The sixth annual All Star Guitar Night was held in Nashville on Friday, July 10. Several Underground Fire members made the trip from various places on the east coast, with the main draw for us being the appearance of Nokie Edwards. What we were treated to was a fantastic mix of guitar music ranging from classical to hard rock to experimental.
The first half of the concert featured the acoustic artists taking turns performing his or her unique brand of music, making for an entertaining, varied program. I wish I could tell you specific songs of each performer, but I got somewhat caught up in the music, and taking photos was interruption enough! Everyone played impeccably, and both Thom Bresh and Dan Crary were also funny in their on-stage patter. Dan, who is a flat-picker, surprised my ear with a beautiful, slower, classically-styled number with some fantastic all-harmonics phrases in it.
After the intermission, the stage was set up for the electric set. Backed up by drummer Kenny Malone, acoustic bassist Victor Krauss, and percussionist Tom Roady, the electric players each took a turn in starting a jam of his choice. Each player then took a turn soloing within that song. One of the most unique choices of material for a jam was Pat Bergeson's "La Cucharacha"! We eagerly awaited Nokie's turn on each piece, and, unfortunately, he was sort of buried in the mix until the last few jams. He looked so effortless in his playing. His knee (which is forcing him to have to sit to play) may be bothering him, but his fingers are working so-o-o well! Maybe I imagined it, but I felt a bit of awe & reverence from the other musicians and most certainly, the audience, when Nokie played. Nokie chose a "Wildwood Flower"-like piece for "his" jam, and this time the whole stage rocked and swung!
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Muriel Anderson is the producer of The All Star Guitar Night. She originated the event in 1993. She plays the Muriel Model guitar handmade by Paul McGill in Nashville, uses GHS high tension classical strings, and endorses the 3CC Glider Capo. | |
| Thom Bresh is the son of Merle Travis. He is known as "the world's greatest thumbpicker." He plays "one of a kind" guitars by Del Langejans, H.G. Leach and Godin. |  |
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Dan Crary is also a professor of communications in Fullerton, California. He plays a Taylor guitar. | |
| Michael Johnson wrote the songs "Bluer Than Blue," "Give Me Wings," and "That's That." He plays a Kohno guitar with GHS strings. |  |
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Brent Mason |
Brent Mason is a top session guitarist in Nashville. His new solo album "Hot Wired" is on Mercury Records. |
| Pat Bergeson currently tours with Lyle Lovett. He played in Chet Atkins's band for the past five years. He uses Seymour Duncan pickups. |  |
Pat Bergeson |
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According to Guitar Player Magazine, Jerry Donohue has held the position as "one of the three best country guitar players for better part of this decade." Oh...I almost forgot...Jerry plays with The Hellecasters! | |
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Seymour Duncan recently recorded with Merle Haggard and Carmen Appice. He uses Seymour Duncan pickups! |
Nokie Edwards solos during his jam...
One of the greatest thrills of my life was finally getting to meet Nokie Edwards and his wife, Judy. It was an emotional time, for Nokie has had health problems lately, and Judy had just flown in from Oregon after a bout with pneumonia. She told us that this was great therapy for him, and they both appreciate so much all the outpourings of support for Nokie's music.
First off, I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to write this. I got back from vacation about a week ago. I got the message from jack davis that Nokie and Judy Jdwards would like me to write a review of the All Star Guitar Night concert, which took place July 10. Let me say that I am very honored to be asked to do this by none other than the Edwards family. A few days ago, I typed up a review and as I was about to send it, the computer froze, and I lost everything that I had written. I refused to try it again, since I was very irritated with the computer (that helped a lot...) the next day I was sick with flu. I'm finally over it now. So here it is...
As I write this, I am listening to Go With The Ventures (to be specific, track #2, Ginza Lights). I personally do not think that this is their best album, but I sure do like it!!! How on earth did Nokie get that tone on Escape? Anyway, a few weeks before the concert, I heard from a friend on Underground Fire (John Mooney) that Nokie Edwards was going to be playing in Nashville. We made plans to go together. I was so excited! I was going to see Nokie Edwards. A few days before the
concert, Mr. Mooney called me and told me that he couldn't make it because his wife felt really bad. I told him that I was very sorry. I then realized that I wasn't going to make it to the concert.
My mom, knowing how much I like Nokie and The Ventures,(actually when it comes to talking about music all I do is talk about them..and all I play on the guitar is them!), offered to buy me a ticket on the bus to Nashville. I graciously accepted. Luckily, my dad was in town so he picked up at the station in Nashville. He then took me to the Church (were the concert was to be held) so we could get some tickets. I could hear some guitars from the outside, and when I walked in, there was
Nokie Edwards right in front of me tuning up!!!! I got my Mosrite Ventures Model guitar from my dad's car, and asked Nokie to please sign it for me. He stopped what he was doing and signed my guitar on the pickguard. What a nice guy!! We stuck around for a few minutes and heard them play.
I knew that the concert was going be great...especially Nokie. I was very antsy until it was time for the concert. (By the way, I'm now on track #9, my favorite: Escape!) When we went in, I saw some Underground Fire guys (the Davis' , and Dave Twogood). They were very nice,and came over to talk to me. We talked about The Ventures for a good 10 or 15 minutes. then the first set started. It was all acoustic, and I wasn't surprised when Nokie didn't play for that part. I don't picture him being an unplugged kind of guy.....to my joy, Nokie walked by me and sat down a few seats from me. I wanted to go over and talk to him, but he was talking to someone else. I sure wouldn't want someone interupting my conversation with Nokie Edwards, so I didn't say anything. The first set was very good. there was lots of different kinds of music being played. Then there was a thirty minute break for the next artists to get ready. Nokie appeared to be ready, so I went over to talk to him. He was very,very nice and answered all my questions. He told me to keep playing guitar..that meant so much to me. I talked to him for a few minutes (my mind went really blank..I forgot my questions...oh well). I got an autograph for Mr. Mooney.
The second set was starting. I kept my
eyes peeled on Nokie. Everybody was louder than him, but he was definitely the best on stage.
He has a trademark style that nobody else has. The other performers were
great. Nokie was like the best of the best....
After the show (which lasted 3 hours total!), me and the other U.F.er's went to go talk to Nokie. He signed a few dozen more things. I was gladly surprised to see his wife, Judy, there. She was also very warm and outgoing. She took a few pictures of all of us together with Nokie. Most of the people started to leave, but I decided to stick around. After all, how
chances do you get to see Nokie Edwards? (I hope more than one!!!!!)
They started to pack up,and I asked if I could help with anything. Judy (I hope they don't mind me calling them by their first
names..) asked if I would carry Nokie's guitar to their car. Would I?? Of course!! That was one of the highest points in my life. They thanked me for doing that. I thanked them for letting me do that!
Judy...or Mrs. Edwards, told to wait a minute because because Nokie had a gift for me. The whole concert was a gift! Judy suggested that Nokie should teach me a lick, but he looked tired from the concert, so I didn't pursue that any further. Nokie got a mini Telecaster and signed it for me. I thanked him numerous times. And that ends my night of bliss.
I probably forgot some details, but you should know that Nokie and Judy Edwards are some of the nicest people you ever meet. and one of them is the greastest instrumental guitar player of all time, and always will be!
The only that I wished would have happened that didn't happen, was for Nokie to play some Ventures, or for me to play some Ventures for him. I think that he would be proud of me.
I have one favor to ask of Judy and Nokie Edwards: that if they get this
message that they email me at Samvann@aol.com and let me know that they got it.
God Bless them both.
Jonathan Horne
Nokie surrounded by his fans:
from left, clockwise: Joe Davis, Chuck Davis, Jack Davis (all from Livingston, TN), Dave Twogood (from Rock Cave, WV), and Jonathan Horne (from Edisto Island, South Carolina).
Thank you, Judy, for taking the photo!
One last note: "Nokie plays a signature model Telecaster equipped with Seymour Duncan pickups, and is well-known for his landmark guitar work with his band, The Ventures.
What more do we need to say?"
Artists' biographical information from the concert program. Thank you, Muriel!
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