Whoo boy! That was fun! I'd like to thank: Steve, Bill, Angela, Alex and all the great folks at Collings for their wonderful instruments and their wonderful hospitality. David and Jim for organizing things. Pat and Kevin for being so great to us once again. The jam at Quincy's and the in-store performance by Alejandro Escovedo and David Pulkingham (I think I got that right; edited to correct the spelling per David's post below) at Hill Country Guitars were great! Dan and Denese at the Wimberley Inn for being so accomodating to a bunch of crazy guitar players and singers. To everyone from the forum who showed up to hang out and talk guitars for a couple days. It was great to meet the new ones and become reacquainted with the repeat offenders. And a special thanks to the Bastard Sons of Bill (you know who you are). The jam at the Wimberley Inn last night was surely one to remember. I don't know when was the last time I had so much fun that wasn't blatantly illegal.

Let's do it again next year!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Allen White,

Just got home.
OMG I had the time of my life. What an incredible guitar weekend. In no particular order.
Great friends.
Warm hospitality by Collings, Quincy's, and Hill Country Guitars, Wimberley Inn.
Great jam sessions.
Outstanding guitars.
Inspiring clinic.
Tasty barbecue (and burritos - thx Steve !!)
Memorable scenery of the Hill Country.
I could go on and on. First time attendee, and it won't be my last.

Steve McQ. Alex Z. Bill C. and others @ Collings - thank you so much for the extened "V.I.P" tour, ice cream, buying lunch. I know we kept you guys til 7PM on a Fri. night.

The Wimberley City Limits jam on the back deck of Dan and Denese's Winmberley Inn, Saturday night will be a life-long memory. Looking forward to the next one. (B.S.O.B - you guys are righteous.)

Last and not least:
Thank you David and Jim for organizing the event.

Randy, I'm glad to hear you made it home safely. I'll tell you, I'm not a long time jam veteran, but that one Saturday night was something special. I think Dan and Denese thoroughly enjoyed it too. They were both smiling and hugging and handshaking as we were checking out Sunday. I wish somebody had had a cowbell though...

Well, I got home and mowed the yard. Toxic sweat. Good thing I didn't have a cigar, or my shirt would have just disintegrated.

Pictures coming. Eric and Randy are both sending theirs to me (looking forward to seeing them), and I'll put them in order and post.

And a second to what Allen and Randy say about Saturday's jam. 10 hours of music, only one repeated song and that on request. And every one was a GREAT song. The BSOB have mighty fine taste in guitars, music, picking, beer, and tequila.

On top of that, I was impressed by Alejandro Escovedo. I've only seen him on Austin City Limits - what a great voice! And great song-writing too. David Pulkingham (I asked him how to spell it Allen) was fine accompaniment.

And a few personal messages from me:

Dale, thanks for a pick that makes a good guitar better and for the songs to sing.
Jim, San Marcos needs another big man with an earring. How'd you ever get a girl like Brenda?
Jim Murphy, I learn something from you every year.
Norman, who has a job to rush home to, fuck you very much.
Kevin, I don't know what it costs to put on that show, but having musicians of that quality for so few people is awfully generous, and awfully fine.
Pat, the most gracious host and wine steward.
Steve, thanks for treating us to lunch again.
Raney, if it takes a big man to play a little guitar, what's a little man with a big guitar trying to prove?
Victor - try showing up next year.
Randy - good luck with the blades - keep the nation safe!
Joe, I can't wait to hear the new Braz. That's one fine-looking guitar.
And Dan and Denese can sing with us any time - well, Denese can. Dan's welcome to make that noise he was making.

Dan could remember *most* of the last verse of Willin' when I couldn't.

I'd been looking forward to the Gathering for months, but my plans were interrupted by the early birth of my first child, a son, earlier in the week. My wife encouraged me to go to the Gathering anyway (just like she encourages me to buy the guitars I love -- is she cool or what?), but between the guilt and sleep deprivation I only managed to make it to the factory tour. Still, I had a terrific time, met several great folks, and look forward to doing it all next year. I have to say that being a dad is even better than a CWBaaaASBVarn. ;-) Thanks to all.

Folks,

Wasn't that a time??!!!

When I get to my own computer, I'll take some time and try to cover all the bases of my visit. While I didn't drive to Texas specifically for the Gathering, it would have been worth it if I had...

A great bunch of people, a pile of world-class guitars (and some fine pickers to go with them!), and a trip through the factory that was just amazing. I want to personally thank Mr. Collings for allowing my dog, Perdy, to lead the tour..... :-)

More later... I just can't type in a bar... But I really want to thank anyone and everyone who had a hand in putting this on. And let's rattle some cages and get more people to attend next year.....

Norman Draper

quote:

Originally posted by Big D:...the early birth of my first child, a son, earlier in the week...I only managed to make it to the factory tour...I have to say that being a dad is even better than a CWBaaaASBVarn. ;-) Thanks to all.

WOW!!! That's great! I guess I met you at that shop but didn't get to talk to you. You should have mentioned being a new dad! That's bigger than any ol'forum gathering.

Just want to say that Friday was epic--Salt Lick (chowing down and pickin' under the trees); Collings Factory with Amy's Ice Cream intro and the longest Bill Collings solo in history (probably the longest and most information packed tour ever), not to mention Perdy providing canine accompaniment; and a wonderful jam at Quincy's (the most elegant guitar emporium on Earth with the finest host Pat S.).

I am SO BUMMED that I couldn't get out on Saturday to see Alejandro at Hill Country Guitars (Kevin's store is mecca in the Hill Country--how lucky are we locals to have such FINE, musical and knowledgeable merchants nearby!!!???!!) or make it to what sounds like the "ultimate jam" at the Wimberley Inn.

[Believe it or not, I was hosting a brainstorming session on the global slave trade at my place (check out www.notforsalecampaign.org).] Still, would have rather been picking...

Huge thanks to Steve McCreary for generosity and friendship. And to David, Alan and the other organizers, instigators and ALL attendees, it was really a pleasure hanging out with y'all. Great fun, good times, amazing instruments and fine playing...doesn't get any better than that...do it?

Geoff

I really enjoyed hosting the Gathering Jam at Quincy's on Friday evening. Hope everyone had as good a time as I had. So much fun seeing everyone relaxed and playing. By the way, did anyone come up missing a camera bag. I found one at the shop, and would like to get it back to the owner. Give me a shout!

Looking forward the next years Collings Gathering!

Pat Skrovan
Quincy's Guitars

Nope on the camera bag, but I came up missing my rental car and all of my instruments...lucky for me, you took good care of them and they were there the next day.

Thanks again, Pat...you're a great host.

I flew back late last night....I have some really heavy eyelids right now....

Thanks to all of you for the great vibe and it's quite an honor to play my songs with such a great group of folks.

Kia Manuia,

Dale

I returned to NY yesterday and wanted to thank David, Jim, Allen and everyone else for making the weekend such a blast. Thanks to Bill, Steve and everyone at Collings for beings such great hosts but Bill PLEASE give up this mad obsession with Takamine guitars! :^) They really suck.

Thanks to Pat at Quincy's and Kevin for hosting us at their shops and to everyone who jammed out on the back deck of the Wimberly on a beautiful night while drinking beer, tequilla and smoking cigars; life just doesn't get much better than that. Hope to see everyone again next year and for those of you who couldn't make it, get to Austin next November!

Jim Murphy