Post #439051 by basilh on Tue, Mar 10, 2009 11:10 AM

OOPS I forgot to answer your question about playing in Spain, no, we never played in Spain, but we may sometime soon as we are branching out into Europe generally what with the Lei of Emeralds Show, the Tong Tong Fair and The Chanos International Steel Guitar Convention in September,

Of course we all know that Chanos- Curson is a picturesque village nestling among the Crozes-Hermitage vineyards which mark the commencement of the Rhône plain. It is situated between the foothills of the Alps to the east and the hills of the Ardèche to the west. Stunning views in every direction combine with a wonderful climate, world renowned wines and exciting local cuisine to make Chanos the ideal place to hold an International Steel Guitar Festival. And all of this is just 5 minutes from the Tain l’Hermitage turn off from the A7 autoroute.

The RHONE valley !! where some of the world's most respected wines and grape originate.. Pat and I will be touring the area from the 17th to the 25th just sightseeing and sampling the local cuisine etc.. Along with our friends, Rod & Rosemary, Digby and Chantal etc..and hopefully making a few new ones..

Methinks our friend below has had just a smidgen too much Châteauneuf-du-Pape !
Of course there are those who hate the pedal steel "that much", I'll be doing what I can to redress the balance and demonstrate it's place in Hawaiian Style playing, a la Jules Ah See, Billy Hew Len, Danny Stewart, the Tavares Bros. etc. I'll also be playing my Emmons over at the Country Venue

We were asked how we started so not wishing to "Hi-Jack" your thread but to reply, (I never was much for abbreviating ANYTHING)

I contracted Polio in the 1949 epidemic and was in an Iron Lung 'till I was 10, one years schooling and asthma prevented any more school, I got a £5 acoustic guitar but my Mother didn't want me to join a "Skiffle Group" or a "Rock & Roll Band" so she started up a Hawaiian group (Blue Hawaiians)and I learned rhythm guitar.

The Blue Hawaiians Played resident at The Viking in Hob's Moate every Sunday and the rest of the week at the Hawaiian Room Berkswell. The Original Hawaiian Guitarist was Albert Green from Ward End, he was replaced by a talented player Bill Cox. His daughter Pat played Ukulele and also joined the group, we fell in love (Pat and I that is)

Later that year poor Bill Cox had departed this world stuck down at 49 years of age with a disease now curable (Acute Angina) I vowed to look after his daughter and continue with HIS group's name "The Waikiki Islanders" I built a Hawaiian Guitar and with what Bill had showed me started to learn to play.

The Guitar I Made 1961, The pickups were the prototype of the design that John Birch and myself developed in 1967.

My Mother retired and married again (she's on her 5th now) and Pat and I started looking for gigs. there's MUCH more to the story but that's for later.

Torquay 1963

Pat Henriques

My Sister Barbara

The group at Ashton Court Country Club Bristol 1964

Bill Cox, Archie Cox and the original Waikiki Islanders 1937