam at the hotel........

[ricks]

And, as usual, Monroe will be the very weekend that I head for the "hills" for two weeks. I guess I'm gonna have to change my hunting trip one of these years just so I can make Monroe?
Will they let me in even if I don't own a Taylor?