Wow! It has taken me three days to recover. I am just now rested enough to start thinking straight again. Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday were whirlwinds for me. This was the best gathering yet. So much going on. So much music being played and everyone having a great time. I've already thanked many people in another thread, but I can't say enough about how great all these people were.

The tour at Collings on Friday was first rate as usual. Steve always does an excellent job hosting us.

The jam at Quincy's on Friday night was about as much fun as I've had in years. I think the highlight of the night was singing Angel Band with Fred and Dale and singing Lawyers Guns and Money with Steve. It was also my harmonica debut as I performed Neil Young's Heart of Gold on guitar and harp. I didn't want the night to end. I couldn't believe how shot my voice was by the end of the evening. Pat was, as always, a wonderful host and made everyone feel especially welcome.

The showcase at HCG with Jeff and Willis was very special. I am in awe of the talent around these parts. I'm sure most of you have heard of Willis Alan Ramsey before. If you haven't heard of Jeff Plankenhorn, you will. He is a very talented player and songwriter. I look forward to hearing more from him in the future. Thanks to Kevin for lining this up and hosting it.

Although I didn't tag along I heard the tour at Jamie Kinscherff's was lots of fun. Thanks to Jamie for taking the time to share his enthusiasm for his craft (I think I left him out of the other thread).

The one thing I took out of this weekend was inspiration. Playing with everyone was such a treat. I learned so much from all of you it's hard to keep it all straight. I am so energized right now that I just want to thank you all for the boost. I couldn't have handpicked a better bunch of folks to spend the time with.

Now I look forward to next year. I'd like to hear from folks who attended as well as those who didn't about what they think would make it better next year. What would you do differently? How do we increase attendance? How do we get and keep people excited about it? We've got excellent support from two local dealers as well as the factory and I think we can make this a very special event, but we're going to need people to show up. How do we get them interested and get them here each year?

Thanks again to those who attended and made it so much fun.

Allen

This was my first gathering so I was really excited to attend it. When the date got closer, the enthusiasm seemed to have tapered off but wasn't sure why. I don't think it was planned to early. Some of the activities do have to be scheduled with enough lead time and travel arrangements for the non-locals were necessary. It did cost me some money to travel to Austin but it was all worth it to me.

Attendance is really dictated by a lot of factors. We all live our separate lives and all that. The tour is a big draw if someone has not been there yet and the different workshops are both entertaining and educational.

One thing I heard was that there were a lot of opportunities to play/jam this time. To me, that was the third reason this was successful. With my style of playing, I don't get a chance to play a song with 6 other people (for example). I was exposed to different styles of playing and different types of songs. I was forced (in a good way) to participate, lead a song, solo, comp, etc. What a great learning experience! These jams were as valuable as the workshops in my opinion. You could just sit there (which I did at times) and just watch the other guys go at it and learn from that.

How to improve on it? Not sure. We had somewhat of a schedule but we had to be flexible because some of the "events" could go longer than expected. I think we did good with this. Fred's bluegrass workshop was taken over by lunch, without guitars but he sure gave us lots of stories and tips on bluegrass. I have to say, all the jams with Fred in it amounted to more than one workshop!

I'm sure we'll think of other things between now and the next one. I was telling my wife stories about this past weekend. She said she could tell that I had a great time, made new friends, and that I was with a bunch of nice people.

Now, I have a lot of work to do moving forward on flatpicking (my new challenge). It's your fault!

Ace

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quote:

Originally posted by Allen White:
I'd like to hear from folks who attended as well as those who didn't about what they think would make it better next year. What would you do differently? How do we increase attendance? How do we get and keep people excited about it? How do we get them interested and get them here each year? Allen

I consider myself a Collings lover, if not a fanatic (I have 3 t-shirts, a hat and the calendar), however, I’m a non-attender. These are just some thoughts off the top of my head…

Austin sounds great, the Wimberly sounds great, the Tour sounds great, the BBQ sounds great, the guitar shops sound great, Allen’s planning sounds great, Collings sound great!

Deterrents:

• The $$$$ for flying to and staying in Austin.
  
• Fear of flying with one of my guitars.
  
• Can I actually hang in any of the jams???
  
• When I prioritize travel/visiting responsibilities throughout the year, I guess the Collings gathering is too far down the list. And I need to consider what my wife thinks, not that she’s opposed to such a gathering…and a new baby…
  

quote:

Originally posted by Allen White:
...what would make it better next year?

Kenny Smith!

I'm glad you guys were able to get together and enjoy the weekend! I've enjoyed reading your stories and looking at the pictures. Maybe more of us will be there next year.

Should one of us win a lottery, book the whole Wimberley, give free tickets to whoever can come,and still be humble. Well that would make for a pretty good gathering. Otherwise I don't see how it could have been better. Nobody should feel regret not attending, we had a fun couple of days , hopefully you did too.We have a gathering here everday. My d2 went right in the overheads. Any of you fellas get to Portland, call me. Joanie is taking me to test strum Dales sbcj this Sunday so maybe I will even have a guitar for ya. A last impression , there is certainly a thing called "southern hospitality".Only wish we lived closer to each other. Fred

quote:

Originally posted by bluegrasd2ha:
Nobody should feel regret not attending,

Absolutely, nobody should feel regret for not attending. I didn't mean to cast aspersions on those who weren't able to attend. I certainly understand the cost and effort it takes. Please don't anyone misconstrue my earlier post. I'm just trying to solicit inputs so we can make the gathering more of what folks would like it to be. I had a great time at this one, but I think we can improve it.

Maybe next year we can finagle a three hour workshop with Lyle Lovett...

No aspersions construed.

Lyle would be cool.

I wish I was as cool as Lyle. Well, I might just be as cool as this Lyle.

quote:

Originally posted by bluegrasd2ha:Joanie is taking me to test strum Dales sbcj this Sunday

She is just the sweetest! I think my wife would drive me in the other direction.

Fred - I looked at Hill Country's website. Did the CJ you really liked have a 1 11/16" nut
width and not 1 3/4"? I'm thinking your D2HA is a 1 3/4".

I didn't know THAT Lyle was once a mayor of Encino, CA. One would need a "(hair)do" going to be as cool as Lyle L.

Ace
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Hey there Ace. My d2ha is 1 11/16".
Another impression of the gathering.
In the bluegrass jams I attend my 2ha is usually near top of the heap for volume. After playing all the other great guitars there I see its just one more good collings. To play five or so all day I could probably close my eyes and pick out which was which, but I would be so inclined to say the best one is the one I was strumming at the time. All the guitars I held spoke a bit different and would tend to lead me in a style which was best for them and challenging for me. The c10s were happy, your om was loud and crystaline with little effort.the
dreds made me want to pound square pegs into round hole blugrass.the cj made me want to write a song. Gosh, but wasn't it fun? I have a gig Sat. will try some newlicks putting your tricks behind the banjo.Fred

As many of you know, I am a principal of an elementary school, abeit not able to fit into the typical administrator 'mold.' I was the VP at the High School for 5 years, among other things.

I believe that there is a big void in education that I try and model, teach, and embrace.

Confidence/risk-taking
How we treat others
Giving unconditionally
Sharing
Trust
Intrinsic, genuine and caring motivation
Music

These were all present at the gathering. Nobody did the exact same thing...Nobody had the exact same schedule...No one seemed to 'judge' anyone else, but rather showed pleasure in seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

Everyone was/is a great person. Everyone brought a little something different to the music. Players weren't judged for how good they were or what they played or how they played it...it was all good!

I've played with great players and taught many at different levels...it is rare to have a group of musicians with a common thread (pun intended) of the joy of craft, art, people, sound that brings no attitudes, judgements, or particular expectations.

I knew no one, except Steve at Collings, before I went. I was planning a trip to Austin to visit Collings and decided I might as well go when the forum guys are going. I'm very glad I did.

Thanks for listening to my songs, sharing the music, the food, the drink, the song, and the stories.

Meitaki to you all.

I plan on attending next year.

Peace out!

Dale

It sounds as if everyone had not only a good time...but a great time...and I think it's been clear during all of the e-mails regarding the planning of the gathering that this would be a special one. Things came up that kept me from this one, but I have begun my plans now to allow me to attend next year (unless it just happens to be scheduled at the same time of an annual conference I attend). I've had the pleasure to meet Fred...met with him and some of his friends at his house for a fun time of playing music...and I knew everyone would be meeting a great guy at the gathering. In fact, though I've met next to no one from the forum, from all of the posts I feel as if I "know" many of you...and each of you is a great person.

Allen, your planning and commitment to the success of the gathering are commendable. Thanks for all of your time and effort.

I am hoping that I am able to make it next year, and hoping to meet Ed at next year's gathering...along with the rest of you.

Collings on...

All I can suggest, Allen, is more of the same. We have so many strong musicians here, that it's a pleasure to workshop and jam with them I really enjoyed the formal workshops, (I'm picking that pattern, Ace), the lunch workshop (I'm looking for more adventure and good will around here Fred), the jams (saving for a National) at Quincy's, and the jams at hotel rooms - still in awe of Dale's writing, started a notebook to collect ideas and see what grows from it.

And so many good people here, that the connections and relationships Dale is so right about stressing will continue, grow, and bear fruit. Next year? More of the same. We'll grow. The day will come when it won't feel so intimatebecause we have 25, 35, 50 people, but then we'll break into small groups and find the same thing. I'll probably bring my family next year, to enjoy the music, and they'll be happy in the shops or waters of Wimberly when the workshops get too technical. Maybe a stronger family presence would be a draw for some more folks.

Maybe we take Plank's idea - throw out a word or phrase, come back the next day with a song - or at least a verse.

David

This message has been edited. Last edited by: David Ely,