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Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | I'm guessing that it's just wrapping up about now at Big Al's place in NJ. I got gobs of photos that I'll send to Al as soon as I can.
Also, I have some GREAT memories, met some really wonderful people, and, I hope, some new friends.
I'll send some more impressions after I get the kids (who accompanied me to the gathering, I might add!) to bed.
Great times!
Others' impressions?
Alan |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Awaiting SIT report and attendee list...  |
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August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | What Alan said! Nicky and I had a great time! I found out what alot of you already know... Matt Smith is just awesome! Tim and I were discussing how great it would be to have a full time, multiday seminar with Matt.
Attendees: (I'm sure I'm going to miss someone so I apologize in advance - and I'm terrible with names)
Alan and his 2 kids - WONDERFUL children Alan! And Alan's playing at the open mic was simply great. He's VERY humble. Alan - I didn't hear any mistakes! We had dinner together at Five Guys Burgers (worth the accolades - good call Al!) which was also alot of fun.
Tim in Tidewater - whom I was happy to have as a houseguest for a couple of days. This was much fun because Tim and I are on the same musical track in our playing. We had some good discussions and sat and jammed through a couple of Clapton's Crossroads songs. Tim - the family agrees - you are welcome back anytime!
Karen (Jewel's Mom) - It is always a pleasure to see Karen again. She is so warm and caring and has voice that will knock your socks off! She did two songs at the open mic and she did one for me and Nicky. Karen pours everything she has into her songs and you know they come straight from here heart. Thanks for sharing with us Karen!
I'm supposed to be working here... so I have to cut this short for now. Here's the abridged version:
Weaser(Bill), JeffW, PEZ, Cliff - It was great to see you all again. PEZ and Cliff both gave great performances. Bill - thanks for keeping Nicky occupied there at the coffee house with the chess game and letting him win ;)
And of course, Al (The Kid, Mr. Big, etc.), Sue and Tim (Al's very cool nephew) for getting this whole thing together and making it go so smoothly. Al and Sue - I apologize for missing the BBQ - Amy wasn't feeling well and we ended up spending a nice quiet Father's Day together. It was great to see Sue and Al playing together (Sue - I LOVE that Bass!!). Tim and The Kid were great together at all of the open Mics - thanks for the Nick Lowe and Rockpile songs!
Again - I apologize if I missed anyone - oh yeah - thanks to Rick Hall and Ovation for sponsoring the whole thing and for being there to help it run smoothly. We got to see some awesome guitars (I'll let others talk about those). |
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Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Fantastic guys!!!
AJ |
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Posts: 3411
Location: GA USA | Welcome to the board, CrimsonLake. We love pictures! |
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Posts: 3969
| Pics or it didn't happen! |
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Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | It was a great time indeed. Matt is amazing. Its a shame he is moving to Texas. I learned a few new things... now if I could just remember what they were. Thankfully I bought his book.
The open mic was great. Alot of talent in the room. We had to leave earlier than expected. I have an injured beagle at home to take care of now.
It was great meeting every one. Rick from Ovation was a great help. I look forward to doing it again. Next time I'm bringing my camera and flash. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Awesome Mike, thanks...I would have loved to have been able to be there... |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | So ....
What did you folks think of the new OFC-II guitar? Anybody go home wiht one? |
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August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Dave - The general consensus was "Jaw Dropping".
The one that Al had there belonged to AlanM, so everyone was treating it with kid gloves.
The one that I fell in love with was the LAV KOA.
BTW - I also wanted to give a shout out to all of the local coffehouse crew - some amazing talent there - especially Pat with the BOOMING voice! |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | There were also:
* Tommy M (I think)
* Barry Hollander (sp.?)
* Dave Walsh (I think),
* Not sure who "Janet Jackson" and her hubby were, but Al knows them.
* And, I forgot who the man and woman duet were -- the ones who played the iDea guitar -- but they were LOTS of fun to listen to. I didn't see them afterward, and never had a chance to speak with them, so I apologize for forgetting their names. But, I DO have pictures of them, that I will post.
Echoes and Amplifications to CrimsonLake's assertions, and thanks you so much for the kind words! |
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Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Damn!! Sorry Tommy!! It must be the "Mets" connection! Tommy did a great set, including a very cool Robert Johnson tune. It was good to see you again.
I'll put up some pics later when I get some time. |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Pictures uploading on my ning pageas we speak...
Yes, I DID go home with an OFC II guitar...
Yum! |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Upload complete...76 pictures. PROOF positive that it happened.
I apologize...NO pictures of Matt's time...I was busy paying attention! |
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October 2007
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Location: Vernon CT | Great Pic's Alan. Thanks for sharing them!!! |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | You bet, BT! Very much looking forward to meeting you!
Alan |
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December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | I posted a few of Matt & several performers before the camera died on my NING site. What a great time and so good to see my OFC friends again and make some new ones! Sorry I couldn't make the BBQ, but I'm glad I left when I did because the drive back down was terrible with constant rain showers.
The OFC II was spectacular and I don't think it weights as much as a can of soda. That thing IS a cannon!!!
Thank you to Al & the MS folks for putting this together, Matt for inspiring me to be a better player!
Above all, special thank you to CrimsonLake, Nicky & family for making me feel so welcomed into their home!!!!!!!!
T'n'T |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | All: where I gave a picture a generic label of "OFC gathering...", it's because I was unsure of the people's names. Can you all please help with that? |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Sounds like a typical fun filled OFC family gathering.
Alan..congrats on the OFC2! Time to update that sig line. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | wow
stressful week but what a payoff
great clinic and jams
it was fun to hang out on Friday night at espressit
the clinic was awesome as usual matt inspires you to go home practice play and write songs and have fun
the open mic at the auction house and later that night at the coffee gardens makes me just feel lucky to be around some really talented individuals
the hightlight for me was jamming with cliff the coffee gardens. we don't get to do that nearly enough and it is always a fun time.
the rain did hold off and the barbecue went as planned. we had a visit from Mr. Keller and it was a great time
thanks to all that participated and to all that stayed home YSHBT
pictures of the event are located on my myspace page myspace.com/lostartvintage |
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Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | One of my favorite memories will be the kid doing a 10 minute solo in the middle of Suzy Q! |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | A few more impressions:
Matt Smith is amazing! The word doesn't do him justice. Technique, and feel, and heart, and emotion, and thought, and practice make for great music! Further impression: some of the complex and difficult things he does, he does so seemingly effortlessly, that one understands that he actually DOES have the ability then to figure out what he wants for the music. Not what his limitations force him to play.
Though he spoke of his own limitations -- his words: practice is doing NEW things; playing is doing what you already know how to do -- it's hard to imagine that any limitation on which he sets his sights remains a limitation for long!
Great touch, feel, speed when needed, soulfulness when appropriate, control...fun!
And great advice!
He said: "We PLAY (now work) music."
How right that seemed for me! I know that I come to my guitars for fun, for therapy, for hypnosis, for escape...for anything-but-work...
Some more...
* OFC'ers are GREAT people! CrimsonLake, Nick, Bill (Weaser), Al, Sue, Tim in Tidewater, and ALL the rest. NEVER a reluctance to help someone else play better.
* Karen plays with all her heart and has a clear, bell-like voice that, if you let it, IMMEDIATELY puts you into a contemplative frame of mind. And her music is profound and comtemplative, with gorgeous melodies.
* It HAS to be true that to succeed in the music business, you have to have some luck, because there is plainly recording-worthy talent in the OFC.
* Next gathering, someone HAS to bring a movie camera!
* Tim in Tidewater: I heard the song on your ning page. If that's REALLY what you can do, then you have a RESPONSIBILITY to do the open mic. It's not optional. Your voice is is as good as any pro I've ever heard in that genre.
* More later, as I recall or think of it. |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Originally posted by Tim in Tidewater:
One of my favorite memories will be the kid doing a 10 minute solo in the middle of Suzy Q! With his self-deprecating manner, who would have thought he could DO that?!?!? It was really nice! Lots of feel for the music, great timing, GREAT sound.
By the way: "the kid" is none other than Al Pepiak. (for those who weren't in attendance) |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Originally posted by Tim in Tidewater:
I posted a few of Matt & several performers before the camera died on my NING site. What a great time and so good to see my OFC friends again and make some new ones! Sorry I couldn't make the BBQ, but I'm glad I left when I did because the drive back down was terrible with constant rain showers.
The OFC II was spectacular and I don't think it weights as much as a can of soda. That thing IS a cannon!!!
Thank you to Al & the MS folks for putting this together, Matt for inspiring me to be a better player!
Above all, special thank you to CrimsonLake, Nicky & family for making me feel so welcomed into their home!!!!!!!!
T'n'T Great pictures, Tim! I'm glad SOMEONE had the presence of mind to take some pictures of Matt instead of sitting there in slack-jawed admiration (like me)! |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | One more thing: HUGE thanks to the Ovation people! They had a promotion going wherein if you bought a guitar at the show, you would receive a free iDea preamp. Wellllll...I bought the OFC II before the show, so it's possible that I didn't qualify for one -- at least as far as "the letter of the law" was concerned. However, the Ovation people made sure that I received one with my OFC II, and that was REALLY nice of them! I can't wait to take it for a spin!
Thanks again!
Ovation plainly goes above and beyond! |
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OFC Get-together in NJ - 2009
