DON BURROWS of BSG Steel Guitars and his wife Ruby are organizing a steel guitar jam for Kathryn Rose Community Center July 13. Pre-sale tickets for the event are on sale now. To order, call Burrows at 992-6129, Howard Cosner at 224-0182 or Dorothy Sparks Corey at 964-3817. CARL E. FEATHER
Published June 25, 2008 05:27 pm - The line-up reads like a who’s who of the steel guitar world: Sonny Curtis, Rudy Osborne, Bobbe Seymour, Danny Hullihen, Mike Sigler and Herby Wallace.
Musicians to jam July 13
By CARL E. FEATHER - Lifestyle Editor - cfeather@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
The line-up reads like a who’s who of the steel guitar world: Sonny Curtis, Rudy Osborne, Bobbe Seymour, Danny Hullihen, Mike Sigler and Herby Wallace.
They are scheduled to perform during the annual BSG Steel Guitar Show July 13 at Kathryn Rose Party Center, 3116 North Bend Road.
Don and Ruby Burrows are organizing the not-for-profit show, which, depending upon the reference point used, is in its second or fourth year.
“The first year we had it in our garage and had 40 or 45 people,” Don says. Two years ago, it was held in the Kingsville Township Park. Attendance was good, but the hot weather made it miserable for both the performers and audience. That prompted a move to Kathryn Rose Party Center, where the event blossomed in the air-conditioned comfort of the hall.
“I loved it, it was the perfect spot,” he says. “All level, no steps.”
Don says that’s important because of all the equipment the musicians haul to the event. Steel guitars are heavy and bulky, one of the factors that’s working toward their demise on the concert circuit.
“It’s kind of dying,” he says. “Nashville is sending their bands out on the road without a steel guitar player to make more money.”
Shows like the one the Burrows started are popular with afficienadoes of the instrument, but can be hard to find. The next closest ones are in Washington, Pa., and New Philadelphia, but they are held on alternating years. The Burrows wanted to provide a local venue for the music so northeast Ohio residents didn’t have to travel so far.
Last year’s show drew 530 persons, a sold-out crowd, and the Burrows are counting on a repeat this year. Tickets are sold in advance for $6 each. They operate on a thin margin to keep the price low and make the show accessible. Any profits are donated to the New Philadelphia show, a multi-day event.
The show provides nearly eight hours of continuous country music.
“All country, mostly good, classical, traditional country music,” Don says.
From noon to 3 p.m. there will be an open steel guitar jam where local players can come together on the stage. The band in which Burrows plays, Fort Huntsburg, will open the show.
Burrows says the band is extremely popular -- they have 17 engagements this month and next.
Various vocalists will join the band throughout the day. Last year the show offered a vocalist sign-up sheet, but Burrows says that won’t be the case this year and vocalists will be chosen ahead of time.
The guest performers will begin taking to the stage at 3 p.m. Each performer will have 45 to 60 minutes on the stage. Highlighting the show this year will be: